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Jon Fleischman

On anomymous blogging…

Last week, political reporter John Marelius penned a piece on the rise of political blogging in the San Diego Union Tribune that prominently featured the FlashReport. In that piece, Marelius pens a few paragraphs talking about "anonymous blogging" — here is the excerpt:

While cyberspace is riddled with Web sites whose origin cannot readily be determined, reputable bloggers such as [Jon] Fleischman and [Steve] Frank are dismissive of their anonymous colleagues and say that they go to great lengths to make sure everything on their sites has a name attached. It’s a matter of credibility, they say.Read More

Jon Fleischman

Today’s Commentary: On anomymous blogging…

Last week, political reporter John Marelius penned a piece on the rise of political blogging in the San Diego Union Tribune that prominently featured the FlashReport. In that piece, Marelius pens a few paragraphs talking about "anonymous blogging" — here is the excerpt:

While cyberspace is riddled with Web sites whose origin cannot readily be determined, reputable bloggers such as [Jon] Fleischman and [Steve] Frank are dismissive of their anonymous colleagues and say that they go to great lengths to make sure everything on their sites has a name attached. It’s a matter of credibility, they say.Read More

Jon Fleischman

Immigration will be a dominant issue in California elections…

It is clear that the debate that is taking place in Washington D.C. on the illegal immigration issue is going to be a major issue for the 2006 elections at every level. This means that every candidate for office, whether running for U.S. Senate or Congress, Governor or State Schools Superintendent, Supervisor or Sheriff, state legislature or school board is going to have to figure out how to address this issue.

The biggest challenge, of course, is on federal officeholders and candidates for U.S. Senate and Congress, as this is primarily seen as a national issue that should be dealt with by the federal government. To a certain extent, that is right. But the ‘trickle-down’ effect to every level of government of the impact of the United States’ failure to protect/control its borders, and the physical presence of well over ten-million people that have come into this country without permission has an impact for everyone, and for every political jurisdiction.

The lead story in today’s FlashReport is a piece penned by Timm Herdt in today’s Ventura County Star that really starts to look at the impact of this issue on California races.… Read More

Jon Fleischman

Today’s Commentary: Immigration will be a dominant issue in California elections…

It is clear that the debate that is taking place in Washington D.C. on the illegal immigration issue is going to be a major issue for the 2006 elections at every level. This means that every candidate for office, whether running for U.S. Senate or Congress, Governor or State Schools Superintendent, Supervisor or Sheriff, state legislature or school board is going to have to figure out how to address this issue.

The biggest challenge, of course, is on federal officeholders and candidates for U.S. Senate and Congress, as this is primarily seen as a national issue that should be dealt with by the federal government. To a certain extent, that is right. But the ‘trickle-down’ effect to every level of government of the impact of the United States’ failure to protect/control its borders, and the physical presence of well over ten-million people that have come into this country without permission has an impact for everyone, and for every political jurisdiction.

The lead story in today’s FlashReport is a piece penned by Timm Herdt in today’s Ventura County Star that really starts to look at the impact of this issue on California races.… Read More

Jon Fleischman

Plescia taps Aghzarian as GOP Caucus Chairman

On April 17th, Assemblyman George Plescia will assume the leadership of a unified Assembly Republican Caucus. Since his unanimous selection by his colleagues over a month ago, there has been a lot of ‘inside the building’ wondering about his leadership team. With Kevin McCarthy stepping down as leader to focus his attention on his race for Congress, also stepping aside is his Lieutenant, Assemblyman Russ Bogh, who has served as Chairman of the Assembly Republican Caucus.

In just a little while, the office of Assembly Republican Leader-elect George Plescia will name conservative San Juaquin Valley Republican Assemblyman Greg Aghazarian to to key post of Caucus Chairman. In this role, Aghazarian will become Plescia’s #1 "go to" guy for all matters dealing with his fellow GOP Assemblymembers.

Aghazarian, who is well liked among his colleagues, was early-on looked at as a possible candidate for Assembly Leader himself. Aghazarian was first election in 2002, and has long been a… Read More

Jon Fleischman

Bilbray slams Roach hard – Note to self: Remember to Vote

Any experienced participants or observers of politics know that watching the last-minute mail pieces that come out in the final days of a campaign is kinda like watching the commercials during the Superbowl – they are the most amazing and outrageous pieces of all. Especially right towards the end when candidates who are attacked don’t have time to respond.

The attached mail piece is a stinking attack on conservative businessman Eric Roach who is one of the leading candidates in the GOP donnybrook to replace the disgraced and imprisoned Duke Cunningham. Roach is making a big splash, spending millons of dollars to run a targeted campaign in a crowded field. You can read my take on Roach here.

That said, the mail piece that is attached below is a great reminder to anyone thinking about running for office – don’t forget to vote! You never know when it will come back at you — in this case, in full color!

Bilbray roasts Roach on missing a couple of elections, as well as trying to make him out to be a carpetbagger from San Francisco and more.… Read More

What if someone challenged Pringle, but no one cared?

The LA Times is reporting today that Anaheim Councilman Harry Sidhu is considering a run against first-term mayor Curt Pringle. While I am happy to have been quoted in the article, I think the reporter had very little to go on and it should have been more about an internal policy disagreement rather and a potential political battle.

The fact is you can’t find anyone besides Harry Sidhu himself who thinks he should run or has even heard he is interested in running. The quote of mine they didn’t print was, "No one past, present or future could beat Pringle in November."

I really believe Sidhu (to who’s campaign I am a donor) made a big error in mixing policy with politics here. His disagreement with his colleagues (Anaheim has a five member council including a directly elected mayor) over stadium deals and land sales and whatever else on the council agenda is fair game. Those battles are won and lost in a game we call: can you count to three?

Clearly Harry cannot.

Don’t get me wrong, using the… Read More

Barry Jantz

Datamar has Roach & Bilbray in the GOP Lead; Hedgecock Endorses Scott Turner

I’m not touting it, advocating for it, criticizing it, or analyzing its credibility…just posting it:

Friday Datamar Survey 50th Congressional District Special Election Roach And Bilbray In Tight Fight For Second Busby In Lead At 39% See it here.

I understand that Roger Hedgecock just endorsed former NFLer Scott Turner in the 50th race. Scott is absolutely a rising star in GOP politics, but Congress is not awaiting him this go round. A noble endorsement on Roger’s part, but one that will have no impact on the outcome.… Read More