I have received dozens of calls over the last month about CRA and how one goes about getting a CRA endorsement. People could read our bylaws at the CRA website. I’ve learned that it easier to find my phone numberon the site then click the by-laws link. So here is a quick primer.

Statewide endorsements and Board of Equalization are done at the Statewide Endorsing Convention. We recently had one in Bakersfield. Delegates sent by units and the Board of Directors then endorse statewidecandidates and initiatives.

All endorsements at all levels require a two-thirds vote.

CRA is a conservative organization not only in beliefs, but also in how it operates. The state does not endorse in local races.

If the local race partisan or non-partisan has more than one unit in that area (meaning ANY of the geography regardless of size), a local endorsing convention must be called with delegates from all the affected units. With the current gerrymandered seats, some legislative districts could haveseveral clubs that need to be invited to participate. A single club in a… Read More

Lancaster School District in Los Angeles County’s Antelope Valley has adopted a new science philosophy that allows debate in science classrooms about Darwin’s Theory of Evolution. Lancaster becomes the latest school district that specifically hasentered into this debate. See the article here.

Alex Branning, the parent that initiated the policy. Says his next target in Los Angeles Unified. Hate to break the news, but LAUSD needs a "Big Bang" to start all over again. This policy won’t do that.… Read More

In this business of politics we sometimes forget that the men and women who become policy makers are not necessarily themselves the biggest reason for thier own success. The fact is, George W. Bush would be no where without Karl Rove (George W.’s ‘brains’). For every successful politician there is a man or woman, some times a team, but more regularly on person that is their political brains, foot soldier and all around goto guy or gal. This column is written not just in tribute to them but to highlight just how important the politicians ‘brains’ really are.

I am going to present this list as a start of something bigger and encourage readers to give me their thoughts on who else to include on future lists. Today’s list will include ten elected officials and their ‘brains’ mostly from Orange County, but some from other parts of the state.

ASSEMBLYWOMAN MIMI WALTERS

ORANGE COUNTY SHERIFF MIKE CARONA

ORANGE COUNTY SUPERVISOR LOU CORREA

ASSEMBLYMAN TODD SPITZER

ASSEMBLYMAN TOM UMBERG

ORANGE COUNTY SUPERVISOR BILL CAMPBELL

ANAHEIM MAYOR CURT… Read More

FR friend Bruce Bialosky sent me this column weeks ago, and I told him I would run it. Somehow I never did, and after a gentle reminder from Bruce, here is his piece, which is definately from the heart, which he has entitled, "Why Arnold is Losing the Republicans"… Bruce has been involved with helping to raise funds up in LA for Republican candidates and causes for years.

The recent semi-annual California Republican Convention was an attempt by Governor Schwarzenegger and others to solidify his support with the base of the party. Despite his efforts and those of State Senator Tom McClintock, Arnold has failed as of now. Schwarzenegger positions have left the base feeling that supporting him for reelection may not only be the wrong thing to do, but may also be… Read More

Governor Schwarzenegger’s came into Fresno yesterday and outlined his aggressive support of vocational education. He laid out a comprehensive policy agenda which you can read here.

That said, it was his trip over to the editorial board at the Fresno Bee that has been burning up the blogosphere. While meeting with the Bee folks, when the subject of Rob Reiner came up, for the first time, the Governor was not silent. He said that he has no plans to appoint a new Chairman to the Children and Families First Commission and thus ‘retire’ Reiner. You can read more about this on… Read More

Governor Schwarzenegger’s came into Fresno yesterday and outlined his aggressive support of vocational education. He laid out a comprehensive policy agenda which you can read here.

That said, it was his trip over to the editorial board at the Fresno Bee that has been burning up the blogosphere. While meeting with the Bee folks, when the subject of Rob Reiner came up, for the first time, the Governor was not silent. He said that he has no plans to appoint a new Chairman to the Children and Families First Commission and thus ‘retire’ Reiner. You can read more about this on… Read More

Exception political law attorney Dana Reed send this along. Pardon if the formatting is messed up as this is being posted from a Blackberry PDA:

FROM DANA REED:

"The Democratic primary election to succeed Senator Joe Dunn in the 34th SD (Central Orange County) was expected to be one of the most expensive legislative races in California’s history. Assemblyman Tom Umberg and County Supervisor Lou Correa were poised to re-enact the Gunfight at the OC Corral, and spend over $1,000,000 each in doing so.

The lines were drawn in the sand. Business interests and moderate Democrats were supporting Correa. Trial lawyers and environmentalists were on Umberg’s side. It was going to be fun to watch.

But Correa has shot himself in the foot and his name might not appear on the ballot. If Umberg’s attorneys are successful, Correa will be forced to run as a "write in" candidate, a daunting task at best.

What happened?

Well, the Correa campaign failed to follow the rules in submitting the proper number of signatures on their candidate’s Nomination Documents, and they got… Read More

San Diego politicos have been on pins and needles today in anticipation of local TV station KFMB Channel 8’s pending 5 pm investigative report on Supervisor Bill Horn, his Chief of Staff Joan Wonsley, and their alleged shared property interests. Some in SD say that Horn, running for re-election against challenger and former Assemblyman Bruce Thompson, has been the subject of these rumors for years.

It is now apparent that whatever Channel 8 will be breaking within the next hour, may have already been broken by local activist Patsy Fritz today in the weekly Valley Center Road Runner. Because the column is not yet on-line, below is the full text.

It’s always a bit awkward to post this kind of story — especially since I have a friendship with both Bill Horn (pictured) and Joan Wonsley. But we’re in the business of ‘breaking news’ here, and since this one is clearly in the public domain… That said, I… Read More