One year from tonight we will have elected a new President of the United States, attempted to regain control of Congress, tried to pick up a few seats in the Legislature, and made decisions on several important local offices.

Are we ready? Will we be ready?

If you are not implementing a plan to get to the place you need to be a year from now, you are not ready.… Read More

On this quiet Sunday in early November, it’s a pretty quiet day for political news. Actually, reading some of the details about the massive car smash up in the central valley last night is very somber and sobering — it puts the world in a little bit of context. What news there is for this day is over on our main page. Otherwise check back tomorrow for fresh, new commentary on this page.

**There is more – click the link**

View Full Commentary… Read More

On this quiet Sunday in early November, it’s a pretty quiet day for political news. Actually, reading some of the details about the massive car smash up in the central valley last night is very somber and sobering — it puts the world in a little bit of context. What news there is for this day is over on our main page. Otherwise check back tomorrow for fresh, new commentary on this page.… Read More

I just watched Fred Thompson on Meet the Press. He did not do particularly well in the interview. Most of his answers did not give any clear indication that he had a complete grasp of the policy issues that are facing this country.

The one issue he did an excellent job discussing was the use of torture by the United States government. Many people seem to be very concerned about the use of torture. In fact, the issue seems to be tying some Presidential candidates in knots.

Torture should be illegal. However, the definition for torture is important and there has to be an exemption for extreme circumstances.

If your definition of torture is any discomfort caused to the detainee you are wrong. My definition is anything that would cause permanent harm to the detainee.

Waterboarding… Read More

After 52 Americans were taken captive in 1979, nearly anyone who publicly expressed an opinion supported immediately severing diplomatic ties with Iran. Among other actions, this would have meant kicking all Iranian diplomats out of the country, including those who worked at the Iranian Embassy in Washington, D.C. President Carter did not take this action for five whole months. Why the delay? Carter knew something that all the talking heads – conservative or liberal – did not. He knew that the government had the Iranian Embassy bugged and it was a vital source of intelligence. As much criticism that can be placed at Carter’s feet for poor presidential decisions, that incident may not be one of them. The point is that everything is not always as black and white as it… Read More

The biggest smile in the room tonight at the Riverside County GOP’s Annual Liberty Dinner is that of Party Chairman Jeff Miller. Hundreds of party faithful, including many VIPS, are gathered here at the Morongo Casino Resort. I am here as the Vice, Chairman, South for the State GOP. Also here representing the CRP is Chairman Ron Nehring.

Trying to mention all of the notables here is challenging, since I will undoubtedly miss someone. U.S. Representative Ken Calvert, a former County GOP Chairman, is the outstanding Master of Ceremonies. Also on hand are State Senators Bob Dutton and Dennis Hollingsworth, as well as Assemblymembers John Benoit, Kevin Jeffries (another former County GOP Chairman), Assemblywoman Mimi Walters (who isn’t from out here, but has a lot of support in the desert for her own Senate run), and retired State Legislators Ray Haynes and Russ Bogh (the latter hoping to return). FR correspondent Senator Jim Battin is ably represented by his long-time aide Kim Glassman.

Topping a list of many local officeholders present are Supervisors Jeff Stone and Marion Ashley.

There are a ton of candidates for the legislature… Read More

FR friend Peter Robinson (pictured) , the former speechwriter for President Ronald Reagan, is a fellow over at Hoover at Stanford. He is the host of the Institution’s video program, Uncommon Knowledge. Robinson’s most recent interview is a lengthy one with former Florida Governor Jeb Bush. It’s outstanding and worth a chunk of your time this weekend. We encourage you to check it out here.

Hoover describes Bush thusly:

A referendum to invalidate a bill just passed and signed this fall, SB 777, launched yesteday morning at a press conference on the north steps of the State Capitol. Legislators attending Friday are Co-Chairs for the campaign including Assembly Republican Caucus Chairman Bob Huff, Assemblyman Joel Anderson and myself. Co-chairs Senator George Runner and Assemblywoman Sharon Runner had a press conference to launch it down south as well. Capitol Resource Institute, led by executive director, Karen Englandformed thenewly affiliated [c]4 arm Capitol Resource Family Impact to wage this campaign. Thanks to Karen and CRFI directors and staff for putting together the pressevent and importantly, of course, this campaign.

You’ll recall that SB 777 was the bill by Senator Kuehl that set off a shock wave that would require change to school policy and curriculum that could be seenby some to "promote a discriminatory bias" [btw, we already have more than adequateprotectionsin thelaw] and turn every policy that could be interpreted to have an impact on gender or individual sexuality into a legal nightmare.

Already scaredy-cat… Read More