Right now, 100 newly elected (or re-elected) legislators are being sworn into their terms in the State Legislature. This is a good opportunity to provide some "unspin" to counter what we have been reading lately about legislative Republicans and the upcoming session…

There have been several efforts in the last few weeks my the main stream media (including some of the more well read columnists) to frame the election of Mike Villines as Assembly Republican Leader as some sort of ‘lurch to the right’ by Republicans, and a rejection of any notion of bi-partisan cooperation in the State Capitol. Let us remember that the Republican Party’s major tenants are a commitment to limited government, local control and individual responsibility. It should not come as a shock to any political pundits that Republicans in the State Legislature are very concerned about the growth in the size and scope of state government. Despite the dismal performance of our Republican majorities in Congress where spending increasing steadily under their watch, the vast majority of Republicans, especially when time is taken to explain how their tax… Read More

Last Friday, at financier Doug Brown’s Manhattan Beach ocean view home, Sen. Sam Brownback announced that he would open his Presidential Exploratory Committee today. The Senator pointed out that in politics " anything " can happen. Given, that conservative Sen. George Allen is no longer, in less than a month, proves the point.

Explaining how he would succeed, Brownback (pictured to the right) pointed out the obvious. It’s all about Iowa. Kansas which shares a long geographical border also share common political instincts. The nature of that Primary demands intense retail politics. Brownback has nurtured his contacts there since he was elected to Congress in 1994. The Senator correctly believes that if he shows well in the Iowa primary his campaign could ignite nationally.

Sen. Rick Santorum help convert Sam Brownback into Roman Catholicism in 2002. As such it was no surprise seeing several prominent Catholic leaders.… Read More

I’m in Sacramento for the swearing in. The night before was a big dinner. A couple of interesting items. First, Freshman Assemblyman Joel Anderson invited everyone to a party after the dinner. It was attended by Assembly members Villines (the new GOP leader), Martin Garrick,Jean Fuller, Paul Cook and Senators Wyland and Battin. It was so popular the the Sheraton shut it down!

My big question is this. Jon Fleischman sends us bloggers an email explaining that he needs our help, because he is going on vacation for his B-day etc… Imagine my surprise when I run into his wife Maureen at the dinner. Turnout she is the new District Director for Assemblyman Mike Duvall. I guess someone has to pay the credit card bills from Hawaii.

[Publisher’s Statement: "I am very excited about Mike Duvall’s selection of Maureen for a prominent role on his staff. She will do a great job for… Read More

Today is swearing in day for the new Legislature. The 2006-08 session officially begins today.

For me, it is a strange time. Since 1992, I have showed up on the first Monday of December in each even numbered year, raised my right hand, and swore to defend the United States Constitution and the Constitution of the State of California against all enemies foreign and domestic. I then spent the next two years defending those Constitutions against the domestic enemies who were elected to the California Legislature. That duty now falls to the new Legislators.

When I first joined the Legislature in 1992, there were 48 Democrats and 32 Republicans in the Assembly and 26 Democrats and 14 Republicans in the Senate. Today, there are 48 Democrats and 32 Republicans in the Assembly, and 25 Democrats and 15 Republicans in the Senate. The Senate never had more than 17 Republicans in the Senate, but the Assembly had 41 Republicans after the 1994 election. After those Republicans were sold out by Paul Horcher, Doris Allen and Brian Setencich, they finally solidified their majority by January, 1966. We lost that majority in November 1996.

In fact,… Read More

Today is swearing in day for the new Legislature. The 2006-08 session officially begins today.

For me, it is a strange time. Since 1992, I have showed up on the first Monday of December in each even numbered year, raised my right hand, and swore to defend the United States Constitution and the Constitution of the State of California against all enemies foreign and domestic. I then spent the next two years defending those Constitutions against the domestic enemies who were elected to the California Legislature. That duty now falls to the new Legislators.

When I first joined the Legislature in 1992, there were 48 Democrats and 32 Republicans in the Assembly and 26 Democrats and 14 Republicans in the Senate. Today, there are 48 Democrats and 32 Republicans in the Assembly, and 25 Democrats and 15 Republicans in the Senate. The Senate never had more than 17 Republicans in the Senate, but the Assembly had 41 Republicans after the 1994 election. After those Republicans were sold out by Paul Horcher, Doris Allen and Brian Setencich, they finally solidified their majority by January, 1966. We lost that majority in November 1996.… Read More

Assembly Republican leader Mike Villines introduced a redistricting reform measure today. Good for him. I hope that the Governor picks this as an issue of importance to help usher through. Maybe he can prevail on the Democrats to sign on and make California’s legislative races more competitive (and therefore, more democratic). From Villines’ office:

REPUBLICAN LEADER VILLINES INTRODUCES REDISTRICTING REFORM MEASURE Legislation Strips Powers from Politicians, Returns Them to the People SACRAMENTO – Assembly Republican Leader Mike Villines, of Clovis, today introduced legislation that will take away the power to draw legislative… Read More

Even though he’s away lolling on a tropical beach, I wanted to take the time to wish FR Big Daddy Jon Fleischman a happy birthday.

Without his vision and drive, I wouldn’t be able to say this, or anything else, in this venue.

I think he’s about 37 now (?)

Please join me in wishing Jon a great day!… Read More

Mayor Sanders Not Into Camping… The SDUT story was linked from the FR yesterday, but it’s worth repeating. Jerry Sanders had about 30 protesters outside City Hall on Friday, knickers all in a twist over his appearance on KFMB’s Rick Roberts radio show a couple of weeks back. Rick was talking with the Mayor about the illegal encampments in McGonigle Canyon, and asked if Sanders would attendthe legal resident protest campout the next day. Jerry’s tongue-in-cheek answer: “I’m not into camping.”

Those upset with such an outrageous comment had this to share in the SDUT story:

“Shame on you, Mayor Sanders. You bring disgrace to San Diego by your racist remarks and calling down shame upon us,” said the Rev. Patricia Andrews Callori, a member of Justice Overcoming Boundaries. Puh-leaze. Manhattan… Read More