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FlashReport Weblog on California Politics

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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

Jennifer Nelson

Ganja on a Stick?

Alameda County Supervisors are planning on banning the sale of marijuana-flavored candy. I had no idea that there was pot-flavored candy on the market, but after a little research, I discovered that you can not only buy candy with the taste of ganja, but also weed-scented perfume and lip balm! Of course, Chronic Candy which sells the stuff has a big notice on their web site that their product is only for those who are 18 years old or older, but the local politicians are worried that kids are buying the stuff .

The website is hysterical. They are giving away a free trip to Amsterdam, their clothing shop offers women’s thongs (not flip-flops) and tube tops with their logo, and they sell Bruce Margolin’s Guide to California’s marijuana laws (Read More

Mike Spence

Congressman Rohrabacher on Illegals

The amnesty debate rages in Washington D.C. Congressman Rohrabacher, who represents parts of LA and Orange countieshas been a stand up guy on illegal immigration. His thoughts were published today in the Daily Breeze. See it here.Good stuff.

On a political note, I’m getting random calls and emails from registered Republicans threateneing to never vote Republican etc…. if amnesty passes. (They think CRA is the Party). Rightthe party isworried about turnout in CD 50. This can’t be helping.… Read More

Jon Fleischman

FR profiled in the San Diego Union Tribune – Westly/Angelides Slug-Fest

My commentary is very abbreviated today. There is a great profile on the FlashReport today in the San Diego Union Tribune. It is a main feature in an article penned by ace U-T political reporter John Marelius on the rising influence of political websites and blogs on politics. I’ve already gotten a dozen phone calls and even more e-mails this morning ‘letting me know’ about the piece. Needless to say, I have taken the liberty of making it the ‘top story’ today on the main page.

The article starts out:

Web sites’ influence on the rise statewide By John Marelius San Diego Union TribubeRead More

Matthew J. Cunningham

Schnur & Anonymous Blogging: What Would The Founding Fathers Do?

Congratulations to the overseer of this prosperous blog plantation on the fine profile in the San Diego Union-Tribune.

A quote from my fellow FR blogger Dan Schnur, caught my eye:

Republican strategist Dan Schnur, a regular contributor to FlashReport, said attribution is the fundamental threshold of whether something in the blogosphere deserves to be taken seriously.

“Someone who posts to a blog anonymously is essentially a high-tech graffiti artist,” Schnur said. “If there is a user’s guide to blogs, rule No. 1 is if the blogger isn’t sharing his name, his opinions aren’t worth your attention.”

Gee, Dan — that’s a pretty severe indictment, don’t you think?

Let’s take Dan’s assessment and time-travel back to the late 1780s when citizens of the newly independent United States debated the merits of the proposed Constitution. Let’s imagine a quote from an analogous story in the New-York Packet on the influential series of pro-Constitution essays being… Read More

Barry Jantz

Only a straight-laced, buttoned-down Republican…

Only a straight-laced, buttoned-down Republican…would be up at 5:45 a.m putting together the FlashReport, hair nicely coiffed, attired in a freshly-pressed white shirt and conservative necktie.

Congratulations to Jon Fleischman and the FlashReport for the terrific spread in the SDUT this morning, which Jon obviously has already hi-lited.

I couldn’t help noticing, however, a discrepancy between perception and reality, heightened by the photo of Jon, caption reading: "Jon Fleischman begins compiling his FlashReport blog at his Irvine condo every morning at about 5:45 before heading to his job…"

OK, I know the photo wasn’t actually taken at 5:45 a.m., but the average reader is left with the stereotypical view of the GOP. Come on, Jon, didn’t you seeRead More

Slates Slates Everywhere

Slate meister Brian Park has launched a new slate: National Guard Association of California PAC Voter Guide.

It’s a good idea and that is saying a lot from me. I have opined in the past that slates are a form of legalized extortion–if you don’t buy from them, they will just sell the spot to your opponent, maybe even for less just to mess with you.

There are some stand-up slate makers like Tim Carey, Scott Hart and Tom Kaptain. But some others are pretty shady characters. The utility of slates are big in countywide races and they are pretty much the only play for Board of Equalization campaigns. However, down ticket candidates like city council candidates often get lost in the mix.

This new National Guard slate is a good idea and will stand out in the slate world that relies heavily on old-school campaign style mail that often amounts to nothing more substantive than a picture of an American flag or a red white and blue donkey.

Fellow FR… Read More

Jon Fleischman

Today’s Commentary: FR profiled in the San Diego Union Tribune – Westly/Angelides Slug-Fest

My commentary is very abbreviated today. There is a great profile on the FlashReport today in the San Diego Union Tribune. It is a main feature in an article penned by ace U-T political reporter John Marelius on the rising influence of political websites and blogs on politics. I’ve already gotten a dozen phone calls and even more e-mails this morning ‘letting me know’ about the piece. Needless to say, I have taken the liberty of making it the ‘top story’ today on the main page.

**There is more – click the link**

View Full CommentaryRead More