The recent dust-up between Insurance Commissioner Steve Poizner and former Insurance Commissioner John Garamendi certainly made for great political theater.

The nasty exchange of letters featured in FlashReport was priceless and certainly marks an early skirmish in a potential 2010 Governor’s race square-off between the two statewide officeholders (with due deference to the Attorney General and to the CEO of E-Bay). The lesson learned for Poizner is that sometimes important decisions are going to bring loud criticism. But if you stand on principle and stand your ground – as he did — then you will come out the winner. In fact, I have had numerous opportunities to praise Poizner for standing tall, most recently for his leadership in the defeat of Proposition 93 to weaken legislative term limits.

Poizner should not have been surprised by the criticism that came his way. It came… Read More

That headline wouldn’t be the biggest news in the world if not for the fact that the senior Hunter, meaning the current 52nd District Congressman, is supporting Doug Ose for the 4th District seat.As most readers know, Tom McClintock is running for that seat as well.

So, apparently, despite Hunter-the-dad’s support for his opponent, McClintock is willing to put it aside to support the younger Hunter?

Insiders say it’s not quite that complex. Congressman Hunter endorsed Ose two weeks prior to McClintock joining the fray, I am told. McClintock apparently understood Hunter’s endorsement of Ose as support for a former colleague, not as an anti-Tom sentiment.

So, in the final analysis, no grudges held, and McClintock is supporting the individual in the open 52nd contest he prefers will join him in Congress.

The release:

Senator Tom McClintock Endorses Duncan D. Hunter for Congress Backing of Leading Fiscal Conservative Adds to Momentum of Campaign

(El Cajon, CA) — State Senator Tom McClintock, largely regarded as one of… Read More

The Governor in his announcement of California Hall of Fame inductees wanted to recognize ..“Californians, whose achievements are legendary…"

So he picks who…… Jane Fonda?

For what Barbarella?

By picking a left wing liberal, the Governor is doing the politically correct thing. But this is not just any left wing liberal. This “legendary” pick actually went to Communist Vietnam and fired an anti-aircraft gun at American planes. Fonda never apologized for making propaganda broadcasts for the Communist Vietnamese. Jane Fonda aided and abetted an enemy of the United States.

Now she is in the California Hall of Fame?

Governor if are looking for achievements to pick. I have a few.

Richard A Anderson, Private First Class, U.S. Marine Corps, 2d Platoon, Company F, 2d Battalion, 3d Marines, 3d Marine Division. He was born in Los Angeles. Pfc Anderson was advancing in the jungles of the Quang Tri Province on a rescue mission. His platoon came under attack by Jane Fonda’s buddies from the North. Several men were wounded. A grenade landed in the middle of them right next to where Anderson was taking… Read More

Longtime FR reader Joe Armendariz sent over this commentary, which echoes on what I penned this morning. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did… This isn’t the first time and it certainly won’t be the last time Pete Wilson gets it wrong. Yesterday he defended the indefensible by suggesting his decision to raise taxes meant "having the guts to do what should be done". Wilson was wrong in 1993 when he raised taxes and he is even more wrong now by defending that bad decision in a clumsy endorsement of Doug Ose over Tom McClintock. And not only that, Wilson has done what another former california Governor implored Republicans never to do; Wilson broke the 11th commandment by attacking Senator Tom McClintock. But I digress.… Read More

Last week, Assemblyman Mark Leno once again introduced his bill to prohibit employers from refusing employment to someone using so-called "medical" marijuana. Blissfully, that bill died.

Then the Democrats did what they always do when an embarrassing vote is cast by their membership, they used their majority status to "expunge" the vote, meaning they effectively wipe the slate clean so their votes are not recorded. As if that’s not shameful enough, they took it one step further and just brought the bill back to our Floor for a second bite at the apple.

So now the bill sits on call with 38 aye votes and 31 no votes. Let’s hope Mr. Leno doesn’t have the ability to deliver this incredibly bad bill.… Read More

I think that everyone acknowledges that there is a division of opinion in America (and in California) on what the long-term strategy for the United States should be relative to our military engagement in Iraq. As one who subscribes to the Governor Schwarzenegger’s press releases, a pained look comes to my face every time he laments the passing of another American soldier for whom California their home. One candidate for the Presidency feels that our presence in Iraq is a vital component to an overall War on Terror that America must fight, or else be subjected to more attacks like we had in New York City, Pennsylvania and at the Pentagon. John McCain believes strongly that anyone who would commit acts of terror against American or its people should live in fear that if they ever tried to do so, the consequences would be unfathomable.

The other candidate for the Presidency is part of the “U.S. Out Of Iraq Now” crowd – who sees little benefit to the United States in having troops on the ground in Iraq.… Read More

AB 2716, a bill requiring paid sick leave for employees, which would accrue at 1 hour per 30 hours worked, passed off of our floor by a 43-25 vote with only Dems voting Aye, and 24 Reps and 1 Dem voting No.

This bill clearly will add a new burden, especially to small businesses. In this economy it shows how tone deaf to the business atmosphere this body can be. As predicted, when mandatory unpaid leave first was proposed and then required, we now have the paid mandate.

Asm. A. Adams said it best in his floor speech, when he mentioned that across the street at lunch ceremoniestoday, when legislators of both parties celebratetheir designated small business [victim?] of the year from their district, we can let them knowof the good news of this bill passing!… Read More

Middle-aged and older FR readers will remember when Fonzie of Happy Days fame "jumped the shark" — we’ve included that video below for the uninitiated. Actually, that plot line was so bad that the phrase "jumped the shark" is now used to describe when a story’s plot-line has crossed over into the ludicrous and lame.

That said, Fonzie has nothing former FlashReport Beltway Correspondent Jason Roe. Instead of "jumping the shark" Roe actually jumped ON a shark – a real shark – or at least he tried. The Hill newspaper is reporting that Roe, while out on a fishing trip, was reeling in a large shark when his pole broke. Roe’s reaction? He grabbed a knife and dove in after the shark. Fortunately the shark swam away, and didn’t eat Jason.

According to the article, Jason’s wife was… Read More