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

Last night, former House Majority Leader Tom DeLay officially retired after 22 years of service in the House of Representatives. He delivered an eloquent farewell speech that reminded all of us still serving in the House why we are here; he defined what in means to be conservative or liberal (the description of which clearly made many liberals uncomfortable); he defended partisanship as being central to the foundations of our republic; and he gave one final plea for action on the issue most important to him – the protection of foster children. I was impressed and so were many of my colleagues, even a few on the other side of the aisle. Here are a few excerpts of his remarks…

Mr. Speaker, Political careers tend to end in one of three ways: defeat, death, or retirement. And despite the fervent and mostly noble exertions of my adversaries over the years, I rise today to bid farewell to this House under the happiest of the

PUBLIC HEALTHCARE FOR THE CHILDREN OF CRIMINALS? There is no doubt that the budget process in Sacramento is all messed up. When I was in Sacramento this week, I expected to find an institution filled with lots of hearings and activity surrounding the important public work of reviewing the Governor’s proposed budget, and making observations, proposing changes, etcetera. Of course, with Democrats controlling both houses, I was sure that my blood would boil at most of their tinkering.

That said, what I found was a lot of NOTHING going on, relative to legislators and the budget. A visit with Senator Tom McClintock was helpful as "Professor Tom" tutored me on how the budget process has really become a streamlined process, that jumps from what was the beginning of a budget process (subcommittee hearings) all of the way to, in essence, a final vote on a ‘conference committee report’ that is really a vote on a package negotiated by the "Big 5" (Governor, and the four top legislative leaders). Of course, this… Read More

In my LA election roundup I touched on the defeat of LA Superior court Judge Dzintra Janavs. See here.Many speculate she was targeted because of her "foreign" sounding name. See here. Others also point to her being trageted by Democrats out to get a LA Judge. See here.Janavs was defeated by a non-practicing attorney who was rated unqualified by the bar, but run a pretty good sandwich shop.

The Governor has announced his intention to reappoint the judge to the Bench. The release isn’t on the website yet, but I pasted below. Maybe he’s sympathetic to the "Foreign Sounding Name" thing. We can add this Republican back to the bench. That’s a good thing!

Statement by Governor Schwarzenegger Announcing his Intention to Reappoint Judge Dzintra Janavs to the L.A. County Superior… Read More