As we close in on the final days of the Democratic primary for Governor, it is becoming quite the pro-tax fest as both Angelides and Westly seek to out-do each other on defining a larger, more expansive role for State Government that their opponent. There are a number of pieces in the news today that analyze the race — an L.A. Times poll now has Angelides and Westly in a dead heat. My take on the race is that Angelides has one thing going for him — I believe that voter turnout on both sides of the aisle will be low. If this is the case, then the core Democratic vote will be made up primary of true liberal believers and union-workers who turnout in all elections. These two groups will tend to favor Phil Angelides, who is a more traditional liberal candidates, and who sports the endorsement of the California Democratic Party. I’ve chosen to highlight the analysis today in the SDUT by veteran political reporter John Marelius — you may want to check it out. FR friend Dan Weintraub has an interesting column in the Sacramento Bee today that highlights one aspect of Governor Schwarzenegger’s budget about which he is unimpressed … Read More

Vargas’ Double-Edged Sword… Assemblyman Juan Vargas can’t gain a bit of traction in what is becoming a flailing attempt to unseat Congressman Bob Filner (Dem primary in CD 51). Vargas is running some inanely cartoonishTV ads trying to tie Filner to Duke Cunningham…some of the worst spots I’ve ever seen. Filner may be as liberal as they come, but no one in this strongly Democratic district is buying he’s a crook as well. Alternatively, Filner’s ads compellingly tie Vargas to the insurance industry, with victims of the Cedar Fire saying that Vargas sold them out for an ounce of silver. This all follows the early March Union-Trib expose on the Vargas-Insurance connection.

This past week, Matt Potter in the San Diego Reader nails Vargas’ perception problems in one blurb, writing that… Read More

After several judicial decisions that involved issues about multi-lingual ballots at the Ninth Circuit, the recall of two of three Pro-Wal-Mart council memebrs is on! See the article here.Unions initially started the drive against Wal-Mart, but it now being used by up amd coming politicians to take out the "old Guard". Mayor Jay Imperial is a good Republican. See previous posts startinghere.

I do hope to see everyone at the Rosemead Wal-Mart grand opening this fall–regardeless of recall outcome.… Read More

Independent expenditures have started in races throughout San Diego County. In AD77 the California Republican Assembly spent $15,000 in mail for Anderson, and the local Deputy Sheriff’s Association spent $1,000 to purchase a slate for Dale. In AD78 the local Deputy Sheriff’s Association spent $1,000 to purchase a slate for Horton. In AD74 CAP-MPT spent $17,000 in mail for Garrick.

Side Note: Thank you to fellow blogger Barry Jantz for bringing the AD77 Beecham filing issue to our attention. It is in the process of being corrected right now – but in the interests of full disclosure Barry was correct in that the treasurer reported some of Beecham’s expenditures as independent expenditures so they are listed electronically for the moment in that column.… Read More

Here’s the money story for 3/18-5/20in the five-way GOP scramble to assume the mantle from Assemblyman Jay La Suer:

Joel Anderson Contributions: $39,353 Expenditures: $111,097 Cash on Hand: $70,003

Nancy Beecham No report filed on-line (yet?)

Debbie Beyer Contributions: $27,210 Expenditures: $86,958 Cash on Hand: $25,505

Jack Dale Contributions: $45,663 Expenditures: $51,955 Cash on Hand: $75,587

Bill Jenkin Contributions: $6,875 Expenditures: $33,499 Cash on Hand: $39,700

Short of a "June Surprise" from Nancy Beecham (I’ll get to that in a sec), is this race coming down to a Dale and Anderson sprint to the finish? It appears so. Anderson’s big $111k of expenditures in the last few weeks is going to direct voter contact, no question. Beyer’sfairly significant $87kin expenditures seems… Read More

There is no commentary today.

But it’s time for you to get out and work to elect your favorite candidate! Good luck!

And while you are out there, let me know if you find anyone who thinks that paying a small fine should allow someone who snuck into America the right to stay.

Have a great day!

Jon

Care to read comments, or make your own about today’s Daily Commentary?

Just click here to go to the FR Weblog, where this Commentary has its own blog post, and where you can read and make comments.… Read More

The visit to thisstate and ourLegislatureby a foreign head of state is always a noteworthy occasion. The western state swing by Presidente Vicente Fox of Mexico left many in quandary and some in no quandary at all. To show respect for this foreign leader or make a firm statementto him with your absence. Our Assembly Republican CaucusLeadership requested an audience with President Fox to have a frank and constructive dialogue about how his policies and rhetoric are affecting this state, its business and its citizens lives. His promotion of illegal immigration and offensive statements about our sovereign nation trying to get a handle on it, his non-cooperation on extraditing cops killers back to us for proper disposaland a litany of other issues worthy of discussion with a few of us Assembly Republicans would’ve been a positive sign of two neighbors trying to work thingsouttogether. Of course, there is great potential for our two countries to do great thingswhen there is a mutual… Read More

Why don’t I trust the Bush Administration on illegal immigration? Well, besides the Administration’s history of saying one thing and doing another on illegal immigration, and besides every administration person I’ve met to date rolling their eyes at me when the topic comes up, we have today’s press conference wherein new Press Secretary Tony Snow compares being caught for breaking and entering into our nation to getting a speeding ticket.

“If you had a traffic ticket and you paid it, you’re not forever a speeder, are you” said Mr. Snow. To quote the Examiner: “The ‘traffic ticket’ analogy raised eyebrows on Capitol Hill, where many House Republicans regard illegal immigration as a grave crime.”

Uh, yeah. And one would note to Bill Sammon, reporter, that it isn’t just House Republicans who regard illegal immigration as a ‘grave crime’ – its many if not most Americans. And hopefully more than a few of our elected Democrats in the House and Senate and Republicans in the Senate.

To continue from the Examiner:

“I don’t know if Tony (Snow) meant to… Read More