I’ve known David Drucker, who does the gazing westward for Roll Call, for a long time now. He’s very capable, and his assessments are worth noting. Here’s his latest:

Weathering the Storm Four Battered California House Republicans Seen as Safe for Now By David M. Drucker Roll Call Staff February 15,… Read More

One of the best barometers of statesmanship is sometimes exemplified by losing politicians who make the effort to congratulate their successful opponents.

At the national level, of course, such an act is considered a must, because of the media attention that goes along with the congratulatory phone call, often hand-in-hand with a concession. Whether the loser actually wants to congratulate—and personally concede to—a sometimes reviled opponent is irrelevant compared to the bad publicity that would follow for not doing so. In some cases, it is more important to look like a statesman than it is to actually be one. Perhaps more accurately, the threat of appearing to be a sore loser is more significant than whether one is in private.

Thus, I have always been deeply impressed by those on the short end of the election stick at the local level who take the time to congratulate the winner. In some cases, no media, no one watching, and no one knowing…short of the winner and the few that are told. Statesmanship, if it is possible to attribute that term to a non-elected, living person (and I refuse to use the "politically correct" bastardized… Read More

One of the best barometers of statesmanship is sometimes exemplified by losing politicians who make the effort to congratulate their successful opponents.

At the national level, of course, such an act is considered a must, because of the media attention that goes along with the congratulatory phone call, often hand-in-hand with a concession. Whether the loser actually wants to congratulate—and personally concede to—a sometimes reviled opponent is irrelevant compared to the bad publicity that would follow for not doing so. In some cases, it is more important to look like a statesman than it is to actually be one. Perhaps more accurately, the threat of appearing to be a sore loser is more significant than whether one is in private.

Thus, I have always been deeply impressed by those on the short end of the election stick at the local level who take the time to congratulate the winner. In some cases, no media, no one watching, and no one knowing…short of the winner and the few that are told. Statesmanship, if it is possible to attribute that term to a non-elected, living person (and I refuse to use the "politically correct" bastardized… Read More

I would appreciate it if someone who reads this blog could explain to me why Arianna Huffington’s opinion is so important that she is a regular commentator on CNN, such as the Larry King show. When I worked in the Reagan Administration, at what I consider to be the height of her capabilities, she held lavious high society parties in Washington, D.C., but some of the attendeeshad legal problems in their backgrounds, She marrieda millionairethat took out a great, long-standingincumbent conservative, Bob Lagamarsino, for the glory of just two years of service in theHouse. Thenher husbandtried to buy a U.S. Senate seat, hiring just about every conservative activist in the state on the campaign, while harboring a deep personal secret that he did not disclose until he lost the election. The Congressional seal then went to a liberal Democrat. Ralph Reed once told me that Congressman Huffington once asked to give him a hug, and what he reluctantly got was an undesiredfull frontal body pull. Wouldn’t Arianna know what was going on? Arianna should have been "over" politically when she ran for Governor and was crushed in the vote,… Read More

I want to build on Jon’s post below about my former Senate colleague, Ross Johnson, being tapped by the governor to be the Chairman of the Fair Political Practices Commission (FPPC).

Without a doubt, this is the single best appointment Governor Schwarzenegger could have made to head this troubled agency. Ross was a brilliant legislator. Highly regarded by both Democrat and Republican members. He’ll forget more about the minutia of campaign finance reform than most of us will ever learn in our careers. During his legislative tenure he always demanded accountability from the FPPC and was instrumental in many good solid reforms.

Ross’ appointment could not have come at a more opportune time. In the past six years (at least) the FPPC has run amok – ignoring significant violations and pursuing completely frivolous cases. Their decisions appeared all too political motivated. A terrible thing for an agency that is supposed to be non-partisan.

And then there was the outrageous statement from the outgoing chair last year that unless the legislature gave them more money, they would drop… Read More

BOE member Bill Leonard has been asking a lot of questions about the CRP Victory ’06 operation. His latest is here.Someone doesn’t like what Bill has beenasking and now he has been threatened with a lawsuit. I for one hope they sue, then Bill can get answers to his questions while the others are under oath. I posted the story from Bill’s site below.

***Is Someone Trying to Shut Me Up?*** By: Bill Leonard on: Wednesday, February 14th, 2007 ——————————————————————————–

It is always nice to know that folks are reading my newsletter but last week was different. I received a threatening phone call from an Arizona attorney who said that I have libeled the California Republican Party and that he is going to sue me. He must be referring to my call for a performance… Read More

I couldn’t believe my eyes. I received an email from the new Chairman of the California Republican Party about what was discussed at the CRP Board Meeting after the CRP Convention. I was stunned. Lately secrecy, runors and deceit were the orders of the day. This was a good start from new Chair Ron Nehring. I should note a big thank you to Ron and the Board for my selection to continue as CRP Initiatives Committee Chair.

Here is his email:

CRP Board of Directors Launches ’08 Campaign with Strategic Plan, Performance Review

With our convention now behind us, I wanted to personally thank you for the opportunity to serve as Chairman of our state Republican Party. With an important presidential and other elections just 21 months away, there’s a tremendous amount of work for us to do.

As we move forward together, it’s important to me that you be well informed on developments at the CRP, and actions the party is taking to maximize our opportunities for victory.

As promised, your new Board of Directors met… Read More

I have had 100% confirmation that long-time California Republican Party Chief Operating Officer Mike Vallante is going to be soon departing from his post to take on new responsibilities with a presidential campaign. Back once upon a time, when I served as Executive DIrector of the CRP (since then, the title has been changed to COO), Mike Vallante worked for the CRP as its Finance Director. He’s a great guy. Which campaign, you ask? A picture is worth a thousand words.… Read More