‘Twas the week before the non-denominational winter break (we call it Christmas), and all through California’s house not a Lobbyist was stirring, not even a Democrat Louse; As the campaign stockings hung by the chimney, the state’s cupboards were bare, In hopes that a Christmas miracle soon would be there; The Democrats were nestled snuggly in their beds, While visions of relaxed terms limits danced in their heads; … Read More

Over the past decade, I have really gotten to know and develop a friendship with former Orange County Supervisor Gaddi Vasquez. I spent years working closely with his wife, Elaine, and can tell you they are great people. Don’t let Gaddi’s unique talent for working for agencies and organizations that we here at the FlashReport think should be abolished, keep you from admiring the man, and his dedication to public service. After President Bush was elected to office in 2000, Gaddi was appointed as the Director of the United States Peace Corps. You know, that place where American tax dollars, taken coercively from taxpayers, are they used as a "forced charity" to help other developing nations. (I’m sure Gaddi loves my editorializing in this introduction – not.). Nevertheless, in his time with the Corps, Gaddi brought the institution to new levels, and literally traveled the world over for years, as a good will Ambassador of the United States. Now, Gaddi is… Read More

From today’s WSJ Political Diary E-mail:

Subprime Workout

The retirement wave hasn’t been all bad news for House Republicans. More than a dozen Republicans will be leaving Congress after 2008, but several of them are handing over much of their campaign accounts to the National Republican Congressional Committee, which has been struggling all year to get out of debt and catch up with its free-spending Democratic counterpart.

Departing Louisiana Rep. Jim McCrery gave $200,000 at a fundraising meeting held by the House Republican Conference two days ago to retire the NRCC’s debt. New Jersey’s Jim Saxton, sitting on a war chest larger than $1 million, is expected to… Read More

I just came from the secret Headquarters that Capitol Resource Family Impact has set up to process the petitions being sent back. If successful, the referendum would stop SB 777, the anti-family school curriculum billed signed by the Governor.

With just a few weeks to go, the challenge will be for the effort to get a good chunk of the over 375,000 petitions distributed back. They are on their way.… Read More

Today is the first time FR readers have heard from Gary Jeandron. It won’t be the last. I believe Gary will be the next Assemblyman from the 80th District.

Whether Prop 93 passes or not, Gary will have a strong impact in California politics in the years to come. If Prop 93 passes, Gary will support Bonnie Garcia (one of my best buddies) in her reelection and be a major player in her campaign. If it fails, Gary will be the next Assemblyman.

In so many ways Gary is a tremendous candidate. He’s the just retired Police Chief of Palm Springs (over 35 years with the department). He’s a School Board Member of the Palm Springs Unified School District. He’s a certified Marriage and Family Counselor. And he’s been married to his beautiful wife,… Read More

Over at Metroblogging LA the vote for LA’s Grinch is almost over.

The nominees include Nick Counter and the AMPTP for the writers strike, the LA Unified School District (for their payroll system although what they do to kids could be in there, Pasadena Mayor Bogaard for his coddling of Red China, The Cheviot Hills Homeowners Association for their subway opposition, and the LA City Nerd a blogger who disappeared from cyberspace. Well at least from cyberspace.… Read More

Earlier this week, former California Governor Pete Wilson officially declared his opposition to Proposition 93 on this February’s ballot. As FR readers will recall, Prop. 93 is what we call "the big lie" and it is the measure placed on the ballot by Assembly Speaker Fabian Nunez as a rather naked effort to extend his own political career. Governor Wilson also has come out strongly against the campaign to recall State Senator Jeff Denham, an orchestrated effort by Senate President Don Perata to try to "take out" Denham for his opposition to this year’s state budget. Also, Governor Wilson has endorsed and is a strong supporter of Rudy Giuliani for President. Yesterday FR Publisher Jon Fleischman conducted an interview with Governor Wilson, which is presented below as a featured Podcast. In the interview, Wilson and… Read More

Earlier this week, former California Governor Pete Wilson officially declared his opposition to Proposition 93 on this February’s ballot. As FR readers will recall, Prop. 93 is what we call "the big lie" and it is the measure placed on the ballot by Assembly Speaker Fabian Nunez as a rather naked effort to extend his own political career. Governor Wilson also has come out strongly against the campaign to recall State Senator Jeff Denham, an orchestrated effort by Senate President Don Perata to try to "take out" Denham for his opposition to this year’s state budget. Also, Governor Wilson has endorsed and is a strong supporter of Rudy Giuliani for President. Yesterday FR Publisher Jon Fleischman conducted an interview with Governor Wilson, which is presented below as a featured Podcast. In the interview, Wilson and… Read More