By the magic of TIVO, I joined the debate fun a few hours after all the hoopla had already beenwrapped up. For while in the world of us politicos Thursday was a big day – akin maybe to the dual characteristics of sloppiness and potential that define NFL Training Camp or Baseball Spring Training – it also marked the 56th Annual National Day of Prayer, something that for me put all the political stuff in its rightful context.

Up in my neck of the woods, a great event marking the occasion was organized by two local conservative leaders, Dan Kirby and Peter Amundson – Councilmembers of Monrovia and Arcadia respectively. The guest speaker was my friend Captain Tim Escobar, fresh back from flying attack helicopters and training Iraqi forces. I had forgotten what a commanding speaker Tim was, and found myself pleasantly captivated by his weaving of history, storytelling, and offering a compelling message, all seamlessly.

Tim offeredhis takeof why we’re there, why we can’t leave until the job is done, and how America is changing perceptions of the West and of Christian nations by giving the Iraqis something they’ve never had: hope.

Coming home… Read More

Tonight’s debate was like watching an NFL training camp in it’s early weeks of the summer. Some of the players obviously had the tools to survive the first rounds of cuts in the money primary and early primaries and caucuses while others had trouble showing the crowd they belong at this level of the game. Here is how I saw the players and their performances as if they were fighting to win the job of Republican Quarterback.

Ron Paul: Obvously the first cut. The libertarian stuff can be cute sometimes but his archaic foreign policy views and no national following of consequence mean it’s time to run for re-election to the House. Looked a little too much like Ross Perot for my comfort.

Tommy Thompson: There was a time when Tommy had tools and would have been intriguing as a candidate coming to camp. Unfortunately for him, it’s been a long time since he’s played at the level that would make you think hard about keeping him on the squad. Boring. He’ll be lucky to make it to the first states.

Fred Thompson: Currently absent from camp and has been placed on the "Did Not Report" List. Hard to win… Read More

FIrst the debate won’t really change anything — Guiliani, McCain and Romney will still be the front-runners tomorrow (with Fred Thompson as a popular, undeclared alternative). Bottom line is that they have the money, organization and support to win votes and compete nationally.

There were no real losers. Everyone looked credible and serious — and, other than Cong. Ron Paul, mostly agreed on the issues.

While I have been impressed with Giuliani as a solid front-runner, Romney got the biggest boost from his performance at the just concluded Presidential debate. And, this being his de jure introduction to the nation, the time could not have been better for his campaign.

Romney looked Presidential, handled questions with aplomb and gave credible responses to critiques that he’d flipped on key issues.

McCain made no fatal mistakes — but hit no long drives either.

Rudy looked tentative and seemed to stumble over… Read More

I’m going to play the "who won the debate?" I don’t think anyone is going to win a forum with 10 candidates — although I did receive a press release from the Mitt Romney campaign at precisely 6:30 p.m. (the time the debate ended) declaring Mitt Romney the winner.

Rather, this is the candidates’ first opportunity to make a good impression on Republicans voters while side-by-side with their nomination rivals, and I think that’s how they were approaching it.

That’s said, I sat down to watch the debate not having endorsed any candidate. When the debate ended, I still hadn’t endorsed anyone. In fact, I fell asleep during the last 15 minutes – I was tired and it was a long program.

Speaking of the format: can we discard the "Interactive Round" segment next time? It injected the debate with a game show feel — I half-expected the candidates to ask Chris Matthews, "I’ll take tax cuts for $500, Chris." Plus, the e-mailed questions were often lame: "What don’t you like about America?"

I don’t think any of the first-tier candidates committed any fatal… Read More

I’ve been watching MSNBC’s day-long coverage of the debate tonight, and many of the Democraticpundits who’ve been interviewed have made mention that none of the GOP candidates can compare to the legacy of President Reagan, and will all pale on the stage in his library tonight. But I disagree…I dug through my bookshelf this morning and pulled out three books: “The Greatest Communicator” by Dick Wirthlin, Reagan’s chief political strategist; “American, Beyond our Grandest Notions” by Chris Matthews; and “Hardball” also by Chris Matthews.

Chris Matthews will moderate the debate tonight, and he knew President Reagan up close and personal when he served as Tip O’Neill’s chief of staff. In both his books, Matthews speaks with respect for President Reagan on a number of characteristics: his rebellious nature to buck conventional political wisdom; his status as the perennial “outsider” vs. the career politician, though he had been involved in politics since the Goldwater days; and his ability to communicate to Americans in a “Mr. Smith Goes to Washington” style. Reagan was eternally patriotic, and loved Americans as much as he loved… Read More

Okay, okay. After some e-mails for pictures, I’ve slowed down long enough to pull one off of the camera. I stopped in to chat with Assembly Republican Leader Mike Villines yesterday… … Read More

Late this afternoon, ten GOP contenders for the White House will be trying their hardest to make in impression at a debate at the Reagan Library in Simi Valley. The fact that the debate includes all ten candidates, and not just the three front runners, means that no single candidate is going to receive a significant amount of exposure during this event. You can be sure that each of the campaigns has figured out what message or theme they want to try to strike in what will be just a very few minutes. Don’t look to be overly impressed with the perfomances as I think that with 10 people vying for time, there will be little chance for anyone to really make one. I guess, especially with the lesser-known contenders, it will be fun to see them try to pick up some momentum by being a little bit more ‘outlandish’ — which should provide some interesting moments. As for McCain, Giuliani, and Romney — expect them to continue to emphasize the same campaign points that they have been making on the trail… As it has been said, Fred Thompson, who is speaking to the annual dinner of the Orange County Lincoln Club tomorrow night, is more likely to… Read More

On Tuesday Orange County Register columnist Frank Mickadeit wrote about the failed effort of state senator Jenny Oropeza to ban outdoor smoking on state beaches and in state parks. Mickadeit who is most concerned that enjoying a cigar on the beach could become illegal, quipped that had Oropeza found the votes for her bill he would have unleashed me on an "Oropeza Oppresses Girl Scouts" campaign. The reason…camp fires are far more noxious and produce much more lung damaging toxins. Perhaps camp fires are next?

The following well illustrates what my message/campaign would look like if I were to run such an effort.

Just in case the Senator decides to bring the issue back…she knows what she could be up against.… Read More