From today’s Wall Street Journal Poltiical Diary…

Arnoldmander

Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger has revived an idea that his California voters already rejected just two years ago: giving an independent citizens commission the power to draw legislative districts. It’s a noble and useful concept, but the governor’s plan is fatally flawed and wouldn’t represent meaningful reform, even if it serves to spank a legislature that recently spurned his deals on health care and water policy.

Ted Costa, head of the citizen’s lobby People’s Advocate, has been agitating for decades to end the gerrymandered districts that mean California’s elections are… Read More

Among the most enduring legacies for any US President are their judicial appointments. Unfortunately, former Attorney General Gonzalez and Gerry Parsky set up an unprecedented "commission" with Senators Feinstein and Boxer to pre agree on any California federal judges.

Unprecedented, in that never before in American history did any President simply give up his right to select who he wanted to serve in the federal judiciary.

Some of us strongly objected [ see LATimes Op-Ed "Lionesses of the Left" , May 26, 2002] a commission that gave absolute veto power to either Feinstein and Boxer’s. Generally, a few good judges were… Read More

When Assemblyman Mark Leno announced that he was challenging Senator Carole Migden for her Senate seat I could not have been happier. In fact, I think most everyone in Sacramento that has ever been in one of her committee rooms was thrilled. It was going to be great political theater.

We were finally going to have a real knock down drag out battle by the Bay. It was going to be political WWE.

When Migden got slammed for risking the lives of other drivers on the freeway I really thought it was over. Then she comes back with the big L word. And the word is not "Lesbian". It is "Leukemia". Timing is everything.

In a one on one race with Migden and Leno — I like Leno’s chances. He is every bit as liberal only he is much nicer. That is not saying much. Leno had done a great job of gathering up all of the anti-Migden forces until others started having the same idea.

"Another clinging on to glory days" Alioto jumped into the race. He divides the anti-Migden forces once. Now Joe Nation has opened an account. He is a former Assemblyman from Marin County that might make a play for the Marin… Read More

A recently released Survey USA poll shows that the California Counts initiative (otherwise known as the initiative to tinker with how Electoral College votes are assigned) is up by 12 points.

I know a lot of pollsters are dubious of the results of these types of automated surveys, but that fact that it is up substantially at first glance shows that the hook of “fairness” has some serious legs.

Among all Californians, it polled 47% support, 35% oppose, and 19% undecided.

Other bits I found interesting: It was supported by an even wider margin among women (47/28). Among whites it polled 51/32. Among Republicans, it was 54/29 and 59/30 among Democrats.

Very good news… now it just has to qualify.… Read More

Compiled by the FlashReport "Elves"

“Congratulations on your 40th birthday. Wishing you and your family continued health and happiness. Thank you for all of your hard work in the Republican Party.” – Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger "Happy 40th birthday Jon. Keep fighting, we all appreciate your voice." – Insurance Commissioner Steve Poizner "Happy birthday Jon. You have finally come of age. You have a beautiful wife, Maureen, a beautiful child, Matthew, and you’re no longer a public employee. Welcome to the real world. Linda and I wish you forty more years of joy, happiness, and success." – Senate Republican Leader Dick Ackerman “On behalf of the entire Assembly Republican Caucus, I wish you a happy 40th birthday! We appreciate your hard work and wish you the best in the year ahead.” – Assembly… Read More

Previously, I reported on an attempt by a hodge podge of various human rights type groups that have targeted the Red Chinese float that will spotlight the 2008 Olympics in the city formerly know as Peking .

Pasadena elected leaders refused to even send a “strongly worded” letter about human right to the Chinese. I’m sure the Chicoms were glad they ducked that one.

The protestors now have the right target. They plan on educating people with a billboard campaign. They also want people to turn their backs on the Rose Parade Float as it goes by. Not enough people know or want to know what the Red Chinese are up to. It is a good start.

… Read More

Freedom and liberty aren’t just words in America. They mean something. This is a country where you can start with virtually nothing, and achieve the dream of amazing financial success, whether it making hamburgers, or computers. But that freedom with a price — it is called individual responsibility. You see, the key to having a free country is that we have a truly limited government. Liberty means being able to take risks, and hopefully achieving tremendous success. But it also means that there is risk as well. Some people prefer to avoid risk, and that is their prerogative. But is a truthful statement that many of the self-made success stories in America occured because someone took a risk, and showed a willingness to potentially lose what they have to try to better their position in our society. It is with some level of amazement that I read that President Bush has unleashed his Treasury… Read More

At our request, State Board of Equalization Member and frequent FR Contributor Bill Leonard (pictured) penned these thoughts on the passing of California Taxpayers Association President Larry McCarthy… Larry McCarthy is gone and the world is a poorer place. It is right that conservatives honor his life and the dedication he had for each of us. Anyone involved in California tax policy over the last couple of decades knew Larry. Whether it was complex issues of unitary taxation of multinational corporations or simple principles that voters should be the final authority in approving tax increases Larry was in the thick of it. (And on both of these he helped me) His knowledge of taxes made him a resource for many and his unassuming generosity with his time made him high on that list of people you would want to call to get answers. His expertise… Read More