The LA Times is reporting today that Anaheim Councilman Harry Sidhu is considering a run against first-term mayor Curt Pringle. While I am happy to have been quoted in the article, I think the reporter had very little to go on and it should have been more about an internal policy disagreement rather and a potential political battle.

The fact is you can’t find anyone besides Harry Sidhu himself who thinks he should run or has even heard he is interested in running. The quote of mine they didn’t print was, "No one past, present or future could beat Pringle in November."

I really believe Sidhu (to who’s campaign I am a donor) made a big error in mixing policy with politics here. His disagreement with his colleagues (Anaheim has a five member council including a directly elected mayor) over stadium deals and land sales and whatever else on the council agenda is fair game. Those battles are won and lost in a game we call: can you count to three?

Clearly Harry cannot.

Don’t get me wrong, using the… Read More

I’m not touting it, advocating for it, criticizing it, or analyzing its credibility…just posting it:

Friday Datamar Survey 50th Congressional District Special Election Roach And Bilbray In Tight Fight For Second Busby In Lead At 39% See it here.

I understand that Roger Hedgecock just endorsed former NFLer Scott Turner in the 50th race. Scott is absolutely a rising star in GOP politics, but Congress is not awaiting him this go round. A noble endorsement on Roger’s part, but one that will have no impact on the outcome.… Read More

Alameda County Supervisors are planning on banning the sale of marijuana-flavored candy. I had no idea that there was pot-flavored candy on the market, but after a little research, I discovered that you can not only buy candy with the taste of ganja, but also weed-scented perfume and lip balm! Of course, Chronic Candy which sells the stuff has a big notice on their web site that their product is only for those who are 18 years old or older, but the local politicians are worried that kids are buying the stuff .

The website is hysterical. They are giving away a free trip to Amsterdam, their clothing shop offers women’s thongs (not flip-flops) and tube tops with their logo, and they sell Bruce Margolin’s Guide to California’s marijuana laws (… Read More

The amnesty debate rages in Washington D.C. Congressman Rohrabacher, who represents parts of LA and Orange countieshas been a stand up guy on illegal immigration. His thoughts were published today in the Daily Breeze. See it here.Good stuff.

On a political note, I’m getting random calls and emails from registered Republicans threateneing to never vote Republican etc…. if amnesty passes. (They think CRA is the Party). Rightthe party isworried about turnout in CD 50. This can’t be helping.… Read More

Pardon me for lagging behind, but on Wednesday, the Governor announced another batch of appointments — 16 of them to be exact. (I actually created this post last night, but I often create this stuff ahead of time when I can, and then toggle it up from the blackberry when the site needs some extra content). The Governor batted .500 on appointing folks who voluntary associate with his own political party. Here is the partisan breakdown:

THE REPUBLICANS

Jim Bourgart, 61, of San Francisco, has been appointed deputy secretary for transportation at the Business, Transportation and Housing Agency. He has served as vice president for government relations and business development with Parsons, Brinckerhoff, Quade & Douglas since 1990. William Keese, 67, of Palm Desert, has been appointed to the Public Goods Independent Review Panel. Currently, he serves as chair of the Clean and Diversified Energy Advisory Committee for the Western Governors’ Association and is … Read More

It is clear that the debate that is taking place in Washington D.C. on the illegal immigration issue is going to be a major issue for the 2006 elections at every level. This means that every candidate for office, whether running for U.S. Senate or Congress, Governor or State Schools Superintendent, Supervisor or Sheriff, state legislature or school board is going to have to figure out how to address this issue.

The biggest challenge, of course, is on federal officeholders and candidates for U.S. Senate and Congress, as this is primarily seen as a national issue that should be dealt with by the federal government. To a certain extent, that is right. But the ‘trickle-down’ effect to every level of government of the impact of the United States’ failure to protect/control its borders, and the physical presence of well over ten-million people that have come into this country without permission has an impact for everyone, and for every political jurisdiction.

The lead story in today’s FlashReport is a piece penned by Timm Herdt in today’s Ventura County Star that really starts to look at the impact of this issue on California races.… Read More

It is clear that the debate that is taking place in Washington D.C. on the illegal immigration issue is going to be a major issue for the 2006 elections at every level. This means that every candidate for office, whether running for U.S. Senate or Congress, Governor or State Schools Superintendent, Supervisor or Sheriff, state legislature or school board is going to have to figure out how to address this issue.

The biggest challenge, of course, is on federal officeholders and candidates for U.S. Senate and Congress, as this is primarily seen as a national issue that should be dealt with by the federal government. To a certain extent, that is right. But the ‘trickle-down’ effect to every level of government of the impact of the United States’ failure to protect/control its borders, and the physical presence of well over ten-million people that have come into this country without permission has an impact for everyone, and for every political jurisdiction.

The lead story in today’s FlashReport is a piece penned by Timm Herdt in today’s Ventura County Star that really starts to look at the impact of this issue on California races.… Read More

My commentary is very abbreviated today. There is a great profile on the FlashReport today in the San Diego Union Tribune. It is a main feature in an article penned by ace U-T political reporter John Marelius on the rising influence of political websites and blogs on politics. I’ve already gotten a dozen phone calls and even more e-mails this morning ‘letting me know’ about the piece. Needless to say, I have taken the liberty of making it the ‘top story’ today on the main page.

The article starts out:

Web sites’ influence on the rise statewide By John Marelius San Diego Union Tribube… Read More