Senate Republican Leader Dick Ackerman just phoned FR Publisher Jon Fleischman to let him know that the Governor had officially vetoed AB 523 (Liu). (Read the Governor’s letter of response attached below.)

Yesterday after Congress voted to finally build a fence between the United States and Mexico the reaction from the Mexican government was fairly predictable. Mexican President called the fence “shameful” and referenced the Berlin Wall. Note to President Fox: I think its rather more shameful to have a police chief of a major city gunned down in public, again. Work on your own security issues a bit before taking the time to carp about our nation dealing with ours. But I do appreciate your apt reference to the Berlin Wall. After all, on one side America guaranteed freedom. On the other corrupt dictators misruled their nations to the point where folks would do anything to get out.… Read More

As I sit down (at midnight) to write the commentary for Saturday, I’m having a hard time caring about anything other than whether or not the L.A. Dodgers make it into post-season play, having just returned from a nail-biter at AT&T Park where the Dodgers eked out a 4-3 win to keep their post-season chances alive. But I think I’ll get a note from Jon Fleishman if I subject FR readers to a commentary analyzing my team’s chances of making to the playoffs. Back to the reality of state politics…

Today is the last day of bill signing for the governor. I’m sure his legislative staff has their bubbly on ice, since they’ve worked long and hard all year, especially in these last few weeks. Personally, I’m glad that bill signing is wrapping up, ending the guessing game about what action the Governor would take on… Read More

As I sit down (at midnight) to write the commentary for Saturday, I’m having a hard time caring about anything other than whether or not the L.A. Dodgers make it into post-season play, having just returned from a nail-biter at AT&T Park where the Dodgers eked out a 4-3 win to keep their post-season chances alive. But I think I’ll get a note from Jon Fleishman if I subject FR readers to a commentary analyzing my team’s chances of making to the playoffs. Back to the reality of state politics…

Today is the last day of bill signing for the governor. I’m sure his legislative staff has their bubbly on ice, since they’ve worked long and hard all year, especially in these last few weeks. Personally, I’m glad that bill signing is wrapping up, ending the guessing game about what action the Governor would take on… Read More

UPDATE: The Governor VETOED this bill!

One of the last Big Name bills still needinga veto is the trashing of the Electoral College via AB 2948, a scheme that would circumvent the carefully planned and balanced approach the Founders brought and intended for ournation’s presidential elections. California would be the first of a syndicate of as few as 11 states that could defy the voters of their state and allocate their Electoral votes opposite of the result of their state’s election and decide the Presidency. If you want a recipe to feed the "why bother to vote" sentiment, this would surely be a key ingredient.

Those thatthink the rural states or rural areas of states are "flyover" country now, wait til candidates only have to campaign in a handfulof "syndicate states" where they can add up 270 electoral votes or gain 50% + 1 of the nations popular vote.

Thinking that this plan will change behavior of candidates to visit areas they don’t now defies logic and reality. Candidates willalways campaign especiallyin areas where they believethey… Read More

Matthew Dowd, chief strategist for the Schwarzenegger Campaign sent out a memo today to Team Arnold explaining that the recent Field and PPIC polls showing the Gov. up by 10 and 17 points respectfully, are cause for excitement and a sign that their campaign is working, but also suggests that the race will tighten.

The most interesting part of the memo is his analysis of two internal poll questions he releases.

They asked voters if they’ve read about/heard about Angelides’ plan to pull CA National Guard troops out of Iraq if elected. Only 31% say they had heard a lot or some about it, 61% said little or none. And 50% of voters say the proposal by Angelides makes them LESS LIKELY to support him.

It looks like either the Angelides team forgot to poll before they ran with the political stunt or they truly believe its the right thing to do, but the voters disagree.… Read More

I guess this goes to the point of my Commentary today. Where was the webcast of the veto on the Cedillo D/L for Criminal Aliens bill? ————– From an email I just received:

Live Webcast Today

Governor Schwarzenegger to Sign Prescription Drug Billl at 9:15am

Gov. Schwarzenegger will sign AB 2911 by Assembly Speaker Fabian Núñez and Senate President Pro Tem Don Perata, which will provide meaningful prescription drug discounts of up to 40 to 60 % for millions of uninsured Californians.

Watch the live webcast at 9:15am at www.gov.ca.gov… Read More

The public relations armada behind the Governor is very impressive. When he wants the world to know he is doing something, there are media events, e-mails and faxes out that kazoo, conference calls with reporters, and the spin team is out in force. You know when a PR blitz is taking place with Arnold Schwarzenegger. As a matter of fact, it happens almost every day.

I can tell you that I have I have rolled my eyes on many occasions lately, because it seems that in so many cases, when Arnold lurches to the middle (over over-shoots and just plain moves over to the left) on an issue, they make a huge deal out of it. The ‘production value’ on his signing of the wage mandate on employers was bettered even more by his recent greenhouse gas abatement tour of California, signing bills on Treasure Island (with British PM Tony Blair on hand via satellite) and down in LA, in coastal Malibu.

Then when the Governor happens to do some good things that conservatives like me would like, it often times takes place with a whisper.

**There is more – click the… Read More