This morning the Governor is starting out his day on the campaign trail at the home town of the FlashReport — Irvine, in Orange County. We’re live blogging from this Victory 06 headquarters which has been one of the highest "producing" centers in terms of volunteer activism.

There are about a hundred people here today, with about 20 being precinct walkers here to shake hands with the Governor before they head out and everyone else is on the phones.

On hand to welcome the Governor is Irvine City Councilwoman Christina Shea, who told me, "We are pleased to welcome the Governor to Irvine. The Governor is so supportive of our Republican efforts locally, and we are excited to support him!"

The media turnout, as you would expect, is intense, with a combination of television, radio and newpaper reporters on hand. It’s crazy congested here with so many volunteers, all of the press, and a lot of the Governor’s staff and advance folks.

Also on hand here is Santa Ana Coucilman Carlos Bustamante, who said the he is pleased to see so many young people at the HQ (despite the comment, Bustamante, at 41,… Read More

I know. I know. The Governor is going to win Tuesday. His campaign’s triangulation of California’s voters has been unbelievable. The Phil Angelides campaign wipes from memory the doomed Lungren debacle as worst campaign. So how can the Governor lose? Three ways. First: God Forbid McClintock, McPherson or Strickland loses by a little bit. People will ask how can the Governor be responsible for their campaigns? He isn’t, but at the top of the ticket for any party there is a responsibility to help those underneath. Sure, stomping Angelides and Victory 06 are good things. But when you up 15 points sharing a little love to those below is expected. Imagine the power of an Arnold bus tour with these down ticket folks during the last week. You’ll have to imagine it, because it didn’t happen. Contrast that with Bush whose … Read More

This weekend update was sent over from FR Friend Jeff Miller, Riverside County Republican Chairman.

Over the next two days, the FR will be highlighting four more statewide campaign MVP’s, already having awarded "Arnold’s MVP" to Californians for Schwarzenegger Communications Director Katie Levinson. Not every campaign will be called out for this honor, but a few more will. Two today, and two tomorrow. Congratulations to Katie and to the other recipients. TOM’S MVP: STAN DEVEREUX, COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTOR!

Tomorrow, Tom McClintock may become the next Liuetenant Governor of California. There is no doubt that some of the credit for McClintock being poised on the edge of victory goes to his campaign Comminucations Director, Stan DeVeraux, who gets the FlashReport "Tom’s MVP" Award… Read More

The state’s major newspaper columnists must have a journalist type of senioritis or election fatigue because a sampling of their work has turned up little. Sure, there are still close to a dozen stories about the gubernatorial contest, but they seem to just be recycled. Slightly different quotes. Different locations. Same activities. Same results. Readers can tell our journalists are restless.

I’ve been listening to the background noise of the Fox News talking heads discuss the impending elections around the country. I hear Tennessee, Florida, Texas, Rhode Island, Pennsylvania. A lady just mentioned Connecticut. I haven’t heard California mentioned all morning. We’re written off with the East Coast bias of the major news networks. The New York Times wrote maybe two (three?) stories about how California could buck the national Democrat "tidal wave."

While the top of the ticket might be a foregone, glamorous, conclusion, with its movie star and a tax collector contestants, the other constitutional offices have mangled the finger nails. In only a few are there small… Read More

Although Duncan Hunter’s late District Chief of Staff Wendell Cutting passed away in June (see FR tributes here and here), it isn’t lost on many in San Diego that — were he alive today — he would be having a very calming influenceon his own school board. TheGrossmont-Cuyamaca Community College District election fight has grown increasingly nasty in recent weeks. The filling of Wendell’s seat is being decided, and three other incumbents are being challenged by the district’s Faculty Association.

It seems Wendell didn’t miss a beat here, knowing full well he wouldn’t be around to weigh in. The following missive from his brother Larry says a lot:

October 24, 2006

It is campaign season and in some races dirty tricks have reached new lows. My late twin brother, Wendell Cutting, would be appalled at the unethical lengths the opposition to the current members… Read More

Sunday in San Bernardino County was, appropriately, a day of reflection. It started with the McTour bus visiting the Upland GOP Headquarters where Sen. Tom McClintock (pictured right) and Secretary of State Bruce McPherson thanked the volunteers who are helping make 60,000 calls in the county’s final push to get out the vote.

Then there was the memorial service in Devore for the five U.S. Forest Service firefighters who were killed by the Esperanza Fire last week. Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger led a moving tribute, and later privately presented flags to the families of the fallen firemen. In the audience were thousands of firefighters, officials from throughout the region and other mourners paying their respects.

Later, back at the Headquarters, a few of us were reviewing some internal polling from the week, including one in which we tested the Governor’s county numbers. He was at 54 percent to Phil Angelides’ 28%. Meanwhile, Schwarzenegger’s statewide numbers were showing him up 49% to 32% and climbing. The new… Read More

The state’s major newspaper columnists must have a journalist type of senioritis or election fatigue because a sampling of their work has turned up little. Sure, there are still close to a dozen stories about the gubernatorial contest, but they seem to just be recycled. Slightly different quotes. Different locations. Same activities. Same results. Readers can tell our journalists are restless.

I’ve been listening to the background noise of the Fox News talking heads discuss the impending elections around the country. I hear Tennessee, Florida, Texas, Rhode Island, Pennsylvania. A lady just mentioned Connecticut. I haven’t heard California mentioned all morning. We’re written off with the East Coast bias of the major news networks. The New York Times wrote maybe two (three?) stories about how California could buck the national Democrat "tidal wave."

While the top of the ticket might be a foregone, glamorous, conclusion, with its movie star and a tax collector contestants, the other constitutional offices have mangled the finger nails. In only a few are there small… Read More