Recently, some Republicanleaders werenoted in the press as having the goalof transformingCalifornia into a ‘purple’ (or ‘swing’ state) rather than intoa red (safe Republican)state. The presumption behind this thought is that given the raw registration numbers, the ideological numbers, and the current gerrymandered districts, it’s a more attainable goal to move the state into the push column rather than establish political hegemony.

I agree, at least for the foreseeable future. While total victory is an admirable goal under most circumstances, there are circumstances where one’s strategic interests and the actual situation on the ground dictates a less comprehensive short or medium term solution. For the California Republican Party simply being in the game to run the government would be an enormous victory. And for our national party, forcing the Democrats to view California as a swing state and spend tens of millions of dollars to defend it in Presidential, Senate, and Congressional elections, would be a blessing.

I’ve had brief discussions on this issue with a few more or less brainy campaign… Read More

Recently, some Republicanleaders werenoted in the press as having the goalof transformingCalifornia into a ‘purple’ (or ‘swing’ state) rather than intoa red (safe Republican)state. The presumption behind this thought is that given the raw registration numbers, the ideological numbers, and the current gerrymandered districts, it’s a more attainable goal to move the state into the push column rather than establish political hegemony.

I agree, at least for the foreseeable future. While total victory is an admirable goal under most circumstances, there are circumstances where one’s strategic interests and the actual situation on the ground dictates a less comprehensive short or medium term solution. For the California Republican Party simply being in the game to run the government would be an enormous victory. And for our national party, forcing the Democrats to view California as a swing state and spend tens of millions of dollars to defend it in Presidential, Senate, and Congressional elections, would be a blessing.

I’ve had brief discussions on this issue with a few more or less brainy campaign… Read More

Oakland may have a Commie as Mayor, but Long Beach still doesn’t know if incumbent councilman Jackie Kell would win in her bid to get around term limits as a write in. Mayor O’Neil did it four years ago. If you can believe it there are 1500 ballots that are unread. Read the story here.… Read More

The media called the Oakland’s mayors race mid-day the day after the election, but they moved too fast. In the following days, election officials “found” an additional 1,500 votes and the vote counting continued. In order to prevent a run-off, one candidate needed to get more then 50 percent of the vote. Former Congressman Ron Dellums “won” the race early on with 50.2% of the vote, but then his percentage dropped below 50% as the county continued to count absentee ballots. Earlier this week, officials then announced that they would not know the final results of the race until the week’s end.… Read More

“It’s a glow-in-the-dark compass ring. So you don’t get lost." -Josh (played by Tom Hanks), in the movie, “Big”

Maybe what we need in California is a glow-in-the-dark compass ring. Or, maybe it’s just Republicans that need one. Perhaps just Arnold Schwarzenegger. Heck, maybe it’s all three. Let’s face it…to our fellow citizens, Arnold is the face of California and the State GOP (with all due respect to Ackerman, Plescia and Sundheim).

As Jon Fleischman and I wrote on the heels of the Governor’s January 5 State of the State address, “Now, ‘Mr. Hollywood’ has come up with his BIGGEST idea yet…Massive spending to finance BIG state infrastructure needs.” That was six months ago. Republicans then asked “What’s the big idea,” but eventually enough went along and placed a big bond question on the ballot. After all,… Read More

Hello from Edinburgh, Scotland. The quaint B&B at which I am staying had a computer with internet access, so I thought I would pen a short note. Actually, my post will be much shorter than it otherwise would have been because I just had a chance to read Barry Jantz’ commentary (which he has saved ‘behind the scenes’ here at the FR until later this morning). If you haven’t read it already – please do. I share with the concerns of many the idea that there is funding in the state budget for anyone who is not in the country legally for any benefit or service. But let’s not get so caught up on this line item in the huge, fat, bloated state budget that we don’t step back and see the state budget for what it truly is – an outrage.

The sheer size and volume of the state budget (well in excess of a HUNDRED BILLION DOLLARS) is shameful. At a time when the discussions in Sacramento should be about how to REDUCE the SIZE AND SCOPE of state government, instead there is arguing about spending priorities.

How about this for a spending priority — the vast size of the state budget should allow Californians to… Read More

“It’s a glow-in-the-dark compass ring. So you don’t get lost." -Josh (played by Tom Hanks), in the movie, “Big”

Maybe what we need in California is a glow-in-the-dark compass ring. Or, maybe it’s just Republicans that need one. Perhaps just Arnold Schwarzenegger. Heck, maybe it’s all three. Let’s face it…to our fellow citizens, Arnold is the face of California and the State GOP (with all due respect to Ackerman, Plescia and Sundheim).

As Jon Fleischman and I wrote on the heels of the Governor’s January 5 State of the State address, “Now, ‘Mr. Hollywood’ has come up with his BIGGEST idea yet…Massive spending to finance BIG state infrastructure needs.” That was six months ago. Republicans then asked “What’s the big idea,” but eventually enough went along and placed a big bond question on the ballot. After… Read More

[NOTE: There will benew information later this afternoon about Schwarzenegger, the campaign, and health care for illegal immigrants. It involves the former executive director for LULAC. Will there be an attack on Republicans? Check back…]Governor Schwarzenegger and the liberal legislature continue to hold up the budget over expanded health care services to illegal immigrants. The only difference between the guv and Dems is how much to spend — not whether to spend.

Here are a few quotes from earlier in the year when Democrats like Speaker Nunez were sounding the fiscal responsibility horn. Looks like they’re back to playing the same old tune of spend, spend, spend…and they’re leading the governor off the cliff.

"Part of the reason the credit rating has improved is the Democratic leadership is not talking about new… Read More