Assemblyman Joel Anderson was was appointed yesterday as the Elections Chair for the Assembly Republican Caucus by GOP Leader Mike Villines.

"I appointed Joel Anderson to serve as the Elections Chair for our Caucus because he has one of the sharpest political minds I know," said Villines, "he is a successful fundraiser and he is a team player who passionately values advancing Republican principles across California, which will translate into increasing our seats in the State Assembly."

Catching up with him in Sacramento, Anderson said he’s ready for the task: "The only way to reduce government regulation, shrink state government, and protect our freedom is to elect a Republican majority. I am honored to be elections chair and will work with my colleagues to do everything we can to win.”… Read More

Ten years ago, voters established the First 5 Commission to use tobacco tax revenues for improving the lives of California’s children. Its proponents argued that the First 5 Commission would "provide child immunizations, health care, nutrition services, domestic violence prevention, and treatment…" from the time they were born until they entered kindergarten. However, political gain and mismanagement have corrupted that noble goal.

To begin with, the First 5 Commission spent tens of millions of dollars intended to provide direct services to kids on ads advocating the virtues of preschool while an initiative to mandate preschool was being circulated by the First 5 Commissioner. Now it has been discovered that the First 5 Commission and its 58 county commissions are letting billions of dollars collect dust rather than be used to provide services for children.

According to The Sacramento Bee (January 17, 2008), the 58 "county commissions in California that decide how to use money from [Proposition 10] are sitting on a combined balance of more… Read More

I’ve got to send out a big "Well Done!" to new Alameda County GOP Chair, Paul Cummings, and his executive director, Ryan Hatcher. Last night they hosted a mock debate of Republican Presidential candidates in Newark, and it was one of those events that makes you really proud to be a Republican. The discussion was serious and issues based, but supportive and respectful. The audience had excellent, thought-provoking questions, and everyone felt very comfortable giving input and sharing their ideas. There was no candidate bashing on either side of the aisle, and it was truly an effective fact sharing opportunity. My hat is off to Paul and Ryan for setting the perfect tone for a dignified and thoroughly enjoyable evening! Way to go!… Read More

I thought I’d take a little time each day and let the readers know what POLITICAL mail my household gets each day, and givingeach piecea grade (two categories: Slates and Mailers).We are Republican absentee voters and have not cast our ballots yet. The only mailwe’ve gotten before today, I believe,is a slate from the California Republican Party and a campaign mailer from Presidential candidate Ron Paul.

Today we got three pieces:

‘Vote NO on 94,95,96,97’ paid for by Californians Against Fair Deals. Good piece – very clear. I give it a firm MAILER B.

‘California Voter Guide’ slate mailer. No on the 93 through 97, Yes on 92. You have to love the front which says "Save Our Term Limits No on 93 – Its a Fraud That Actually Lengthens Politicians Terms". I think this is a Tim Carey slate, which usually means quality. I give it a SLATE B+.

Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger’s Ballot Proposition Guide slate mailer paid for by the California Republican Party. OK this thing is 8 full pages will an additional card to be torn off to be taken to the polls. Over the past few… Read More

Looks as though the Inland Empire is McCain country.

Just a few of Senator McCain’s big-name supporters in the Inland area include: former Senate Minority Leader Jim Brulte, Assemblywoman Bonnie Garcia, District Attorney Rod Pacheco, and Riverside County Supervisor John Tavaglione. Local party activists have also signed on with the Senator’s “No Surrender” message. Riverside County Republican Party Vice Chairman Ken Minesinger also endorsed Senator McCain’s candidacy just this week.

Riverside Lincoln Club President Doug Jacobs and longtime GOP activist Aaron Knox have signed on with the campaign. The McCain campaign in the Inland area is chaired by Rob Hightower, who is a criminal prosecutor in Riverside. Hightower commented that “all across the Inland Empire, from Riverside to Coachella and from Temecula to Rancho Cucamonga people are excited about John McCain. His plan of lowers taxes, conservative values, and the vigor to win the war on terror is resonating with Republicans here.” Hightower concluded that “this is a great time to be a member of the McCain team. We are looking forward to more people becoming… Read More

Some polling shows that Romney is gaining ground in Florida and nationally because Thompson voters are now voting for Mitt. Some might think it’s just wishful thinking, but the Romney campaign has nonetheless created some banner ads to try to attract the Thompson voter.

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In what California’s own Rep. Nancy Pelosi describes as help for the “middle class and those who aspire to be in the middle class,” the Bush Administration and House leaders have agreed to an economic stimulus plan. Granted, when you have to negotiate with the likes of Nancy Pelosi, you are not going to get everything you want, but I was shocked to see the plan includes a tax “rebate” for Americans who do not even pay taxes. Workers who make just $3000 a year and do not pay taxes will receive a $300 "tax rebate." These folks are below the poverty level and qualify for loads of federal and state assistance. This supposedly temporary and emergency stimulus deal is supposed to be providing relief for taxpayers and stimulating the economy. Instead, the Democrats have made sure to load it up with handouts masked as “tax rebates.” The Republicans did get the Democrats to give in on extending unemployment benefits and increasing food stamp payments in exchange for this Earned Income Tax Credit-type payment. The Democrats may be calling these payments “tax rebates,” but the GOP should be clear that these payments are special welfare payments, not… Read More

UPDATE FROM JON FLEISCHMAN: Today the Romney Campaign will make Huff’s endorsement official. Here are statements from Romney and Huff:

Upon the announcement, Chairman Huff said, "There is one candidate with the experience and determination to strengthen our economy and promote job growth in California and across the country and that is Governor Mitt Romney. Throughout his time in the private sector, at the 2002 Winter Olympics and as Governor, he led using fiscally conservative principles, and he will do the same as President. Governor Romney will bring real conservative change to Washington , and I encourage others to join me in supporting his candidacy." "Chairman Huff and I both believe that we must keep taxes low, cut wasteful government spending and reverse the current housing crisis facing families in California and throughout the… Read More