In 1997, Tom Hudson on my staff came to me with a great idea–why don’t we distribute our presidential delegates to the winner of the primary in each congressional district? At that time, California had about 180 presidential delegates (three per congressional district and about 21 bonus delegates), all of which were awarded to the presidential candidate that won the most votes in the presidential primary. Given this system, most presidential candidates would show up in California about a year away from the primary, have a bunch of fundraisers in San Diego, Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Sacramento, then come in about two weeks before the primary and spend several million dollars on commercials. Not a system designed to build a stronger party operation.

My experience in politics taught me two principles of politics. Principles dictate positions. Systems dictate strategies. If California Republicans wanted a stronger party operation, they had to devise systems that encouraged people to develop that operation. A winner take all by congressional district system would do that. California has double the delegates of any other state, and five or six… Read More

In 1997, Tom Hudson on my staff came to me with a great idea–why don’t we distribute our presidential delegates to the winner of the primary in each congressional district? At that time, California had about 180 presidential delegates (three per congressional district and about 21 bonus delegates), all of which were awarded to the presidential candidate that won the most votes in the presidential primary. Given this system, most presidential candidates would show up in California about a year away from the primary, have a bunch of fundraisers in San Diego, Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Sacramento, then come in about two weeks before the primary and spend several million dollars on commercials. Not a system designed to build a stronger party operation.

My experience in politics taught me two principles of politics. Principles dictate positions. Systems dictate strategies. If California Republicans wanted a stronger party operation, they had to devise systems that encouraged people to develop that operation. A winner take all by congressional district system would do that. California has double the delegates of any other state, and five or six… Read More

Yesterday, The Desert Sun reported what everybody that lives in a community with an Indian gaming facility in or near it already knew.Areas with tribal gaming prosper.

The Sun’s article "Study: Gaming boosts opportunities on reservations – Report finds reduced rates of poverty, higher incomes, better education options", reports "Tribal gaming in California has reduced poverty and improved employment, incomes and educational opportunities in communities near casinos, according to a University of California, Riverside study….

The study, published in UCR’s ‘Policy Matters’ edition, is titled ‘Lands of Opportunity: Social and Economic Effects of Tribal Gaming on Localities.’" The UCR study concluded "[m]edian income levels rose more significantly among families within 10 miles of a gaming reservation – from $32,515 in… Read More

Republican Senate Leader Dick Ackerman made it official today, he filed Governor Romney’s intent to participate in California’s February 5th Primary Election with the Secretary of State.

Ackerman is Romney’s state chairman.… Read More

Fox News noted yesterday the brewing philosophical battle heading into this weekend’s convention over the California Republican Party Platform, i.e, whether the GOP’s statement of principles should be conservative or moderate.

Governor Schwarzenegger would like a shorter, more inclusive statement,a one-pager, addressing only the topics he believes are important to the State. Few, if any, social issues. The FlashReport’s own Mike Spence is quoted in the story, leading the charge for conservatives who believe the Party should be clear and detailed about where it stands on the issues of the day.

Go back 12 or 16 years and you would find the same story heading into any every-four-years platform adopting convention, Pete Wilson troops on one side, and the head of the California Republican Assembly quoted on the other. The debate was — and is — healthy.

Yet, I can do better than simply one page. To ensure the GOP is open to everyone, and doesn’t offend anyone at all, let’s make it even more succinct. To the Platform Committee and Convention delegates, may I offer the following suggestion:… Read More

Although there may still be add-ons, the initial Senate vote on Anderson’s AB221 is 32-0.

Or, Team Anderson 32, Team Iran/CalPERS 0.

On to the Governor.… Read More

I’m on the Drafting committee that will take up the Party Platform this weekend, and honestly, I find myself in a position that doesn’t line up well with either "side" on the Platform debate. I think we need a one-pager that is sort of a "Declaration of Independence" document, which boils down in pithy language "these truths to be self-evident." But I also think we needa "Constitution" like document that is more detailed. If you think about the Constitution, it isn’t a policy document, but rather a framework document that helps shape policy. It isn’t about nit-noid detail, but rather a template over which all policy decisions should be laid. I don’t think our Platform has to be lengthy, but it should be distinguishing and unique, so that our Party identity is not in question when the document is complete. I also believe it should be positive and inspiring, so that even if people don’t fall lock in step with every line of it, they don’t feel attacked or diminished in importance to the Party.

Having said that, I’m in a quandary about one line of the drafts I’m seeing in my… Read More

It really isn’t called "soft money" much anymore, but in the wake of the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision inthe Wisconsin Right to Life case gutting key provisions of the McCain-Feingold law, our firm has received a number of inquiries from clients about how to comply with rules in this new era, where bona fide issue advocacy communicationsin elections that mention the names of elected officials will benefit from more constitutional protection and less regulation, not just in Federal elections, but in all elections.

Keeping in mind all the general disclaimers that we can’t provide legal advice over the internet and that regulation of these communications is highly fact related, here are some general considerations for issue advocacy groups, PACs, and candidates at the Federal and state level who must consider issue-oriented communications after Wisconsin Right to Life:

Acommunication is not protected issue advocacy if:

– it appears to have the overall major purpose of supporting or opposing a specific… Read More