The last few days there has been quite a bit of discussion about the sudden circumstances surrounding the abrupt departure of the California Republican Party’s Chief Operating Officer. To those who are still interesting in rehashing this matter… Get over it. It’s time to move on. The guy omitted key information when he applied for the job. When it was revealed, he quit. The CRP has hired a new, well qualified, intirim COO. The Chairman has expressed his regret over the situation. A higher degree of scrutiny will be given to future applicants. End of story. We’re now at the point where people who do not have the best interests of the California Republican Party at heart want to make a long, drawn out issue (like our "friends" at the San Francisco Chronicle). If any readers of this website still have any real lingering questions or concerns about this matter, go ahead and drop me an e-mail and I will be happy to speak with you about it.

I am making this post deliberately short to emphasize my point. … Read More

Last week we featured a column from State Senator Tom McClintock critical of a decision by the California Air Resources Board to require that 10% of gasoline be made up of ethanol. Yesterday, former California Secretary of State, now Chairman of the Board of Pacific Ethanol Bill Jones responded with this column. Last night Senator McClintock sent me the following ‘rebuttal’ to Jones’ response, which I am publishing to further this outstanding discussion! … Read More

Last week we featured a column from State Senator Tom McClintock critical of a decision by the California Air Resources Board to require that 10% of gasoline be made up of ethanol. Yesterday, former California Secretary of State, now Chairman of the Board of Pacific Ethanol Bill Jones responded with this column.

Last night Senator McClintock sent me the following ‘rebuttal’ to Jones’ response, which I am publishing to further this outstanding discussion!

The Farce About Ethanol… By State Senator Tom McClintock… Read More

There are a lot of reasons why the massive state government expansion into California’s health care marketplace is a bad idea. But there is a very good chance the the proposals by the Governor and Democrats violate the Federal Employee Retirement Income Security Act. FR friend and San Diego Union Tribune editorial writer Chris Reed has been the loudest trumpet on this issue, but now six Assembly Republicans have signed a letter to Democrat Assemblyman Mervyn Dymally, Chairman of the Health Committee, formally requesting a hearing to examine how ERISA might impact proposed plans… The signers were all five GOPers on the Health Committee, along with the Assembly Republican Leader: Dr. Alan Nakaniski, Dr. Bill Emmerson, Ted Gaines, Bob Huff, Audra Strickland, and Mike Villines. The letter is thoughtfully written, and worth a looksee. It’s linked below.

I’m not sure that actual legitimate policy concerns matter much to the Nunez machine, on their endless quest to expand the size and scope of state government… But I am proud that Assembly… Read More

Last Wednesday I featured a guest commentary is this space from State Senator Tom McClintock. Entitled Ethanol Economics, McClintock made the case against a recent decision by the California Air Resources Board to mandate that by 2010, every gallon of gasoline sold must be made up of at least 10% ethanol. Bonus link: What is ethonal? The Wikopedia entry is here.

Today I am pleased to feature a ‘rebuttal piece’ penned by former California Secretary of State Bill . Jones, the Republican Party’s nominee for U.S. Senate a few years back, is now the Chairman of the Board of Pacific Ethanol:

… Read More

From State GOP Chairman Ron Nehring……

California Republican Party- Chairman’s Report Greetings!

I wanted to take this opportunity to update you on a few important events at the CRP.

With my background serving as a county chairman for more than five years, I take the role of state party chairman with enormous seriousness, and feel a great sense of personal responsibility for ensuring the party’s success.

As a county chairman, I was accustomed to working in a fairly tight circle, keeping things moving rapidly in a campaign environment where we had more than 10 elections in just five years. Although I was Chairman of a large county party, the CRP is much, much larger, requiring a wider circle of people and adjusting expectations of how quickly things can happen accordingly.

As a result of this, and a short timeframe to fill the position, we moved too quickly in the hiring of our previous COO, and certain assumptions were made that proved not… Read More

San Jose State’s Survey Policy and Research Center just released some survey results on the term-limits weakening measure, public sentiment on illegal aliens, and popularity numbers for the Governator. You can read the summary release which is attached below. Of particular note in this survey were the numbers on the term-limits weakening measure being placed on the ballot by termed-out legislative leader politicians Don Perata and Fabian Nunez. On the first pass, the career politician set would be chuckling with glee as respondents to the survey, based on having the ‘official’ description of the measure read to them, seem to support the measure with 56% saying they would vote for it. Well, that is where the good news stops for them and the good news for those who oppose career politicians begins. The analysis with the attached survey penned by survey director Melinda Jackson makes it clear that it is Jerry Brown’s slanted wording that is responsible for… Read More

Congressman Kevin McCarthy has circulated a letter to Governor Schwarzenegger which has been signed by all nineteen California Republican Members of Congress. The message in the letter is simple — any fair redistricting plan must include House seats.

We contacted McCarthy’s office this morning and they provided us with a copy of the letter (it is attached at the bottom of this post).

Interestingly, this is a marked change for most of the delegation who either opposed or sat on their hands during the 2005 Proposition 77 campaign to redraw districts…

FR friend and Roll Call writer David Drucker has penned a story about this in today’s issue of Roll Call, which I have reprinted below. RC subscribers can read it online here.

GOP Unity On Remap June 26, 2007… Read More