Yesterday I was one of fourteen members of the Executive Committee of the Orange County Republican Party that gathered at our headquarters to receive, review and weigh a OCRP Ethics Committee report on the matter of the e-mail sent by our colleague, Marilyn Davenport, that depicted the face of President Barack Obama over the body of a baby chimpanzee. Also considered was Marilyn’s conduct since she forwarded around that image to a group of undisclosed recipients.

We met for some period of time, and because we were in closed session, I won’t go into detail about what specifically was said in the meeting. But I will say that under the OCRP Bylaws, the strongest action that our Executive Committee could take in being critical of Davenport and her action was an “Ethics Censure” — and that is precisely what we did. Below I will post up an official statement from the OCRP released by Chairman Scott Baugh. Below that I will list out those Executive Committee members who voted for and against the ethics censure. Finally I have some personal thoughts on this matter that I would like to share…… Read More

Today is the National Day of Prayer albeit for believers every day is a day of prayer. However, federal law and presidential proclamation make a special designation for this day. President Obama’s proclamation can be found here http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2011/04/29/presidential-proclamation-national-day-prayer

The day itself has become controversial as atheist groups have sued to overturn the law on the grounds of unconstitutional state sponsored religion. It clearly is not a state church. But it is also clear that it is a recognition that God governs the universe and that prayer is communication with our God.

And there is so much to pray for. Giving thanks to the brave men who stopped a terrorist leader. Seeking comfort for those who suffered losses in tornadoes here at home and earthquakes and tsunamis aboard. Seeking guidance for national economic recovery and for government budget finances. Its ok to say a prayer today and you will have lots of company.

This morning Governor Brown has also signed a proclamation which you can find here: http://gov.ca.gov/news.php?id=17020

May God bless California and the United States… Read More

This has been a historic week in America, with the capture and demise of the mastermind behind the attacks of September Eleventh, Osama bin Laden. The news has spread across the globe, and we have all become even more keenly aware and grateful for the masterful work of our armed forces, which stand to serve and protect us. They’ve illustrated the American resolve to never give up, no matter how difficult the fight.

I think the same applies to the American will to improve our nation’s economy. As we celebrate a symbolic victory for national security, Congress is still working on behalf of the people in our districts to draft common sense policies to boost economic growth, create more jobs, and — with gas prices over $4 a gallon nationwide — we are also considering legislation to increase domestic energy production and lower the cost of gasoline.

Increasing gas prices can take a toll on the daily lives of our families, friends, and colleagues. When gas prices spike, it can severely shift and destroy pre-set and often well-planned household budgets. It can create choices none of us want or should have to make, like choosing between buying… Read More

Everyone knows that trying to pass any kind of meaningful public employee pension reform in the Democrat-dominated legislature would be an extremely difficult proposition. But surely Democrats would be eager to work across party lines and end the practice of politicians taking home generous pensions, right? Wrong.

In a display of how influential public employee unions truly are in Sacramento, their representatives came in droves to the Assembly Public Employees, Retirement and Social Security committee to oppose the common sense.Opposition included even those groups not affected by the bill.

Just to give a sense of the opposition; CalSTRS, SEIU, Professional Engineers in California Government, California State Sheriffs’ Association, California District Attorneys Association, California School Boards Association, Small School Districts’ Association, California Fraternal Order of Police, Professional Peace Officers Association and Judicial Council of California who are constitutionally exempt from my legislation.

So far the only possible compromise offered from the various organizations has been, “We’ll remove our opposition if you exempt… Read More

Flying way under the news radar for most Republicans outside of the South Bay part of Los Angeles is a Congressional Special Election to fill the seat of Jane Harman, who up and left Congress to head up a think tank.

The map of CD-36 is one of those that fueled the cries for redistricting reform over the last several years, taking in obviously very specially selected parts of the South Bay – but not others. And by others, I mean the Republican parts. As of February, the voter registration stats in the District were 45.28% Democrat to 27.46% Republican.

But those numbers are deceiving, as the gap between Democrats and Republicans among voters who actually turn out to vote in this District is much smaller. For instance, the last time this District saw a Special Election was the May 2009 Statewide Special Election. In that Election, among the 77,775 voters who turned out – 43.15% were Democrats and 39.38% were Republican.

That to say, of course it is a long shot for a Republican to capture this seat, but it is within the realm of possibility enough for Republicans to be anxiously… Read More

Sunday night was one marked in history for our country. That night, I received a call from Secretary Gates alerting me that our special operations troops had launched a daring operation deep in Pakistan and killed Osama bin Laden, the mastermind behind the September Eleventh attacks and numerous other attacks on America. He also told me that DNA-evidence confirmed that bin Laden was dead. This was news that our countrymen had waited to hear for a long time. As Americans picked themselves up after the terrorist attacks of September Eleventh, President Bush told us that we would get Osama bin Laden and President Obama delivered on that promise. The events of 9-11 affected us all – in California, across America, and among our nation’s allies, and the memory of those killed that day are etched in my memory for life. We will never forget. And while it has taken longer than many expected, Osama bin Laden is no longer living, and his death serves as a type of proof to terrorists who wish to harm us, that no matter how long it takes, we will find justice.

Our brave military forces and their civilian counterparts who have been… Read More

California Congressman Buck McKeon, Chairman of the House Armed Services Committee, appeared on MSNBC this morning…

… Read More

From today’s Wall Street Journal Political Diary E-mail…

California Dems Get Even Less Serious California Democratic leaders, frustrated by the refusal of Republican state legislators to go along with tax increases to close the state’s $15.4 billion deficit, are threatening to focus budget cuts on the districts that those Republicans represent.

“You don’t want to pay for government, well then, you get less of it,” Senate President Pro Tem Darrell Steinberg told reporters last week. Mr. Steinberg echoed comments made by Treasurer Bill Lockyer, who said that budget cuts should be targeted at the districts of lawmakers who oppose putting $11 billion in tax increases before the state’s voters in a referendum.

“When it comes to kids or the vulnerable, I wouldn’t want to make distinctions between who lives in a Democratic district and… Read More