Just off the transom from the Doolittle for Congress campaign, in response to Assemblyman Ted Gaines opening an exploratory committee to look at a run against Doolittle in the upcoming GOP primary…: LOYALTY MATTERS By former State Senator and Assemblyman Tim Leslie As Benjamin Franklin said so well, so long ago, "a friend in need is a friend indeed". Our friend John Doolittle is under attack from the liberal left and now from those to whom he has shown true friendship. … Read More

This may be my favorite update yet from Anthony York over at Capitol Weekly… He has put his hands on a copy of an e-mail sent out by the Los Angeles County Registrar. The last paragraph is my favorite. As a hack for the unions, I am sure that Labor Day weekend is supposed to be like Christmas for Fabian Nunez. Yeah, not so much this weekend. He may have to spend it working on his resume…

From York:

It’s time for a new contest. Guess how much a pay raise Governor Schwarzenegger has given to his Chief of Staff, Democrat Susan Kennedy?

We’ve heard that Kennedy and a few other senior staffers have had Christmas come a little early.

UPDATE: Ace Governor’s Press Secretary Aaron McLear responded with a phone call within like two minutes of my email asking for specifics. He sent over the list. He wanted to stress to me (so I will share with you) that the total expenditures for staff salaries in the Governor’s office has not increased, apparently they are making due with less people, but paying them more. These ‘adjustments’ follow some increases received by Cabinet Secretaries in the Spring…. So, without any further suspence… The winners are…… Read More

Not to be cynical, but I am sure that the games are now beginning. Wouldn’t it be funny if some of the bigger more liberal counties suddenly "found" more qualified signatures?

Anthony York’s latest:

All 58 counties have reported their raw count for a total of 1,105,511 signatures. 55 counties have reported their random sample numbers for a total of 757,626 projected valid signatures. Needs 763,790 projected valid signatures to qualify by random sample. 4 counties that had previously reported their random sample numbers submitted amended reports today. So,… Read More

Here what Mr. York, of Capitol Weekly, shares:

LA City Attorney has finally made the big time. Following Paris Hilton and disclosures about his family’s run ins with the law; he has been recognized… as one of the 10 worst prosecutors in the country.

Congrats Rocky ! You deserve it. See story here.… Read More

The timing of when the Perata-Nunez Career Politician Term Limits Weakining Initiative will appear on the ballot is now in question (it’s looking very likely like Nunez will fail to garner the necessary percentage of valid signatures in a random count, necessitating a manual count in the 58 counties which very well might not be complete before a late-September cut-off to qualify for the February ballot). This certainly becomes a very interesting development as discussions are underway in earnest to place a redistricting reform measure on the February ballot. The Governor, to his credit, has made this a top priority, witholding any potential support for a term-limits modification until this demand is met. Assembly Democrats have given lip-service about supporting redistricting reform, but have been slow to proffer any support for a plan that passes the smell-test for being meaningful reform. Let’s start with an important premise that is important to consider when looking at redistricting reform. A bad plan… Read More

The FlashReport gets a shout-out from the Wall Street Journal (sorry Spence, you got written out!):

Terms Unlimited?

Talk about election officials being hoisted by their own political petard.

Facing a forced career change next year under the state’s term-limits law, California Senate President Don Perata and Assembly Speaker Fabian Nunez have fast-tracked a ballot initiative that would allow them to stay in office. While the measure would ostensibly toughen the term limits law, it would also create a special "transition period" that would let 80% of today’s sitting legislators delay their departure. "The practical effect of the measure would be to allow more lawmakers… to stay in office longer," concluded a San Francisco Chronicle analysis.

Armed with a highly favorable ballot summary crafted by… Read More