I’m going to play the "who won the debate?" I don’t think anyone is going to win a forum with 10 candidates — although I did receive a press release from the Mitt Romney campaign at precisely 6:30 p.m. (the time the debate ended) declaring Mitt Romney the winner.

Rather, this is the candidates’ first opportunity to make a good impression on Republicans voters while side-by-side with their nomination rivals, and I think that’s how they were approaching it.

That’s said, I sat down to watch the debate not having endorsed any candidate. When the debate ended, I still hadn’t endorsed anyone. In fact, I fell asleep during the last 15 minutes – I was tired and it was a long program.

Speaking of the format: can we discard the "Interactive Round" segment next time? It injected the debate with a game show feel — I half-expected the candidates to ask Chris Matthews, "I’ll take tax cuts for $500, Chris." Plus, the e-mailed questions were often lame: "What don’t you like about America?"

I don’t think any of the first-tier candidates committed any fatal… Read More

Late this afternoon, ten GOP contenders for the White House will be trying their hardest to make in impression at a debate at the Reagan Library in Simi Valley. The fact that the debate includes all ten candidates, and not just the three front runners, means that no single candidate is going to receive a significant amount of exposure during this event. You can be sure that each of the campaigns has figured out what message or theme they want to try to strike in what will be just a very few minutes. Don’t look to be overly impressed with the perfomances as I think that with 10 people vying for time, there will be little chance for anyone to really make one. I guess, especially with the lesser-known contenders, it will be fun to see them try to pick up some momentum by being a little bit more ‘outlandish’ — which should provide some interesting moments. As for McCain, Giuliani, and Romney — expect them to continue to emphasize the same campaign points that they have been making on the trail… As it has been said, Fred Thompson, who is speaking to the annual dinner of the Orange County Lincoln Club tomorrow night, is more likely to… Read More

In was really no surprise that long time California ‘insider’ Attorney General Jerry Brown, the former California Governor and Oakland Mayor used his office to pen an extremely biased Title and Summary for the Term Limits Weakening Measure that is being supported by termed-out legislative leaders Don Perata and Fabian Nunez. U.S. Term Limits is used to having to battle entrenched incumbents, who have used every means at their disposal to not have their legislative careers cut short by term limits reforms. So it is with a strong record of standing up to these entrenched politicians that tomorrow representatives of U.S. Term Limits will hold a press conference (10 am, the Hyatt Hotel across from the State Capitol) to announce litigation to take Brown’s chosen, biased wording to court. You have to wonder what Title and Summary Brown will put on two other ballot measures that may appear in February — one to end tax-free per diem payments for legislators, and the other to significant reign in the ability of… Read More

I am flying to Sacramento this morning to participate in a forum to discuss whether DTS voters should be participating in selecting delegates to the RNC convention (of course they shouldn’t!).

Every time I fly to and fro from the Capitol City, for a few years now, there is always some familiar face (or ten) on my flight. This morning I was able to say hello to former California Education Secretary and State Senator Marian Bergeson. She flying up for a California Transportation Commission meeting – she is a member…

We’ll see if anyone of note is on my late afternoon flight tomorrow afternoon!… Read More

I have confirmed that Mike Radlovic has dropped out of the race for the 60th Assembly District. Mike Radlovic, past chair of the San Gabriel Valley Lincoln Club and the runner up to Bob Pacheco in the 1998 race for the seat (It was open primary, Huff came in third) Mike would have been a formidable candidate. See here. His ability to self-fund and his long history of GOP involvement were obvious pluses. Apparently, he had locked up political consultant Jim Nygren. Nygren helped Huff to an upset in this race four years ago. He let him go. Nygren has since signed on with Curt Hagman. See my post on him here.

Other candidates include Larry Dick, who has sources say raised over 60K at a recent fundraiser. The first financials in this race will be interesting. Other possible candidates… Read More

U.S. Senator John McCain’s presidential campaign today announced that former California Secretary of State Bill Jones will serve as chairman of the Arizona Senator’s campaign in the state of California.

As chairman, Jones will take the lead on Senator McCain’s political outreach and use his years of statewide experience on major issues to help advise a successful statewide effort.

Bill Jones served as California’s Secretary of State from 1995 to 2003 where he was widely credited for the success of his groundbreaking election and campaign finance reforms. Jones served in the California State Assembly from 1983 to 1995 where he was elected Republican leader in the assembly in 1991. A respected leader on agricultural and water issues, Jones also successfully authored California’s famous "Three Strikes and You’re Out" tough on crime law (Proposition 184). Bill Jones was elected as the state’s Republican Party nominee for the U.S. Senate in 2004.

"John McCain’s established record of leadership will go a long way with California’s Republican voters. He has been a leader on our critically… Read More

U.S. Senator John McCain’s presidential campaign today announced that former California Secretary of State Bill Jones will serve as chairman of the Arizona Senator’s campaign in the state of California.

As chairman, Jones will take the lead on Senator McCain’s political outreach and use his years of statewide experience on major issues to help advise a successful statewide effort.

Bill Jones served as California’s Secretary of State from 1995 to 2003 where he was widely credited for the success of his groundbreaking election and campaign finance reforms. Jones served in the California State Assembly from 1983 to 1995 where he was elected Republican leader in the assembly in 1991. A respected leader on agricultural and water issues, Jones also successfully authored California’s famous "Three Strikes and You’re Out" tough on crime law (Proposition 184). Bill Jones was elected as the state’s Republican Party nominee for the U.S. Senate in 2004.

**There is more – click the link**… Read More

Tomorrow, in Sacramento, the Commonwealth Club of California is hosting an hour-long forum on whether or not the California Republican Party should allow Decline-To-State voters to cast ballots in the GOP Presidential primary.

There are four panelists — representing the school of thought that DTS voters should be allowed will be former CRP Chairman Duf Sundheim and former Secretary of State Bruce McPherson, and representing the opposite point of view will be Assembly Elections Committee Vice Chairman Anthony Adams and… me!

There are still a few seats available for what promises to be an entertaining program. If you are interested in attending, here is the location (right next to the Capitol): Library and Courts Building, Room 500, 914 Capitol Mall.

If you would like to attend, RSVP here. The remaining seats will undoubtedly go quickly..… Read More