File this one under boring but important: There are no more absentee voters in California.

According to the finest Registrar of Voters in the state, Neal Kelley of Orange County, AB 1242 (Karnette) amended Section 300 of the CA Elections Code to eliminate the terms "absentee voter" and "permanent absentee voter" and prescribes that hence forth we call them :"Vote-by-Mail voters".

My guess is that consultants and pollsters will continue to use the old language but the State’s 58 Registrar’s don’t have that luxury. Neal Kelley and the other fifty-seven have until January of 2008 to clean up all the printed materials they plan to use and make sure "absentee" doesn’t appear anywhere on them.

I can’t say that I have strong feelings one way or another about this legislation and name change, although, it is costing the taxpayers money for reprinting and retooling.… Read More

Most of you are familiar with Norman Hsu. Youve seen the news reports. Ponzi schemes, bundled contributions for Hillary Clinton, his suicide attempt and run from the law. See his Wikipedia entry here.

On November 6, 2007 voters in the Hacienda-La Puente School District will get their chance to vote on Norman Hsu. Well, not the same one. Norman Hsu is a long time board member and a Republican on the ballot.

Is all news good new as long as they spell your name right? Check back… Read More

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