Over at the Contra Costa Times politics blog, Lisa Vorderbrueggen is reporting that Democrat Assemblyman Mark DeSaulnier has introduced a resolution in the Assembly to name the newly reconstructed Benicia-Martinez Bridge in the East Bay after a politician. But not Abraham Lincoln, George Washington, or some other long-lost but nationally venerable leaders — he wants to name the bridge for the local, incumbent Congressman George Miller… Nice. I guess we are starting a new tradition now — if you bring back the pork, you get your name on the project. This is a terrible idea. Look, I don’t know George Miller, and this has nothing to do with him being a liberal Democrat. Republicans who famously procure pork for their districts shouldn’t be glorified either. For example, Congressman Jerry Lewis (R-Redlands)… Read More

Late last evening, San Bernardino County Republicans elected a new chair of the county’s party. CountySupervisor Gary Ovitt has been elected by the party’s membership and will succeed my boss Bill Postmus at the helm of the party that has seen tremendous successin recent years.

In addition to Ovitt’s election as chair, a new executive board was chosen as well. This important panel will see new faces. Those who will be continuing leading San Bernardino County Republicans include the following:

Chair: Gary Ovitt

**There is more – click the link**

View Full Commentary… Read More

Late last evening, San Bernardino County Republicans elected a new chair of the county’s party. CountySupervisor Gary Ovitt has been elected by the party’s membership and will succeed my boss Bill Postmus at the helm of the party that has seen tremendous successin recent years.

In addition to Ovitt’s election as chair, a new executive board was chosen as well. This important panel will see new faces. Those who will be continuing leading San Bernardino County Republicans include the following:

Chair: Gary Ovitt

Vice chairs: San Bernardino County Supervisor Paul Biane and Fontana City Councilmember Acquanetta Warren Treasurer: Biane Chief of Staff Matt Brown

Secretary: Assemblymember Bill Emmerson District Director Nan Rider

First Supervisorial District’s representative: Ovitt Chief of Staff Mark Kirk

Second District’s representative: businessman Dan Richards

Third District’s representative: Party activist James Tate

Fourth District’s representative: Chino Hills Mayor Pro Tem Curt Hagman

Fifth District’s representative:Immigration reform advocate… Read More

Recently, I saw “Jersey Boys” at the Curran Theater in San Francisco. It was fantastic! (I think I was born too late, because somehow I knew every word to every song, many of which were released when I was just a gleam in my mother’s eye.) The production was excellent, though they dropped the F bomb a bit too much, and the re-enactment of the inspiration of “Oh, What a Night” was a bit shocking. Still, I highly recommend it for those over 18.

Now, before “Flash” bursts a vein in his neck, there is a connection to California state politics. (:

A few weeks ago, many of us at the Flash Report and in leadership positions in the CRP received an email from a man who gave us a glimpse into the mind of our most important Party asset…no, not our donors…our voters. Here is what he had to say:

I’m a lifelong resident of the state of California. I’ve actually been here long enough to have witnessed some good policies and politicians on both sides. In my 40’s I… Read More

A couple of days ago,I said I would facilitate this discussion. Several comments were posted to my original blog on both sides of the issue (see them here). And, if you haven’t seen the powerful statement posted by San Diego GOP Chairman Tony Krvaric, a fairly recent citizen himself, you need to read it (posted after my part two entry).

I know some had hoped the issue had gone away by now. After reading the following additional input, perhaps this will be the end … it is for me.

A couple of folks emailed me without posting a comment, yet gave me permission to publish their very compelling insights. The first is from Howard Epstein, vice chairman of the San Francisco Republican Party. The second is from a member of the State GOP, to be left anonymous. It is a MUST READ.

Ok, before yougo off wondering about me accepting at face value the comments of an anonymous e-mailer, let me make it clear. The individual is known to me… Read More

H/t to LAObservedfor this article by MSBNC about journalists and their political donations. Do you think they gave more to Democrats or Republicans? No surprise there.The article talks about the different newspaper and TV News policies in place about donations. Some good stuff. The Pentagon reporter that gave John Kerry money WHILE in Iraq with U.S. troops and the reporter that compared giving money against Bush to a reporter trying to kill Hitler. You can see the whole thing here.

I do hope FR has policy against giving $$.… Read More

In today’s Frontpage magazine, Lloyd Billingsley covers Ward Connerly’s, chairman of American Civil Rights Institute, push to include the "Fairness to Americans Amendment" in Senate Bill 1348, the current immigration reform proposal being considered by the U.S. Senate. Connerly, as you will recall, led the effort to eliminate racial preferences at the University of California and a successful campaign to eliminate racial and gender preferences in state government.

Connerly’s proposed amendment to SB 1348 reads, in part:

THEREFORE, for purposes of the operation of the civil rights laws of the United States, new immigrants to the United States subject to the Secure Border, Economic Opportunity and Immigration Reform Act of 2007 shall not be considered to be "historically disadvantaged," "underrepresented," or to be in a "protected… Read More

As Jim Nielson points out his column in today, two years after the Kelo decision California has not made any serious change in its statewide eminent domain policy. However, there is a bright light in our state’s political leadership when it comes to eminent domain. This month, the Institute for Justice, a national leader in the effort to fight government’s abuse of this takings law, published a paper, "Development without Eminent Domain: Foundation of Freedom Inspires Urban Growth," written by Anaheim Mayor Curt Pringle. In this paper, Pringle documents how his city has accomplished urban redevelopment without resorting to using eminent domain. In fact,… Read More