Even one of the most prolific writers has to take some time for himself. So I will not be penning a lengthy commentary for today. I would simply suggest that you should definitely read several of the articles featured on the main page today:

* The Chronicle looks at the controversy surrounding the Governor’s Chief of Staff, Susan Kennedy, being simultaneously on the government payroll and the campaign payroll. Carla Marinucci, the piece’s author, delves into this growing controversy. * In the Daily News, there is an article highlighting that Senate Democrats, lead by President Pro-Tem Don Perata, see ‘no need’ for the Governor’s proposed 6% spending cap. That it could tie the hands of future efforts at borrowing. Actually, the cap is one of the positive things in the Governor’s proposal. Perhaps their opposition to the cap will nix the whole borrowing scheme and we can focus on the Assembly Republican pay-as-you-go plan. * Debra Saunders has secured today’s "Golden Pen" award as she looks at a controversial issue – which… Read More

In further proof the this battle is shaping up for nowon geographical basis the Association of Los Angeles Deputy Sheriffs (ALADS) have endorsed Chris Lancaster. Their website still says they have endorsed drop out Harry Scolinos. But below you can see the letter.

The union that represents San Bernardino County Deputies has endorsed Anthony Adams for the 59th.

Both unions opposed Prop. 75 and tend to endorse Democrats. They have both endorsed Steve Westly for Governor. But in these safe GOP seats they do endorse Republicans. ALADS does have a slightly more GOP tilt with support of Strickland in the GOP primary for Controller.

FR Contributor Brad Mitzefelt has the latest previous column on this race. In that story are links to my latest previous postthat has links to all the other earlierposts. Knock yourself out by looking here.… Read More

Here’s a quick update on San Bernardino’s county races. All six countywide offices are up for election. Of the countywide races, the one to watch will likely be Board of Supervisors Chairman Bill Postmus’ run for County Assessor. With the incumbent, Don Williamson, showing $7,455 in the bank and talking about either retiring or running for the 3rd District BOE seat, Postmus (my boss) might have anticipated skating to victory on his support base, list of accomplishments and warchest of $726,946. But there is a potential challenger in Michael Willhite, an Appraiser III from the Assessor’s Office who has yet to raise any money for his campaign.

Postmus’ Assessor Campaign website went live Friday at www.billpostmus.com.

Regarding the other countywide offices, Sheriff Gary Penrod ($180,906), District Attorney Michael Ramos ($317,299), Auditor/Controller-Recorder Larry Walker ($114,410), Treasurer-Tax Collector Dick Larsen ($141,037), and Schools Superintendent Herb Fischer ($221,457), don’t expect tough challenges this go-around. But you never… Read More

It’s become clear that Democrat Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi and new GOP House Majority Leader John Boehner already agree on one possibility for 2006 – the GOP majority is in jeopardy in November. Why would that be? The economy is good, if not great. Our Commander in Chief is fighting a tough war on terror. Two phenomenal Supreme Court Justices have been confirmed. Gerrymandering nationwide since the 2000 census has created safe seats for GOP House members. How could Republicans lose in November?

Add to the mix this fact – the Democrats are shrill, have no agenda, are consumed with rage and hatred and captive to their left flank.

The answer is this: Illegal Immigration. Spending. New Entitlement Programs. Fiscal Mismanagement and Debt. The Democrats won’t get the best of Republicans on these issues. No, not possible.

Republican voters will just stay home. They’ve had it and I am hearing it everywhere.

We have a two Party system for sure. Stupid, and Incompetent. No wonder voters are… Read More

I wanted to add my two cents on Secretary of State Bruce McPherson reversing himself and placing the Peace and Freedom Party (the Party of aged hippies and young anarchists) back as a recognized political Party in California. I sincerely hope this does not take votes away from the Democrats in November. Sometimes having a clear thinking Secretary of State is a good thing. He has earned my vote for reelection.… Read More

I recently read that our Senator Dianne Feinstein, along with Senater Trent Lott of Mississippi were introducing legislation aimed at getting rid of this process of Congressional ‘earmarking’ where individual Members of Congress insert their pet programs into spending bills. It was this process that allowed the discraced and soon-to-be-jailed former Congressman Duke Cunningham to slide contracts to the folks that padding him with millions in return.

I came across the analysis below from Human Events that really shows that Feinstein and Lott are trying to make the earmarking process more ‘transparent’ but are doing nothing to try and curb it, unlike two of their colleagues, John McCain and Tom Cobern.

If anyone knows if any California Members of Congress are serious about stopping this practice of earmarking, and are willing to talk about it — please have them contact me.

Here is the HE piece from their… Read More

The FlashReport started hearing a buzz yesterday that first-term Assemblyman Van Tran, who is now seeking the GOP nomination for the 34th State Senate seat being vacated by the term-limited Democrat Joe Dunn, had endorsed Garden Grove Councilwoman Janet Nguyen to replace him in the Assembly.

The source of the rumors was a mailing that has gone out from Nguyen’s campaign inviting people to a February 9th fundraising event with special guest Assemblywoman Sharon Runner, on which Tran is listed at the top of the Host Committee.

Knowing how close Van is with both Nguyen and the other GOP candiate vying for his seat, businessman Jim Righeimer, I put a call into Van so that I could try to sort this out.

Van told me that, "Both Janet and Jim are friends of mine – long standing friends. Janet asked me to lend my name to be on the host committee [for this event] in early January, at least a couple of weeks before I made my announcement for State Senate, and before Jim Righeimer had let everyone… Read More

THE WATER "FEE" IS A TAX. PERIOD. Jon Coupal, the President of the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association penned a piece that appeared in the FlashReport, drawing the distinction between a tax and a fee. Given that he is an authorative source on the matter, let’s make no mistake about it. There is a currently a proposal on the table to increase the tax burden on Californians by several billion (yes, with a "B") a year. This proposal would place a mandatory fee of $3/month ($36/year) on every parcel of property in the state, and then these funds would go towards water-related infrastructure investments. But the key is that there is no nexus to an individual’s payment and a project nearby that directly benefits them. Instead, all of these billions of dollars collected locally will be shipped to Sacramento and spent there by politicians. If this isn’t a tax increase, I don’t know what is. … Read More