While there is always lots of interesting political goings on in the Bay Area, I can’t help to read the daily stories on the Polk murder trial. While it doesn’t have the celebrity status of the OJ trial, the Polk trial is the most interesting legal drama in the country today. I’m sure that the writers for "Law and Order" and other TV legal shows have already got copy-cat scripts in the works.

The courtroom happenings are fascinating. For example, this week, the defendant—on trial for murdering her husband and who is acting as her own attorney—objected to something the prosecution said on the grounds of….hyperbole.

First, for some background. For those of you not familiar with the East Bay, Orinda is a small, affluent town on the other side of the Caldecott Tunnel from North Oakland. For many “crunchy” Berkeley/Oakland residents, they simply cannot stand to… Read More

It’s pretty much a given among politicos that even though the average person says they hate negative campaigning — and actually do — they are also influenced by it.

Similar with surveys. Most of us say polls means very little, but go off the deep end when they don’t reflect our candidates in a good light, and — alternatively — immediately crank out a press release when they do.

Datamar’s latest survey in the 50th C.D. has been the target of much criticism and comments the last few days. I’ll leave it for you to decide the merits of both the survey methods and the resulting arguments.

The SDPolitics Blog has been awash with commentary. Check it out here.

Perhaps the most succinct criticism of the Datamar survey, I received from GOP activist Warene Wall (in support of Bill Morrow):

Those who have been in grassroots politics for a long time have learned that polls can… Read More

Since I always like to call these things before they happen, La Mesa-Spring Valley School trustees tonight will appoint Emma Turner to the vacant seat on the board.

The vacancy was created by Sharon Jones’ appointment to the SD County Board of Education, which I covered here pretty extensively. You may remember that two of the Republicans on the County Board, Susan Hartley and John Witt, sided with Nick Aguilar to appoint Democrat Jones to a clear GOP seat, which had been Republican Ernie Dronenburg’s. This was despite the fact that highly qualified folks like Arkan Somo and Rick Winet had also applied. Such is the nature of politics, like it or not.

However, this leaves Republicans Bill Baber, Bob Duff, Penny Halgren, and Winet himself on the La Mesa-Spring Valley Board, with a vacancy to fill. Four GOPers applied for the seat, and one subsequently withdrew.

How do I know that Emma Turner, a retired naval officer, member of the Spring Valley Community… Read More

Students are still coming out against "getting tough" on illegals.Read update hereI guess we should understand. LAPD isn’t writing alot of truancy tickets and in LAUSD some teachers are with the students. LAUSD is a place you can’t buy a soda, but you can leave for politically correct protests at anytime. Good show.… Read More

Today I am pleased to announce a new addition to the FlashReport Team — Nicholas Romero! For those of you who don’t know Nick (pictured to the right) , he is currently a Field Representative for Assemblyman Chuck DeVore, and has been a leader in youth politics – most notably with Young Americans for Freedom (I am an alumni of YAF myself, having served as State Chairman from 1990-93 and on YAF’s National Board from 1992-95). Nick is a fine conservative — and a smart guy with a keen eye! Recently I reached out to Nick to ask him if, from time to time, he would like to serve as the FlashReport’s first Guest Editor! I am happy to say that Nick not only said yes, but was quite enthusiastic! Now, "What is a… Read More

Today I am pleased to announce a new addition to the FlashReport Team — Nicholas Romero! For those of you who don’t know Nick (pictured to the right) , he is currently a Field Representative for Assemblyman Chuck DeVore, and has been a leader in youth politics – most notably with Young Americans for Freedom (I am an alumni of YAF myself, having served as State Chairman from 1990-93 and on YAF’s National Board from 1992-95). Nick is a fine conservative — and a smart guy with a keen eye! Recently I reached out to Nick to ask him if, from time to time, he would like to serve as the FlashReport’s first Guest Editor! I am happy to say that Nick not only said yes, but was quite enthusiastic!

Now, "What is a Guest Editor," you ask?

Every morning, there is a ton of work done on the FR website, culling through literally dozens of websites in order to then… Read More

H/T to OC Register Reporter Martin Wisckol for the tip that in Sacramento Superior Court today, the judge ruled that Democratic Supervisor Lou Correa will be able to stay on the ballot in his quest to be the State Senator in the 34th District in Central Orange County. Of course Correa will first have to best Assemblyman Tom Umberg in the primary, and then face Assemblywoman Lynn Daucher in the general election.

Umberg had challenged Correa’s filing as he had turned in substantially more signatures to qualify than you are supposed to, apparently. You can read what Mike Houston said here on this last week, and what Dana Reed said here last week.

I’m sure we’ll see more on this in the Register tomorrow, and in on the Register’s "Total Buzz Blog" (see it under Blog Roll above).… Read More

The passing of former Reagan Defense Secretary Weinberger is a great loss to our country.

I had the opportunity to spend the day with Secretary Weinberger several years ago and kept in contact with him through the years. He was a wealth of knowledge and a class act.

California Republicans were better off for having Weinberger serve as chairman of the California Republican Party in the early 60s and all of California had the benefit of his leadership in the State Assembly having been elected in 1952 and re-elected in ’54 and ’56. Here is a link to his full bio, a facinating read.

During the time I spent with the Secretary, he was candid and predicted the current trouble with North Korea.

Rest In Peace Mr. Secretary.

From CNN.com:

WASHINGTON (Reuters)… Read More