So here is the big question for Sunday morning.

House Republicans seem set on re-election John Boehner as some sort of “Permanent Minority Leader” for the long haul, with some sort of concession to conservatives being that former Republican Study Committee Chairman Mike Pence is going to be the new Conference Chairman, the #3 spot in House Leadership. The question is – if Boehner stays put, meaning that the fundamental structure of House Republicans stays in place, does it even matter that Pence is in Leadership, except maybe at the margins?

Whoever is in leadership – well, it’s rearranging the deck chairs if they aren’t prepared to reign-in the “GOP Cardinals” – the Republicans on the House Appropriations Committee. Isn’t it time for House Republicans to stop glorifying spending by leaving in place the GOP Lard Team?

It’s true that conservatives don’t go to Washington, passionate about spending. So the squishy moderates and non-ideologues end up stacking the Appropriations Committee.… Read More

Why is John McCain letting his former running mate twist in the wind?

During the campaign, McCain be sure to chastise those among his supporters who unfairly or viciously attacked Barack Obama.

Now that Gov. Sarah Palin is being unfairly and viciously attacked by unnamed members of McCain’s campaign, why hasn’t he leapt to her defense?

Gov. Palin gave McCain candidacy every measure of devotion. She tirelessly and enthusiastically stumped for him, energizing the base for him — something he was unable to do for himself. And she did so even as her own reputation was unjustly damaged by a media mau-mauing unlike anything I have evern seen.

And through it all, she fought on without complaint.

John McCain owes it to Sarah Palin too come to her defense, as well as to publicly denounce those in his camp who are sticking her with cowardly knives.

The longer McCain stays silent, the more dishonor he brings on himself.… Read More

California voters have spoken twice on same-sex marriage (Propositions 22 and now 8) and their voice, even in this resoundingly Democratic election year,is clear: same sex marriage is not a right that can be equated with the civil rights of racial minorities, or a protected right under the First Amendment.

But now thebitter losers on Proposition 8 will take their case to the California Supreme Court, where they will ask the jurists to overturn — for a second time —a ban on their so-called right to same sex marriage.

The media, especially the Los Angeles Times, is loving this controversy. It must be selling newspapers. The same newspaper that brought us the headline "Obama Captivates the World!" had three separate articles on the issue in today’s Sunday paper. Supporters of same-sex marriage have been protesting religious services today at, among other places, Saddleback Church in Lake Forest. The Pastor there, Rick Warren, is hardly a gay-basher. But the activists believe it makes for good media.

The truth is, the gay… Read More

Solicitations for Winners and Losers… We know the local San Diego candidates and issues that won and lost, of course. But, what of the individuals, elected officials, organizations, consultants, etc. that were this election’s big winners and losers? Who had the most influence, good or bad, overtly or behind the scenes, and why? There are some obvious ones, perhaps. What of the lesser knowns? Send me those as well.

The final results will be subjective and my opinion, not necessarily based on the number of emails I receive, so no need to e-stuff the ballot box. But, I definitely will consider your opinion. However, you do have to send it to me in an email.

If you have a snappily-worded reason for your selection, I may use it in the final story. I promise to keep any entries anonymous, unless you let me know that I can quote you by name.

Send me your picks.

Day after "thoughts"… My Wednesday San… Read More

I just got off of the phone with Tony Strickland. Needless to say, he is a bit anxious, as this race has ended up being not only the most expensive legislative contest this election cycle, but now it is the closest.

What’s the status of things? Well, FR readers probably know that this sprawling district is mostly in Ventura County, with a big portion of it also being in Santa Barbara County, and a sliver of it is in Los Angeles County.

Generally, Strickland performed better in Ventura County, and Jackson did better (by a slightly larger margin) in Santa Barbara County. In the tiny LA portion, which is up in the very conservative Santa Clarita area, Strickland performed much better.

**There is more – click the link**

View Full Commentary… Read More

The people of California spoke clearly on Tuesday. They voted to define marriage as between one man and one woman for a second time. Prop 22 passed in 2000 and now Prop 8 has passed as well.

Multiple commentators that oppose Prop 8 have said that it is not over and that a vote of the people doesn’t matter when rights they consider as fundamental are in question. This is a logical legal argument.

If that is the case then Prop 8 didn’t matter. The existing law was and still is adequate to get them where they want to go in terms of public policy. So then why spend $30 million on Prop 8? If people really believed that then there was absolutely no reason to fight this measure. They should have taken the money spent on TV spots and spent it in legal fees to get to court and have Constitutional rights exercised.

The real story is that the law is not completely on their side. Prop 8 does matter and will shape this debate in a major way.

Further, the proponents of same-sex marriage now have the burden to pass a measure that allows same-sex marriage in our state. That is what they should have had to do in the first place.… Read More

The following is a Guest Commentary just received from Grover Norquist, President of Americans for Tax Reform…

Your Governor can beat up Sarah Palin, but Sarah Palin is smarter than your Governor By Grover Norquist

Only 6 months into the new fiscal year, the Democrats in the California State legislature have spent $11 billion more next year than they had planned to take from taxpayers. This, Governor Schwarzenegger explains is our problem. We have failed to pony up the $11 billion.

In fact, this is the state legislature’s own problem. They are spending too… Read More

I know that this blog is generally supposed to focus on California politics but I wanted to pass along a column by John Kass, the right-of-center columnist for the Chicago Tribune. My mother grew up in Chicago and, for a time, I lived in Illinois and covered the statehouse for the Springfield Journal-Register. Chicago is my favorite city in the country, but there is no question that it is one of the most corrupt cities in the nation (althoughI won’t deny that it is cleaner, prettier and more pleasant to visit thanmost CA cities).Kass is constantly shining a light on the questionable ethics of Mayor Richard Daley, his family and other Chicago politicos. Here’s Kass’ take on President-elect Obama’s pick of Rahm Emanuel as his Chief of Staff: Emanuel pick shows change is a state of mind.

… Read More