We’re on the campus of the University of the Pacific, home of the UOP Tigers, for the next stop in our GOTV tour.

Greetings us, amidst a crowd of about a hundred folks is Congressman Richard Pombo – a true American hero.

“For all of us, all comes down to turnout,” Pombo told me beforehe started escorting our three statewide candidates around the crowd.

On hand are Republican Stockton Councilmembers Clem Lee and Gary Gioveneti among a whole score of other local GOP notables.

TS: “This election is all about changing California. I have never seen a better ticket from top to bottom! Its up to you to make that extra call or walk that extra precinct.”

CP: “I started out in politics as a volunteer for an Attorney General candidate George Deukmejian. I appcreciate so much the work of volunteers.”

Richard Pombo introduced TM saying, “He always fights for the things he believes in. Even when he is the lone voice standing up for us. He is someone we always know will be there for us…”

TM: “This election will be decided in about 83 hours, and it will… Read More

We’re on the McClintock RV (we’re currently debating a better name for it – email me at jon@flashreport.org with suggestions) on our way to Stockton for the second stop of our tour. The caravan includes this RV, an even bigger Poochigian RV, and support vehicles.

I’m sitting at the RV table with Senator McClintock, Tony Strickland, and top McClintock advisor John Feliz. Also on this RV are Lori McClintock, TM Communications Director Stan Devereaux, TM aide Jonathan Huey, TM photographer Roger Canfield, TS’s Director of Operations Chris Wangsaporn and our pilot is Bill Hageland. Hageland is a retired Major General so he has been quite assertive with us. I guarantee you no one on this RV will use the latrine while we are in motion except in dire emergency…”

Stockton here we come…!… Read More

About a hundred GOP volunteers are up bright and early here at the Sac V ’06 HQ. The energy is palpable as our candidates mingle through the crowd. Senator McClintock (TM), Tony Strickland (TS), and Senator Poochigian (CP).

Working the crowd are GOP County Chairman (and FR friend) Donna Schalansky, Assemblyman-Elect Ted Gaines (who will be replacing the retiring Tim Leslie), GOP senior advisor Ken Khachigian (who is advising the Poochigian campaign), and GOP energizer bunny Fred Hildebrand.

I spoke with David Sander, the GOP ViceMayor of Rancho Cordova, a suberb of Sacramento. “We’re here to rev up the vote for our GOP ticket — it’s a great day to be a Republican.”

The Program:

Congressman Lungren warmed up the crowd. “It’s what we do today, tomorrow, Monday and yes, Tuesday, that will make the difference… The Congressman emphasized the importance of working hard to re-elect his fellow local Congressmen, John Doolittle and Richard Pombo – both are under serious assault by the far left.

TS: “In politics, it’s turnout, turnout, turnout!”

CP:… Read More

No one ever said some of these legislative seats were competitive. Short of the suicide nominees from the minority party and a few of their family, friends and newbies, most watchers know who will win a gerry-bastarded district.

Shirley Horton has the most competitive legislative race in San Diego, no doubt. I still think she’s okay, and all the other incumbents are as safe as the proverbial babe in their mother’s arms.

Yet, an argument can be made that the easiest contest isn’t even an incumbent’s, but that being faced bythe guy who perhaps had the toughest primary…Joel Anderson.

His opponent in the 77th AD, Chris Larkin, is said to have taken a walk on the race. Insiders say that Larkin, also the nominee against Jay La Suer two years ago, was expecting the Dems to pour a cool million behind his efforts, and when that didn’t happen, he quit in somewhat of a hissy-fit. It looks as if he’s stopped filing any campaign financial statements, and his website is downas of this morning,… Read More

It’s a chilly morning here at the Victory ’06 Mega Volunteer Center in Sacramento for the first stop of the two day statewide tour to help promote the Republican GOTV effort.

Preparations are underway… Volunterr Bill Helgland is busy adorning the McClintock RV with big signs.

Congressman Dan Lungren has just arrived with his aide Rachel Wanner.

And now Senator McClintock has arrived with his wife, Lori. Also, Tony Strickland is here as well, with his campaign manager Paul Hegyi. We also sighted Ron Rogers, McClintock’s CM. (When we leave Sacramento, these managers will go back to their campaign hq’s to quarterback last minute activities.).

“Its great to see that the conservative side of the ticket is doing so well,” says Congressman Lungren.

We’ll report in soon as the morning rally kicks off…… Read More

Larry McCarthy is the president of the California Taxpayers’ Association. Cal-Tax does not typically make endorsements of candidates, yet they felt compelled to do so in the race for Governor this year. McCarthy walks FR readers through the reasons why they endorsed Arnold Schwarzenegger for reelection in this short piece…

Today and tomorrow, I will be traveling with some of our GOP nominees as they barnstorm around the Golden State visiting and motivating GOP volunteers in Victory 06 Centers started from Sacramento this morning and ending in San Diego tomorrow night – with a lot of stops in between. I will be endeavoring to "live blog" as much as my fingers and my Blackberry will let me! It should be a lot of fun, and I’ll look forward to bringing you some interesting observations and insights… Today the GOP candidates traveling through the Central Valley (Sacramento, Stockton, Fresno and Bakersfield) include Liuetenant Governor nominee Tom McClintock, Controller nominee Tony Strickland, and Attorney… Read More

Today and tomorrow, I will be traveling with some of our GOP nominees as they barnstorm around the Golden State visiting and motivating GOP volunteers in Victory 06 Centers started from Sacramento this morning and ending in San Diego tomorrow night – with a lot of stops in between. I will be endeavoring to "live blog" as much as my fingers and my Blackberry will let me! It should be a lot of fun, and I’ll look forward to bringing you some interesting observations and insights… Today the GOP candidates traveling through the Central Valley (Sacramento, Stockton, Fresno and Bakersfield) include Liuetenant Governor nominee Tom McClintock, Controller nominee Tony Strickland, and Attorney… Read More