FR Readers, I don’t know whether you have had an opportunity to meet Frank Schubert. Frank is one of California’s premiere public affairs and political consultants — and is also a fine conservative. Some time ago, Frank began to pen a week "rant" over on his firm’s website. Very quickly I came to look forward to them as Frank would also write about issues that matter, with a healthy injection of cynicism or humor (whichever is appropriate depending on the subject). I am very excited that we here at the FlashReport have successfully lobbied to carry Frank’s Rant as a regular feature here on the FR Blog. Below is Frank’s most recent diatribe, and look for his next one later in the week! Jon Fleischman FR Publisher BAILOUTS, BUDGETS AND… Read More

During the peak of the Reagan Revolution, fewer big cities were more reliable Republican than Glendale, an older suburb near Los Angeles. Glendale produced heroes Pat Nolan, former Assembly Republican Leader and Prop 13 baby [1978 to 1994] and Congressman James Rogan [1996 to 2000] of Impeachment fame, now a Superior Court Judge.

But things began to change in Glendale. Pat Nolan’s block by block precinct organization deteriorated. Demographics shifted. Democrats saw a golden opportunity and took over this once proud Republican stronghold, the assembly, the senate and the congressional seats.

Something is astir in the Glendale. Jane Barnett move back after serving the conservative movement in Sacramento and Morton Blackwell’s Leadership Institute in Washington DC. Shebegan to rebuild the invincible Nolan organization.

Jane is taking on incumbent Paul Krekorian, a former non descript school board member. district The 43rd. Assembly Districtis a former Republican stronghold. Jane seeks to return the district back to its natural home. … Read More

The media is extraordinarily opposing Proposition 8. The measure of course overturn the State Supreme Courts invalidation of the original Proposition 22 and restores the definition of marriage to that of one between a man and a woman.

One of the few papers to endorse it is now the Antelope Valley Press.

At least their is one paper in Los Angeles County that understands what this elections all about.… Read More

Another bad day at Wall Street.

During the Great Depression my one of my grandfathers says he earned more as a paperboy than most of the adults in his part of town (Kansas City), since they couldn’t find work. I guess he should have know gotten to know Pendergast better.

Today’s Musical Interlude: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4F4yT0KAMyo&feature=related. How long before we see this behind a commercial I wonder.

Brother, can you spare $700 billion?… Read More

I have not been shy about criticizing the Governor when I thought he was wrong. I told him, when I met with him during the recall campaign, that I would tell him what I thought of his actions as Governor, either privately, if he let me, or publicly, if he chose to exclude me from his counsel. Since he surrounded himself relatively early on with people who thought my advice to the Governor would not be helpful to him, I was excluded from private counsel soon after he was elected. I then was forced to make my comments on the Governor’s actions public, since that was the only way I could communicate with him. That led to his staff taking a dim view of me, both while I was in office, and now that I am out. Since my involvement in politics comes from my commitment to the principles in which I believe, and not from a desire to get a paying job or even a desire to get something from my friends in politics, I have always had no problem criticizing the Governor when I thought he did wrong.

But I also believe that I should be equally quick to praise the Governor when he does something right. And so, my hat is off to the Governor for his record breaking… Read More

Last week Pacific Justice Institute announced that it would sue the government on behalf of a Roseville couple whose marriage license was denied by the state for writing “bride” and “groom” on their same-sex-marriage-friendly license. Apparently the Department of Public Health didn’t want to remind voters of this major loss to heterosexual couples (the vast majority of those married) and announced on Friday that starting November 17, the marriage licenses will once again include “bride” and “groom.” However, each party will have the chance to choose their title, as “bride” and “groom” is an available option for each person.

It seems like every part of the government is tinkering with marriage these days—despite the people’s clear decision in favor of traditional marriage. The highest court overturns Proposition 22, the governor publicly denounces Proposition 8, the attorney general rewrites the ballot language to bias voters, and then the Department of Public Health alters… Read More

Assemblyman Chuck DeVore is not shy about his support of the American Jewery. Irvine has a thriving Jewish Community and while DeVore is not Jewish himself, he is always on hand for community events and milestones.

Last month a new Orthodox congregation dedicated its new facility in the heart of Orange County, Chuck was there. This article appeared in the October edition of Orange County Jewish Life. … Read More

Mike Lumpkin is well-spoken and professional, a retired Navy Seal commander and genuinely nice guy. If he were a Republican running for local office, the GOP might very well be touting his credentials. But, for whatever reason, Lumpkin is running as a “suicide” Democratic candidate in a strongly Republican congressional seat, one that will stay in that column even in the worst of GOP national scenarios four weeks hence.

For all the saber rattling by Lumpkin supporters before the primary that the 52nd Congressional District would be different this November, things are quiet now. His partisans (well, a handful of ‘em at least) once filled the local blogs with “talk” of change in the conservative East County seat.

Duncan D. Hunter is well-spoken and professional, a former Marine lieutenant, current captain in the USMC Reservesand genuinely nice guy. He is also a conservative Republican. He cakewalked to a primary win, literally blowing the other GOP contenders away, while mathematically showing what many political folk knew all along – that a Democrat ain’t gonna win this seat.

All of a sudden, it seems, the Lumpkin backers knew they… Read More