Last weekend, the California Republican Party held its biennial convention at the Hyatt Embarcadero in downtown San Francisco. This particular convention had a lot of aspects to it, and so I will be penning a few different commentaries touching on different aspects of it. Today I will talk a little bit about an important step that the CRP’s Board of Directors took in professionalizing party financial operations, but this week I will also bring you: 1) An in depth look at the race that just took place for Republican National Committeeman. Of course, FR readers know how the story ends, with Shawn Steel’s election, but there’s a lot more to tell! 2) The CRP has adopted a new Platform to take us through the next four years. It is more comprehensive than ever. What does it say? How did it come about? We’ll go into those details! Finally, as more of a hybrid of what used to be our "Winners & Losers of the CRP Convention" that we used to run, we’ll highlight some folks who had a particularly notable convention. Of course notoriety swings two ways… –… Read More

If you are in D.C today., and have no lunch plans… Swing on by the Four Seasons where Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger is holding a fundraiser for his "California Dream Team" Political Action Committee. The price for this particular "cashectomy"? A cool $12,500 per person. See the attached invite and summary. For that price, I hope there is some polenta on the plate!… Read More

It has been my observation that you can tell much more about people when they lose an election than when they win.

When you win it is easy to be involved in the community. Showing up at public events is a source of pride. You won. "Look at me. I’m cool. The others just could not compare to me."

When a candidate loses they often take it very personally. Some tend to hide. The good people do a complete self and organizational evaluation. From that they find some other way to contribute to the community. Most of the time there are some harsh feelings. Sometimes they go away with time. Sometimes the grudge lasts a life time.

I’m certainly not going to ever argue that a candidate or former candidate should ever give up the fight for what they think is right. However, at some point the election is over and you just need to move on.

My most recent reminder of this comes from former Hesperia School Board Trustee Nellie Gogley.

After she lost her re-election bid (came in last)… Read More

A quick update from the State GOP Convention… Delegates overwhelmingly re-adopted a strong, conservative pro-life, pro-family platform. Also, in a very competitive race for Republican National Committeeman, former CRP Chairman Shawn Steel defeated incumbent Tim Morgan, the current National Treasurer of the Party (the vote was 595 to 380). Also elected without contest Treasurer Keith Carlson (reelected) Secretary Steve Baric and National Committeewoman Linda Ackerman (outgoing National Committeewoman Barbara Alby endorsed Ackerman for her seat). Congrats to all!… Read More

Each year, CalTrans spends millions cleaning the state’s highways. One item that CalTrans is finding more and more of – urine filled-bottles. Yes, apparently some idiotic drivers like doing number one in the number two lane and throwing bottles of their urine alongside highways.

According to a CalTrans Supervisor who was interviewed on CBS 13 – Sacramento (February 13, 2008), “‘The urine bottles have become a problem.’” While most of us may find it disgusting, you would think that a pair of latex gloves and a garbage bag would solve the problem.But no… CalTrans goes the extra mile.

According to the same supervisor, “‘It’s a hazardous substance. You don’t want to touch somebody’s throw-away, and our guys are trained not to pick ’em up…. We have an actual hazardous materials contractor who comes in, and I think it could get pretty expensive.’”… Read More

Out of Thin Air… The departure of Ken King from the 52nd Congressional race may have been mysterious and quiet, but the "potential" candidacy of County Supervisor Dianne Jacobfor theopenhouse seat created quite a buzz last week. It proves once again that political rumors are often fueled by their own hot air.

Jacob said long ago she would not be running for Congress, and — despite the fervent grist mill — absolutely nothing has changed in that regard. None of it amounted to anything other than the same folks talking to each other and building much ado out of nada. In fact, I wasn’t even going topost a thing about it, but the anonymous SD411 decided yesterday it was an entry on Red County SD.

BTW, Jacob was in the ROV the very first day of filing, the Monday before last, to pull her papers for re-election. With $400k on hand, there is also a rumor afloat that she might be hard to… Read More

As anticipation grows over a possible Tom McClintock run in the 4th CD, there is a strong presence here at the CRP convention in favor of his candidacy. Greeting delegates and guests when they enter the registration area are two huge “Draft Tom” signs. Supporters are asked to sign their name to the signs, expressing their encouragement for McClintock’s campaign. “Draft Tom” stickers are on the lapels of many attendees (including this excited 4th CD resident). Talk amongst attendees is that our conservative standard bearer could throw his hat in the ring as early as this week. Supporters are anxiously awaiting the announcement and the buzz at the convention is that we could soon be referring to Senator McClintock as Congressman McClintock.

Based on the platform battles at this convention, it becomes increasingly obvious that now, more than ever, we need more articulate, committed conservatives in our state legislature and congress. Thankfully, the CRP’s platform committee successfully hammered out a platform that maintains our conservative principles and addresses current issues facing our state. As a member of congress, McClintock would provide the sound… Read More

As the California Republican Party begins its three-day spring 2008 statewide convention in San Francisco, there is a surprisingly high level of energy evident among those in attendance. Hosted at the beautiful Hyatt Hotel in the City By The Bay’s Downtown district, GOP activists are flocking to the nation’s most left-wing city eager to affect the course of the state’s Republican Party. Candidates – and their supporters – standing for various offices throughout California are present in hopes of broadening their support. A large contingent of enthusiastic young supporters from Harry Sidhu’s State Senate campaign is here, Assemblymembers Sam Blakeslee, Alan Nakanishi and Anthony Adams are also here among the crowd. Among the intra-party offices most fiercely contested is the campaign for California’s committeeman representative to the RNC (each of the 50 states elect a committeeman and a committeewoman). Longtime incumbent Tim Morgan is facing popular former CRP Chair … Read More