I share Jon Fleischman’s disappointment over the Traditional Values Coalition and its role in the Abramoff sleazefest. But I’m a lot more worried than he is, not because the TVC’s activities have been outside the norm of acceptable political behavior, but because in modern-day Washington, they are the norm. In the national news media, Reverend Lou Sheldon’s role in this ethical circus has received a relatively small amount of attention, because similar behavior has been attributed to conservative activist Ralph Reed, who is alleged to have taken money from Abramoff’s Indian gaming clients to oppose other gambling expansion. Not to slight Reverend Sheldon’s political import, but Reed, who was a major player in the Bush-Cheney re-election campaign and is currently a candidate for Lt. Governor of Georgia, is a major, major player in national Republican politics. He’s also one of the savviest operators in the political arena today, which makes me wonder exactly how broad and… Read More

I too have a history with Rev. Sheldon. I have known the Reverend for more than a decade. I do not agree with him all the time and I certainly do not agree with some of his tactics. But it is very important to be clear, no one is accusing Rev. Sheldon of any improprieties and if they did, they would find none.

Today it is more politically correct to bash Abramoff and anyone he stood on line with at the grocery store let along gave a contribution to, than to give a college scholarship to a one-legged, lesbian illegal alien. So I understand my colleagues desire to pile on. But I caution that but for our tendency to focus our businesses in California rather than DC or the fact that some of us (not I) choose do politics for Sen. McCain rather than Rep. Delay, we could have some of the Abramoff stink on us too.

My point is, attack the good Reverend all you want. But don’t confuse something you don’t like with something that is off the charts illegal. [Publisher’s note: Adam brings up a good… Read More

San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors Chairman Bill Postmus todayannounced his intention to change jobs next year. He will be running for County Assessor in the June 2006 countywide primary. Postmus, who’s also Chairman of the County GOP Central Committee, said he plans to transform the Assessor’s office into a "model operation whose mission will be to protect taxpayers and property owners and help bring better-paying jobs closer to San Bernardino County’s residents.

"I intend to take the experience I’ve gained from reforming county government, improving public services and getting the county’s financial house in order and put that knowledge to work in the Assessor’s Office," Postmus said. The County Assessor’s primary responsibility is to determine the assessed value of the county’s current $130.7 billion worth of real and personal property for tax purposes in the state’s… Read More

Another response, in addition to Lew Uhler’s (see prior post). Whether I agree with it or not, and whether he meant it as such or not, Republicans and GOP legislators could view Richard Rider’s comments as a challenge (and definitely food for thought):

San Diego Tax Fighters E-mail: RRider@san.rr.com

Press Release – For Immediate Release by Richard Rider, Chairman

The Terminator Morphs into Girlie Man San Diego – It’s over. The giddy times of tossing out Gray Davis and replacing him with the tough Terminator are now behind us. After Governor Schwarzenegger’s State of the State speech, stunned Democrats welcomed him with open arms. Democrat Assemblywoman Saldana offered him a voter registration card so he could officially change his party affiliation. He’s become the very Girlie Man he denigrated in times past.

The Governator is… Read More

Former House Majority Leader Tom DeLay permanently resigned as Majority Leader in a letter to House Republicans. DeLay’s announcement triggers leadership elections (to be called by the Speaker) that rumors have to be either Jan. 26, bringing Members back prior to President Bush’s Jan. 31 State of the Union speech or on Feb. 2. Either way, the Speaker will want to have this dealt with prior to the Feb. 9-11 GOP Conference retreat.

Ohio Rep. John Boehner, chairman of the Education & the Workforce Committee and Missouri Rep. Roy Blunt, Majority Whip and acting-Majority Leader are considered to be definite candidates to succeed DeLay. House Rules would not require Blunt to resign as Whip meaning he could continue in that capacity if he failed to win the Leader’s post.

RSC chairman Mike Pence of Indiana is rumored to be a candidate for… Read More

Regarding the top story in today’s edition of the FlashReport — I think we are going to have to ask San Bernardino County Supervisor (and FlashReport friend) to share more about his plans with the readers of this fine publication. While the level of political sophistication of FR readers varies from the interested reader to experience consultants, the idea of the Chairman of the Board of Supervisors of a major county (that has no term limits) running for an obscure office (politically) like County Assessor seems like an odd move. Add to it that Postmus has partisan politics running through his veins (he is also the Chairman of the San Bernardino County Republican Party), and you wonder what he is up to. Bill is a chess player. In political parlance, it means that like a successful chess player, he makes his decisions thinking about the longer-term ramifications. Well, we invite the Supervisor to let us know why he would make this move… Until then… We’ll just be glad… Read More

Lew Uhler carries a lot of credibility as the head of the National Tax Limitation Committee. He has a storied career as a champion of the taxpaxer. I think his first blush assessment of the Governor’s "BIG BONDS" proposal is worthwhile for everyone to consider:

“Devil in the Details” TAXPAYERS SHOULD DEMAND BOND SPENDING SAFEGUARDS FROM THE LEGISLATURE “As always, in a major new spending measure of the kind the Governor is proposing, the ‘devil is in the details.’ Taxpayers would be well advised to await the details and demand accountability and assurances before making a final judgment. The Governor has proposed; let’s see if the … Read More

I remember about two hours after the big speech, getting an email to my blackberry. I had received a couple dozen already, from very frustrated GOPers. But this one was pretty succinct: “Jon, is there going to be a Republican response to the Governor’s address?”

If you think about it, here is a Republican volunteer who walked dozens of precincts, has probably made thousands of GOTV phone calls, and has volunteered at countless GOP conventions.

This person heard the speech, and felt Republicans should have a response. The Governor can’t be mad at these volunteers though. The Governor is moving to the center (at least rhetorically – Dan Schnur argues he’s been there on policy since day one) and those who worked to elect the “fiscal conservative” Arnold — not the “prolific borrowing/spend it-build it/regulate business Arnold — that seems to have emerged from the Christmas holiday.

To the volunteer who wrote that note, and the many others similarly concerned – be vocal and make your feelings known to your GOP elected leaders, your legislators and to your Governor. Be respectful but firm.… Read More