As California Republican Party Chairman Ron Nehring is fond of saying, in order for Republicans to take back our majority, we need to present a positive, contrasting message to that espoused by the other party. There is no part of the GOP’s message that is more important to that ‘contrast’ than the idea that Republicans stand for fiscal prudence, and sanity when it comes to spending. Unlike our Democrat counterparts, whose unfettered and free-spending ways are consistent with their view of a massive role for the United States government, Republicans should be able to coalesce around the idea of cutting federal spending, which happens to be consistent with our party’s long-time view that the federal government is too big, and spends too much. We’ve made no bones about it here on this page that we wish that President George W. Bush had made significantly more use of his veto pen since his first election to the White House in 2000. Some significant and important vetoes during his first term would have really put the brakes on a lot of the increases in spending that ultimately played a significant role of the GOP’s loss of the… Read More

There is a war against direct democracy brewing behind the scenes in California, and advocates of the initiative, referendum and recall process (the same process that helped elect our current Governor and oust Gray Davis) need to wake up and take action before the war is lost! To wit:

1. The "Ballot Initiative Strategy Center," a liberal think-tank that is the darling of Legislative leaders, has taken aim atreducing the influence ofdirect-democracy in California (and thereby furtherempowering the Legislature) by issuinga 64-page report criticizing the initiative process and making recommendations for changes. These recommendationswill serve as a pretext forthe Legislature to enact"reforms" that will only expand their power vs. the people’s power. Thereport includes adhominen criticisms of alleged misrepresentations by signature gatherers in trying to persuade voters to sign petitions, and leverages these occasional problems (which can otherwise be dealt with enforcing rules already on the books, and the fail-safe method of the voteractually reading the petition’s short official Title and… Read More

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