When I met Duf Sundheim in the fall of 2002, it was not a difficult decision to endorse him for Chairman in the upcoming GOP organizing election. I knew I would be a major conservative "defection" and would enable him to more easily seek conservative support, and am pleased to this day with my decision, and proud to have been a small part of his victory in 2003.

All Chairman, whether they serve two or four years, draw the ire of at least 40% of the Party delegates at some point or another. Every Chairman I have ever observed has been accused by somebody of being a liar, game player, weak, untrustworthy or some other name. Everyone has a story about being "screwed" by the Chair. Duf himself has not been immune from these criticisms.

Very few people understand the sacrifice a Party Chairman makes. It is essentially a full time position and in California, where it is nearly impossible to achieve statewide victories, thankless at best.

In his organizational process, he immediately enlisted a fair mix of moderate and conservative leaders to select Party Committees – the best process I have ever seen. As a result, these… Read More

I have decided to endorse Tom Bordonaro for CRP Vice Chairman.

A couple weeks ago I noted that none of the then-three candidates for CRP vice chairman had been running aggressive campaigns including whip operations. I have since seen Bordonaro’s campaign in action and I have decided to support hm.

My support is based on two factors.

1) How a candidate campaigns for party office can portend how he or she will organize and run the state party. Bordonaro has stepped up his campaigning efforts and run a dynamic convention vote-getting effort.

2) State Senate Republican Leader Dick Ackerman is a strong supporter of Tom Bordonaro, I trust Senator Ackerman’s judgment.

My endorsement and support of Tom Bordonaro does not represent an endorsement from the Flash Report or any other contributor to this site.… Read More

Here is our fearless Flasher, pictured last night with Assemblyman Paul Cook! While Col. Cook and I talked Iraq over a rack of lamb (I’m not kidding… Iraq over ‘a rack’)…Jon came up and made walking billboards of the whole group who enthusiastically support him for Vice Chair South.

Cast your vote at 9 am today!… Read More

Jon Fleischman won the race for Californa Republicans Party Vice Chairman South this morning at the CRP Convention in Sacramento.

Unlike a recent call of mine this race is totally over.

Fleischman 142 | Wall 83

An additional 35 provisional ballots were not counted because they could not have affected the outcome.

Congratulations Jon.

Fleischman also holds the position of second vice chairman of the Republican Party of Orange County.… Read More

I thought the following commentary/editorial from David Sander was a fitting tribute for the convention. It’s written by David Sander, a local GOP Mayor who’s putting Republican principles to work every day, in the real world of government.

A case FOR partisanship, not “post-partisanship” David Sander, Mayor of Rancho Cordova

As a local Mayor, my job is considered “non-partisan”. But, I don’t think there is such a thing as “non-partisan. In fact, I don’t get they get the idea of “post-partisanship” – to me it’s just a bunch of feel-good hooey.

Partisanship is a good thing.

Political Parties are not social clubs. At least they are not supposed to be. Parties are supposed to be about shared ideas and values – they are supposed to believe in something.

Partisanship means that each party has its own ideas and values – and sometimes those ideas and values conflict. It’s not a bad thing.

Post-partisanship is a washed out, bland amalgam of ideas pleasing everyone and standing for nothing.

Being a member of a political party is an act of commission to those values and… Read More

Update: The bill, SB 113, to cause in Californiaa $90 million early Presidential-only primary [and alsoas the ‘special election’ vehicle to extend term limits for legislators]moved this week through the Senate Elections Committee 3-0, with no Republican votes. There is much discussion about moving, again, the California primary for President to an "early" date in February to make California a stronger player. You’ve alsobeen hearing about the "need" to extend term limits and the true need to redistrict legislative seats using a fair method of drawing district lines for reapportionment. Although they are unrelated, they get tied together in numerous conversations amongst legislators and to the press. Tying all these issues together as is being done here is manipulative and wrong. This effort is really all about extending terms for legislators.

Having torpedoed Prop 77’s method of drawing fair districts with non-politicians, Democrat leaders [torpedo launchers] promisedto fix redistricting.More than afull… Read More

I thought the following commentary/editorial from David Sander was a fitting tribute for the convention. It’s written by David Sander, a local GOP Mayor who’s putting Republican principles to work every day, in the real world of government.

A case FOR partisanship, not “post-partisanship” David Sander, Mayor of Rancho Cordova

As a local Mayor, my job is considered “non-partisan”. But, I don’t think there is such a thing as “non-partisan. In fact, I don’t get they get the idea of “post-partisanship” – to me it’s just a bunch of feel-good hooey.

**There is more – click the link**

View Full Commentary… Read More

Having had to deal with it before, I can assure you that it is no easy feat to "move" a candidate through a Republican Party convention. When I say "move" — I am referring to the scheduling nightmare of a candidate who has a major speaking engagement (usually at a meal function) and then wants to maximize his or her time by scheduling meetings with various individuals and groups.

Such would be the challenge for Mayor Rudy Giuliani, who spoke at the luncheon at the CRP Convention today. The Mayor actually arrived in Sacramento last night, and leaves the hotel in a bit. And he has had many, many meetings with folks (I have spoken with many of them).

Well, this afternoon, he was originally scheduled to speak to the Board of Directors and members of the influential, conservative California Republican Assembly at 2:30 p.m. (this group is a major influence within the State GOP — Governor Mitt Romney spoke to them at the CRP Convention last August). Apparently that 2:30 p.m. time didn’t work for Giuliani, and CRA President Mike Spence graciously asked his membership to come back for a 4:00 p.m. meeting.

Well, at around… Read More