Just got to chat for a few minutes with Assemblyman Paul Cook. He (and his lovely wife) are on our bus to the ExCel Center. He’s a great conservative in addition to being one of the state legislators here being chided by the Governor. Once the Governor figures out there is zero will amongst his GOP brethren for a tax increase, perhaps we’ll be closer to a budget. Otherwise, why NOT be here?… Read More

Here are some thoughts for FR readers from our Republican Insurance Commissioner Steve Poizner:

“There has been a media frenzy this week in St. Paul over the new darling of the Republican Party Alaska Governor Sarah Palin. I’ve done more than a dozen interviews and it’s one of the subjects that always come up.

Let me start off by saying that my heart goes out to the Palin family. As a fellow elected official, I know that the families of candidates often suffer unwarranted media attention on issues that are frankly none of anyone’s business. Her record is fair game, but the actions of her teenage daughter are not.

So let’s talk about the substance of Gov. Palin. When Sen. McCain wisely chose her as his Vice President, I did some research. The more I discovered, the better I liked her.

She’s tough and a reformer. She’s taken on the state party chair and won. She’s taken on the state’s attorney general. She beat a sitting governor en route to the Governor’s mansion. She worked to stop the bridge to nowhere.

She’s rooted out corruption even when it’s in her… Read More

We’ve had a lot of great speakers tonight here in the ExCel Center. Romney hit it out of the park — and former Maryland Lt. Governor Michael Steele was awesome. Right now I am outside of the main hall, as I exercized my right to walk out on Mike Huckabee, whom FR readers know that I consider to be a fraud. We don’t need “Christian Liberals” as party leaders, who believe in bigger government in the name of social justice. He’ll be done soon and I will head in for Giuliani and the big speech by Alaska Governor and VP candidate Sarah Palin!”… Read More

There is overwhelming agreement here in Minneapolis — Alaska Governor Sarah Palin delivered the address of her life, and nailed it. We’ll see a lot of reviews about it tomorrow, but with high expectations, she exceeded them!… Read More

I think I may have just witnessed the most defining moment in the history of the women’s liberation movement, and it happened at the RNC Convention!As long as I live, I know I will never forget this night.

Sarah Palin made me so proud. She’s a mom, a wife, a sister, a leader, a friend, and a steadfast advocate for others compelled by a strong moral compass.She was the embodiment of everything a woman can be…a strong political leader, a fearless champion of truth, a tender mother rocking her baby, and a loving wife who adores her husband. Her effortless demonstration of all these qualities tonight brought tears to my eyes as I watched her emerge intonew purpose. And she did so with eyes wide open, clearly cognizant of the intense ire that she would bear in order to fulfill that purpose. That’s bravery and courage.

I remember when I was just a little girl in Girl Scouts, we learned the words to"I Am Woman, Hear Me Roar," at a Girl Scout sleepover one night. How could I… Read More

I’ll have to admit – I miss being at this convention. I haven’t missed one since 1996 and I didn’t pick McCain, so I’m not a delegate. There’s nothing like being on the floor on Wednesday and Thursday night and feeling the electricity. it’s awesome. This year, I’ve found both conventions to be fascinating. Watching tonight’s speeches with myeleven year old son, Grant, was especially fun.He’s interested in all of it, and better yet, he seems to be especially sympathetic to the conservative side.

The Obama campaignreminds of a major league baseball team with a 17 game lead in July that goes into a funk and hits a couple of losing streaks. To stop their slide, they bring in an aging, but known quantity for the stretch run and it just doesn’t help. They slowly losetheir 17 game lead and wind up tied in September and heading for the home stretch without the momentum or inevitability they once had, and now, its anyone’s race. Meanwhile, the team catching up to them is full of old veterans who have stumbled badly– but seem to have one more stretch runin them. And what… Read More

Crime Victims United of California is in a debate with the staff in the Governor’s Office on Proposition 9. After learning a little bit about the status of victims in our criminal justice system I can’t imagine not supporting this measure.

This is a copy of their letter to Susan Fisher, the Victim Advocate for Governor Schwarzenegger.

Proposition 9 is the result of a failure of the Legislature to adopt protections for the people that are victims of crime.

August 28, 2008 Dear Susan, Thank you for your prompt response to my email regarding Marsy’s Law – Proposition 9. While I sincerely appreciated your response and the concerns you raised, I continue to be perplexed by your lack of support for the initiative. Furthermore, I – along with other proponents for the measure – am quite disappointed with your lack of involvement as the Governor’s Crime Victim Advocate. As I mentioned in my previous note, Marsy’s Law is a victims’ initiative that deserves the support of the Governor’s Victim Advocate and the Governor himself. With regard to the concerns you’ve raised, I must say… Read More

Update: The Assembly session for Wednesday noon is canceled with no new session yet scheduled. Now that we have a new record for lateness for the state budget, perhaps we can get down to wrapping one up. [The true lateness record for a budget receiving a governor’s signature is Sep 5]

Both houses worked Sunday to finish the years legislation as the 31st was the last day to get ‘normal’, check that, ‘regular’ bills out. The Assembly finished about 5:30 PM and I heard the Senate gaveled down at 1 PM, right in the middle of a bill presentation, with others still on their file. Oh well.

The budget sides are almost as equally polarized between the Assembly and Senate Dems themselves as it is a Reep vs Dem thing. Now with the ‘distractions’ behind us of the Dem convention and the deadline for legislation, with the 2 houses holding the others bills hostage, exchanging a few at a time each day, the budget should be the only focus.

Lost in the stalling antics were the opportunity to… Read More