After much shedding of blood, sweat and tears, the inaugural first issue of Red County magazine is winding its way through the postal system, and should be arriving in the mail boxes of fortunate recipients as I write.

I’ll quote Editor Scott Graves:

I missed the news a few days ago when it was announced that my friend Mike Richman has been kept aboard theNoah’s Ark ofconsulting firms, JohnsonClark Associates (they’ve got two of everything).

Mike, who previously was brought on with JCA to serve as a liaison with many of their candidates, now will take that job – with the title Deputy Political Director – on a permanent basis.

Congrats Mike! A greatgrab by Wayne and Tim!… Read More

Yesterday Arnold Schwarzenegger announced a number of changes in key senior positions in his administrations. A number of them represent great moves, and a few of them are, frankly very disturbing. Let’s start with the great news! First and foremost, the Governor’s elevation of conservative Dan Dunmoyer to the position of Cabinet Secretary is outstanding news for all of us. Dan is capable, smart and effective. In this key position which acts as a liaison and coordinator between the Governor and all of the Agency heads will be in good hands. Undoubtedly this will be a big relief for former Assemblyman Fred Aguair, the GOPer who has been toiling out of the limelight in this role for awhile now. In other big news for conservatives — stalwart Cynthia Bryant has been given a big promotion. For years, Cynthia has been sitting second chair to Richard Costigan in the Governor’s legislative affairs unit, working to push the Governor’s policy agenda with the Senate… Read More

Yesterday Arnold Schwarzenegger announced a number of changes in key senior positions in his administrations. A number of them represent great moves, and a few of them are, frankly very disturbing. Let’s start with the great news! First and foremost, the Governor’s elevation of conservative Dan Dunmoyer to the position of Cabinet Secretary is outstanding news for all of us. Dan is capable, smart and effective. In this key position which acts as a liaison and coordinator between the Governor and all of the Agency heads will be in good hands. Undoubtedly this will be a big relief for former Assemblyman Fred Aguair, the GOPer who has been toiling out of the limelight in this role for awhile now. In other big news for conservatives — stalwart Cynthia Bryant has been given a big promotion. For years, Cynthia has been sitting second chair to Richard Costigan in the Governor’s legislative affairs unit, working to push the Governor’s policy agenda with the Senate… Read More

Today for lunch, I attended a presentation by the Orange County Forum where the featured speakers included three GOP and three Democrat Legislators. The Dems were State Senator Lou Correa, Assemblyman Tony Mendoza, and Assemblyman Jose Solario The Repubicans were State Senator Mark Wyland and Assemblymembers Jim Silva and Mike Duvall. All are a talented bunch and come into their respective chambers as freshman. Emcee for the panel was Orange County Register uber-political reporter Martin Wisckol (see his word via th OC Total Buzz link under the Blog Roll above). Everyone was amiable today. We’ll see how that changes after a year or two of struggling to make do with less in Sacramento!… Read More

Congressman Gary Miller continues to garner some unwanted attention — today the Wall Street Journal’s John Fund heaps on in the WSJ’s Political Diary e-mail:

Not ‘The Donald’

GOP Rep. Gary Miller of California was unopposed for re-election last month, so reports that surfaced last year about how Congressional earmarks he sponsored increased the value of real estate he owned in his district never became a campaign issue.

But now Republicans in his overwhelmingly conservative Orange County district will have to start asking hard questions about whether Mr. Miller, who came to Congress in 1998, deserves another… Read More

I’m out and about today, but wanted to post up (via PDA) these appointments (3 Dems, 7 Reps) right away. More analysis to follow I’m sure, from our FR Team…

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Gov. Schwarzenegger Announces Senior Staff Appointments Continuing to build his leadership team following the election, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger today announced appointments and promotions within his office for the new term. Governor Schwarzenegger today announced the appointments of Cynthia Bryant, deputy chief of staff and director of the Governor’s Office of Planning and Research; Alice Dowdin Calvillo, chief deputy cabinet secretary; Dan Dunmoyer, deputy chief of staff and cabinet secretary; Margaret Fortune, senior advisor to the Governor; Chris Kahn, deputy chief of staff and legislative secretary; Ross LaJeunesse, deputy chief of staff and senior advisor to the Governor; Luis Portillo, director of constituent affairs; Michael Prosio, chief deputy legislative secretary; Sean Walsh, senior advisor to the Governor and Daniel Zingale, senior advisor to the Governor and chief of staff to Maria Shriver. “As we begin a new… Read More

I don’t blame Congressman Gary Miller for not wanting to talk to the Los Angeles Times. Would you? Miller did, however, talk with Erica Werner from the Associated Press. Here’s Werner’s story: Rep. Miller disputes report he used office for personal benefit By Erica Werner with the Associated Press GOP Rep. Gary Miller used congressional staff for personal errands and tried to get a federal appointment for a city councilman about to vote on buying Miller’s land, according to a published report Tuesday that Miller angrily denied. … Read More