Today the Strickland for Controller campaign released that their own internal tracking numbers on his race show that Strickland is now enjoying a 2% lead among likely voters — a four point swing from a little over a week ago when his Democrat opponent, John Chiang, was up by a similar margin. Of course, this illustrates exactly how close this race truly is — with momentum being an inportant issue.

Speaking of momentum, this latest bit of good news for Strickland comes as he is enjoying the front-end of a major, multi-million dollar independent expenditure on his behalf by Indian Tribes and other interests who clearly do not want to see the liberal Chiang in this important office. While Strickland ‘face time’ on the tube is going up, Chiang has had to cancel significant portions of his own statewide media buy — apparently his resources are lacking.

On a final note, according to the Strickland survey, 93% of Republican voters said they plan to vote, up from 86% a week ago. This is compared to only 86% of Democrats who said they plan to vote.

With Arnold Schwarzenegger trouncing Phil Angelides by as much as 20 points, the… Read More

Tony Strickland is beating his opponent, former IRS attorney John Chiang, in all aspects of their campaign.

First, he beat Chiang in the critical slate battle, having maneuvered to appear on about 50% more slates than Chiang.

Now, Strickland has beat Chiang up onto the air for a final TV blitz.

Tony is up with two good “bookend” spots (15-second, as opposed to 30-second ads to get more bang for the buck), one even featuring an endorsement from Rudy Guliani.

Tony’s campaign tells me that the ads have started in the LA market, and will stay up until Election Day. And, even with the plethora of IE’s playing in this race, Tony’s will be the ONLY ads in the Controller’s race to play in the LA market – which makes up some 40% of the electorate.

Plans are for the ads to spread further throughout the state.

That’s where FlashReport leaders can make a difference.

The ads will only spread as far as Tony has money to air them. And as Tony likes to say on the stump, his campaign is fully funded –… Read More

With my new-found skill at putting YouTube videos up on the FR Blog, we may see a few interesting vidoes posted up on the site. Don’t worry, I will get bored with this soon.

Have you seen Tom McMcClintock’s video – "A Public Life" – yet? If you haven’t here it is — and when you are done, see how you can help McClintock get elected right here. [FYI – This great video runs almost 8 minutes long, so when you press play, depending on the speed of your connection to the internet, it may take a minute or two to load up. Well worth the wait!] … Read More

The amateur political observer might look at a Rep. Duncan Hunter run for President and see a train wreck or more likely a train that won’t even make it out of the station.

But there is something to his campaign for Commander-in-Chief.

As a Member of Congress there are limitations on how he can impact broad public policy initiatives. But as a Secretary of Defense or National Security Advisor he would be in the big leagues. And that is where Rep. Hunter is likely aiming.

Look for Hunter to keep his rhetoric focused on issues and avoid personal attacks on any GOPer with a real shot at the top spot.

If he keeps his nose clean, head down, he could be the next CIA chief or whatever position of importance to national security in the next Republican Administration he wants.… Read More

This morning, there was an event at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library commemorating the 40th Anniversary of Ronald Reagan’s first election to office – as Governor of California. There were many luminaries on hand at the library — including Nancy Reagan and many alumni of Reagan’s time as Governor and as President. (Reagan is pictured to the right being sworn in as California’s Governor.)

The keynote address for this important event was given by our own Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, who often has referred to Ronald Reagan as a role-model for his own life. Courtesy of your tax dollars, there is a streaming video of the event, and the Governor’s speech, available on the Governor’s official website. You can see the entire event… Read More

News of Congressman Duncan Hunter’s likely announcement later this morning that he will form a presidential exploratory committee buzzed across the San Diego political landscape yesterday, turning an otherwise lazy Sunday into a day of much interest, with several political watchers sputtering and panting on the phone.

For those of us who live in Hunter’s district, a wide area of East San Diego County we sometimes call God’s Country, the news was even bigger.

It’s been twenty-six years since Duncan was first elected to Congress, knocking off Lionel Van Deerlin in a Reagan-led 1980 surprise.In all that time the conservative spirit of Ronald Reagan has been alive and well in Duncan Hunter.There are few people — and fewer politicians — that I would call great Americans.Duncan Hunter is among them.

I’ll let the rest of the print and electronic media, as well as the talk show hosts pontificate as to his chances, what’s really behind this, the impact on the presidential field, etc, etc (see today’s SDUTand the… Read More

Assemblywoman Judy Chu should get on the phone right away with Assemblyman Joe Coto, the Chairman of the Assembly Latino Caucus with the news — La Opinion newspaper is RACIST! Apparently they hate latinos, or hadn’t you heard??

You see… La Opinion has endorsed Steve Poizner over Cruz Bustamante…

Of course, La Opinion is NOT racist, but using the same flawed logic that Chu has used to say that Indian Tribal leaders are racist for opposing John Chiang’s campaign for State Treasurer (apparently if you oppose someone of a particular race, you clearly must be opposing them because of their race??) Flawed logic — but see what I wrote about this last night.

So the question is whether the same logic applies. Perhaps Judy Chu can get everyone together — Chu can get all Asians to drop their subscriptions to La Opinion (there are a ton, I’m sure) and Coto can get latinos to stop going to Indian Casinos.

This post is meant to be… Read More

News of Congressman Duncan Hunter’s likely announcement later this morning that he will form a presidential exploratory committee buzzed across the San Diego political landscape yesterday, turning an otherwise lazy Sunday into a day of much interest, with several political watchers sputtering and panting on the phone.

For those of us who live in Hunter’s district, a wide area of East San Diego County we sometimes call God’s Country, the news was even bigger.

It’s been twenty-six years since Duncan was first elected to Congress, knocking off Lionel Van Deerlin in a Reagan-led 1980 surprise.In all that time the conservative spirit of Ronald Reagan has been alive and well in Duncan Hunter.There are few people — and fewer politicians — that I would call great Americans.Duncan Hunter is among them.

**There is more – click the link**

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