Conventional wisdom suggests that politics at the upper echelons, is a rich man’s game. And you can find plenty of examples including our own governor.

However, having money does not necessarily mean you have political acumen. Warren Buffett is a fine example of this. Back in 2003 during the heat of the Recall Election battle, Schwarzenegger announced that Billionaire Warren Buffett would be a key economic adviser.

Buffett’s first act as adviser: tell the media that taxes were too low in California.

Flash forward to September 25th, 2006 and the Governor has pulled Buffet into a day-long fund raising effort starting in San Francisco, in LA for lunch and Orange County for an evening reception.

I hope the Join Arnold folks haven’t forgotten that Buffett is so rich that he tends to say things that us little people just don’t understand and that perhaps he should keep he public… Read More

TODAY’S SUNDAY COMMENTARY IS "GUEST HOSTED" BY LONGTIME FLASHREPORT FRIEND SHAWN STEEL. STEEL, A PROMINENT LOS ANGELES COUNTY ATTORNEY, IS A FORMER CHAIRMAN OF THE CALIFORNIA REPUBLICAN PARTY, AND HAS PENNED THIS BOOK REVIEW…

Los Angeles Times reporter Joe Mathews’ new book, “The People’s Machine: Arnold and the Rise of Blockbuster Democracy” is quite the rage in Sacramento and for California political junkies. Mathews recounts the political formation of Arnold Schwarzenegger and the origins of the 2003 Gray Davis Recall that dethroned a sitting governor for the first time in 80 years – and elected Arnold Schwarzenegger in his place.

That time now seems like eons ago, but we should remember the California Republican Party was on its back following the November 2002 election disaster in which all but one statewide GOP candidate went down to… Read More

TODAY’S SUNDAY COMMENTARY IS "GUEST HOSTED" BY LONGTIME FLASHREPORT FRIEND SHAWN STEEL. STEEL, A PROMINENT LOS ANGELES COUNTY ATTORNEY, IS A FORMER CHAIRMAN OF THE CALIFORNIA REPUBLICAN PARTY, AND HAS PENNED THIS BOOK REVIEW… Los Angeles Times reporter Joe Mathews’ new book, “The People’s Machine: Arnold and the Rise of Blockbuster Democracy” is quite the rage in Sacramento and for California political junkies. Mathews recounts the political formation of Arnold Schwarzenegger and the origins of the 2003 Gray Davis Recall that dethroned a sitting governor for the first time in 80 years – and elected Arnold Schwarzenegger in his place. That time now seems like eons ago, but we should remember the California Republican Party was on… Read More

Nick Inzunza, whose once near-lock on Juan Vargas’ 79th AD seat, or even simply another term as mayor of National City, were both dashed with last December’s SDUT report of His Slumlordness, is making a liberal splash for himself on the way out.

In the wake of cities like Escondido considering rental laws against illegal aliens and Vista adopting restrictions on the hiring of day laborers, Mayor Nick is doing the exact opposite…proposing National City as a sanctuary for illegals, or whathe is calling "immigrants"(see story). Notwithstanding his claim that this is simply an announcement of the city’s current policies, a few National City residents and some of his council colleagues are a tad surprised by the brazenness of proclaiming support for illegality, including that local law enforcement will turn a blind eye to any knowledge of “undocumented” denizens of the area.

Is Inzunza trying to… Read More

I saw this piece on Dan Weintraub’s blog today.Bob Perry, a Texas developer who helped fund the Swift Boat ads, is the sole donor ($ 5 Million so far) to a group named the Economic Freedom Fund and has been working for republicans infederal races in other states. The group has set up shop in Sacramento. The Swift Boat ads played havoc forJohn Kerry in the last presidential race.It could just be coincidence, ifyou believe in that,but I think we’ll see some action from this group.

http://www.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/insider/

… Read More

Six years, a group of conservative Californians who were concerned about the future of the Golden State came together and formed the Family Action Political Action Committee. Centered in Orange County, the Family Action PAC, over three election cycles of active giving, has combined two very important components which have allowed them to maximize their impact — a sharp focus on supporting those candidates who are fiscally and socially conservative (you can read their mission statement here) combined with a politically sophisticated process of giving in order to make sure that their dollars are going to candidates in primary and general elections who have a higher probability of success. The PAC has also been an early giver of funds in some instances, helping conservative candidates to gain credibility as they gear up a campaign. I’ve been closely associated with many of the leaders of the Family Action PAC for many years (actually, for a lot longer than the PAC has been around) and have been blessed to attend a number of their events. Last… Read More

First the Governor gets passage of AB 32. Now Pasadena has decided to endorse the Kyoto Treaty. See article here. Republicans on the City Council joined the effort. Pasadena joins California cities like Santa Cruz, West Hollywood and Berkeley. See list here.(surprise bankrupt San Diego is on the list) in this growing trend. Of course the City of Pasadena’s first step, hire a bureaucrat. Wonder if he walks to work?

If you are looking for free market, scientific info on the environment may I suggest the Committee for A Constructive Tomorrow (CFACT)I’ve been associated with them for almost 15 years now. Great group.… Read More

The news this morning (posted on the FR main page) about the County and City of San Diego "tag teaming" the Chargers to keep them in San Diego referred to a Joint Powers Agreement….

UnionTrib story North County Times story

As a result of this news, some may believe that all of the cities in the county may have a say in a JPA. I’ve received a couple of emails from folks asking me as a La Mesa councilman to oppose any such deal.

I’m at a loss as to how anyone could manipulate a possible county-wide JPA. City of San Diegans are the only residents that will have any input on a Chargers’ stadium in that city, with National City, Chula Vista and others being in the same boat if their overtures are successful (National City is dead in the water, regardless of the press attention). That is, unless the Spanos’ are brain-dead and try something really stupid. And, I would just love to see the County Supes even suggest that… Read More