Questions:I am back in Orange County during the congressional recess this week and have been around and about the district talking to constituents. And they have lots of questions about what is going on in Washington; several of whichare asked repeatedly. So, I thought you might be interested in the top 5 of these questions and my answers to them: How do you like being in Congress? Answer: I am enjoying it a great deal. I have never worked harder in my life nor been more stimulated by my work. Being involved in many of the great issues of the day and our world in a position to influence their outcome is a great responsibility. As a student of history, this is pretty heady stuff. Cold December days in Washington do, however, bring on a longing for a good Santa Ana offshore breeze from the ocean. What has surprised you the most so … Read More

Californians for Schwarzenegger Communications Director Katie Levinson:

"Today’s comments on North Korea by Phil Angelides’ campaign are further evidence he is not ready to lead the state of California. Whether it’s a $10 billion tax hike, a mystery budget proposal with no numbers, or his failure to support Jessica’s Law, it is clear Phil Angelides’ policies will take the state backwards."

California Republican Party Chairman Duf Sundheim:

"The Angelides campaign seems to think that national security issues like North Korean missile tests are suitable material for political attacks.

"While Senator Clinton is in California endorsing Phil Angelides today, as a national leader and member of the Senate Armed Forces Committee, she has a responsibility to disavow his campaign’s reckless comments."

My take on the quote:

So Arnold wants lift in his step? Who… Read More

Today, the Phil Angelides campaign crossed a line and compared Governor Schwarzenegger to Kim Jong-il, the North Korean dictator infamous for starving his own people and currently destabilizing Asia with missile tests. The Drudge Report has it here. This was quickly reported by FR State Capitol Correspondent Karen Hanretty in the post below this one (h/t Karen!).

This is just the start of what’s in store from the Angelides’ campaign. He has a history of rough, over-the-line politics. During the primary, Steve Westly liked to point to a Washington Post piece characterizing Angelides as a "champion smear artist."

For those of you unfamiliar with Angelides’ tactics, here’s a refresher on his attack television ad linking state Sen. David Roberti to a "murdered" abortion doctor. The ad was called "sleazy and… Read More

Drudge Report has this on the front page in red:

FLASH: Dem Compares Schwarzenegger To Kim Jong-Il Fri Jul 07 2006 12:28:00 ET

Will missiles soon be flying in the California governor’s race?

Bob Mulholland, senior advisor to Democratic nominee Phil Angelides, aims for controversy this morning, saying: "With North Korea leader Kim Jong-Il back in the news, it reminds me that he and Schwarzenegger have something in common. Both have their shoes specifically made to add a couple inches of lift. What we don’t know is does Kim Jong-Il have his shoes made by Schwarzenegger’s shoemaker in Italy."

Hillary is hosting a fundraiser for Angelides today in San Francisco.

In 1993, Mulholland warned Arnold Schwarzenegger that "real bullets" will be coming his way during his campaign to be governor.

"Schwarzenegger is going to find out, that unlike a Hollywood movie set, the bullets coming at him… Read More

Its a simple fact, Phil Angelides presents in an awkward way at best.

I have never met the man, but his latest TV commercial airing here on Southern California (which I cannont find on his web page) shows him walking and talking and in a crowd of people and its not a pretty sight. He looks uncomfortable and shaky and far from gubernatorial.

I am not a bully for saying these things, I am simply observing that his body language does not transmit: strong leader. And when you put him in the same room with Governor Schwarzenegger, the voters who watch the interaction will see a governor debating their accountant.… Read More

Request for your thoughts: TERM LIMITS CHANGES/REPEAL I am penning a column on the issue of term limits, looking specifically at whether a measure penned by the state legislature and placed on the ballot would even have a chance of passing? Are term limits working? Have they failed? Please drop me a note here, or feel free to comment below. TOP STORY: Phil Angelides wants to raise your taxes, my taxes — everyone’s taxes. Just click here if you need a reminder of exactly how bad an Angelides Governship would be for the economic freedom of all Californians. The top story in the FR today comes out of the Sacramento Bee. Governor Schwarzenegger… Read More

Request for your thoughts: TERM LIMITS CHANGES/REPEAL I am penning a column on the issue of term limits, looking specifically at whether a measure penned by the state legislature and placed on the ballot would even have a chance of passing? Are term limits working? Have they failed? Please drop me a note here, or feel free to comment below. TOP STORY: Phil Angelides wants to raise your taxes, my taxes — everyone’s taxes. Just click here if you need a reminder of exactly how bad an Angelides Governship would be for the economic freedom of all Californians. The top story in the FR today comes out of the Sacramento Bee. Governor Schwarzenegger… Read More

Sweet, sweet justice, hot off the AP Wire…

(No, it’s not California politics, but it is Hollywood, which is constantly sticking its nose in state politics.)

Tom Cruise’s Least Fave ‘South Park’ Episode Up For Emmy LOS ANGELES (July 6, 2006) — One of the Emmy nominees for best animated program is the episode of "South Park" that’s said to have angered Tom Cruise and Isaac Hayes. The episode called "Trapped in the Closet" implies that Cruise is gay and makes fun of Scientology.

Cruise’s fellow Scientologist Isaac Hayes reportedly quit because he was upset with the episode. And when it came time to rerun it, Cruise allegedly called Comedy Central and demanded that it be pulled. It was, even though Cruise’s people denied he asked for it.… Read More