Last year, Michael Crichton wrote a novel called State of Fear, in which a fictional environmental organization called the National Environmental Research Fund cyncially stokes fears about global warming in order to sustain it’s fund-raising efforts.

I was reminded of Crichton’s book by this e-mail yesterday from Orange County public affairs consultant Meg Waters:

Matt –

A few weeks ago I was with friends in San Clemente and one of the leaders of the anti toll road group joined us. I told him that I supported the road and had worked with TCA on it. I ribbed him about the wild claims that the road would ruin Trestles beach – because in fact, it will… Read More

This morning meeting of the San Gabriel Valley Lincoln Club featured pollster Steve Kinney. Steve (pictured to the right) is great pollster and I enjoy and incorporate many of his messages into political. He has worked for liberals and conservatives.

Kinneyshowed through data that California is not the radical left-wing state that the media makes it out to be. Our poll numbers are virtually the same on issues as they are in the rest of the country. There is an exception in illegal immigration. California is more concerned about illegals than the rest of the country.

Kinney also listed several issues that polled high in intensity among Californians. The Governor managed to mention only one of them in his State of the State speech (sex offenders).

Kinney also pointed out that the Governor didn’t do well amongGOP votersin the special election. I’m sure more debt and fees should do the trick.

In response to a question, Kinney… Read More

As Legislative Republicans continue to express their doubts about the Governor’s massive bond proposal, Gov. Schwarzenegger turned to one of the state’s top Democrats for support for his new spending program. Schwarzenegger appeared today with Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa at an event at Los Angeles’ Union Station, where, according to a Governor’s Office news release, the two men "explained how investing wisely in California’s transportation infrastructure will decrease commute times, speed freight delivery, improve air quality and create jobs, as the state prepares for its projected growth."

What a difference three months and a two-hundred-billion dollar spending package makes. Just last October, Villaraigosa was trashing the governor in the media.

"I’m opposed to all of his initiatives," Villaraigosa told the press.… Read More

This week Martin Garrick’s campaign for the open 74th Assembly District (disclosure – Coronado Communications client) announced more than $370,000 raised, along with a partial list of a formidable finance committee. In the last few weeks, Garrick has announced the endorsements of former United States Senator and California Governor Pete Wilson, State Senator Tom McClintock, San Diego County District Attorney Bonnie Dumanis, San Diego County Treasurer Dan McAllister, San Diego Assessor Greg Smith, and a host of former California Republican Party and San Diego Republican Party Chairmen, among others. Rumors have Scott Packard, son of former Congressman Ron Packard, considering an entrance into the race.

Meanwhile, in the 50th Congressional District self-financing businessman Alan Uke continues his television ad campaign. I’ve personally seen the ad several times, and I don’t really watch much besides the Simpsons, the Office, and the news. My guess is of the three, Nygren is aiming at the news watchers. Brian Bilbray earned the endorsement of neighboring Congressman Darrell Issa, who is burning up the phones. Gilliard has been brought on by the… Read More

What a difference two months make. The FlashReport has been around for almost five years now (only recently as a website) — I’ve been publishing consistently since Arnold Schwarzenegger splashed onto the political scene. First with his ballot measure, Proposition 49, where he promoted after school programs, and right on through to his campaign for Governor, his pledge to review and reform the way state government works, his drive to pass reforms in a special election after they were rejected by the legislature, and into this year. If you are a regular reader of the FlashReport, you would have to notice the distinct change in rhetoric lately. Especially since I would routinely get e-mails until two months ago asking why this site was a ‘propaganda machine’ for the Governor. The change in my commentaries about the Governor’s proposals… Read More

What a difference two months make. The FlashReport has been around for almost five years now (only recently as a website) — I’ve been publishing consistently since Arnold Schwarzenegger splashed onto the political scene. First with his ballot measure, Proposition 49, where he promoted after school programs, and right on through to his campaign for Governor, his pledge to review and reform the way state government works, his drive to pass reforms in a special election after they were rejected by the legislature, and into this year. If you are a regular reader of the FlashReport, you would have to notice the distinct change in rhetoric lately. Especially since I would routinely get e-mails until two months ago asking why this site was a ‘propaganda machine’ for the Governor. The change in my commentaries about the Governor’s proposals… Read More

On the main page of the FR today, we linked to this USA Today major story focusing on the relationship between Congressman Jerry Lewis (R-Redlands), Chairman of the House Appropriations Committee, and a hedge fund named Cerberus, which raised substantial money for Lewis, and who has also benefitted from a major $1.6 billion dollar project. Congressional Quarterly carried this response to the story from Congressman Lewis:

Lewis Denies Discussing Contract With Donors House Appropriations: Chairman Jerry Lewis, R-Calif., today said neither he nor any members of his staff had discussed a defense funding allocation with representatives of a defense contractor or a hedge fund that hosted a fundraiser for Lewis’ leadership … Read More

I remember from playing Scrabble that instead of playing a tile on your turn, you can instead throw ‘back’ all of your tiles, and pick new ones from the bag of unused tiles – a fresh start so to speak. That seems to be what is being advocated by first-term (this go-around) Congressman Dan Lungren (R-Sacramento – pictured to the right). He is advocating that all of the House leadership positions come up for a new vote — right now there is a pitched battle taking place as to who will replace Tom DeLay as the Majority Leader (#2 ranked position, behind the Speaker). This race, though, is touching off two off other races as one of the candidates for leader is currently the GOP Whip (#3),… Read More