Our Golden State Presidential primary is quickly approaching — it’s just two weeks from tomorrow. In fact, to many Californians, election day has come and gone as so many now vote by absentee ballot! It seems like most people understand that the California Republican Party has changed the way that delegates are allocated — and that we are no longer a state where whomever gets the most votes statewide is awarded all of our delegates. No, this system which ensured that former Governor Ronald Reagan took 100% of California’s delegates to the 1976 convention in an effort to challenge President Gerald Ford is no longer in place. Or is it? Back in the 2000 election cycle, many years ago, a change in the system was made by the State GOP with the hope that a new system would infuse more energy and activism into the Presidential primary in California. The idea was that if California was "in play" to figure out a way for Presidential contenders to come and campaign here — even if they could not afford the tremendous costs associated with a statewide effort here. I remember a lot of… Read More

Our Golden State Presidential primary is quickly approaching — it’s just two weeks from tomorrow. In fact, to many Californians, election day has come and gone as so many now vote by absentee ballot! It seems like most people understand that the California Republican Party has changed the way that delegates are allocated — and that we are no longer a state where whomever gets the most votes statewide is awarded all of our delegates. No, this system which ensured that former Governor Ronald Reagan took 100% of California’s delegates to the 1976 convention in an effort to challenge President Gerald Ford is no longer in place. Or is it? Back in the 2000 election cycle, many years ago, a change in the system was made by the State GOP with the hope that a new system would infuse more energy and activism into the Presidential primary in California. The idea was that if California was "in play" to figure out a way for Presidential contenders to come and campaign here — even if they could not afford the tremendous costs associated with a statewide effort here. I remember a lot of… Read More

Destiny Schmesticy… Many San Diegans will care less about anything political today, if they did care before, in favor of the biggest Chargers game since 1995. Heck, many regular church-going folk will even fore-go that for the morning, or at least be seen at an earlier service so as to get to a TV by noon.

Although the Chargers are playing the AFC Championship against the 17-0 Patriots — a team of destiny, some say — there is no doubt that San Diegans are united in hope and excitement. The odds makers say this is a long shot, the Pats in the midst of one of the greatest seasons in NFL history, maybe the greatest. None of this has dashed the hopes of local fans. "On any Sunday…" the saying goes.

Politically,the town’s united passion is like that of a Ron Paul supporter, ignoring the polls, discounting the odds, looking only to their belief in a potential outcome that says the pundits are wrong, but the world is alright.

The Decline of the Trad Media and the Rise of the… Read More

Following on the heels of the strong Michigan victory, the Mitt Romney campaign has leveled the field in Nevada. With over 50% of the vote to himself, it shows the momentum is picking up. The McCain third place effort in this Western state, behind Ron Paul, has to be a concern to that campaign.

With 3 states won, the most Republican votes in all states, the most delegates accrued [59 for Mitt to 17 for McCain and 1 for Guiliani], Mitt Romney is fast becoming the conservative standard bearer for the Republican nomination.… Read More

One Republican Presidential candidate wins Iowa. Then fades. Another wins New Hampshire. Then still another wins Michigan. No clear frontrunnerhas emergedfrom these early, largely small state primaries. People have been saying it is an exciting and very surprising race for the Presidency in the Republican party.

Well, it is sure exciting, but perhaps not so surprising, at least to California’s Bill Simon, a key supporter of Rudy Giuliani’s campaign. I was on a call before the Michigan primary last week with Bill, and not only did he predict the outcome of that race, he also said key political advisors had been predicting the same results of these early primary statesfor over a year now – no clear frontrunner emerging from them. Meaning that the real decision to be made in determining the next Republican President will occur in the big state primaries to be held in the coming weeks.

And Rudy Giuliani is positioned better than any other candidate to capture the 1,191 delegates needed to become the Republican nominee. The first four primaries and caucuses produced only 54 delegates, which have tobe divided… Read More

Senator John McCain became the front runner for the Republican nomination tonight by winning the South Carolina primary. McCain leads virtually every national poll and has overtaken Mayor Guiiani in Florida.

The non-medal finish by Governor Romney in this conservative state must be of great concern for that campaign.

Say what you want about McCain. The guy is a true military hero and doesn’t flip-flop. He is solidly pro-life and a true fiscal conservative.

Senator McCain is the best chance for Republicans to hold the White House for another four years.… Read More

CRP Vice-Chair Tom Del Beccaro is not happy camper. He had plenty to say about the Presidential candidates at the San Gabriel Valley Lincoln Club Breakfast.I guess he should send them a copy of his book, The New Conservative Paradigm. If you see him ask him what he said when the reporter turned off the tape recorder.… Read More

That’s right, I’ve gone green.

– And I have the piece of paper to prove it (more on that in a minute).

My green adventure started today when I read this standard scold article in the Contra Costa Times. The headline says it all – and gives the reader the gist of the article right off: "Lawmakers’ flashy, fuel-sucking cars on road at the expense of taxpayers" Wow. Or should I say ouch. I just knew this article wasn’t going to be good – especially because I’m in it.

The article is the fairly standardpiece almost all papers do about legislators’vehicles – highlighting the cost of each car.They also tend to bereal vague that despite the actual cost – we all get exactly the same car allowance, and any costs above that allowance we pay for out of our own pocket. Since I drive a 2005 Lincoln Aviator, I pay $223.81 extra out of my paycheck each month to pay for the lease. So whether a legislator drives a Prius or an Aviator… Read More