Many people will look at the 11th Congressional district and see a 6% Republican registration edge and assume the safety of this seat for the GOP and House Resources Chairman Richard Pombo of Tracy. What lies underneath this election year however is a strange dynamic that has made this one of the most heated races in the nation.

Due to the massive infusion of 527 group contributions (on one day the Defenders of Wildlife reported spending over $100,000 just for identification calls) that have been going on the airwaves, in the mailboxes and on the ground, this race is now ground zero in the battle for the House of Representatives.

All polling released so far has put this race as essentially even and has now drawn the full force of both the DCCC and NRCC. This race will now come down to turnout and ground game. While the Pombo team is well known for its attention to ground and ability to turn out the vote, McNerney is counting on bussing in an army from Berkeley, Oakland, Palo Alto and even from as far away as… Read More

The Chairman of the San Bernardino County Republican Party is FR friend Bill Postmus. Postmus also happens to be the Chairman of the County’s Board of Supervisors. He’s now running for County Assessor and is the prohibitive front-runner for that seat. It was Postmus who welcomed us to this GOP volunteer center in Upland.

Bill introduced GOP State Senator Bob Dutton, who thanked all of the volunteers before introducing Senator Tom McClintock…

TM: “This election is now up to you (the volunteers). We have not had this sophisticated of a voter turnout program since 1972!”

Secretary Mc Pherson thanked volunteers and stressed the importance of this election.

Kudos for this well run HQ goes to Postmus and his team, which include Diane Fedele (the local V6 field rep) , Adam Aleman, John Richardson, and Robert Eland, among others.

Many volunteers are here this morning, including “super volunteers” Christina and Jessica Sandoval, who have been personally recognized by the Governor for their amazing dedication as volunteers.

GOP Assemblyman Bill Emmerson, FR’s San Bernardino County… Read More

We’re on the road to Temecula, and I am sitting at the McRV table with Secretary of State Bruce McPherson and his wife, Mary, and our next Lieutenant Governor, Tom McClintock. . We’re chatting about the energy and excitement we all feel about election day…

"I applaud the Governor for being such a great team player. For commiting his resources to the massive Victory ’06 GOTV effort," the Secretary of State said.

Mary McPherson is so excited at the prospects of the election of Senator McClintock. She thinks that Tom’s defeat of life-long liberal Democrat John Garamendi is so awesome… If we could bottle Mary’s enthusiasm, we could power the entire state!

As we zoom down the road (with the retired General at the helm) we’re looking forward to our Temecula stop and more exciting energy exchanged with Victory GOP volunteers.… Read More

We’ve been mobbed here in Temecula, on the west end of Riverside County. County GOP Chairman Jeff Miller has welcomed the McTour here.

Miller’s welcome committee also includes Kevin Jeffries, who will be following the retiring Ray Haynes as the next local GOP Assemblyman.

Jeffries introduced first Secretary McPherson…

BM: If Republicans can get out our votes, we will have a majority of the statewide elected positions in the Republican offices. We were swept four years ago, and now we are poized for an amazing victory.”

McPherson then introduced Tom McClintock, “the most principled man in the legislature.”

TM: “Think of the message that we will send nationally if we shift this blue state into a red country. We can remind everyone that California truly is Reagan Country.”

A shout out to longtime FR friend Ryan Kenny, who is the local V6 staffer on the ground here.

In a funny moment, Senator McClintock was approached by a man named Eric. It turns out they went to high school and were both Young Republicans together!… Read More

We’re on the campus of the University of the Pacific, home of the UOP Tigers, for the next stop in our GOTV tour.

Greetings us, amidst a crowd of about a hundred folks is Congressman Richard Pombo – a true American hero.

“For all of us, all comes down to turnout,” Pombo told me beforehe started escorting our three statewide candidates around the crowd.

On hand are Republican Stockton Councilmembers Clem Lee and Gary Gioveneti among a whole score of other local GOP notables.

TS: “This election is all about changing California. I have never seen a better ticket from top to bottom! Its up to you to make that extra call or walk that extra precinct.”

CP: “I started out in politics as a volunteer for an Attorney General candidate George Deukmejian. I appcreciate so much the work of volunteers.”

Richard Pombo introduced TM saying, “He always fights for the things he believes in. Even when he is the lone voice standing up for us. He is someone we always know will be there for us…”

TM: “This election will be decided in about 83 hours, and it will… Read More

Sue and Vince Watson just called us as our RV is traveling towards Fresno. You’ll recall the Watsons are the Executive Life Insurance policy holders featured in Tom McClintock’s commercials – Insurance Commissioner Garamendi’s handling of the Executive Life debacle has left the Watsons with significantly less funds to care for their critically injured young child.

The Watsons were calling to wish Tom well, and to let him know that they have been seeing his commercials on TV down in San Diego.

We’re on our way to our next rally in Fresno!… Read More

Friends of mine are telling me that longtime McClintock District Director Joe Giardiello is reported to be strongly considering making a run for Congress. As you might remember, Congressman Elton Gallegly really doesn’t want to be in office anymore, but stuck around for a bit longer to keep Michael Tenenbaum, from capturing his seat (24th District). Gallegly has recently stated he is keeping his options open, and knowing Joe, hecertainly wouldn’t be foolish enough to run against Gallegly. Joe, a McClintock confidante, and decorated Navy veteran who served during Desert Storm would be someone much more in the mold of a replacement Gallegly would be comfortable with. McClintock is, of course, wildly popular in the region, andJoe’s association with McClintock, not to mention a possible endorsement by the next Lt. Governor, would be invaluable in the race. With connections to the McClintock operation throughout the Central Coast district and as President of the Ventura County Republican Assembly,… Read More

While I am with Tony Strickland and Tom McClintock chugging our way down to Fresno, the Poochigian team took a brief diversion to Modesto. Senator Poochigian just sent me an update from that stop — which follows… (Because I am pasting it in, sorry if the formatting is messed up.)

From Senator Poochigian:

Jon: Had great visit with 50-60 volunteers at V ’06 HQ in Modesto. This is part of my 14th Senate District (Fresno – Sacto County line). They were hard at work at 10:30 a.m. working the phones, etc.Supervisor Jim DeMartini opened the event. (Senator-elect) Dave Cogdill – who will be my replacement in the Senatefollowed and offered strong words of encouragement to the volunteers to fight on til the polls close. We have manyfriends there (including a strong contingent from the active Republican Women’s Federated organization. Former Senator Dick Monteith (candidate for county supervisor) was also present. Congressional candidate John Kanno also spoke about his race. A number of other candidates for local office were also present. As on other stops, there is a heightened level of involvement and interest in… Read More