On the front page of today’s Flash Report you’ll find a piece by me, just published by the Capitol Weekly, defending Steve Poizner, chairman of the Prop 77 effort, a Republican Insurance Commissioner candidate and, last fall, a contender for the open seat in the 21st Assembly District (a campaign I took part in).

Actually, the column is more of a clarification. I fear that some Sacramentans see Poizner as a spoiled rich kid obsessed with political vainglory, no matter the cost. I thought it was time to set the record straight.

I’ve worked for the man and can personally attest: he’s in this game for the right reasons. He shares Arnold’s reform vision; he believes in a better brand of politics that’s based on intellect and reason. Yes, he invested a considerable sum of his own money running for the Assembly, as he now has on behalf of Prop 77. But spend some time down here on the Peninsula and you’ll appreciate why. He was running in a district that’s serious… Read More

No one has taken the time to write anything substantive about Lt. Governor Cruz Bustamante lately and that must make him sad.

Don’t get me wrong, there was Yamamura’s mention in the SacBee of Cruz going to Thailand for a quickie (trade mission) and of course yesterday SF Chronicle’s John Wildermuth’s mention of an old FPPC fine the Lt. Gov. had to pay back in 2004.

But my absolute favorable ink Cruz has gotten lately is, his EXCLUSIVE OpEd about who cares what in Tehama County’s own: Red Bluff Daily News!!!

I am not sure, but I think I am breaking news here, Cruz Bustamante may be… Read More

I mentioned earlier this week that I spoke in support of Proposition 76 at an Irvine’s Schools forum — well you can read the Irvine World News’ take on the event below (it is an attachment). I was not as eloquent as Tom Campbell is in today’s San Francisco Chronicle — but I took it to the educrats!

Today’s news is packed with a lot of stuff — every Thursday is the publishing day for Capitol Weekly magazine, which is the "Roll Call" of the state capitol. Clearly this is a superior publication as they have asked me to be a regular contributor! Just kidding. Actually, it is a great newspaper — and so every Thursday, the FlashReport News Links include a number of stories/column from the paper. Today’s include a piece from yours’ truly that focuses on a sad phenomenon – that in a house dominated by liberals, even our best conservative legislators are reduced to authoring some poor legislation… FlashReport Weblog Author Bill Whalen pens a defense of controversial Steve Poizner,… Read More

I just left the Ben & Jerry’s factory in Waterbury, VT, so please understand if I seem a little annoyed… "Ben & Jerry’s is committed to working in support of social justice and equality, eliminating our negative impact on the environment…" … and contributing to the epidemics of obesity and diabetes through the manufacture and sale of frozen bovine mammary secretions… (I made up that last part). Guess who’s not in charge of this part of the vacation.

I started this entry this morning near Lebanon, N.H., heading west on Highway 4. Since Mr. Fleischman advised me to post shorter, more frequent blog entries whenever and wherever things occur to me, I’m taking his advice to the extreme by posting this from my BlackBerry while in a moving vehicle. Don’t worry, I’m not driving this time. Before I almost submitted to Ben & Jerry’s corporate/Marxist re-education (I wouldn’t give them three bucks for theirice cream, which I hear is good, much less a tour)… Read More

I spent the weekend in Los Angeles. One of the most notable differences: the presence of Schwarzenegger ads on local television.

Here in the Bay Area, local Republicans complain about the barrage of anti-Arnold ads, and very little in the way of response. But here’s the reality of the special election:

1) Schwarzenegger’s side is playing with less money; they can’t spend willy-nilly in the Bay Area as Team Arnold did during recall, when he had a considerably larger bankroll and could afford to blanket the state;

2) Arnold has been active in the Bay Area — only, it’s “earned” media (speeches and campaign appearances that covered by the local media) vs. paid media. He’s not ducking the region, just better marshalling his resources;

3) The unions’ round-the-clock spending in the Bay Area could backfire. Let’s assume that the purpose of the blitz is to increase turnout for next month. Maybe that works. But too many negative ads run the risk of crossing the line from inflicting damage to bouncing rubble — i.e., overkill. And there’s the collateral damage of… Read More

On the FR weblog today, Jason Roe, our Beltway correspondent, laments that the Prop. 77 strategy in California may backfire and, due to a ripple-effect of other redistricting measures that may pass in a number of other states where the GOP has the favorable lines, we may lose the GOP majority in the house. Jason and I disagree on Prop. 77, but that’s okay. I’m right and he’s wrong! ;) THE BIGGEST DANGER TO A GOP LOSS IN THE HOUSE If we want to look to why Republicans might lose their majority in the House, one need look no further than an article from The Hill today, and look to California’s own Duncan Hunter. Hunter is Chairman of the esteemed House Armed Services Committee, and a very senior player in the… Read More

Keith Richman is a RepublicanAssemblyman from the San Fernando Valley that wants to be the GOP nominee for State Treasurer. Prop. 73 is a measure that requires parental notification before an unemancipated minor can get an abortion.

When Assemblywomen Mimi Walters and Sen. Dennis Hollingsworth circulated letters in the GOP caucus asking legislators to support Prop. 73. Only Keith Richman refused to sign. Other self identified "pro-choice" Republicans signed the letter, viewing this measure correctly as a parental rights issue.

The state party endorsed it. Even the liberal California Congress of Republicans endorses the measure.

Why would Richman join Barbara Boxer in opposing this measure? Polls show over 80% of Republican support this issue. How does it help Richman in a closed Republican primary to be so… Read More

Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger’s decision to wrest control of redistricting from the elected representatives of the legislature probably seemed like a good idea by many California Republicans frustrated by the political wilderness they’ve been trapped in for so many years. In fact, it might be just what is needed to be relevant in Sacramento – but the national implications are not helpful.

Proposition 77, which seems unlikely to pass in the Golden State – thus giving Congressional Republicans a gain of exactly zero seats, has at least inspired Democrats. Democrats in Florida, Michigan, and Ohio.

Common Cause, a… Read More