Eric Roach and I were walking by the Judiciary Committee meeting room in the Rayburn House Office Buidlng, and noticed a lot of people going in. Eric asked the young lady at the door what was going on…and she told us a, “hearing on the National Security Agency syping on Americans.”

Eric and I walked up the hallway, looked at each other, and speaking about the young lady, we simultaneously said, “Democrat.”… Read More

We’ve been having productive meetings with Eric Roach on The Hill. It really resonated with Congressman Buck McKeon when we talked about how a Roach candidacy that is driving UP Republican turnout for the election day can only HELP the party keep the 50th in GOP hands. The opportunity of a Roach candidacy is a conservative Congressman long-term for the 50th. The danger if Roach doesn’t run is a suppresed GOP turnout and a real danger of a Busby win in June.

After all, there was a lot of pressure on Tom McClintock to stand down his campaign for Governor in the special election. But in reality, it was likely the increased conservative turnout is what put the first question, the recall of Davis, over the top. Had McClintock not driven conservative turnout, we might still have Gray Davis in office.

For those tired of this string, cut me some slack. I’ve never “live-blogged a trip to DC and I’m having fun!… Read More

Richard Pombo is a great Congressman. A principled conservative who has brought common sense to the Chairmanship of the House Resources Committee. It was great to be able to catch up with him. It’s one thing to write about these folks on this site — it’s another thing to get to talk to them! We had a chance to meet with Pombo – a great meeting. Steve Ding, his Chief-of-Staff is a close FR friend.

It was also nice to see another old friend today, Chuck Cunningham. Chuck is the political director at the National Rifle Association. A great guy and an FR subscriber. Chuck spent some time explaining how Bilbray earned his “F” ratins from the NRA because of his appearances with then-President Bill Clinton at pro-gun control events.

I did experience a bout of post-traumatic stress when we spent time at the Dwight D. Eisenhower Center, the headquarters building of the Republican National Committee. We went there since Eric Roach had a meeting scheduled with RNC Chairman Ken Mehlman.

I don’t know if I mentioned the wonderful weather here – balmy and nice. It’s been a great day!… Read More

The Eric Roach mission to Washington, D.C, has officially ended with our arrival back to San Diego!

I’m sure I will write more observations on this trip in the coming days, but the overwhelming impact of the trip is easily summed up – lots of encouragement for Roach. It was clear that conservatives in D.C., who were totally underwhelmed by Brian Bilbray’s previous stint in Congress, and that everyone was very excited after getting to know Eric.

Clearly a lot of seeds were spread on this journey…with the potential to grow into a big tree – a really big, conservative one!

On a closing note – traveling with John Feliz, Stan Devereux, Sal Russo, Bill Hauf, Howard Kaloogian, Duane Admire and, of course, Eric Roach was a great experience. For those of you who know me, you know that I do not give my “seal of approval” easily – I’ve been around the block a lot. Roach is the real deal – an honorable, values-driven conservative who understands and is a part of a conservative movement. There are great things in store for Eric’s future…his near future!… Read More

San Francisco is such a cutting-edge city. Not cutting-edge when it comes to reducing crime or successfully dealing with homelessness, but cutting edge when it comes to “cool” ideas like a free wireless network and, now, text messaging teens on their cell phones about safe sex.

According to the San Francisco Chronicle, the city is spending $2,500 a month to run the program which is targeted at youth ages 12-24. Kids can text message the city’s public health department and get a quick response about how to have safer sex or deal with the ramifications of unsafe sex. City officials are concerned about the rising rates of sexually-contracted diseases. For example, last year there was a 100 percent increase in gonorrhea in African American youth.

At the same time, a… Read More

Long Beach 2nd district councilman Dan Baker resigned beause of some ethics problems. As a result a special election is scheduled. All 11 candidates in the race endorsed legalizing homosexual marriage at a forum heldat A CHURCH. One candidate led with the "I’ve be gay longer than any of you." It’s a gay old time in Long Beach that at one time was oncerepresenetd by Dan Lungren& George Deukmejian. See article here.… Read More

Today has been a productive day thus far for Eric Roach – and most FR readers in California are up!

I’m having a great time, and am glad I was asked to come along…

We’re over at the offices of Americans for Tax Reform now in the heart of Washington, D.C., where conservative political guru Grover Norquist presides over what I would call a “conservative coordinating meeting” – that is very well attended.

Unfortunately, I can’t go into any details having been admonished that the meeting content and its attendees are “off the record” – though I assume that I can share that Eric Roach will address the group.… Read More

The Americans for Taxpayers Reform meeting (aka…the “Secret Squirrel” meeting) went very well. Because of the rules of the meeting, I can’t go into details. But I will risk excommunication by saying two things – Eric Roach was well received, and also a TY to Grover Norquist for letting me say a few words about the FlashReport!

The ATR meeting is a group of primarily fiscally oriented folks. We are now off to another conservative meeting coordinated by movement leader Paul Weyrich, and this meeting is much more oriented towards social conservatives. I’m sure Eric will be well received at this meeting, too.

We’re being accompanied to these meetings by Steve Baldwin, who heads up the Council for National Policy, a premiere coordinating group of conservative leaders from around the nation. Baldwin for years was an Assemblyman in San Diego County. He is enthusiastic about Eric, but I am sure he is also motivated by the memory of Brian Bilbray endorsing his Democratic opponent in his first, unsuccessful run for the Assembly.

It is amazing how many people Roach has spoken with who are anxious to have a strong… Read More