Board of Equalization Member Michelle Steel has a good piece in this week’s “Asian Week,” talking about the growing trend of Asian-American candidates succeeding as Republicans, and of Republican leaders successfully reaching out to Asian-American voters.

"From Orange County to San Jose, Asian American candidates are registering voters, raising money for voter education, and winning state and local elections — as Republicans."… Read More

In the United States the idea that an Anglo candidate could represent a heavily Hispanic or black district has became impossible. Even the Supreme Court and Department of Justice said so. That led to even more gerrymandering of district based on race. Many black organizations fueled this racial divide, by conducting campaigns on racial themes. But what happens when your district changes color and not party? This is happening in large parts of LA. Many previously “black” districts are becoming more Latino than black. The special election in the 37th Congressional District is such an election. Black Congressional leaders are trying to make sure a … Read More

During the past couple of weeks, I’ve heard a new name talked about as a en trant into the AD60 GOP primary sweepstakes: Tim Escobar.

Escobar was the 2002 GOP nominee in the 39th Congressional District, when he faced off against now-Rep. Linda Sanchez in her first Congressional election. Sanchez beat him 54.9% to 40.8% (52,256 to 38,925). It should be noted the district registration was a 54% Democratic and 28% Republican, so Escobar ran well ahead of GOP registration while holding Sanchez to Democratic registration, and raised approximately $220,000.

You can read more at my cross-post at Red County/OC Blog.… Read More

Today’s Guest Commentary is penned by Hector Barajas is Communications Director for the California Republican Party…

As the California State Democrat Party concluded its annual convention, it is clear that the parade of speeches that filled the convention halls of San Diego offered no more than obscure and recycled promises that Californians have grown tired of hearing.

“Commander in Chief” candidates continue their finger pointing and apology tour. As with the South Carolina debate, seven of the eight presidential candidates that attended the San Diego convention spent their time pointing fingers, apologizing, and trying to find out who would be the first to abandon the people of Iraq.

**There is more – click the link**… Read More

… Read More

Today’s Guest Commentary is penned by Hector Barajas is Communications Director for the California Republican Party… As the California State Democrat Party concluded its annual convention, it is clear that the parade of speeches that filled the convention halls of San Diego offered no more than obscure and recycled promises that Californians have grown tired of hearing. “Commander in Chief” candidates continue their finger pointing and apology tour. As with the South Carolina debate, seven of the eight presidential candidates that attended the San Diego convention spent their time pointing fingers, apologizing, and trying to find out who would be the first to abandon the people of Iraq.

Absent in both the debate and convention was a discussion or plan detailing how they would deal with the… Read More

Why would otherwise intelligent and practical men create a new political party? They might if times were extreme and the social fabric was deteriorating. California after it was admitted in 1850, elected two pro slavery democrat governors, and one anti-Chinese democrat governor, although it was a "free" state.

Democrat Governor Peter Burnett [1849-1851 – pictured to the left] was not only pro slavery but vigorously pushed legislation to prevent freed blacks tolive in California.The second Governor, Democrat James McDougall 1851-1852 supported the pro slavery Kansas-Nebraska Act. The third democrat John Bigler, while not aggressively pro slavery , supported laws against Asians and"vehemently denounced Chinese immigration."

Such sentiments were not the thinking of enlightened free souls.

By 1856 California had three political parties, Democrats, Whigs and the anti Asian KnowNothing Party. Coming to the… Read More

My husband and I were getting coffee this morning at our hotel in San Francisco after enjoying a grown-ups only weekend in the city to celebrate our 17th wedding anniversary when we saw televisions with pictures reminiscent of the Loma Prieta earthquake when the 880 freeway collapsed. We were amazed to learn that a tanker truck had crashed and caught fire, causing a portion of the 580 freeway above it to collapse. Thank goodness, we said, that we had decided to BART into the city on Saturday—the collapsed, burnt freeway was the freeway we would have needed to take us back home.

But there was no denying the huge impact this disaster would have on the lives of our friends and neighbors in Oakland. My husband commutes everyday to… Read More