This morning I had an opportunity to listen to President George W. Bush speak for the better part of an hour at what I would characterize as an ‘intimate’ townhall-style ‘talk’ to several hundred Orange Countians who were arranged bleacher-style in a 360 degree layout around the President. It was a respectful audience, and clearly everyone in the room was proud to be an American, and was relishing in the opportunity to hear in such a direct, familial fashion from the President of the United States. Of course, to get into the Hyatt Hotel (about four blocks from my home in Irvine) you had to pass the two distinct groups of protestors — the ones who disagree with the President’s ‘guest worker’ solution for the illegal immigration problem, and those who just disagree with the President on everything. The event was hosted by the Orange County Business Council and I want to give a shout-out to FR friend Todd Priest (and to RD with Team43) for the hook-up, and… Read More

[Today’s guest commentary is from Adam Probolsky.]

Folks, I have a real hard time with anyone telling me in what language I have to communicate. Especially when its not English.

Today’s Flashreport features an exclusive column from OC Supervisor Chris Norby on multi-lingual ballots. As a pollster, I deal in many languages because my job is to identify public opinion. So sometimes that requires us to survey people in the language in which they are most comfortable speaking. But I sure wouldn’t want to be forced into such a practice. We only do it when it is necessary or prudent.

If you have tried to circulate recall papers or a local initiative for signatures lately chances are your attorney told you to publish the notice and circulate petitions in as many a five (5) additional languages: Chinese, Korean, Spanish, Korean and Vietnamese.

What a crock.

I mean no disrespect, but in the business of collecting signatures for a ballot measure, circulators do not have the time nor the interest… Read More

Morgan Crinklaw, the Press Secretary for the Assembly Republican Caucus, privides these answers to my questions:

Assistant Republican Leaders are an important part of the Republican Leader’s team. They assist the Leader in articulating the caucus message, promoting policy and maintaining unity among members. Assistant Republican Leaders work with the Leader to focus and frame the debate. Republican whips are also an important part of the Assembly Republican Leader’s leadership team, providing guidance on public policy issues before the Legislature. Whips also assist the Republican leader in devising legislative floor strategy, and advancing caucus positions and goals to the Assembly’s 32 members. Their primary role on the floor of the Assembly is to convey messages from the leader to the other members… Read More

Several weeks ago, all hell broke loose in Ventura County when longtime US Representative Elton Gallegly stated that although he filed as a candidate for re-election to his seat, he would not run for re-election due to health concerns. This announcement spawned a last minute flurry of activity over who would, and could, legally file for and run for that seat. For a while it looked like an unknown challenger, Michael Tenenbaum, would waltz into the seat due to being in the right place at the right time. After significant pressure from national GOPers, including the Speaker of the House, Gallegly decided to campaign for his seat and is likely to be re-elected. (Notably, shortly after Gallegly announced his decision not to run, I suggested here on the FlashReport that he should be re-elected regardless of whether he campaigned to prevent a no-name from becoming the unintended beneficiary of a nominally open seat in Congress).

Now, legislation sponsored by State Senator Jim Battin (R-La Quinta), is being put forward to fix the glitch that could… Read More

Wall’s Appointment to CRP Board… The CRP Board appointed longtime SD activist Warene Wall to its ranks on Friday. Here’s Ron Nehring’s take on it, sent to SD GOP folks:

I’m extremely pleased to announce that minutes ago the California Republican Party Board of Directors confirmed the appointment of our own Warene Wall to be the new Vice Chair/South of the state party. Warene replaces Keith Carlson, who was elected CRP Treasurer at our February convention.

Warene is a first class member of our leadership team, and I’m certain she will do a great job in her new position on the CRP Board of Directors. The appointment does not affect her position as our 2nd V/C in San Diego.

Three years ago, there was not a single San Diegan on the state party board of directors. Today, Warene is the *third* San Diegan on the state party board, joining my self and Assemblyman George Plescia, who joined the Board when he became Assembly Republican leader on Monday.

Congratulations!

Ron Although there had been rumblings about others… Read More

[Today’s guest commentary is written by Adam Probolsky]

Give me a home There is a lot of talk about affordable housing. There is also some legislation and local governments trying to solve the problem: fewer and fewer lower and middle income workers and retirees can afford to live in the established urban and suburban neighborhoods they want and need to live. Today’s OC Register touches on the issue and basically suggests lessening the burden on developers to speed the process and reduce the cost of building. That is a fine idea, but in a market where the million-dollar home is about all you can find, more needs to be done.

By more, I mean, more non-profits engaging in the process and more sane minded residents supporting projects that allow grandma and grandpa to live close to their grand-kids. I am a planning commissioner in … Read More

[Today’s guest commentary is written by Adam Probolsky]

Give me a home There is a lot of talk about affordable housing. There is also some legislation and local governments trying to solve the problem: fewer and fewer lower and middle income workers and retirees can afford to live in the established urban and suburban neighborhoods they want and need to live. Today’s OC Register touches on the issue and basically suggests lessening the burden on developers to speed the process and reduce the cost of building. That is a fine idea, but in a market where the million-dollar home is about all you can find, more needs to be done.

By more, I mean, more non-profits engaging in the process and more sane minded residents supporting projects that allow grandma and grandpa to live close to their grand-kids. I am a planning commissioner in … Read More

As a lifelong Republican I am sad that almost all of my blogging is criticism of my own Party. This Congress failure to act on so many issues is disturbing, and energy policy is it’s latest debacle.

Today’s A1, above the fold piece in the Fresno Bee regarding Congress’ intent to investigate price gouging by oil companies was downright laughable. As usual, the Congress is a day late and many dollar short. We’ve known about our energy situation for years, yet we refuse to go get resources underneath our own soil. It’s a joke. As I wrote for the Lincoln Club of Fresno County website in June, 2004, the President has failed to lead on energy policy and he can’t blame the Senate.

When a President fails to issue any vetoes during his term he has a hard time leveraging his own Party, thus, the Senate largely ignores his wishes. If a few more of these GOP Senators, plus red state Democrat Senators has tougher opposition, it might be different. Instead, this White House gets bullied around on too many fronts.

The President could send a shock wave… Read More