(Published November 9th, 2006 in Capitol Weekly) When I offered to write this column for Capitol Weekly, I must admit I was hoping for a much different outcome on this Election Day, which clearly was a big day for the party of Hilary Clinton–especially when you look at the results of the midterm elections around the country. The GOP loss of the House, and most likely the Senate, is bad news for all of those who believe that our federal government is too fat and spends too much. Republican leaders need to make the case to voters in 2008 as to why the GOP should be given back the reigns of leadership. The impact of the national GOP losses in Congress was given an emphatic exclamation point with the defeat of House Resources Committee Chairman Richard… Read More

Mike Villines came up the ranks with Pete Wilson and Chuck Poochigian, stepped into a very succesful business career, and made the decision in 2003 to take out Steve Samuelian in the 29th Assembly District race in 2004. He’s a family man, an experience businessmen, and respected leader on both sides of the aisle. There isn’t a more principled conservative in California than Villines, and he is deeply disappointed that Republicans in Sacramento keep voting out deficit budgets and putting bond measures on the ballot with the State’s fiscal mess still not under control.

I don’t know whether he will be able to hold his caucus together, but that is essential to any success Villines might have as leader. There is only one vote that counts, and that is on the State budget. If he has his way, California will have seen its last deficit. In my discussions with him, he agrees that California Republicans need to have a set of issues to be identified with before any electoral success is possilble. I think he will be the strongest negotiator on financial matters we’ve seen in several years in Sacramento. He understands the numbers, and has… Read More

(Published November 9th, 2006 in Capitol Weekly)

When I offered to write this column for Capitol Weekly, I must admit I was hoping for a much different outcome on this Election Day, which clearly was a big day for the party of Hilary Clinton–especially when you look at the results of the midterm elections around the country.

The GOP loss of the House, and most likely the Senate, is bad news for all of those who believe that our federal government is too fat and spends too much. Republican leaders need to make the case to voters in 2008 as to why the GOP should be given back the reigns of leadership. The impact of the national GOP losses in Congress was given an emphatic exclamation point with the defeat of House Resources Committee Chairman Richard Pombo in California’s 11th Congressional District.

**There is more – click… Read More

I think that the Governor may be carrying ‘bipartisan’ a bit too far – or, he needs to think more carefully about how what he says at the microphone is going to be received by the people who read it — in this case, his core Republican supporters.

The State’s top Republican elected official is in Mexico on a trade mission.

The Associated Press is reporting that the Governor on his trade-mission, "hailed the Democratic takeover of Congress as heathy for Democracy, saying ‘Washington was stuck.’"

Apparently the Governor said, "I think this is good that we have new blood coming to Washington, that we have new people with new ideas coming to Washington."

Newsflash: The Democrats are not bringing NEW IDEAS to Washington, they are bringing OLD IDEAS about how to increase the role of government in the lives of Americans.

Don’t get me wrong, many Republicans have called for change in Washington, D.C., but our version of change was for Republicans in Congress and the President to get their… Read More

The FlashReport is on location at the Registrar of Voters in Orange County – the last place where the sun has not set election day.

The 34th State Senate District has been represented by Democrat State Senator Joe Dunn. Term limits have come along and it is now an open seat. The Democrat: Lou Correa, The Republican: Lynn Daucher. If you need more info on the candidates, you are failing CA politics 201. Currently Daucher is sitting on a 138 vote lead – it had been a mere thirteen votes on election night, but they’ve had one run of uncounted ballots that boosted Daucher’s number.

Speaking of uncounted ballots, I spoke with County Registrar Neil Kelley who said that there are likely 20,000 or so uncounted absentee ballots to be counted (the number isn’t clear, it’s based on division using the outstanding number countywide). In addition there are an estimated 3400 uncounted provisional ballots outstanding.

Representing “Team Daucher” are Bryan Lanza, Daucher’s CM, Joel Yang – here for Ackerman as the “numbers guy” – and batting cleanup is former FPPC Chairman Ben Davidian,… Read More

How does one expain the loss of McClintock And McPherson? It can’t be ideology as these two thoughtful law makers have differing views on many issues. Both have run statewide and McPherson was an appointed respected incumbent.

One thought. In blue state California you need at least two things. A lousyDemocratic opponent (Angelides or Bustamante) and lots of cash (Arnold and Poizner). That is one threshold that for this cycle at least was very clear.… Read More

As quick as he declared his candidacy for re-election to the House Leadership as Conference Secretary, today Congressman John Doolittle (CA-04) pulled the plug.

House Republicans definately need to change out their top leadership who sailed them into stormy seas — as to whether ‘top leadership’ extends down to the minor leadership post held by Doolittle… I couldn’t say. But apparently the Congressman has made the decision about whether he deserves re-election to the spot moot.

His release:

Congressman John T. Doolittle (R-CA) made the following statement this afternoon:

"I’m very thankful for the opportunity to return to Congress and represent the fourth district of California. I’m grateful to the voters for sending me back to Washington, and I… Read More

Proposition 83 has already been blocked by a federal judge who said that thelaw was" punitive by design and effect." Wasn’t that the point? See update here.… Read More