On election night, California Republicans were heading for victories. Less than one month later, while ballots arestillbeing counted, half of California’s Republican Congressional races were flipped by Democrat challengers, none of whom have ever held an elected public office.

Republicans lost election night leads for five members of Congress, three state Assembly races, two state Senate seats and a Board of Equalization candidate, Shawn Steelwrotein a column this week.

Assembly Republicans nowtotal only 20 out of 80 members of the Assembly, and Senate Republicans aredownto 11 members out of 40 Senators, for a grand total of 31 elected Republicans out of 140 total… Read More

Dear CA GOP:

To paraphrase President Reagan’s phrase from 1962, it seems like I’m not leaving the Republican Party, but the Republican party appears to be trying to leave me. Since my political “awakening” during the ‘70’s there have been times that I’ve had to question where my principles place me on the political spectrum.

Throughout the turbulence of the Nixon Era, I’ve stood by the Party, as I reasoned that what a dishonest man did in Washington shouldn’t be the measure of my values and the people I support.

After President Ford bested Ronald Reagan for the Party nomination in 1976, I stood behind him since I was certain he’d promote better policies than Jimmy Carter. The Carter Presidency proved me right and I was rewarded for my devotion with 8 years of President Reagan.

When President George H.W. Bush told me to “read his lips” on the issue of new taxes, the promise of continued prosperity kept me holding firm to my Party and working to continue the Reagan Revolution. Of course, once the lip reading was finished so was Bush 41, but I persisted in the hope that my local candidates would learn a valuable lesson in… Read More

It’s true.

I am no longer the Communications Director for the California Republican Party, having stepped down earlier this month to start playing in the Political Consultant’s sandbox. It’s a career that is only slightly more stable than my two previous jobs, radio show host and acting.

The first call I received after the announcement was released was from Jon Fleischman, who immediately offered some prime real estate as an official FlashReport blogger. I said “Yes” before he finished the word “blogg—”.

I look forward to writing about all kinds of political news in this space (Lord knows in California alone, there’s plenty to write about) and I’m especially looking forward to offering my perspective on Jerry’s shiny pony tax hike plan as it moves toward November like the political equivalent of the Bataan Death March.

And I’ve been overwhelmed by the kind words and encouragement that friends and peers have sent, and humbled at compliments from the press corps. I’m sure you’re all deranged, or that you owe me dinner.

Meanwhile, I need to keep my CFO happy. So…time to… Read More