Now that Democrats have conceded that the world is a scary place, and Obama can’t handle it alone, they have named Senator Biden as the VP/Man-Behind-the-Curtain for their ticket. And the Democrats are exactly right…the world is a scary place. Iran continues to be the biggest threat to peace in the Middle East, and while we’ve got them pinned down in an unwinnable two front war scenario with troops in Iraq and Afghanistan, Russia is taking full advantage of our situation by making a rush to control natural gas pipelines to Europe before winter sets in so they can hold the EU hostage in choice between freezing to death or capitulating to Russia’s geopolitical demands. Come January 2009, the White House is no place for amateurs or understudies.

This is why I’m keeping my fingers crossed that native Californian Condoleezza Rice will be… Read More

Obama picks Sen. Joe Biden for VP — the announcement apparently going out over email to Obama supporters.

The Senator from Delaware was a front runner in the Democrat VP sweepstakes, but you have to wonder how a 65-year old New Englander who spent almost half his life as a DC insider fits with the "change" theme of the freshman Senator from Illinois.

For me, Biden highlights the uncertainty of Obama. It’s kind of like putting a vintage Shelby Cobra shifter on a Mazda Miaita…it only serves as a reminder you’re still driving an under-powered roadster that’s more about flash than substance.

Biden does bring some foreign policy expertise to the ticket — and perhaps some maturity and comfort to older voters, but I see more desperation than inspiration in this selection.

Pundits will have a field day analyzing the impact of the Obama-Biden ticket, but I can’t help but think that this selection more about appeasement rather than a inspired running-mate.… Read More

Yesterday I blogged on rumored circumstances surrounding the very real mid-day locking up of Senator Carol Migden’s Capitol Office.

Well, ace-Capitol reporter Shane Goldmacher turned his talents on finding out what actually took place. You can read the fruits of his labor here (free registration required).

The nickel tour — Migden was apparently yelling at her staff so loudly (who does that?) that Senate officials came over, informed employees of their rights, and sent everyone home. Today a bunch of temp workers are in the office.

I’m no fan of Mark Leno — I think he (and Migden) are whacked out liberals who think socialism is the wave of the future. That said, Leno may be a liberal, but he is not emotionally unstable, which may very well be the case with Migden. So in the context of this whole incident, I guess it’s best that he "took her out" — I don’t think California taxpayers can afford to… Read More

[PUBLISHER’S NOTE ADDED TO BARRY’S POST: I am aware of errors in the scoring of Senator Tom Harmon, and of Assemblyman Bob Huff as well in CW’s ratings. Once we know all of the errors, we’ll get something comprehensive up on the site – Flash]

Assemblyman George Plescia just contacted me about yesterday’s Cap Weekly rankings, which were linked from the FR main page. He is rightfully irked by the scoring, since it incorrectly shows he voted FOR the 2008-09 budget. Per George:

Let’s make it clear there was a HUGE mistake. It says I voted for the 2008/09 budget with a tax increase. I obviously voted AGAINST the tax increase budget. Therefore my score is more conservative than printed. We have made Capitol Weekly aware of the mistake.

Good. And, let’s further make it clear that he voted… Read More

Our developers are cranking away on the new FlashReport Mobile version, to make it oh-so-easy to access the wisdom available on this website from your pda. But I want to ask for your help. If you use a PDA that is NOT a Blackberry, a Treo or an iPhone, and would be willing to help BETA test this mobile feature, please send me an e-mail with your name, and the type of pda you use. Our developers have the above mentioned three pda types covered. The goal is to make sure it works for everyone. We’re looking to take the new feature live sometime next week!… Read More

Today we feature a guest commentary from Lew Uhler, President of the National Tax Limitation Committee: REPUBLICAN LEGISLATORS ARE CALIFORNIA TAXPAYERS’ FIRST LINE OF DEFENSE By Lewis K. Uhler, President, National Tax Limitation Committee All California taxpayers owe a debt of gratitude to the Republic legislators who are standing resolutely against tax increases. Assembly Minority Leader Mike Villines typifies the Republican attitude and commitment in his recent comment: “Consistently we’re listening to the Democrat leadership and, frankly, the governor, talk about raising taxes. And I’m just tired of hearing it. We’re… Read More

Today we feature a guest commentary from Lew Uhler, President of the National Tax Limitation Committee: REPUBLICAN LEGISLATORS ARE CALIFORNIA TAXPAYERS’ FIRST LINE OF DEFENSE By Lewis K. Uhler, President, National Tax Limitation Committee All California taxpayers owe a debt of gratitude to the Republic legislators who are standing resolutely against tax increases. Assembly Minority Leader Mike Villines typifies the Republican attitude and commitment in his recent comment: “Consistently we’re listening to the Democrat leadership and, frankly, the governor, talk about raising taxes. And I’m just tired of hearing it. We’re… Read More

From the Wall Street Journal’s Political Diary E-mail — good news!!

Free to Blog

It isn’t every Tuesday that DailyKos and the Heritage Foundation find common cause, but that was the case after a Federal Election Commission ruling this week that exempts political bloggers from rules governing political organizations. The decision, great news for bloggers, also highlights the proliferation of chronic whiners that the campaign finance laws have produced. Politicians and their allies increasingly are resorting to lawsuits and regulatory complaints in an attempt to silence opponents and critics.

In this case, the whining was done by a Hillary Clinton supporter who complained that a pro-Obama blog called "Iowa True Blue" was working hand-in-glove… Read More