If you saw my post of about two months ago, a personal "dumping of my buckets" regarding the 77th Assembly District race, you will know why I have no choice but to gush today. In the dust-up to fill the Jay La Suer seat,a great big harrumph to Joel Anderson and Team (manager Collin McGlashen) for putting together one of the most efficient "bang for the buck" campaigns seen in recent history.

Although there are about 35,000 ballots left countywide (likely no more than 6,000 of those in the 77th) Anderson leads Santee Councilmember Jack Dale by 671 votes….a huge statistical mountain for Dale when he trailed at every click on Tuesday night.

There is no question that Dale led this match two weeks out, perhaps even one week out. Joel’s mail was just beginning to barrage the mailboxes….he ended upgoing district-wide with about 14 great pieces of mail designed by Jim… Read More

I received the following from Allen Wilson on the bus tour. Allen is a dedicated GOP Activist.

I like to report to you about the Governor’s campaign stop in Pico Rivera at Mario Taco’s, famous eatry among Pico Rivera residents. As you know that I am Co-Chair, Victory ’06 Los Angeles County/San Gabriel Valley, I wanted to be there. Though, I was given 3 hours notice about this event, which was about 11:00 am this morning. The Governor made a splashing appearance and was very well received by the people in this heavingly hispanic community. Alot of the attendees, including Democrats, were surprised by his visit and made comments that even though they know he is a Republican and he could have gone to Orange County, but now I will vote for him. There were about 500 people in attendance. All the key local networks were there (Channel 2, 4, 7, 9 and 11), including several Spanish speaking stations and even a reporter from the Chinese Daily News showed up. The Governor appreciated the hospitality at the eatry. Also, he went on to talked about the Mayor being a Democrat, but stressed that this… Read More

I attended the Riverside New Majority Lunch Friday with Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney as the featured speaker. Romney is testing the waters for the 2008 Presidential cycle. He did not need to say he was running for President, because there was no other reason for the Governor of Massachusetts to be in Corona on a Friday afternoon. I sat next to the winner of 66th Assembly District GOP primary Kevin Jeffries and Corona Mayor (and Riverside GOP Chairman) Jeff Miller. Interestingly enough the two of the people that lost to Jeffries, Riverside City Councilman Steve Adams and former liberal democrat lawyer Dan Branstine were also in attendance.

Gov. Romney talk was very impressive. He is positioning himself as a Washington outsider and someone that can go against the grain. Considering he is a conservative Mormon governing liberal Massachusetts, he has already proven he can go against the grain. The primary focus of his remarks was on energy independence and getting the U.S. off it’s addiction of foreign oil. When… Read More

The on and off and on again recall of two of three remaining pro Wal-Mart councilmembers hasbeen set for September 19. See here.The only question remains is will the anti Wal-Mart union forces win and get to spend the tax revenue from the soon to be opened Wal-Mart? See backrgound post with links here.… Read More

OK – what is wrong with this picture? You are a fat-cat lobbyist with a prominent lobbying firm, that literally specializes in getting federal funds earmarked for the clients of the firm. You have an opportunity to take a senior position for the Chairman of the Committee that his primary jurisdiction over doling out these earmarks, the Appropriations Committee. Do you go? Well, what if your firm gives you a departure bonus of nearly $2 million bucks to make sure you can maintain a lavish lifestyle while in your paltry $100,000+/year job with the government?

Well, this appears to have happenned. Congressman Jerry Lewis (pictured) has a senior staffer working for him who clearly has a huge conflict of interest. I find it laughable to think that this lobbying firm wouldn’t receive deferential if not preferential treatment from their ‘paid lobbyist working at the committee’.

You have to wonder what Congressman Lewis was thinking when he allowed this staffer to come onboard with… Read More

OK – what is wrong with this picture? You are a fat-cat lobbyist with a prominent lobbying firm, that literally specializes in getting federal funds earmarked for the clients of the firm. You have an opportunity to take a senior position for the Chairman of the Committee that his primary jurisdiction over doling out these earmarks, the Appropriations Committee. Do you go? Well, what if your firm gives you a departure bonus of nearly $2 million bucks to make sure you can maintain a lavish lifestyle while in your paltry $100,000+/year job with the government?

Well, this appears to have happenned. Congressman Jerry Lewis (pictured) has a senior staffer working for him who clearly has a huge conflict of interest. I find it laughable to think that this lobbying firm wouldn’t receive deferential if not preferential treatment from their ‘paid lobbyist working at the committee’.

You have to wonder what Congressman Lewis was thinking when he allowed this staffer to come onboard with… Read More

Dan Weintraub at the Sacramento Bee pioneered the print media blog in California, but others are now joining in. The San Jose Mercury News and San Francisco Chronicle blogs are well worth bookmarking and checking daily.

Edwin Garcia with the Merc makes his debut into the blog world today with observations about Phi Angelides’ campaign theme songs. Best line of the blog, “…flexing biceps built for swatting tennis balls…” (Click here)

And John Wildermuth – a familiar face who regularly covers state party conventions – recaps today’s campaign rhetoric from the right and the left, giving us a sneak peek into what is going to be a long five months of campaigning for victory on Election Day. (Click here)… Read More

I just got an email from Team Arnold and watched his first TV ads at my computer. The ads are simple, and excellent. Both are good and present a positive message about Arnold’s achievements. The second ad, called "bird" is a great contract piece with the liberal Democrat nominee. You can watch it here.

Bottom line. Arnold won’t have any trouble with positive messaging. How he handles the union onslaught is EVERYTHING during this campaign season. More on that later.… Read More