It is all in the wrist. Temple City Councilman Dan Arrighi lost his seat on the council after losing a coin flip. Over a decade ago, there was a tie for a seat on the West Covina School Board. I tossed the coin that decided a winner until a recount changed the victor by 4 votes. I always said that close elections are the worst to lose. A lot of would have and should haves enter a candidate’s thought. To lose big, no problem. You couldn’t do anything about it! See the story here. … Read More

* On Monday, we will be featuring columns advocating the leading candidates for President penned by some of their prominent California supporters. The candidate campaigns to whom we reached out for columns were that of John McCain, Rudy Giuliani, Mitt Romney, and our own Californian in the race, Duncan Hunter. I am pleased that all four campaign chose to participate, and so you can look forward to that treat on Monday! Also, John McCain and Mitt Romney will be in California next week and I will be attending events for both – so we’ll be bringing you that scoop as well! * In Sacramento County, longtime Republican Party Chairman Donna Schalansky abruptly resigned after being convincingly re-elected to another two-year term earlier this month. Donna has been a longtime friend, and we wish her well in her future endeavors. According to insiders involved with the County GOP, First Vice Chairman Craig MacGlashan is heavily favored to be elected to replace her at a meeting on April the 12th. MacGlashan is the husband of Sacramento County Supervisor Roberta MacGlashan. * We continue to toodle around with our newest feature – being… Read More

* On Monday, we will be featuring columns advocating the leading candidates for President penned by some of their prominent California supporters. The candidate campaigns to whom we reached out for columns were that of John McCain, Rudy Giuliani, Mitt Romney, and our own Californian in the race, Duncan Hunter. I am pleased that all four campaign chose to participate, and so you can look forward to that treat on Monday! Also, John McCain and Mitt Romney will be in California next week and I will be attending events for both – so we’ll be bringing you that scoop as well! * In Sacramento County, longtime Republican Party Chairman Donna Schalansky abruptly resigned after being convincingly re-elected to another two-year term earlier this month. Donna has been a longtime friend, and we wish her well in her future endeavors. According to insiders involved with the County GOP, First Vice Chairman Craig MacGlashan is heavily favored to be elected to replace her at a meeting on April the 12th. MacGlashan is the husband of Sacramento County Supervisor Roberta MacGlashan. * We continue to toodle around with our newest feature – being… Read More

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The Mayor of Signal Hill went to sleep Tuesday Night losing his council seat by 9 votes. Well, now he is up by one vote. Except for some problems in one precinct. This is what the City Clerk said there is….

"…reasonable cause to believe the ballots have been miscounted by the central county system, and the Election Consultant is unable to explain the discrepancy in the returns of that precinct."

Really. They will recount the ballots Monday. Making for a long weekend. I do bet both candidates go to church Sunday though. See article here.… Read More

I know it’s hard, but imagine a union member getting elected to a water board and then using taxpayer funds he travels to a conference to staff a union booth. That really isn’t news as musch as the fact some other member of the board are taking him to task. This is happening on the Palmdale Water District where VP Dave Gomez did that. You have to like is truthfulness in this exchange between him and board member Gordon Dexter.

I did not pass out literature," Gomez told Figueroa and Dexter during a water board meeting Wednesday night.

Dexter responded that he watched Gomez hand literature to the Metropolitan Water District’s assistant general manager.

"Just that one," Gomez said.

A true Liberal. See the whole article here.… Read More

Bill Bradley’s New West Notes blogis one I like and I’ve read several times and has featured very interestinginfo that I’m sure his readers enjoy as well. Today’s "Trojan Horse Primary" post is one that seems to be "calling me out" on this issue that we’ve talked about here on the FR, even using that title. OK Bill, let’s have some fun, it’s High Noon somewhere.

Among the conservatives I talk to, we share an opinion thatdoesn’t worry most about an unfair vote because of low voter turnout, causing a term limit extension to pass. I do expect a decent turn out, all things being relative, with the presidential question on a February ballot.

The June primary, however,is likely to be a tumbleweed-laden ghost town at voting precincts. Those will be crickets you hear in the background, not the hum of voting machines. Perhaps a very provocative Proposition could boost that. Voter fatigue, however lame of an excuse that is not to vote, will become even moreprevalent with June being the 10th statewide election in a six year span.

All the political reasons… Read More

Imagine walking into Best Buy, strolling over to the television department, and grabbing a brand new Tivo unit. You then take this big, rather obvious box, and go right past the checkout stand, and out the door. On the way out, the guys who check to make sure you have paid for things start to approach you, and like Obi-Wan Kenobi’s Jedi Mind Trick in the original Star Wars, you tell the guy, "I don’t have a Tivo in my hand" — and they look at you funny, but are forced into silence as you stroll out with your stolen merchandise. I know, you are wondering how this little parable is going to somehow translate to something going on in politics. Well, it does! I was reading a story from The Hill newspaper this morning, and apparently under the leadership of Speaker Nancy Pelosi, the House of Representatives has adopted a new twist on their House rules that is so unbelievable that, even when reading it, you don’t believe it! Apparently if you bring forth an earmark… Read More