**While the main page today has been Guest-Edited by Nicholas Romero, the FlashReport is pleased to welcome as today’s Guest Commentary Author Adam Probolsky. A regular FR contributor as an Orange County correspondent for the FR Weblog, Adam is penning today’s Commentary as Jon Fleischman, the site’s publisher and regular author of this column, is out of town.**

In today’s news… Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials conducted raids throughout the country rounding up 1,187 illegal aliens from the workplace including two locations in CA (Bakersfield and San Bernardino). The announcement yesterday was hailed by some and condemned by others.

I am unimpressed.… Read More

I just reviewed the SF Chronicle’s photo gallery of the President’s visit. Most of it is sadly predictable for a paper that’s rarely kind to Republicans: lots of protestor shots; Bush making a goofy gesture.

But one photo in particular — drew my attention. It’s an allegedly disaffected Republican holding up a sign saying he’s given up on the GOP.

In fact, the photo is almost too cliche to be believable, which made me immediately suspicious. So I did a little Internet sleuthing, and here’s what I found . . .

Turns out the sore "Republican" — a Palo Altan named Jeb Eddy — is in fact a regular at anti-Bush protests, as reported in this post.

It get worse. Mr. Eddy likes to give money to Democrats.

Perhaps worst of all: the Chronicle fell for Mr. Eddy’s act during its coverage… Read More

In LA County the Republican Governor’s appointments to LA Superior Courtrun 2 to 1 in favor of the Democrats. Today he announced three appointments. Ray Jurado, Steve Blades and… Read More

Some thoughts on the President’s Friday visit to Silicon Valley, which includes a stop at Stanford University and the Hoover Institution, my neck of the woods.

1) Like most Bush visits to California, it’s amazing how the local media manage to whip themselves into a frenzy over what amounts to so little. The last time I checked, the President is going to talk about education, workforce preparedness and economic competition at Cisco Systems. Bush couldn’t be on safer nonpartisan ground. That’s followed by a skull session with the big brains at Hoover. Yet the press can’t get enough about the Dubya-Arnold rapport, or lack thereof. And this afternoon’s addition of the Hoover stop had reporters trying to add all sorts of intrigue to what otherwise would be a run-of-the-mill presidential visit were it not for the big guy with the Austrian accent who’s bumming a ride from the San Jose airport.

2) What does the President get out of this trip, aside from the satisfaction of once again snubbing the 415 area code? Maybe a road trip/road test. Look at what’s on the President’s California… Read More

Congratulations to my Assemblyman and good friend, Chuck DeVore. For many, many years, Chuck has served in the California Army National Guard, dedicating at least a weekend each month towards this major commitment. I am so proud that today Chuck received a promotion to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel – quite an achievement! Here is a photo from the swearing-in ceremony, which features Chuck in his uniform, his wife Diane in the background, their youngest daughter Amy in the fore, and of course, next to the Lt. Colonol is his Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger.… Read More

Actually, the title should be who the elite think are important in LA. If you ever wondered, LA Weekly has profile on the elites you might here about in art, media and politics. See a listing here.It includes a profile of Villaraigosa, several other LA politicos. Have fun.… Read More

Are you part of the small private meeting with the President?

LOL – probably not. But find out more details about the President’s itinerary for his California swing on the SF Chronicle’s Politics Blogsite — Carla Marinucci, of course, has ALL of the details…

Ironically, I will be very close to the President twice on his visit. The first time is in the Napa Valley where I’ll be vacationing, and really just hope his motorcade doesn’t mess up traffic-flow. The other time is Monday morning in Irvine (my home town) where he will hold an event and discuss immigration policy. That event I would like to attend, and share with FR readers about my experience. I’ve e-mailed a friend at the Orange County Business Council (who are ‘hosting’ the event) and I’ve emailed a friend who works for the White House. We’ll see if I can get an ‘assist’ from the home… Read More

Earlier this morning, the Orange County Republican Party hosted a small reception honoring Congressman John Doolittle in the spacious office of County GOP Chairman Scott Baugh in Irvine. Congressman Doolittle and his wife, Julie, were given a hearty welcome from Orange Countians. The caliber of some of the attendees is apparent in this photo (from left to right: Scott Baugh, Julie Doolittle, Congressman John Doolittle, California Republican Party Treasurer Keith Carlson, Young Republican Federation of California President Matthew Harper, and FR’s own Orange County Correspondent Adam Probolsky).

Doolittle was introduced by Chairman Baugh (Doolittle is pictured below speaking, with Baugh in the background) and yours truly. The Congressman spoke for about fifteen minutes and then took Q&A. It was a treat to hear him speak — this is one fine, conservative… Read More