As we close out the year in just a few days, I thought it’d be fun to reach out to a few friends to get some fearless predictions for what’s bound to happen in 2007.

First to respond were OC GOP Chairman Emeritus Tom Fuentes, and research super guru (and former Cal-YAF Executive Director) Jim Sills.

From the Chairman

1.California Democrats will begin their draft of Maria Shriver as their nominee to follow her husband as Governor.

2.Straining to look more Reaganesque, Ah-Nold will give up motorcycles and take up horseback riding. A Hollywood stunt coach will provide small cue-cards to help him say "Giddy-up" and "Whoa".

3.Following his performance as Master of Ceremonies at the gubernatorial inauguration, Willy Brown will be appointed Social Secretary and Senior Legislative Policy Advisor to the Governor.

4.LA Mayor Antonio Villarigosa will bolt from the Democrats and launch a new Progressive Socialist Party in the Golden State. He will be… Read More

Received the following this morning fromSD GOP Chairman Ron Nehring….

Liberals Complain Republican Party Blocked Dem Gains in San Diego in 2006

In a revealing story published in today’s Voice of San Diego local liberal activists are quoted complaining about the effectiveness of the Republican Party in winning multiple local elections in the county in 2006, bucking a national trend that favored the Democrats.

While 2006 was a banner year for the other party, "…the momentum liberals, progressives and everyone else under the Democratic tent gained after the Nov. 7 election didn’t carry over to San Diego, where incumbency, key endorsements and the well-funded political organization of Republican and conservative causes held the trump card in this year’s most competitive and visible races."… Read More

Governor Schwarzenegger is working away from his hopsital bed, using video teleconferencing to dialogue with his staff. He released the following statement today: "Today I woke up feeling great and I am back at work. From the hospital I am preparing for my State of the State address, meeting with members of my staff and working on the state budget. I am also looking forward to my inauguration to a second term as your Governor – even if it means I have to walk into my swearing-in ceremony on crutches. Over the past few days I have received so many phone calls and notes wishing me a speedy recovery. Thank you for your thoughts and prayers." Maybe it’s time to relax, Governor, and read a good book!

Best wishes for a speedy recovery.… Read More

With Lou Correa being sworn in as Orange County’s newest State Senator (well, I guess he is sharing the honors with Mark Wyland who will represent some of southern OC), there is now a ten-way donnybrook underway to fill Correa’s seat on the Orange County Board of Supervisors. To most FR readers, this won’t raise much of an eyebrown as only a small percentage of our overall readers are from California’s most Republican County.

The election will take place in February, and so it will be a quick and high-profile affair. That said, as I look at the field of candidates, it would appear to me that just a simple review of them would give an obvious leg up to former Assemblyman Tom Umberg. The vast majority of the candidates are Republicans, and significant is that no one Republican seems to enjoy overwhelming support from the GOP community. Umberg, while not the only Democrat on the ballot, has already received the… Read More

As most of you know by now, President Gerald Ford died last evening here in the Coachella Valley. He was always a class act. He and his wife, Betty, were often seen around the valley, always gracious, always in good cheer.

Congresswoman Bono and Asssemblyman Benoit’s offices are the local leads, and have had staff working for the past year onthe myriad of details that surround the death of a President. Email me at bnestande@aol.com in a day or so if you need specifics, but, there will be ample public information rapidly forthcoming.

First two quick personal memories – as a teenager, my family was spending a weekendin Rancho Mirage at Thunderbird Country Club, four doors down from then President Ford’s desert home, the same one he passed away in. I was up early one morning and grabbed a couple of golf irons, a bag of golf balls, and jumped the fence to do some damage to the course. I’d never played before but was having a great time hacking away by myself when I saw three golf carts heading my way, one with a bunch of guys in suits hanging off it. I knew enough to realize it was the… Read More

Filing closed today for the Special Election to fill Orange County’s First Supervisorial District. Here is the line-up:

Carlos Bustamante – Santa Ana Councilman

Benny Diaz – City Commission Member

Brett Elliot Franklin – Orange County Businessman

Kermit Marsh – Councilman/Hospital Chairman

Lupe Moreno – Santa Ana Library Commissioner

Janet Nguyen – Hospital Boardmember/Councilwoman

Trung Nguyen – Engineer/School Boardmember

Larry Phan – Television Producer

Mark Rosen – City Councilman, City of Garden Grove

Tom Umberg – California State Assemblyman

The Special Election is February 6th.… Read More

From the Governor’s Office:

Update on Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger’s Health…

This morning, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger underwent successful surgery to repair his right femur, which he fractured while skiing in Sun Valley, Idaho on December 23, 2006. The surgical team performed an open reduction internal fixation on the upper part of the thigh bone. The surgery lasted an hour and a half, the Governor was cleared to resume his duties as Governor at approximately 10:45 a.m. and he is expected to have a full and speedy recovery.

Orthopedic surgeon Dr. Kevin Ehrhart today issued the following statement regarding the health of Governor Schwarzenegger:

“At 9:45 this morning our surgical team, consisting of myself, two assistant surgeons, an anesthesiologist and two nurses, completed a successful open reduction internal fixation on the upper part of Governor Schwarzenegger’s thigh bone. The surgery involved using cables and screws to wire the two main fragments of the Governor’s broken femur bone back together. It lasted approximately an hour an a half, was without complication, and the post-operation x-rays look… Read More

"It’s the friends you can call up at four a.m. that matter." Marlene Dietrich, German movie actress (1901 – 1992)

Imagine my surprise this Christmas morning to wake up to Jon’s blog!Now that’s a loaded stocking! (:

The fact is, the 15th AD border is just a few blocks from my house. A move into the 15th wouldn’t change my kids’ schools or where I go to the grocery store, but it would change something more important…a friendship I hold very dear.

My friend, Judy Lloyd, was with me every step of the way in my bid for the 18th. I respect her very much, and I honor her as she explores a run in the 15th.

Still, I appreciate the kind words, Jon. (:

And now, without further ado, I’m hopping a plane with my kids to Florida where we will spend 10 days at Disney… Read More