Preamble The position of the Republican Party is that state government is too big, and spends too much. That taxes should be cut, and many government-funded programs be eliminated. Families should be able to keep more of their tax dollars, to spend as they would see fit, not shipping them to Sacramento through high taxes and onerous fees, to be redistributed by politicians to their various causes. If everyone would ingrain that into their thinking on policy debates, then there would a better understanding about why Republicans in the legislature are not hip on drinking the ‘bipartisan’ Kool-aid being poured by Governor Schwarzenegger, Senator Perata and Speaker Nunez right now. You see, the Democrats are only willing to jump on… Read More

In one week, House Republicans will hold internal elections to determine their new leadership, after the dismal results of last Tuesday’s elections. Because of so much interest by FR readers, I reached out to longtime FR friend Rick Dykema, who is Chief of Staff to California Congressman Dana Rohrabacher, and asked him if he would give us an overvue of the process, and a roundup of who is running for what. Also, look for something soon on these elections from FR’s Beltway Correspondent, Congressman John Campbell…

The Upcoming Republican Leadership Elections An overview penned by Rick Dykema The House Republican leadership elections scheduled to begin at 8 a.m. Eastern Time, next Friday, November 17, are shaping up to be the most completely contested elections in history. The shift from majority to minority status has stirred the ambitions of several Republican… Read More

ASSEMBLY REPUBLICANS RE-ORGANIZE; VILLINES OF FRESNO IS NEW LEADER It is traditional that within a couple of days of each General Election, the legislative caucuses in the State Assembly gather to formally elect their leadership for the coming session. The Democrats gathered and re-elected Speaker Fabian Nunez to lead the Assembly Democrats, and the institution as they are the majority Party. Assembly Republicans gathered yesterday afternoon for many hours, debating amongst themselves the future of California, and how to make Assembly Republicans most relevant in the process. Based on my understanding here is my 30,000 foot summary. Discussion centered around the best strategies to deal with the new paradigm in Sacramento, the change in political direction taken by Governor Schwarzenegger, and the challenges that Assembly Republicans had last year in being relevant… Read More

In California Political News, Steve Frank writes, "What wasn’t expected was the record low turnout of voters, mostly the GOP leaning counties. No wonder we lost so big. Where were the volunteers? How did we do so poorly in Republican Counties?" That question was preceded by Steve’s comment that Assembly Republicans were upset after being asked by leadership to "back a budget badly in deficit and bonds that were tributes to special interests." That just about answers the questions Steve poses.

I’ve never known deficit spending, big bonds and special interest commitments to be things that particularly excite the GOP base.… Read More

The state prison guard union is running TV spots jumping the Governor. (h/t to Cap. Weekly) You can see the spot below. The Governor will be addressing prison reform in the upcoming legislative session. … Read More

Kudos to Doug LaMalfa for his post this morning…he does an outstanding job saying what needs to be said, without saying what he can’t. That’s not doublespeak…a leadership change is a sensitive matter for all, and Doug handles it with grace.

With that said, I want to add my two cents on George Plescia. He is one of the finest individuals I have met in the political arena, someone I would be proud to work with anytime. He did what amounts to a tough job in difficult times. Politics aside, he is also a great person and a true and loyal friend, title by his name or not.

I hope none of us need to be reminded that winning and losing in politics is sometimes not — even rarely, perhaps— about one’s value as a person, or even their capabilities as a lawmaker or a leader.

My congratulations to Mike Villines. My thanks, as well, to George Plescia for all he has done for San Diego, for California, and for the GOP.… Read More

Today Bob Huff put out the following column on the Assembly GOP’s leadership change. It’s well worth the read…

Election Reinforces Need for a Leadership Change

By Assemblyman Bob Huff

Pundits will Monday-morning-quarterback the state election and its outcome for months, but it seems clear that voters like the idea of a bipartisan effort to wrestle with and solve state issues. In a move that ran counter to national trends, the California electorate rewarded a Republican Governor with a second term to govern with a Democrat-controlled legislature.

Contrary to the electorate’s expectations though, Sacramento will be a de facto one-party state – unless the Republicans in the Assembly work as a team and stand united. If we don’t, we will be nothing more than a wire fence with an open gate for the liberal agenda to pass through. And, all of the work we have done to be elected and serve our constituents according to our values and principles will be for… Read More

Michael Reagan, the eldest son of former President Ronald Reagan, has a nationally syndicated talk radio program, with over 5 million daily listeners.

Reagan has a column today in Human Events entitled, Republicans Lost Because They Lost Their Way, which is worthwhile reading for Republicans as we reflect on Tuesday’s loss of the Senate and House.

He writes, in part: