I think this photo of Senate Republican Leader Dave Cogdill and Assemblyman Tom Berryhill speaks for itself. Need some help figuring out which of these two gets an extra ‘bump" in their pay for being the Republican Leader? Think "Ralph Lauren"… LOL.

Photo credit: Bob Phelan, taken at Jeff Denham’s campaign headquarters this morning.… Read More

The most important measure on this year’s statewide ballot is Proposition 98, the anti-eminent domain protection measure, sponsored by the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association. Please vote "Yes" on Prop. 98, and "No" on Prop. 99, the phony alternative supported by the California Democratic Party.

That said, I received a "slate mailer" from an obscure outfit called the "California Taxpayer Protection Committee" out of Gold River, California. The mailer has some local candidates on it and explains the group is made up of volunteers and unnamed "affiliated groups" that oppose"out of control spending," claim"taxes are too high" and that "new borrowing" is "not the answer."

Now of course, I am biased here, because I represent the slate mail industry in court, havewon two Federal cases enjoining campaign restrictions against slate mail, and have a few I produce myself. I think slate mail is effective, and it is an important enough medium to have its own sections of the Political Reform Act.

But not all the Republican… Read More

If a textbook on winning campaigns is ever written, exhibit A should be the State Assembly Campaign of Nathan Fletcher. He cleared the Republican field in the open seat of one of the prize Assembly seats in California —beautiful, prosperous, coastal– yet Republican. The seat is about 80% city of San Diego, with Poway, some county land, and part of Escondido rounding it out.

Historically, this seat has been a vicious primary— lot of candidates, lot of money and the winner emerging in a tight and hotly contested race. The 2008 contest for the open seat of termed out Assemblyman George Plescia looked early to be no break from the past.

Surprisingly, when Republican voters go the polls next Tuesday they will see only one choice: Nathan Fletcher.… Read More

There was an impressive turnout of volunteers this morning at the Modesto headquarters of Senator Jeff Denham’s campaign against the recall.Almost 100activists heard words of encouragement from Senate Republican Leader Dave Cogdill, California Republican Party Chairman Ron Nehring, Assemblyman Tom Berryhill and congressional candidate Dean Andal (see them all, along with Senator Denham, in the photo below to the right, taken by Bob Phelan).Despite the noteworthy presence of several of the state’s top GOP leaders, a number of the volunteers were local Democrats outraged at Don Perata’s abuse of the recall process.

Senator Denhamtold the assembled precinct walkersthat even thoughSenate President Pro Tem Perata has publicly declaredhe is no longer funding the pro-recall campaign, voters need to be reminded that the issue remains on the June 3rd ballot, particularly given the expected low turn-out on… Read More

If a textbook on winning campaigns is ever written, exhibit A should be the State Assembly Campaign of Nathan Fletcher. He cleared the Republican field in the open seat of one of the prize Assembly seats in California —beautiful, prosperous, coastal– yet Republican. The seat is about 80% city of San Diego, with Poway, some county land, and part of Escondido rounding it out.

Historically, this seat has been a vicious primary— lot of candidates, lot of money and the winner emerging in a tight and hotly contested race. The 2008 contest for the open seat of termed out Assemblyman George Plescia looked early to be no break from the past.

Surprisingly, when Republican voters go the polls next Tuesday they will see only one choice: Nathan Fletcher.… Read More

This just in from the Secretary of State via the Bee Capitol Alert, that the over 1.2 million signatures turned in for an initiative for November have been verified by random sample.In an affirmation of parent’s rights, It wouldrequire parental notification before their child canobtain an abortion. It is the 4th item to qualify for November [it would probably be known as Prop 103] Previously, a similar Prop 73 tried and came close on the 2005 special election, it being the highest performing of all the initiatives that failed. Prop 85 lostby a couple more percentage points in 2006.

This is a positive for conservatives. It can link up on the same ballot with the likely Protection Of Marriage initiative that has a similar number of signatures being verified right now and should soon receive certification by the Secretary. Soon after that, we could see the Save Our Kids initiative turned in. That effort is gathering signatures right now. There is about 2 months left for that project, which is the repeal of the content of SB 777, passed last fall, that requires school curriculum and school… Read More

With reckless abandon, Los Angeles city leaders gave payroll increases and lucrative compensation packages for city workers, which can be directly attributed to the $406 million budget deficit they are now facing for fiscal year beginning in July. Sadly, city leaders knew they were putting Los Angeles’ future into financial jeopardy by agreeing to the payroll raises last year—but did so anyhow. According to the L A Daily News, May 11, 2008, “As Los Angeles grapples with its largest budget deficit in history, lucrative compensation packages for thousands of city workers are driving much of the gap , and there’s little end in sight.” It is mind-boggling that, “In the past year alone, gross annual payroll costs have soared $120 million for nearly 48,000 city employees – $90 million of that going to 35,000 civilian and sworn workers- and bumped the total… Read More

Gang violence permeates urban life. Hollywoodencourages sympathetictreatment; teenage fashion moguls emulate gangster attire; left wing writers extol gangster revolutionary ideals.

It’s quite telling how urban politicianstalk about gang violence. A Supervisor’s race in Orange County reveals serious gang involvement with a major candidate. Gangs are as old as… Read More