Memo to all CRP Board Members: If you didn’t discuss specifically how the GOP is going to overcome the political agenda of nurses, teachers, firefighters, cops and firemen, you have wasted your time. I don’t care if Pat Buchanan or Pee Wee Herman is the chief of staff for the Governor, unless we begin to address tactical issues for winning statewide elections, its just hot air. Remember, the main thing is to keep the main thing the main thing. And the main thing is, how to we win elections? Micromanaging the Governor’s staff selections isn’t a strategy.… Read More

What follows is the official statement put forth by State GOP Communications Director Karen Hanretty after the State Party Board meeting:

"The California Republican Party Board of Directors met today with Governor Schwarzenegger to have a frank and free flowing discussion about his recent appointment of Susan Kennedy as his new chief of staff.

The Board advised the governor on his appointment and in response to a question, he reaffirmed his support for his chief of staff as well as his life-long support for Republican principles.

The Board emphasized to the Governor the importance of remaining committed to his policies of not raising taxes, opposing drivers’ licenses for illegal immigrants and expressed concern over proposed bonding in 2006."… Read More

Mineand I am sure many other political insiders phones are ringing this afternoon as word gets out that former State Senator/ Assemblyman and conservative hero Dick Mountjoy may throw his hat in the ring for United States Senate. I hope he jumps in. This is what the conservative base of the California Republican Party needs need right now-someone to rally around. Since the State GOP is currently lacking a U. S. Senate candidate, I am excited to hear that the father of Prop 187 may be willing be our standard bearer.

The conventional wisdom is that Senator Diane Feinstein can not be beat. Well without a candidate on the GOP side that is 100% correct. The Schwarzenegger / McClintock / Mountjoy ticket would certainly be in an interesting one in 2006.… Read More

Good call by the Gov (see my previous post).

SPECIAL ELECTION PROCLAMATION

BY THE GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA

I, ARNOLD SCHWARZENEGGER, Governor of the State of California, do hereby proclaim and order that a special election shall be held on the 6th day of June, 2006 within the 50th Congressional District of the State to fill the vacancy in the office of Member of Congress from said district arising from the resignation of office by Randy “Duke” Cunningham.

I also hereby proclaim and order that a special election shall be held on the 6th day of June, 2006 within the 35th Senate District of the State to fill the vacancy in the office of California State Senator from said district arising from the resignation of office by John Campbell.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF I have hereunto set my hand and caused the Great Seal of the State of California to be affixed this 15th day of December, 2005.

Arnold Schwarzenegger

Governor of California

###

(I posted via Blackberry, so pardon any messed up fromating)… Read More

The ultimate ranking guide to your legislators has arrived. The CRA Scorecard is out and about. The publisherordered me to giveeveryoneaccess to the rankings. There werenine lawmakers who received a perfect 100. The rest well… You’ll have to look.… Read More

Some claim that although the City of San Diego and its politicians are in the headlines oft of late, and even sometimes the butt of late-nite TV jokes, that most of the city’s businesses and citizens are not impacted by their government’s sorry state.

Far more say the opposite, that the woes of municipal gummint are indeed negatively impacting business, which in turn is resulting in less tax revenue for the city. Downward spiral.

In yesterday’s Voice of San Diego, retired CEO Gary Sutton weighs in, penning "Jobs Aren’t Leaving SD? Right…" Read it here.

Former mayoral candidate and government watchdog Richard Rider says this of the article:

(It is ) an excellent article on the City ofSan Diego’s declining health. Not just the city government’s deteriorating services and fiscal meltdown, but as a center ofcommerce. San Diego midsize businesses either die or leave town.

Perhaps most… Read More

So Fleischman sends out an email telling us that even the shortest posts are acceptable if they fall within our regional responsibilities…so I titled this using a song I really hate by an artist I really like to post something that’s on my mind (winning campaigns) and to keep Jon happy…I’ll make it a quick one.

Quoting famous passages from the Founding Fathers is a good way to inspire activists and those who read this site and motivate them into action…but for idiots like me who look for ways to connect beyond our little world….andto inspire average joe into action….we read books by inspirational peopleand their life experiences. You should too.

Bytaking the link above..you’ll know I’m pretty into rock climbing. A few weeks ago…I did my first outdoor climb (that’s the Northern California reference to keep me legit…and no that’s not me in the… Read More

WHAT WILL THE GOVERNOR DO?? SPECIAL ELECTION TIMING…

Orange County and San Diego are looking to have special elections very soon. In San Diego, the Congressional seat belonging to the disgraceful Duke Cunningham is now wide open. It is safe GOP territory. Similarly, in Orange County, with John Campbell’s election to Congress, his State Senate seat is wide open – also a safe GOP seat.

The political low-down on these primaries has been, and will be talked about on this blog. But the purpose of this post is to talk about the fact that Governor Schwarzenegger has to choose when these special elections will take place. He does have some lattitude.

Election officials from both counties have asked to have these elections consolidated with the June primary, for a savings of many, many millions of dollars. If the Governor does this, then the primaries (which is the whole game for… Read More