The first finance reports filed for the special election next February to replace State Senator Lou Correa (D) on the Orange County Board of Supervisors show Carlos Bustamante, Republican Councilman from Santa Ana (pictured to the right), with an early lead of $117,000 raised and $110,000 cash on hand. (I have previously reported that Tom Umberg, former Democrat Assemblyman, would enter the race with a potential financial advantage because of $45,000 in left over funds from his losing State Senate race to Correa, most of which is usable in the Supervisor race.)

But the Bustamante reports reveal a lot more than just his finances: names of Orange County Lincoln Club members dominated the report as giving maximum donations. You can expect that the Lincoln Club will surely endorse Bustamante for the position before the election.

According to the reports, contributors to Bustamante at the maximum amount included Lincoln Club leaders… Read More

Discussions between the American Conservative Union and former House Majority Leader Tom De Lay have apparently lead to a decision by De Lay to form his own new lobbying organization under Internal Revenue Code section 501(c)(4), to advance conservative causes. De Lay and ACU had previously committed to work together, but that is now apparently off the table, given De Lay’s decision to start a new organization from scratch.… Read More

Over the holidays, I received a couple calls from reporters about the CRP email dated Dec. 8 (received 12/15) entitled, “CRP Board of Directors Answers Victory 06 Questions”. I have taken the liberty to mesh the questions and answers to make some sense and get my point across. I know it is kind of lengthy, but I did spell check the post.

BTW, You cann see the entire email in Brandon’s post here.

I’ve posted the CRP Answers above each question (in red). CRP: Samples of the phone scripts used were handed out for Board members to review. The scripts showed the Republican ticket was mentioned in all phone scripts, and in certain cases individual candidates were mentioned if the calls were going into their areas. It was also noted there were “Monday Night for Tom” calls, “Tuesday Night for Tony”, etc. None of the scripts were Governor only, as has been erroneously stated by some. Q. Mike what did you… Read More

Thanks to Dana Reed and his team at the political law firm of Reed & DavidsonLLP for the updated info on contribution limits per state law.

For 2007/2008 you can now give:

$24,100 to candidates for Governor $6,000 to other statewide candidates (I assume this includes Board of Equalization) $3,600 to candidates for state legislature $6,000 to PACs that support candidates (I think this is different from a pure independent expenditure committee) $30,200 to political party’s (for the purpose of supporting state candidates) UNLIMITED to state parties (for non-State candidate support) $390 in gift value to any decision making government official or staff member

However, I would encourage anyone who writes more than a couple political checks a year to keep in close touch with their favorite political attorney/treasurer to make sure you are not breaking any rules–putting yourself, your business and the candidates you support in a perilous situation.

Happy giving.… Read More

As I pen this first entry for the New Year, it is a somber occasion. This morning as I compiled all of the stories for the main page, I had the television turned on to watch the ceremonies surrounding the funeral of former President Gerald Ford, from the processional that took his body from where it lay in state underneath the Capitol Rotunda (where is was viewed by tens of thousands of Americans paying tribute) to the National Cathedral. As I write this, President Bush is escorting Ford’s widow, Betty, to her seat between her four children, in the front pew. Over the past few days, much has been written about the life of Gerald Ford. About the years before his Presidency, where the college athlete and veteran became a Congressman from Michigan, ultimately rising to the post of Minority Leader, as the top Republican in the House of Representatives. Also about his time as President, coming in on the heels of President Nixon’s resignation, his controversial pardon of Nixon, and the… Read More

I just had the great honor of attending President Ford’s funeral at the National Cathedral in Washington, D.C.. It was one of the most impressive and meaningful events I have ever been part of.

If you didn’t have the chance to see it on TV, please take the opportunity to watch it when it is replayed. Beautiful tributes were given by President George H.W. Bush, former Secretary of StateHenry Kissinger, Tom Brokaw and President George W. Bush. There is nothing I can write here better than what they said. Clearly he wasgreatly respected and loved by many.

I’m headingto Sacramento early tomorrow – which is first day of the new session – where I will adjourn the Senate in honor of our 38th President.Last Friday, my wife, Mary, and Iwere privileged to be invited by the family to attendthe Private Visitation at St. Margaret’s church in Palm Desert. It’s been a long week.

I’m proud to say Gerald Ford was a constituent of mine for 12 years.… Read More

As I pen this first entry for the New Year, it is a somber occasion. This morning as I compiled all of the stories for the main page, I had the television turned on to watch the ceremonies surrounding the funeral of former President Gerald Ford, from the processional that took his body from where it lay in state underneath the Capitol Rotunda (where is was viewed by tens of thousands of Americans paying tribute) to the National Cathedral. As I write this, President Bush is escorting Ford’s widow, Betty, to her seat between her four children, in the front pew. Over the past few days, much has been written about the life of Gerald Ford. About the years before his Presidency, where the college athlete and veteran became a Congressman from Michigan, ultimately rising to the post of Minority Leader, as the top Republican in the House of Representatives. Also about his time as President, coming in on the heels of President Nixon’s resignation, his controversial pardon of Nixon, and the… Read More

Chuck LiMandri on Mt. Soledad Cross…. A nice year-end message from the fearless attorney in support of preserving the mountaintop memorial:

As this Christmas season winds to a conclusion and we prepare to ring in the New Year, I wanted to take a moment to express my deep appreciation to all of you who helped achieve the stunning success we realized this year in preserving the Mt. Soledad Cross Memorial for generations to come. To think that within just the last six months we witnessed a Stay Order from the United States Supreme Court, new legislation passed by Congress and signed by President Bush and, only last month, a 53-page appellate decision in our favor–these "monumental" accomplishments are nothing short of miraculous. None of this could have been achieved without the hard work and dedication of an army of men and women of goodwill–all following the example of leaders like yourselves. Although the court battles to preserve the Mt. Soledad Memorial Cross are not yet over, it is clear that the momentum is strongly in our favor and, after almost 18 years, ultimate… Read More