Long-time readers will recognize this as the third installment of my timetable for driving from here to there in California. Statewide race handlers take note! This trip started on a Friday around 10:10 in downtown San Diego, and ended up in downtown Sacramento around 5:50. To keep this series fresh, I have decided to also add temperature.

As mentioned me, my wife Valerie, and our 2 year old daughter Oncy (Ella) left downtown San Diego at 10:10am, driving north on the 5. It was a comfortable and overcast 68 degrees.

At 11:10 we drove through Irvine, jumping on the 405 for a change of pace. No traffic to speak of. 68 degrees. SAN DIEGO TO IRVINE 1 HOUR.

Around 12:10 we passed the Getty Museum. We did run into traffic around LAX, but nothing to cut your head off over. 75 degrees. IRVINE TO WEST LA 1 HOUR.

It was 1:30 by the time we got to Bakersfield via the 99 (the 5 may be a couple minutes faster, but it’s so boring I’d rather take the 99), and a dreadfully hot 95 degrees. We stopped for a bit to fill up the gas tank (heretofore we’d used half a tank), and to pick up some food at Carl’s Jr. Combined I estimate we… Read More

There is an Associated Press article from yesterday that highlights the unprecedented investment that is being put together to mobilize Republican volunteers to turn out voters for the GOP ticket this November, headed up by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger. This operation represents a significant financial commitment by Team Schwarzenegger to a ground game. He has hired top notch operatives to head up the effort, and has assembled a field staff many-dozens strong that is deployed throughout the Golden State. The Governor should be applauded for his financial commitment to turning out Republican voters. This level of resource-commitment is truly unprecidented!

However, to use the proverbial saying — "You can lead a horse to water but you can’t make him drink" — the key component to the success of the large scale effort is going to be the volunteers (the target goal is to mobilize 90,000 volunteers). Therein lies the single biggest challenge for the State GOP’s Victory… Read More

If you saw my post of about two months ago, a personal "dumping of my buckets" regarding the 77th Assembly District race, you will know why I have no choice but to gush today. In the dust-up to fill the Jay La Suer seat,a great big harrumph to Joel Anderson and Team (manager Collin McGlashen) for putting together one of the most efficient "bang for the buck" campaigns seen in recent history.

Although there are about 35,000 ballots left countywide (likely no more than 6,000 of those in the 77th) Anderson leads Santee Councilmember Jack Dale by 671 votes….a huge statistical mountain for Dale when he trailed at every click on Tuesday night.

There is no question that Dale led this match two weeks out, perhaps even one week out. Joel’s mail was just beginning to barrage the mailboxes….he ended upgoing district-wide with about 14 great pieces of mail designed by Jim… Read More

There is an Associated Press article from yesterday that highlights the unprecedented investment that is being put together to mobilize Republican volunteers to turn out voters for the GOP ticket this November, headed up by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger. This operation represents a significant financial commitment by Team Schwarzenegger to a ground game. He has hired top notch operatives to head up the effort, and has assembled a field staff many-dozens strong that is deployed throughout the Golden State. The Governor should be applauded for his financial commitment to turning out Republican voters. This level of resource-commitment is truly unprecidented!

However, to use the proverbial saying — "You can lead a horse to water but you can’t make him drink" — the key component to the success of the large scale effort is going to be the volunteers (the target goal is to mobilize 90,000 volunteers). Therein lies the single biggest challenge for the State GOP’s Victory… Read More

The on and off and on again recall of two of three remaining pro Wal-Mart councilmembers hasbeen set for September 19. See here.The only question remains is will the anti Wal-Mart union forces win and get to spend the tax revenue from the soon to be opened Wal-Mart? See backrgound post with links here.… Read More

I received the following from Allen Wilson on the bus tour. Allen is a dedicated GOP Activist.

I like to report to you about the Governor’s campaign stop in Pico Rivera at Mario Taco’s, famous eatry among Pico Rivera residents. As you know that I am Co-Chair, Victory ’06 Los Angeles County/San Gabriel Valley, I wanted to be there. Though, I was given 3 hours notice about this event, which was about 11:00 am this morning. The Governor made a splashing appearance and was very well received by the people in this heavingly hispanic community. Alot of the attendees, including Democrats, were surprised by his visit and made comments that even though they know he is a Republican and he could have gone to Orange County, but now I will vote for him. There were about 500 people in attendance. All the key local networks were there (Channel 2, 4, 7, 9 and 11), including several Spanish speaking stations and even a reporter from the Chinese Daily News showed up. The Governor appreciated the hospitality at the eatry. Also, he went on to talked about the Mayor being a Democrat, but stressed that this… Read More

OK – what is wrong with this picture? You are a fat-cat lobbyist with a prominent lobbying firm, that literally specializes in getting federal funds earmarked for the clients of the firm. You have an opportunity to take a senior position for the Chairman of the Committee that his primary jurisdiction over doling out these earmarks, the Appropriations Committee. Do you go? Well, what if your firm gives you a departure bonus of nearly $2 million bucks to make sure you can maintain a lavish lifestyle while in your paltry $100,000+/year job with the government?

Well, this appears to have happenned. Congressman Jerry Lewis (pictured) has a senior staffer working for him who clearly has a huge conflict of interest. I find it laughable to think that this lobbying firm wouldn’t receive deferential if not preferential treatment from their ‘paid lobbyist working at the committee’.

You have to wonder what Congressman Lewis was thinking when he allowed this staffer to come onboard with… Read More

OK – what is wrong with this picture? You are a fat-cat lobbyist with a prominent lobbying firm, that literally specializes in getting federal funds earmarked for the clients of the firm. You have an opportunity to take a senior position for the Chairman of the Committee that his primary jurisdiction over doling out these earmarks, the Appropriations Committee. Do you go? Well, what if your firm gives you a departure bonus of nearly $2 million bucks to make sure you can maintain a lavish lifestyle while in your paltry $100,000+/year job with the government?

Well, this appears to have happenned. Congressman Jerry Lewis (pictured) has a senior staffer working for him who clearly has a huge conflict of interest. I find it laughable to think that this lobbying firm wouldn’t receive deferential if not preferential treatment from their ‘paid lobbyist working at the committee’.

You have to wonder what Congressman Lewis was thinking when he allowed this staffer to come onboard with… Read More