When Jon asked me to consider joining the FlashReport to further highlight the Central Valley’s unique and volatile political culture I was honored. As the premier battleground in California between the parties, the Central Valley has been and will continue to be the place where the conservative movement can make gains in the legislature and congress. I am looking forward to helping the FlashReport deliver up to date information from the region and contributing to the growth of conservatism in the blogosphere. I see the FlashReport as the front line in the battle against the extreme leftist bloggers that pollute the internet political landscape today.

Some people have a feeling that I will be writing extensively about developments in the 11th congressional district. Of course I will. After Jerry McNerney’s slander campaign against Richard Pombo I look forward to critiquing his actual performance in office. I anticipate some fun moments as he will have to make decisions that will be between representing his district or standing with his political soulmates George Miller, Pete Stark and Nancy Pelosi in what is, despite democrat spin to the contrary,… Read More

Today is a great day in California. For years now, the Golden State has been plagued by Trojan fans with out-of-control egos. Today victory by UCLA was an amazing moment, reminding me of how the peaceful denizens of Munchkinland invariably felt when Dorothy Gale’s home landed on the Wicked Witch of the West!

USC is still a great team, and earned their place in the Rose Bowl. But there is glory in knowing that the gold paint on the trophy bell will be covered in blue, and that we ruined Pete Carroll’s Christmas.

(Keith… Finally!)… Read More

For many FR readers, the eleven incoming GOP Freshmen members of the State Assembly are already a known quantity, especially for those who are active in or around one of their districts. Many of them have a long history of involvement in politics here in the Golden State. The Assembly Republican Caucus has prepared a handy guide that has the photos and a paragraph or two on each of the eleven, and it is attached below. Congratulations to the Freshman Class: Anthony Adams, Joal Anderson, Tom Berryhill, Paul Cook, Mike Duvall, Jean Fuller, Ted Gaines, Martin Garrick, Kevin Jeffries, Jim Silva and Cameron Smyth!

Of course, FR readers will get to experience a little of life as a "member of the Freshman class" through the eyes of Anthony Adams, who now writing for this website… Thanks, Anthony!… Read More

When Jon asked a few of us to fill in while he frolics in the waves of Maui, I thought about putting something profound together, but then I remembered he suggested that we just be ourselves. Well, I’m a simple country boy – and I was struck by a story in George Will’s column about a newly elected Senator refusing to shake President Bush’s hand.

Where I come from that’s the kind of rudeness that just isn’t acceptable.

After recent elections gave Democrats control of the US Senate and House of Representatives, we heard their leaders talk a lot about the coming era of bi-partisanship.

**There is more – click the link**

View Full Commentary… Read More

When Jon asked a few of us to fill in while he frolics in the waves of Maui, I thought about putting something profound together, but then I remembered he suggested that we just be ourselves. Well, I’m a simple country boy – and I was struck by a story in George Will’s column about a newly elected Senator refusing to shake President Bush’s hand.

Where I come from that’s the kind of rudeness that just isn’t acceptable.

After recent elections gave Democrats control of the US Senate and House of Representatives, we heard their leaders talk a lot about the coming era of bi-partisanship.

Well, it turns out the talk was pretty much just talk — kind of like CA Assemblymembers who publicly turned down a $12,000 pay hike, then quietly accepted the money a few months later (more on that another time.)

Will recounted a story about Senator-elect Jim Webb ditching the reception line at an event hosted by the President so he wouldn’t have to shake the President’s hand. Later, he responded rudely to the President’s polite inquiry about… Read More

[A lot of staffers can’t wait for the "rivalry weekend" to start. The week’s been packed with…well…packing and moving. (Yes, I know the legislative moving guys do most of the work.) Moving isn’t fun, unless you’re moving to a bigger office. Stanford versus Cal and USC versus UCLA will be a welcome break. But please allow me toss out this short commentary first.]

I am so glad to have the opportunity to pen a commentary the morning the FlashReport chose to feature an exclusive column by former UC Regent Ward Connerly. Campus leftists pelted with the stage with Oreos when he came to speak at UC Santa Barbara years ago and I’ve admired the man ever since.

Those of you who have graciously chosen to read my soapbox rantings will recall a month ago I commented on UC administrators’ efforts to repeal Proposition 209, the 1990s state measure that sought to… Read More

[A lot of staffers can’t wait for the "rivalry weekend" to start. The week’s been packed with…well…packing and moving. (Yes, I know the legislative moving guys do most of the work.) Moving isn’t fun, unless you’re moving to a bigger office. Stanford versus Cal and USC versus UCLA will be a welcome break. But please allow me toss out this short commentary first.]

I am so glad to have the opportunity to pen a commentary the morning the FlashReport chose to feature an exclusive column by former UC Regent Ward Connerly. Campus leftists pelted with the stage with Oreos when he came to speak at UC Santa Barbara years ago and I’ve admired the man ever since.

Those of you who have graciously chosen to read my soapbox rantings will recall a month ago I commented on UC administrators’ efforts to… Read More

Many may remember Donna Arduin as Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger’s first Director of Finance for the State of California. Arduin came into the Schwarzenegger Administration with a track record of being a strong conservative, well versed on budgetary and finance matters, and lived up to her reputation. Arduin, who had been heading up Florida’s equivalent office for Governor Jeb Bush, had come out to be part of Team Arnold’s original transition after the recall election, and then agreed to stay on for a period of time.

After the first year of the Schwarzenegger Administration, Arduin left California to return home to quiet Tallahassee, Florida, which she calls home. She partnered up with famed economist Arthur Laffer in a consulting firm, and has been loving life. Donna keeps up on California politics by reading this website, and has written a couple of columns for us!

Today, it is being reported… Read More