Adam Smith of California hosted a 50th C.D. forum this morning at the Mission Valley Hilton. Thirty or sowere onhand to hear the views of six of the leading GOP candidates, makingthe gathering intimate enough for some fun … although it would have been even better to see Francine Busby squirm in this group. Apparently, she was too busy movin’ on or something, although she was invited.

As the six candidates tried to squeeze length-wise down an eight foot table made for four, I quipped that it looked like the last supper. Richard Earnest, not considered a contender at this point by many, proved his mettle in the humor department by quickly shooting back, "It is for some."

Adam Smith moderator Rick Otis’ first question was about the declining moral values of the nation, which Brian Bilbray handled as if a newborn fundamentalist. Alan Uke quickly referred to a Brian vote in support of gay adoption, with Bilbray shooting back that the vote was about single parent… Read More

Naturally when I am out of the country on vacation, we have one of the busiest days in California political news in a long, long time. It took me a long time to put together the main page this morning, which means less time to write up a commentary on the news. We’ll try it in bullet-point format today:

The lead column today is by California Secretary of State Bruce McPherson. Today marks the one-year anniversary of his appointment to this post by Governor Schwarzenegger, filling the vacancy left by the resignation of Democrat Kevin Shelley. Shelley had been elected to the post in 2002, but was forced out of office due to scandals. McPherson has really been doing a great job with the office – and has thoroughly ‘cleaned house’ from the previous administration. The culture of corruption has been replaced with a culture of hard work, and desire to bring the principles of representative government to every Californian. Please take a few minutes to read his column! Yesterday Rob Reiner finally called it quits from the Prop. 10 commission. In doing so, he may be attempted to shift the limelight away from the boatload of … Read More

Naturally when I am out of the country on vacation, we have one of the busiest days in California political news in a long, long time. It took me a long time to put together the main page this morning, which means less time to write up a commentary on the news. We’ll try it in bullet-point format today:

The lead column today is by California Secretary of State Bruce McPherson. Today marks the one-year anniversary of his appointment to this post by Governor Schwarzenegger, filling the vacancy left by the resignation of Democrat Kevin Shelley. Shelley had been elected to the post in 2002, but was forced out of office due to scandals. McPherson has really been doing a great job with the office – and has thoroughly ‘cleaned house’ from the previous administration. The culture of corruption has been replaced with a culture of hard work, and desire to bring the principles of representative government to every Californian. Please take a few minutes to read his column! Yesterday Rob Reiner finally called it quits from the Prop. 10 commission. In doing so, he may be attempted to shift the limelight away from the boatload of … Read More

Teachers unions on both sides of the Bay Bridge are threatening to strike. Yesterday, an Oakland Teachers Association representative said the union shortly would be announcing their “scheduled work action” plans while San Francisco teachers gave a big thumbs up to the union’s plans to strike if the district does not go along with their pay demands. The SF union representatives said that a strike could happen by mid-April if negotiations don’t go their way. Rumors in Oakland have been flying about a possible strike as early as next week, although parents and teachers have been working on plans to run “strike schools” for quite some time.

The big disagreement in … Read More

Esteemed Conservative Republican Tom McClintock just issued the following statement. Let me cut to the chase-Howard Kaloogian is a liar. Explain this one away Howard. Were you in Baghdad when you gotthe years ofMcClintock’s endorsement mixed up ? Are you going to turn this "mix-up" into a plea for more money? I can’t wait to hear your excuse this time.

Statement from Sen. Tom McClintock’s Office "It has come to my attention that a campaign mailing on behalf of Howard Kaloogian includes a picture and quote from me that suggests that I have endorsed his candidacy for U.S. Congress. I have not. "Although I have a very high regard for Howard, I also greatly respect and admire Senator Bill Morrow, and for this reason have remained neutral in this race. The Quote attributed to me was from my endorsement of Howard’s candidacy for U.S. Senate in 2004."

PS for the record, I am supporting Bilbray in the 50th, however I am not getting paid to do so.… Read More

Click here to read John Wildermuth’s (SF Chronicle reporter) blog entry on Phil Angelides’ appearance on Al Franken radio show this morning at the Crest Theater in Sacramento. Liberal voters will be thrilled to learn that Anglelides plans to "make California home to a new progressive movement." If Angelides bests Westly in the Democratic primary, hopefully Republicans who are now planning to sit on their hands in November will rethink the power of their vote. While I’m not thrilled with everything that Schwarzenegger is doing (I share Matt Cunningham’s feeling of "It’s getting to the point where I’ll be surprised if I’m not disappointed by the Governor’s actions."), my vote will be cast as a "anybody but Phil vote." I can see it now–the Big Five under Governor Angelides will be Angelides, Al Franken, Michael Moore, Cindy Sheehan and Susan Sarandon.… Read More

The 69th AD battle for the Democrat nomination could be a brutal.

The campaign of Santa Ana Councilman Jose Solorio has announced he has received the endorsement of two statewide unions: California Federation of Teachers and California Professional Firefighters

Solorio’s chief opponent is Santa Ana City Councilwoman and OC Deputy District Attorney Claudia Alvarez, the third candidate in the race is Armando de la Libertad, an executive with Wells Fargo who does community development, even though he lacks elected experience, I never discount someone who hands out money for a living.

All three candidates bought ballot statements. Alvarez has over $100,000 cash on hand while Solorio and de la Libertad each have about $75,000.… Read More

It was sad that when I went to check my e-mail tonight there was a statement from State Senator Bill Morrow, a fine principled conservative, that asked 50th CD candidate Howard Kaloogian to remove his photo and half decade old endorsement from his web site. Note to Howard, Morrow is running against you, he probably did not endorse you.

Here is the larger point. This past week Kaloogian had to explained away his bogus endorsements of Rep. Tom Tancredo, State Senator Tom McClintock and now fellow candidate Bill Morrow -plus suffer the nationwide embarrassment of his “photo mix up”.

In a campaign where the issue is being honest with the voters, I don’t think this will set well with them. Do I need to point out the obvious to Mr. Kaloogian; that we are having this special election because the previous holder of this seat, aka Federal Prisoner 94405-198, was not an honest man. I happen to back Bilbray, but I think all the other Republican candidates, save Kaloogian, are honest people running honest campaigns. They would all, again save Kaloogian, make honest Members of Congress. I can’t wait to see who is next to ask Kaloogian to… Read More