The Homosexual lobby loves the word “tolerance”. They use it in many ways to gain special rights for homosexuals. What they don’t like is practicing “tolerance”. SB 777 sponsored by Sheila Kuehl includes language that would add state censorship rulesto screen out anything negative about homosexuality in textbooks, curricula etc. at all public and private schools and universities. (Like universities are really targeting homosexuality). It could go so far as to eliminate distinctions like Prom King and Queen and could require various restrooms for students “perceived” gender. The Governor vetoed a less expansive version of this bill last year. Two days ago on Fox Karen England of the Capitol Resource Institute (CRI) debated the issue with a proponent of the bill. (See it here). The proponent refused to declare that the bill would not do the things Karen England … Read More

Today we feature a good amount of coverage on last night’s GOP Presidential debate at the Ronald Reagan Library in Simi Valley. We have post debate ‘spin’ from representatives of the three ‘front-runner’ candidates — Rudy Giuliani, John McCain and Mitt Romney — as well as a note from Duncan Hunter’s campaign. As of my writing this, a couple of members of our FR team have penned their observations over on the blog page, and we, of course, feature on the main page an extensive listing of articles from around California (and a few nationally) about the debate. I will make a few general observations about the debate.

With the field of candidates so wide (ten), there was not enough time in an hour-long debate for any one candidate to really take command and leave this debate in a substantially better position than before. I was really impressed with Sam Brownback’s performance. That was the most notable surprise to me. I think … Read More

Today we feature a good amount of coverage on last night’s GOP Presidential debate at the Ronald Reagan Library in Simi Valley. We have post debate ‘spin’ from representatives of the three ‘front-runner’ candidates — Rudy Giuliani, John McCain and Mitt Romney — as well as a note from Duncan Hunter’s campaign. As of my writing this, a couple of members of our FR team have penned their observations over on the blog page, and we, of course, feature on the main page an extensive listing of articles from around California (and a few nationally) about the debate. I will make a few general observations about the debate.

With the field of candidates so wide (ten), there was not enough time in an hour-long debate for any one candidate to really take command and leave this debate in a substantially better position than before. I was really impressed with Sam Brownback’s performance. That was the most notable surprise to me. I think … Read More

Others have weighed in at length, so this will be brief….30 seconds at best, yes or no at most.

We’ve become a world of snippets — of 30-second sound bites — so I guess we could have hoped for no more substance than that, not even when it comes to the most significant issues of the day.

Complex issues and the resulting complex questions are deserving of more than 30 second snippets and Chris Matthews-forced, "I’ll have to ask you to give ayes or no"simple answers.

Yes, I realize that with 10 "debaters" (this was no debate, by the way)and limited time, there may have been few other choices than the format selected. As well, this early in the process, all of the potential players have to be invited, further forcing the format.

Yet, I have no sense now of anything more than before, except each candidate’s ability to package an answer succinctly. There was John McCain, often looking like the only one of the bunch concerned about federal spending, when the record tells differently. There too was Ron Paul, perhaps one of the few willing to address runaway spending from a constitutional… Read More

California Congessman David Dreier is a supporter of Rudy Giuliani.. Rudy Giuliani kicked off last night’s debate with an emphasis on optimism. It was an entirely appropriate emphasis given the setting of the Reagan Library. As Rudy said, President Reagan led with optimism and on the strengths of this great country. Over the course of the debate, Rudy demonstrated he is the candidate that can lead as Reagan did, with optimism and strength.

I believe Rudy can win California and the election in 2008. The polls look the way they do for a reason. Rudy’s lead is real and last night we saw why. He was thoughtful. He was authentic. And he made clear that he plans to take the Reagan conservative principles he used to tackle crime, cut taxes and provide forward looking leadership to the White House.

Legitimately putting California in play for our Republican nominee will be… Read More

Tony Strickland is Co-Chairman of the Romney for President Campaign in California… Tonight at the Reagan Library, Governor Romney clearly showed why he has earned my backing in his bid to become the next President. No other candidate has the outside perspective we need to restore conservative principles to Washington. He successfully introduced himself to voters who may not already know him as the only candidate who can bring real change to government.

Voters learned tonight that with Governor Romney’s strong leadership, there is no problem America cannot solve. He has a clear record of real experience turning around troubled companies and organizations, and he will bring that same proven leadership to our nation’s capitol.

Here are some of the ways Governor Romney set himself apart from the other candidates at the Reagan Library:

He clearly discussed … Read More

I’ve been watching MSNBC’s day-long coverage of the debate tonight, and many of the Democraticpundits who’ve been interviewed have made mention that none of the GOP candidates can compare to the legacy of President Reagan, and will all pale on the stage in his library tonight. But I disagree…I dug through my bookshelf this morning and pulled out three books: “The Greatest Communicator” by Dick Wirthlin, Reagan’s chief political strategist; “American, Beyond our Grandest Notions” by Chris Matthews; and “Hardball” also by Chris Matthews.

Chris Matthews will moderate the debate tonight, and he knew President Reagan up close and personal when he served as Tip O’Neill’s chief of staff. In both his books, Matthews speaks with respect for President Reagan on a number of characteristics: his rebellious nature to buck conventional political wisdom; his status as the perennial “outsider” vs. the career politician, though he had been involved in politics since the Goldwater days; and his ability to communicate to Americans in a “Mr. Smith Goes to Washington” style. Reagan was eternally patriotic, and loved Americans as much as he loved… Read More

Tonight’s debate was like watching an NFL training camp in it’s early weeks of the summer. Some of the players obviously had the tools to survive the first rounds of cuts in the money primary and early primaries and caucuses while others had trouble showing the crowd they belong at this level of the game. Here is how I saw the players and their performances as if they were fighting to win the job of Republican Quarterback.

Ron Paul: Obvously the first cut. The libertarian stuff can be cute sometimes but his archaic foreign policy views and no national following of consequence mean it’s time to run for re-election to the House. Looked a little too much like Ross Perot for my comfort.

Tommy Thompson: There was a time when Tommy had tools and would have been intriguing as a candidate coming to camp. Unfortunately for him, it’s been a long time since he’s played at the level that would make you think hard about keeping him on the squad. Boring. He’ll be lucky to make it to the first states.

Fred Thompson: Currently absent from camp and has been placed on the "Did Not Report" List. Hard to win… Read More