Last Friday at a meeting in Orange County, the Board of Directors of the California Republican Party voted to affirm current party rules that state that you must be registered as a Republican in order to cast a ballot in California’s Presidential Primary this coming February.

As many FR readers know, last February I was elected by CRP delegates in the southern part of California to serve as their regional Vice Chairman on the Party’s Board of Directors. Along with my board colleague, Vice Chairman Tom Del Becarro, we jointly introduced a successful, one sentence resolution opposing any change in our current rules.

My decision to co-author this important statement from our Board came in light of news from National Committeeman Tim Morgan that if this current rule were to change, and non-Republicans were allowed to vote in the Presidential primary, it would likely not cost California any delegates (even though a change at the upcoming September convention would be after the deadline for states to submit their delegate selection process to the RNC).

**There is more –… Read More

Last Friday at a meeting in Orange County, the Board of Directors of the California Republican Party voted to affirm current party rules that state that you must be registered as a Republican in order to cast a ballot in California’s Presidential Primary this coming February.

As many FR readers know, last February I was elected by CRP delegates in the southern part of California to serve as their regional Vice Chairman on the Party’s Board of Directors. Along with my board colleague, Vice Chairman Tom Del Becarro, we jointly introduced a successful, one sentence resolution opposing any change in our current rules.

My decision to co-author this important statement from our Board came in light of news from National Committeeman Tim Morgan that if this current rule were to change, and non-Republicans were allowed to vote in the Presidential primary, it would likely not cost California any delegates (even though a change at the upcoming September convention would be after the deadline for states to submit their delegate selection process to the RNC).

The reasons for preserving a Republican-only primary are thus:

Okay, I stepped out and returned to over 40 emails in just 45 minutes asking how particular board members voted. Since our vote took place at a public meeting, and not in closed session, I don’t think any of my colleagues would mind if I post this. Again, all are invited to use this blog as a forum if they would like to elaborate on their vote cast. The resolution: The Board of Directors of the California Republican Party supports our current rules that require that you must be a registered Republican to cast a ballot in the Republican Presidential primary in February, 2008. Senate Leader Dick Ackerman – YES National Committeewoman Barbara Alby – YES Pres, County Chairs Assoc. Keen Butcher – NO Regional Vice Chairman Doug Boyd – YES Regional Vice Chairman Paul Bruno – YES Regional Vice Chairman Luis Buhler – NO Treasurer Keith Carlson – YES Vice Chairman Tom Del Beccaro – YES Regional Vice Chairman Jon Fleischman – YES… Read More

The CRP’s Victory ’06 effort that funded much of the Governor’s effort is still $4.6 millionin debt. Seeprevious posthere. Despite the promises of the Governor and past party chair Sundheim, the Governor has raised hardly any of the promised money towards erasing the obligation.

The good news is that whileputting his vast economic and scientific expertiseto use in Florida, he helped the Florida Party raise $1.6 million.See here.… Read More

As we reported earlier this year, the communucations team from the Arnold Re-elect split up, with former Communications Director Katie Levinson moving into a similar role for the campaign of Rudy Giuliani, and former Arnold Deputy CD Matt David went over to the McCain Campaign. (Two two are pictured to the right.) Well, with the nuclear blast last week at the center of the McCain campaign operation with the campaign manager Terry Nelson and senior consultants leaving, the reverberations of that are still taking place. It is now being reported that three senior press operatives, Brian Jones, Danny Diaz and the above-mentioned Matt David have turned in their walking papers. Now I haven’t spoken with Levinson, but I suspect she would be willing to find a great landing spot on Team Rudy for her former Arnold-colleague,… Read More

Because it is sometimes hard to discern what any Republican says about things when viewed through the filter of the main stream (liberal) media, here is some information from the office of Congressman John Doolittle making clear his position on the War in Iraq:

Congressman Doolittle has been a strong supporter of the war on terror and has not changed his position on the need for US military action in Afghanistan or Iraq. The Congressman fully supports the mission of our troops. Congressman Doolittle wants to see the Iraqi government become responsible for their own country more quickly. This situation is not a matter of being at odds with the President. In fact, Congressman Doolittle is sure the President would like to see the same result. We must face reality. Iraq is a region… Read More

Our Governor (pictured with Florida Governor Charlie Crist) is off making headlines in the Sunshine State today:

Associated Press: Schwarzenegger, Crist say people not politics should come first Schwarzenegger: States need to push Washington on climate change Florida News Press: Schwarzenegger adds muscle to Crist cause Orlando Sentinal: Schwarzenegger steals show at climate summit… Read More

Here it is, July 13th, and the Legislature still has not approved a state budget. Assembly Speaker Fabian Nunez says he’s cancelled his vacation plans and told his colleagues that they may have a long summer in front of them. But it is not only the members who pay the price of a late budget—legislative staff, governor’s office and agency staff and lobbyists also pay the price for a late budget.

But a late budget is better than a bad budget. Given the fact that the state continues to have an ongoing operating deficit of $2 billion, the annual budget process is an opportunity to, at the least, not continue to add to our fiscal problems.

But that’s not the Democrats’ take on the budget. As usual, they are pushing for more and more spending. The governor proposed total spending of $103.8 billion in spending, while the Democrats are promoting a budget of $104.4 billion. This week, the Assembly GOP proposed $2.2 billion in cuts to… Read More