The London Telegraph has been running an interesting rundown over the last several days of the Top-100 most influential liberals and conservativesin America.

There was theusual rundown of names on our side of the ideological divide, even if some popped up in surprising spots:

Former Reagan Scribe Peggy Noonan – #83 Frequent Golden Pen Recipient Thomas Sowell – #64 Justice Antonin Scalia – #62 Writer PJ O’Rourke – #60 National Review Founder William F. Buckley – #49 Former Bush Brain Karl Rove – #42 Fox News Leader Roger Ailes – #23 President Bush – #21 (How relevant is the President when he can’t crack the top 20) Chief Justice John Roberts – #8 Talk Show Host Rush Limbaugh – #5 Web News King (Sorry Jon) – Matt Drudge – #3 Former New York Mayor Rudy G (He’s a Conservative?) – #1

I list all of these out for a reason… stick with me.

On the Lefty side, the list starts with a who’s who in Clinton-land of… Read More

Welcome to the first-ever FlashReport Podcast — a one-on-one interview with Presidential candidate Fred Thompson!

Our plan was to kick-off our new podscasting feature after the first of the year with a new weekly podcast, where we would bring you interviews with many of the opinion leaders here in California that impact the politics and policy for the Golden State — and we still plan on doing that.

But when I had an opportunity to chat over the phone with GOP Presidential candidate Fred Thompson, I asked if we could go ahead and record the call to put up on the site, I quickly called my developers and said, "I know this is short notice, but can we scramble to get our first podcast up tomorrow??"

Fortunately they were able to pull it off, and below you can access my first interview — with Senator Thompson.… Read More

Welcome to the first-ever FlashReport Podcast — a one-on-one interview with Presidential candidate Fred Thompson!

Our plan was to kick-off our new podscasting feature after the first of the year with a new weekly podcast, where we would bring you interviews with many of the opinion leaders here in California that impact the politics and policy for the Golden State — and we still plan on doing that.

But when I had an opportunity to chat over the phone with GOP Presidential candidate Fred Thompson, I asked if we could go ahead and record the call to put up on the site, I quickly called my developers and said, "I know this is short notice, but can we scramble to get our first podcast up tomorrow??"

Fortunately they were able to pull it off, and below you can access my first interview — with Senator Thompson.… Read More

Axium: When I fly to or from Sacramento, I always run into at least one person I know, or know of…

Today I’m flying up to Sacramento to participate in a meeting of the California Chamber of Commerce’s Business Advocacy Council. They are looking at what to do on Proposition 93 (the Nunez-Parata “Career Politician” Term-Limits Weakening Act). I am sitting second chair to Kevin Spillane as we explain why businesses in California lose if 93 passes. I believe that the “Yes on 93 ” presentation will be made by Fabian Nunez’ Chief of Staff, Dan Eaton.

Back to that axium. On the flight up from Orange County, I’ve been enjoying a nice chat with former GOP Assemblyman Tom Mays, now a big wheel for Pacific Life. Also flying up on this Southwest flight is Jen Johnson, a leader in the CWLA. She’s headed for the Chamber event as well.

We’ll see if the axium holds up for the flight home later today…… Read More

The read of the afternoon is over at Capitol Weekly (www.capitolweekly.net) where ace political writer Anthony York has written about the potential role that GOP Insurance Commissioner Steve Poizner may be taking in opposition to Prop. 93, the Fabian Nunez Career Politician Term Limits Weakening Initiative.

Not only has Poizner signed the official argument against 93 on the ballot, but word is swirling far and wide that Poizner’s opposition to 93 may come with access to the Commish’s VERY deep pockets. Literally almost a billionaire, Poizner could deliver a fatal blow to Nunez’ Christmas present to himself without breaking a sweat.

Taking on the liberal legislative leaders in Sacramento is a courageous act, and we know that Poizner is up for the challenge. We sure hope that this "swirling rumor" becomes a reality. Poizner would be doing a huge favor to the people of California. Go for it!… Read More

The complete political spectrum is dining at Spattaro Restaurant close to the State Capitol. The forces of good are gathered in the light of day, on the patio (that would be me, and Kevin Spillane and Bob Adney from the pro-Term Limits crew. In the darkness of the depths of the restauarant would be the other group, which for ID purposes we’ll call Evil*. Speaker Nunez, Steve Maviglio, Darry Sragow et al.

* this label is a convenient identifier, not a statement of moral assessment.… Read More

I went to Sacramento to protect Proposition 13 and fight against tax increases. I take that commitment very seriously – and I’m proud of my record.

Soimagine my surprise when I read yesterday that on the newly released Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association legislative report card I received an embarrassing (and pathetic) 78.4 score, which is a grade of "B". Which also was the worst score of any Republican in either house.

I was stunned – and very, very concerned.

I love the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association. They do great work and are one of the most important organizations in California. To be the worst Republican on their report card……yikes.

HJTA is so important to me – and this score was so inconsistent with my voting record over 13 years we started researching how this anomaly happened. We found what I believe is a scoring system that – while good intentioned – punishes you if you’re not available to vote – even if you’re sick, in my case, absent because you are recovering from… Read More

Just in from Team Giuliani, the Mayor has assembled a pretty impressive array of GOP activists from up and down the Golden State as his regional volunteer leadership team. Congratulations to each of you, and if you haven’t done so alraedy, each of you should be applying to be a delegate from your respective Congressional District for next summer’s Republican National Convention!

As an aside, the ability to put together a strong local grassroots organization is especially important as each Congressional District will be tallied to determine which GOP candidate is awarded three delegates to the convention. Truly, in this state, all politics IS local…

Rudy’s California Volunteer State Leadership: Margie Handley, State Chair, Willits Tod Burnett, State Chair, Sacramento/Los Angeles Cathie Bennett Warner, State Communications Chair, Marin County Richard Sherman, Vice-Chair, Northridge Kay Spafford, Vice-Chair, San Diego June Downum, Vice-Chair, Glencoe Susan Allen, Vice-Chair, Capitola … Read More