For those readers that don’t know him, Richie Ross is one of the powerhouse political consultants on the Democrat team. He is somewhat of a legend in Democrat circles – and is infamous to Republicans.

What makes Richie noteworthy this year is that he has decided that instead of having his Democrat client candidates attack their Republican opponents, he has them taking on the world instead.

Case in point (1): Democrat Fran Florez is running against Republican Danny Gilmore in AD 30.

Danny is discussing his plans to lower gas prices, secure California’s water supply, keeping taxes low and his opposition to releasing prisoners early.

Fran is taking on…… China. Yep, China. For whatever reasons known only to her and Richie Ross, Fran Florez believes that the voters in her area aren’t interested in the issues Gilmore has been talking about – but rather are angry at China.

You can watch this rather remarkable spot (gong and all): … Read More

For those readers that don’t know him, Richie Ross is one of the powerhouse political consultants on the Democrat team. He is somewhat of a legend in Democrat circles – and is infamous to Republicans.

What makes Richie noteworthy this year is that he has decided that instead of having his Democrat client candidates attack their Republican opponents, he has them taking on the world instead.

Case in point (1): Democrat Fran Florez is running against Republican Danny Gilmore in AD 30.

**There is more – click the link**

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Here is how the vote went down among our California Republicans: PATRIOTS (voted no)Brian Bilbray John Doolittle Elton Gallegly Duncan Hunter Darrell Issa Kevin McCarthy Devin Nunes Dana Rohrabacher Ed Royce WELFARE FOR WASHINGTON (Voted Yes)Mary Bono Mack Ken Calvert John Campbell David Dreier Wally Herger Jerry Lewis Dan Lungren Buck McKeon Gary Miller George Radanovich

Is your representative a Democrat? Look them up on the Roll Call vote here.

It was very… Read More

GOP Convention Write Up Coming… It’s actually a rainy morning at the international headquarters of the FlashReport in Orange County. Due to unforeseen circumstances yesterday involving more than one tow truck and an unhappy family vehicle. As such, my desired goal of penning a write up of last weekend’s State GOP convention for your reading pleasure this morning has been delayed (but not forgotten). We’ll bring you an overview of the activities of the weekend, as well as some politicking of the weekend, highlight some of the important reforms passed in the party’s bylaws, positions on ballot measures, and some great stories including an hour-long battle at the party’s Executive Committee between an Orange County Prosecutor and the former District Attorney of Los Angeles County. While we’ve moved away from our “Winners and Losers” format, I’m still looking for good stories… Read More

GOP Convention Write Up Coming… It’s actually a rainy morning at the international headquarters of the FlashReport in Orange County. Due to unforeseen circumstances yesterday involving more than one tow truck and an unhappy family vehicle. As such, my desired goal of penning a write up of last weekend’s State GOP convention for your reading pleasure this morning has been delayed (but not forgotten). We’ll bring you an overview of the activities of the weekend, as well as some politicking of the weekend, highlight some of the important reforms passed in the party’s bylaws, positions on ballot measures, and some great stories including an hour-long battle at the party’s Executive Committee between an Orange County Prosecutor and the former District Attorney of Los Angeles County. While we’ve moved away from our “Winners and Losers” format, I’m still… Read More

For the past two months, there has largely been a one-sided conversation with California voters about the same-sex marriage issue. Opponents of Proposition 8 have spent $5 million on an 8 week media buy airing an issue ad designed to create public support for gay marriage. They got the AG to rewrite the official summary of the measure. And last week they began spending millions on their official campaign ads.

Today, voters begin to hear the rest of the story.

You’ve heard from the other side that gay marriage is only about the rights of gay couples and the entire issue should be viewed from the perspective of these gay couples. The purpose of this ad is to educate voters that redefining marriage for all of society has broad consequences for all Californians. It is powerful, provocative and likely to be highly effective. California, meet San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom!

… Read More

The House of Representatives just REJECTED the $700 billion dollar bail-out of Wall Street. YES!!

Largely on the strength of Republican opposition, but also with healthy opposition from House Democrats, the bill could only muster 205 votes, 13 short of that necessary for passage.

To reiterate my comments from this morning, IF you can get past the immoral nature of using tax dollars from person A who took no risk to subsidize the bad investments of person B, then you are confronted with the fact that this bail out legislation contains no real provisions to get the federal government out of the business of monkeying with market forces.

The reality is that eventually the balloon is going to burst, values of property have been skyrocketing well beyond realistic levels. How bad will the burst be? That depends on who you talk to about it. But it is certain the the legislation that was rejected by Congress today gives too much authority and power to Treasury Secretary Hank Paulson. Paulson, the former Chairman of the Board of Goldman Sachs, and who has an estimated net worth of around a half-billion dollars, is hardly the kind of person you want to… Read More

From the “I’m not a nuclear weapons expert, but I won an Oscar for playing a Wall Street banker” department… You just have to laugh at the irony of actor Michael Douglas holding a press conference to push the US and other holdout nations to ratify a nuclear test ban treaty, then being peppered with questions about what Gordon Gekko thinks of the current financial meltdown. Hilarious exchange:

Reporter – "Are you saying Gordon that greed is not good?"

Douglas – "I’m not saying that. And my name is not Gordon. He’s a character I played 20 years ago." Somehow, I think the reporter already knew that. The only other question is whether Douglas knows more about nuclear test bans or investment banking. But, I have a better job for him. When their current star retires, perhaps he can do Geico commercials.

Please bear with me, but I can’t resist… Thanks to Roger Covalt for sending this along. The photo below captures a… Read More