The ranks of Inland Empirerepresentation in the Assembly’s Republican leadership grew considerably today. Republican Leader Kevin McCarthy announced the appointment of three new Republican Whips, including Inland Empire legislators Bill Emmersonof Redlands (pictured right) and Bob Huff of Diamond Bar (who represents the City of Chino Hills in San Bernardino County). They join Roger Niello of Fair Oaks as the newest members of McCarthy’s leadership team.

Emmersonand Huff (picturedright) have quickly risen through the ranks of their freshman class, which is important in the era of term limits. They have both proven to be team players who have the ability… Read More

Diamond Bar Congressman Gary Miller has had an impressive track since his election to Congress. He has ranked as the most conservative member of California’s delegation. In fact, CRA gave him an award recognizing that fact at last year’s state convention.

Before becoming a Congressman Gary wastheRepublican elected in the 1994 recall of party switching Paul Horcher. That turned out to be the first step in electing Curt Pringle as Speaker of the Assembly. There is a blog set up toremember those years. See it here.

At that time I actually considered running for that seat. I even took out papers. I was on the State Board of the CRP at the time and a local officeholder etc.. I met with Gary Miller. He was right on about issues that mattered and it was clear he was an honorable guy. I didn’t run and I endorsed Gary. I never regretted that decision. I should also say thatI serve on a Meals on Wheels Board with Gary’s wife Cathy as well.

With all the scandals and said to be scandals happening with GOP Congressman, every act is under a microscope. The… Read More

Congressman Jerry Lewis will not be pursuing a promotion in the Houseleadership.The Redlands Republican, who had been considered a possiblecontender for the majority leader post, announced today that he intends to remain as Appropriations Committee Chairman. To read the announcement, see www.house.gov/appropriations.… Read More

Tonight I drove down to the San Diego Republican Party’s monthly Central Committee meeting. Well, to be most accurate, State GOP Southern Vice Chairman Keith Carlson drove, and I warmed the passenger seat. County Chairman Ron Nehring ran an excellent meeting with about 200 Republicans in attendance – including many VIPS (the introductions took quite a while). Curiously, disgraced criminal Randy “Duke” Cunningham is apparently still a member of this committee. He didn’t answer his name when the roll was called – go figure – he’s not here. That said, it does seem like there may be 100 candidates here running for Duke’s seat. Apparently the rumor is true, that FR Contributor Duane Dichiara is no longer Chief of Staff to Assemblyman Mark Wyland. I just met his replacement. Fresh from the Congressional office of Florida Representative Dave Weldon comes Paul Webster. I don’t know much about Paul yet, except that he has good taste in employers – Wyland is top notch. The big speaker tonight – State GOP Chairman Duf Sundheim. The Chairman spoke about some of the Governor’s staff picks, and some of his… Read More

Conservative UCLAstudents used to say that UCLA is just ACLU scrambled.

I have to confess that I love UCLA. I enjoyed my years there. I was in student government there. I met FR Publisher Jon Fleischman, who while not a UCLA student came to campaign for me. I wrote a column for the Daily Bruinthat had someone spell check and editit for me. It was great.

I actuallyliked the Rose Bowl outcome.

However, I remember walking into the first day of a history class and having the Professor tell us he would approach this history class from a Marxist perspective. And believe it or not I was happy!Why? At least, I had an honest professor.Needless to say, many times you would find out too late that the Professor you had tolerated hate towards America andwas intolerant tostudents that didn’t hate America.

Andrew Jones from the Bruin Alumni Associationanother UCLA grad has launched a web site called UCLAProfs.com.. I do need to disclose that he asked me to be on the advisory boardalong with much more worthy… Read More

Carl Burton of the California Congress of Republicans recently sent out a letter supporting the bond busting proposals of the Governor. In order to do so he invoked conservative activist Steve Frank and his position of a former CRA President to do it.Here is the lead.

"I believe Steve Frank (past-President, CRA) was right on target when he wrote that Governor Schwarzenegger’s speech "… was an A+ speech …" Steve also wrote that the governor "… had passion, energy, structure, focus, it was delivered with humility in parts and sincerity throughout. He gave the audience confidence that he knew the subject and had a full grasp of the issues being raised. And the construction of the speech–masterful. Coming back several times with the line, ‘I say build it’ was forceful and positive."

You can see the whole CCR letter below.

While it is true Steve wrote this about the style of the speech, hewas against the policy.

"The policy of this speech did not work, because it did not give answers, nor did it address the major… Read More

Update: The link to both the Democrat and Republican surveys in the 50th is here.

Leave it to team Furlong/Babcock at Datamar to be running numbers at this point:

Republican Voters Not Wild Yet About Any One Republican Candidate

For Every Republican Candidate in the Candidates-crowded April 11th 50th Congressional Special "Mixed" Primary Election the Combined "Neither favorable or unfavorable" (neutral) and "Unfamiliar with the name" responses Far Exceed the Combined "Favorable" and "Unfavorable" responses San Diego – In the poll released today by Datamar Inc. regarding Republican candidates in the mixed-parties 50th Congressional Special Election to be held April 11th, the combined "Unfamiliar with the name" and "Neither favorable or unfavorable" (neutral) responses exceed the combined "Favorable"… Read More

The knock on Bill Morrow going into the special election to replace the Duke of Wiretapping has been the perception that he won’t be able to raise the money to be competitive. Morrow shattered that perception with his announcement earlier today that he raised over $200,000 in the 4th quarter – an impressive number for anyone given the challenges of raising that money in the current environment and the holiday season.

Also, conservative Congressman Gary Miller joins a majority of the elected California Senate and Assembly members in endorsing Morrow.

Those that counted Morrow out early, should take notice. With more candidates to come, this race will be a free-for-all.… Read More