I think that the Governor may be carrying ‘bipartisan’ a bit too far – or, he needs to think more carefully about how what he says at the microphone is going to be received by the people who read it — in this case, his core Republican supporters.

The State’s top Republican elected official is in Mexico on a trade mission.

The Associated Press is reporting that the Governor on his trade-mission, "hailed the Democratic takeover of Congress as heathy for Democracy, saying ‘Washington was stuck.’"

Apparently the Governor said, "I think this is good that we have new blood coming to Washington, that we have new people with new ideas coming to Washington."

Newsflash: The Democrats are not bringing NEW IDEAS to Washington, they are bringing OLD IDEAS about how to increase the role of government in the lives of Americans.

Don’t get me wrong, many Republicans have called for change in Washington, D.C., but our version of change was for Republicans in Congress and the President to get their… Read More

(Published November 9th, 2006 in Capitol Weekly)

When I offered to write this column for Capitol Weekly, I must admit I was hoping for a much different outcome on this Election Day, which clearly was a big day for the party of Hilary Clinton–especially when you look at the results of the midterm elections around the country.

The GOP loss of the House, and most likely the Senate, is bad news for all of those who believe that our federal government is too fat and spends too much. Republican leaders need to make the case to voters in 2008 as to why the GOP should be given back the reigns of leadership. The impact of the national GOP losses in Congress was given an emphatic exclamation point with the defeat of House Resources Committee Chairman Richard Pombo in California’s 11th Congressional District.

**There is more – click… Read More

(Published November 9th, 2006 in Capitol Weekly) When I offered to write this column for Capitol Weekly, I must admit I was hoping for a much different outcome on this Election Day, which clearly was a big day for the party of Hilary Clinton–especially when you look at the results of the midterm elections around the country. The GOP loss of the House, and most likely the Senate, is bad news for all of those who believe that our federal government is too fat and spends too much. Republican leaders need to make the case to voters in 2008 as to why the GOP should be given back the reigns of leadership. The impact of the national GOP losses in Congress was given an emphatic exclamation point with the defeat of House Resources Committee Chairman Richard… Read More

Tuesday was a good day locally for San Bernardino County GOP and Board of Supervisors Chairman Bill Postmus. First, he personally managed to unseat three-term incumbent County Assessor Don Williamson by a five-point margin in their runoff election contest. The Assessor’s is the second consecutive office Postmus has won by defeating an incumbent (he ousted Supervisor Kathy Davis in the year 2000).

The second reason Postmus is smiling today is because his Republican Central Committee’s endorsed local candidates and causes enjoyed a 73% win rate Tuesday night.

While the County only turned out 37 percent of its voters, which even though that number will rise somewhat is pretty dismal, it is similar to the turnout in neighboring Riverside County.

All of the state bonds were approved by the County’s voters, while Tom McClintock, Bruce McPherson, Tony Strickland and Steve Poizner all carried the County, along with Michelle Steele for Board of Equalization. Gov. Schwarzenegger carried the County with 61 percent.

Countywide in San Bernardino, parental notification was… Read More

Tomorrow, the Assembly Republican class of ’07-’08 will be gathering for what I understand is a traditional post-election lunch. Some years, this meal ends up being a ‘last supper’ for an Assembly Leader who loses seats — other years it is has been a triumphant feast. There has been some ‘chatter’ and ‘behind the scenes’ swirling about whether or not the current Assembly Republican Leader, George Plescia, is going to be dealing with a potential challenge to his post tomorrow. Maybe he will or maybe he will not. But I am firing this post onto the FR Blog because I have gotten so many e-mails from people asking me about it, and also because of the taunting, baiting posts over at the CMR (Democrat) website, where they have a vested interest in throwing stink-bombs into the GOP tent. I made a specific decision of my own NOT to blog about any of these goings-on before the election, and have decided that I really have no desire to talk about it now. I have spoken with over a dozen Assemblymembers or Assemblymembers-elect over the past few days on a myriad of issues, including those pertaining to caucus… Read More

Proposition 83 has already been blocked by a federal judge who said that thelaw was" punitive by design and effect." Wasn’t that the point? See update here.… Read More

A quick analysis of the 80th AD race reveals that Bonnie Garcia appears to be the ONLY Republican to have won in Imperial County. If this is incorrect, let me know.

This goes back to an oft spoken discussion on candidate selection and can have some implications on Republican chances throughout the state. Our candidates need to match the districts.

The smartest thing I think Rahm Emanuel did in winning the house, was to recruit candidates that matched the districts that they targeted. Take a look – football players, war veterans, he identified likenesses and put them in play. Of course thereare a host of other factors leading up to the changes, but the fact is the majority of the seats werewon by well selected candidates. Want to win a dog fight? Bring the better dog.

After some digestion of the election results, the discussions and analysis will begin. It will , in my judgement, be incomplete without a good look at candidate selection, capturing the middle decline to state and independent voters, andturning out our vote, both nationally and especially in California where there are 8 -9% less Republicans than… Read More

As I wrote about earlier, the City of Diamond Bar yesterday faced a decision on a new tax for a second library in their town.

In their earnest to get the measure passed, the City even forked over more than $20,000 on a survey that showed 75% initial support for Measure L.

However, as it required 2/3 support for passage, opponents decided to at least put up token opposition. Carefully written ballot statement… a few slates… token campaign gestures.

But towards the 11th hour, Assemblyman Huff – a strong opponent of the Library Tax – decided he wanted to go for broke and see if he couldn’t get a majority voting against the feel-good idea, despite the fact that it enjoyed well-funded support.

He was successful. Measure L failed.

Doing some of the mail and slate buys for the Assemblyman, I can tell you that we need more guys like him, who take ownership of what happens on their turf. Too… Read More