At the holiday time, you should always endeavor to give a gift greater than the one you receive.

I’m not the only one who (see Jim Battin’s post below this one) has been "elfing around" — Jim’s been at it, too. And with two of his good friends.

Check Jim and his friends out here.… Read More

The California Republican Assembly has officially endorsed the Voters FIRST Redistricting initiative. The vote was nearly unanimous, with only a single dissenting vote.

The Initiative, which is due to begin circulating petitions shortly, takes the drawing of legislative district lines out of the hands of the legislature and gives it to an Independent Commission composed of Republicans, Democrats and Independents randomly selected from a pre-qualified list of volunteers.

I know people are wondering how CRA can support an initiative endorsed by the Governor and Common Cause. Clearly, CRA is no fan of these two or some of the other groups supporting the initiative.

Some of the criticisms from a few Republicans include that it doesn’t include Congress. I wish it did. The reality is this is the only initiative on the topic that might qualify and pass out there. It isn’t perfect but it is a step in the right direction.

Want proof?

The initiative has drawn heavy fire from Democrat party activists like Bill Cavala, who predicted it could cost Democrats 6 Assembly seats and 2 Senate seats, and Assembly Speaker Fabian Nunez’s spokesman Steve… Read More

Nominations are coming in for "most creative holiday card" from political firms. Below are links to two great contenders — the first from the Federal Strategy Group (managing partner Jason Roe, former FR Beltway Correspondent) and the second from Bieber Communications (owner Jim Bieber is a longtime friend of the FR).

Check them out!… Read More

The Rudy Giuliani Presidential Committee today announced its California Congressional District Chairs. Giuliani campaigned throughout the state Monday and Tuesday with stops in the San Francisco Bay area, Los Angeles, Orange County and San Diego. It is a strong statement for any Presidential campaign in California to be organized at the Congressional District level. With our district-by-district delegate selection process, the candidates who focus locally will have a big leg up… Mike Harris, CD 1 Geri Byrne, CD 2 Erik Christeson, CD 3 Adam Willoughby, CD 4 Sandy May Stultz, CD… Read More

Mimi Walters knows all too well what a formidable opponent Jim Gibson can me. In Mimi’s first and ultimately successful run for the Assembly, she won in a three-way primary. While most pundits saw then-OC Supervisor Tom Wilson as Mimi’s primary opponent, it was ultimately Gibson, a school board trustee from Vista, in San Diego County, that ran second.

The 73rd Assembly District, while mostly in South Orange County, takes in a sizable chunk of Northern San Diego County.

Fast forward to the not-so-distant past, and the special election for the 35th State Senate District, vacated by John Campbell when he replaced Chris Cox in Congress (I know, terribly confusing). Dana Point City Councilwoman Diane Harkey ran a strong, conservative campaign against Assemblyman Tom “son of the open primary” Harman. Harman eeked out a victory by a handful of votes…

Fast forward to the present. Mimi Walters is now the front-runner in a bid for the 33rd State Senate GOP primary, where Senate Republican Leader Dick Ackerman is term-limited out of office. Thus we once again have an open 73rd… Read More

Sending a strong message to the lesser known and/or lesser qualified GOP candidates mulling the race, the San Diego County Republican Party last night unanimously endorsed former Assemblyman and currently-on-leave Judge Jan Goldsmith for San Diego City Attorney. The momentum has built against incumbent Mike Aguirre, whose mouth-shooting and media-grabbing can’t-help-himself tactics have turned what was once a potential easy re-election into one of the races to watch next year. Goldsmith brings high credibility to the race. Aguirre, who called for a complete evacuation of San Diego during the October wildfires, is now on the end of an effort — complete with bumper stickers — to "Evacuate Aguirre."

The Party press:

The Republican Party of San Diego County unanimously voted to endorse Judge Jan Goldsmith for San Diego City Attorney on Monday night.

"Judge Goldsmith is exactly the kind of City Attorney that San Diego needs. Someone with a well-earned reputation for independence and integrity. His experience, competence and thoughtful demeanor are critical… Read More

The National Review has endorsed Mitt Romney for President.

National Reviews writes: "Romney is a full-spectrum conservative: a supporter of free-market economics and limited government, moral causes such as the right to life and the preservation of marriage, and a foreign policy based on the national interest." "Romney is an exemplary family man and a patriot whose character matches the high office to which he aspires." … Read More

The Romney for President Campaign just announced their list of Congressional District leaders for California – with an impressive showing, they have someone in each district.

This kind of grassroots organizing is impressive and important with the winner-take-all-by-district rules in place this cycle. The vote for President in the GOP primary will be tallied within each district, and whichever candidates achieves the plurality of the vote will be awarded that district’s three delegates.

You can see where such a system necessitates a district-by-district plan. Here’s the list… CD 1 – Mike Harvey CD 2 – Brenda Haynes CD 3 – Tom Scott CD 4 – Brian Jensen CD 5 – Matt Donaldson CD 6 – Michael Erickson CD 7 – Glenna Phillips CD 8 – Scott Erickson CD 9 – Richard Amoroso CD 10 – Greg Poulos CD 11 – Leslie Barkdull CD 12 – Michael Helmantolar CD 13 – Claudia Bermudez CD 14 – Gary Gechlik CD 15 – Harold Stuart CD 16 – Don Ainge CD 17 –… Read More