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

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

Back when the Clinton Administration was in it’s infancy…[I know, that was the entire 8 years, up to the last-day vandalism of the White House computer "W" keyboard keys and stealing all the china they could], the then new Sec of Interior, Bruce Babbitt vowed that he wanted to be the first secretary to "tear down a dam." That mentality ismoving here in California, the latest concerning the ongoing fight up here at the top of the state and south Oregon over the Klamath River and the allocation of its water. It came to a head in 2001 when Klamath Basin farmers found their tap shut off mid summer because of fish concerns.

The latest is a proposal that has been kicking around for some time of tearing out a series of dams for fish passage. Owned by PacifiCorp,they have been in place on the Klamathfor over 50 years, generating electricityfor, primarily, Californians use. At least 4 dams are in the target sights, They aren’t huge generators like Shasta Lake or Lake… Read More

Back when the Clinton Administration was in it’s infancy…[I know, that was the entire 8 years, up to the last-day vandalism of the White House computer "W" keyboard keys and stealing all the china they could], the then new Sec of Interior, Bruce Babbitt vowed that he wanted to be the first secretary to "tear down a dam." That mentality ismoving here in California, the latest concerning the ongoing fight up here at the top of the state and south Oregon over the Klamath River and the allocation of its water. It came to a head in 2001 when Klamath Basin farmers found their tap shut off mid summer because of fish concerns.

The latest is a proposal that has been kicking around for some time of tearing out a series of dams for fish passage. Owned by PacifiCorp,they have been in place on the Klamathfor over 50 years, generating electricityfor, primarily, Californians use. At least 4 dams are in the target sights, They aren’t huge generators like Shasta Lake or Lake Oroville,… Read More

When Jon asked me to consider joining the FlashReport to further highlight the Central Valley’s unique and volatile political culture I was honored. As the premier battleground in California between the parties, the Central Valley has been and will continue to be the place where the conservative movement can make gains in the legislature and congress. I am looking forward to helping the FlashReport deliver up to date information from the region and contributing to the growth of conservatism in the blogosphere. I see the FlashReport as the front line in the battle against the extreme leftist bloggers that pollute the internet political landscape today.

Some people have a feeling that I will be writing extensively about developments in the 11th congressional district. Of course I will. After Jerry McNerney’s slander campaign against Richard Pombo I look forward to critiquing his actual performance in office. I anticipate some fun moments as he will have to make decisions that will be between representing his district or standing with his political soulmates George Miller, Pete Stark and Nancy Pelosi in what is, despite democrat spin to the contrary,… Read More

For many FR readers, the eleven incoming GOP Freshmen members of the State Assembly are already a known quantity, especially for those who are active in or around one of their districts. Many of them have a long history of involvement in politics here in the Golden State. The Assembly Republican Caucus has prepared a handy guide that has the photos and a paragraph or two on each of the eleven, and it is attached below. Congratulations to the Freshman Class: Anthony Adams, Joal Anderson, Tom Berryhill, Paul Cook, Mike Duvall, Jean Fuller, Ted Gaines, Martin Garrick, Kevin Jeffries, Jim Silva and Cameron Smyth!

Of course, FR readers will get to experience a little of life as a "member of the Freshman class" through the eyes of Anthony Adams, who now writing for this website… Thanks, Anthony!… Read More