Except for this brief mention, you probably couldn’t tell from reading today’s FlashReport that today is the anniversary of the terrorist attacks on America five years ago. As I often say, you probably couldn’t tell we were engaged in a war in the Middle East if you just read the FR. We maintain a very sharp focus here on California politics, and so you really need to look elsewhere for news about – anything else. I bring up 9-11 for two reasons… The first is by way of explanation for the sparseness of MSM stories on the main page. Every newspaper has devoted the bulk of their prime coverage to the somber anniversary, and this has caused there to be less coverage on politics. I would also like to take an opportunity to ask all FR readers to pause and join me in a silent moment of prayer for the victims of 9-11, the families and friends of those who were killed, and for the soldiers who have fought, and for those who have died, defending the liberty and freedom we enjoy here in America. … Read More

Except for this brief mention, you probably couldn’t tell from reading today’s FlashReport that today is the anniversary of the terrorist attacks on America five years ago. As I often say, you probably couldn’t tell we were engaged in a war in the Middle East if you just read the FR. We maintain a very sharp focus here on California politics, and so you really need to look elsewhere for news about – anything else. I bring up 9-11 for two reasons… The first is by way of explanation for the sparseness of MSM stories on the main page. Every newspaper has devoted the bulk of their prime coverage to the somber anniversary, and this has caused there to be less coverage on politics. I would also like to take an opportunity to ask all FR readers to pause and join me in a silent moment of prayer for the victims of 9-11, the families and friends of those who were killed, and for the soldiers who have fought, and for those who have died, defending the liberty and freedom we enjoy here in America. … Read More

LA. Liberal capital of SoCal. Bastion of socialism. Home of political leaders still unaware that Communism is a bad idea. The epicenter of the “liberal media.” Ya, we’re guilty of all that, and probably a whole lot more.

But every once in a while something happens out of the blue, somethingthat makes us double take, something actually logical…and when that takes place, you know something’s afoot.

Today’s example: within the past week, the Long Beach Press-Telegram has run three editorials endorsing Tom McClintock, Steve Poizner, and Bruce McPhereson… Quite a run from the paper of record from a town as liberal as Long Beach.

And the editorials themselves, not just reluctant sign-offs.

Try these bitsfor example:

** "The fine working relationship between the governor and McClintock could elevate the role of lieutenant governor from a seat-warmer on state boards to that of adviser. We’re afraid that won’t happen if… Read More

California voters are better off when there is a vigorous debate among the leaders who serve us. The race for governor is no exception. The California Broadcasters Association has offered to host the one and only televised (played on the radio too) debate between the Governor and Phil Angelides. It is scheduled for October 7th.

Unfortunately, Angelides doesn’t seem to like the style of the debate the broadcasters have chosen. The Broadcasters who who probably give up a lot of advertising revenue to show and play the hour-long event say having the two candidates sitting at a table with the moderator is the most conducive.

But Team Angelides is holding out for some other format like a formal podium style or stool in the middle/walk around style debate.

It sounds a little petty to me. And besides the podiums are too old school and the stool version was never good. I want my politician thinking of the answer to the question or responding to the other guy, not worrying about if the camera caught him looking at the hot chick in the audience.

Mr.… Read More

There have been some interesting developments in the 18th Assembly race over the past couple of days. GOP candidate Jill Buck is running against Mary Hayashi, a left-wing public health activist who only recently moved to the area. On Friday, two of the local papers ran a front-page article announcing that Buck had been invited by Alameda Co. Supervisor Gail Steele, a Democrat, to attend a major Democrat event on Sunday (today)., the Hayward Demos Democratic Club Fall Festival. Here’s an excerpt from the article that ran in the Tri-Valley Herald (FYI-the on-line version didn’t seem to have any punctuation):

"Neither Sundays hostess, Alameda County Supervisor Gail Steele, nor club spokesman Harry Scott sees anything wrong with having the opposition present.

If she appears, we wont… Read More

As everyone who reads this site undoubtedly knows, a few weeks ago a few of my ‘friends’ on the left-wing side of the political spectrum launched their new website, the California Majority Report. Actually, I spoke on several occasions with the Democrat activists who were putting this site together, giving them some general input on a collegial level. They invited me to come up to Sacramento last month to their big, glitzy "launch party" which was attended by a couple hundred members of the Sacramento liberal elite, including many socialist-policy-embracing officeholders like State Senate President Don Perata, Assembly Speaker Fabian Nunez and many others. This group was so left-wing that former Gray Davis/Steve Westly advisor Garry South stuck out as the reasonable one of the bunch. One cannot help but try to make a comparison between this new website and the FlashReport.… Read More

The San Diego Regional Airport Authority is finally on the run. Good. After reports late last month of SDRAA’s $16.9 million of expenditures thus far for an airport site selection process that has failed miserably to achieve what was tasked by the legislature, it is time to rein in one of the most significant boondoggles in San Diego history.

As I posted in June, the Airport Authority has placed on the November ballot an advisory vote for joint use of Miramar with the Marines, a significant waste of a public vote, considering the military’s long-standing opposition to any such scenario. No matter. SDRAA does what it likes, apparently, given state legislation creating and tasking its mission for site selection of a new airport. Close to $17 million later, and the Authority’s answer is to ask San Diegans to… Read More

As everyone who reads this site undoubtedly knows, a few weeks ago a few of my ‘friends’ on the left-wing side of the political spectrum launched their new website, the California Majority Report. Actually, I spoke on several occasions with the Democrat activists who were putting this site together, giving them some general input on a collegial level. They invited me to come up to Sacramento last month to their big, glitzy "launch party" which was attended by a couple hundred members of the Sacramento liberal elite, including many socialist-policy-embracing officeholders like State Senate President Don Perata, Assembly Speaker Fabian Nunez and many others. This group was so left-wing that former Gray Davis/Steve Westly advisor Garry South stuck out as the reasonable one of the bunch. One cannot help but try to make a comparison between this new website and the FlashReport.… Read More