**Update: A loyal FR reader just clued me in — apparently Dole is stepping down to be replaced by Nevada Senator John Ensign. A good sign as Ensign has shown his meddle – voting against the President’s medicare expansion plans. Excellent.** Not too long ago, I posted a short rant on this site about my contempt for United States Senator Lincoln Chafee ("R"-Rhode Island). I put his "R" in quotes because this registered Republican votes with Democrats so often that it is disingenuous for him to be registered in the party of Ronald Reagan. He famously brags about how he didn’t cast a vote for President Bush in his last election battle with uber-liberal John Kerry. He also voted against confirming Sam Alito to the United States Supreme Court. When I wrote about him… Read More

Larry McCarthy is the President of the California Taxpayers Association, and he has penned his thoughts on Tuesday’s election, and the message sent by California voters about tax increases…

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

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

The Riverside County Registrar website has turnout at 35.35%. It will probably be revised upwards when all the counting is done,but it certainly wasn’t good overall. It showed in the depressed win percentages of the "safe" seats. They usually garner in the low 60 percentile, most came in just below 60%.

Bonnie Garcia pulled it out 51% to 49%. Steve Clute’s handlers are challenging it. Stay tuned. Myprediction is Bonnie stays as winner. Steve Clute was an Assemblyman and since leaving office has run against Sonny Bono for Congress, Jim Battin for Assembly, and now Bonnie. He lost them all.Give it up, Steve.

All Republican Congressional and State Assembly Republicans won handily. Mary Bono’s race was proven to never have been close, despite the Coachella Valley press trying to sell papers by hyping it.

Lyn Daucher clings to a narrow margin over Lou Correa in the 34 SD, and Danny Gilmore lost a close one by 4 points to Nicole Parra in the 30th AD. That was significant ,since former Highway Patrol Commander Danny was recruited and mentored throughout the race by our Assemblyman John J. Benoit, himself a… Read More

It is going to take some time to properly digest all of the results from yesterday’s elections and figure out what it all means. That having been said, I will share some general thoughts about the evening. Let’s see – on the the "good news" side of the ledger for the GOP: The healthy re-election of Governor Schwarzenegger, the election of Steve Poizner as Insurance Commissioner, and over on the State Legislative side of things, the fact GOP didn’t lose any seats, and looks poized to actually pick-up the 34th State Senate seat in Central Orange County with the election of Lynn Daucher. I suppose Republicans can take some satisfaction out of the defeat of the tax measure (86, 87, 88, 89) on the ballot, too. On the "bad news" side of things: the loss of Congress and the probable loss of the U.S. Senate, with the exception of Poizner the defeat of all down-ticket GOP candidates, the passage of 40 billion plus plus in ill-advised bond measures, and the defeat of Propositions 85 and 90. You’ll have to wait a day to get a more comprehensive analysis from me on what I think this all… Read More

As I wrote about earlier, the City of Diamond Bar yesterday faced a decision on a new tax for a second library in their town.

In their earnest to get the measure passed, the City even forked over more than $20,000 on a survey that showed 75% initial support for Measure L.

However, as it required 2/3 support for passage, opponents decided to at least put up token opposition. Carefully written ballot statement… a few slates… token campaign gestures.

But towards the 11th hour, Assemblyman Huff – a strong opponent of the Library Tax – decided he wanted to go for broke and see if he couldn’t get a majority voting against the feel-good idea, despite the fact that it enjoyed well-funded support.

He was successful. Measure L failed.

Doing some of the mail and slate buys for the Assemblyman, I can tell you that we need more guys like him, who take ownership of what happens on their turf. Too… Read More

It is going to take some time to properly digest all of the results from yesterday’s elections and figure out what it all means. That having been said, I will share some general thoughts about the evening. Let’s see – on the the "good news" side of the ledger for the GOP: The healthy re-election of Governor Schwarzenegger, the election of Steve Poizner as Insurance Commissioner, and over on the State Legislative side of things, the fact GOP didn’t lose any seats, and looks poized to actually pick-up the 34th State Senate seat in Central Orange County with the election of Lynn Daucher. I suppose Republicans can take some satisfaction out of the defeat of the tax measure (86, 87, 88, 89) on the ballot, too. On the "bad news" side of things: the loss of Congress and the probable loss of the U.S. Senate, with the exception of Poizner the defeat of all down-ticket GOP candidates, the passage of 40 billion plus plus in ill-advised bond measures, and the defeat of Propositions 85 and 90. You’ll have to wait a day to get a more comprehensive analysis from me on what I think this all… Read More