THE DINNER – AND THE GOVERNOR’S SPEECH Republicans, including myself, were really looking forward to last night’s dinner with our Republican Governor, Arnold Schwarzenegger. Sometimes, because there is a tendency for differences of opinion to be highlighted more than areas of agreement, there becomes a perception that divisions are bigger than they are. As readers here know, I have my share of differences of opinion with this Governor on a few key public-policy initiatives this year, and a certain personnel decision. That said, I am still a supporter of Arnold Schwarzenegger, feel he has been a good Governor, and am anxious to see him re-elected. It is my desire to see him re-elected that often times ‘animates’ me to be so vocal. The checkers-players out there say, "You aren’t helping the Governor to get re-elected by criticizing him in a public forum" (referring to this website). These folks are only thinking one move ahead. I like to think of myself as… Read More

GOP CONVENTION PRIMER Hello from the Fairmont Hotel in downtown San Jose, California where over a thousand GOP leaders have gathered from all of our state’s 58 counties to participate in the California Republican Party’s Winter Convention. It is always fun and interesting to come to a GOP convention – I’ve been at virtually all of them since 1988, and except for the two years that I was Executive Director of the State GOP, I have been a voting member. Yesterday, Friday, is the ‘arrival day’ – so throughout the afternoon and into the evening, old friends are reacquainting, and new friends are meeting for the first time. There is something about coming to a place where everyone is more-or-less on the same play sheet that is reassuring. Perhaps the idea that this is the one place in California (for at least two days) where you can where a "Carlson for Treasurer" sticker and everyone knows that is Keith Carlson of Orange County, and that he is running for Treasurer of the State GOP. Conventioneers more… Read More

Datamar, the SD-based firm that made a big name for itself during last year’s special mayoral election, has released a survey of the approval ratings for the governor and legislature. The results include some other tidbits, including the public’s view of the Susan Kennedy selection, voluntary pre-school initiative, infrastructure proposal, and minimum wage:

San Diego – In the poll released today by Datamar Inc., a random sample of 2,068 California high-propensity registered voters—voters who voted in the 2002 recall gubernatorial election and the 2004 Presidential primary and general elections—gives Governor Schwarzenegger an approval rating of 42%, about twice that of the legislature (22%).

As to disapproval, the governor also fares much better than the legislature. Poll respondents give the governor a disapproval/approval rating of 50% to 42%. The legislature receives a whopping 66% to 22% disapproval/approval rating, with three times more respondents disapproving than approving the job performance of the legislature. See the entire survey results… Read More

Since last year Mindy Tucker Fletcher has been serving in the administration of Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, and not answering the phones (though that is an important part of any operation). Mindy is Deputy Chief of Staff for External Affairs. From this post, she is the liaison from the Governor to…well…everyone. In this spot, she also oversees the Governor’s field operations around the state. Her predecessor, Cassandra Pye, left big shoes to fill but Mindy has been doing a great job.

Well, the Governor will be looking for a new occupant for this post as it was made known this afternoon that Fletcher has been named Deputy Campaign Manager for the Governor’s re-election effort, sitting second- seat to CM Steve Schmidt.

Fletcher is no stranger to campaigns, having served as Press Secretary in President Bush’s campaign, working with Communications Director Karen Hughes.

I’ve come to know Mindy as a friend, and have high regard for her political acumen and ability. She will be a tremendous asset to the Governor in her new role (as she has been in her current one).

The campaign team is coming together as… Read More

I don’t usually reprint press releases (read: propaganda) verbatim – but since I am scrambling to catch a flight to San Jose, and this release from Van Tran just arrived, I thought I should share the first paragraph since I earlier in the week posted that Lynn Daucher had pulled her nomination papers, but that Tran had not. Looks like we are off to the races.

For those far from Orange County, this is in the race for the GOP nomination for State Senate in the 34th district, where the forced retirement of Democrat Joe Dunn has left a competitive seat, since the GOP has tirelessly registered a ton of new GOPers in this once-safe Dem district.

OK, the blurb:

Popular Orange County Assemblyman Van Tran officially pulled candidate papers today for the open 34th Senate District, while his campaign finance team announced that $250,000 has already been raised for the effort.… Read More

I was saddened to read on my new friend Bill Bradley’s New West Notes blog that our Republican Governor’s Chief of Staff, Democrat Susan Kennedy, would not be coming with the Governor to the GOP Convention!

The Governor has been taking her along as he has gone to smaller meetings with GOP donors. I had a chance (h/t to FR friend Richard Costigan) to meet Ms. Kennedy briefly following the State of the State Address last year. I found her to be quite charming and funny.

I actually think that it would be a good idea for her to come to the convention tonight. Actually, there are a few good reasons. Enough so that I thought I would give you my list of top reasons:

#10: Delegates would be fascinated, I’m sure, to hear about what it was like to try and defend Gray Davis in the recall – she could give a speech on… Read More

The Little Hoover Commission was created in 1962, and is technically called the "Commission on California State Government Organization and Economy" — it is primary looked at as a quasi-independent body that reviews the actions of state government. It has a staff that conducts audits, studies and the like. Most recently, the Little Hoover Commission played a role in reviewing the Governor’s proposed reorganization of state government last year, recommending its approval before the Democrat-controlled legislature declared the re-org dead on arrival (after the commission gave its recommendation, then it went on to the legislature).

I call the Commission "quasi-independent" because most of its membership is appointed by the Governor or the legislative leaders in the Senate and the Assembly. However, the commission does has strict rules to make sure that no single political party dominates its membership.

There is no doubt that out of the hundreds of state… Read More

Over at the SFChron Political Blog, writer Greg Lucas pens a short piece today on Gubernatorial Spokesperson Julie Soderland being named as Press Secretary for the Governor’s re-election campaign.

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger’s press secretary for his re-elect campaign will be Julie Soderlund, a focused and driven mainstay in his gubernatorial press office.

You can read the rest, including why Julie’s nickname is "thumbs" here.

Since Julie used to… Read More