Flashreport Blog

Nero may have fiddled as Rome burned. At least he was in the city when it happened.

The same can’t be said for the leaders of the California Senate and Assembly Republican caucuses, who left the state last November, as Democrats claimed last-minute, upset victories in two legislative races during late ballot counting.

Ron Smith, the Republican candidate in the 36th Assembly district, and Assemblyman Bill Berryhill, the Republican candidate in the 5th state Senate district, each maintained a 2 percentage-point lead over their respective Democratic rivals on election night. It was only later, when late absentee and provisional ballots were counted, that the results flipped, giving Democrats critical pickups in their quest for California’s first legislative supermajorities in 80 years.

Assembly Republican Leader Connie Conway and Senate Republican Leader Bob Huff were enjoying special-interest junkets out of the state and country, according to state disclosure reports, while at the same time leaving staff members to handle on-site ballot verification programs in crucial legislative races. Seasoned campaign veterans, including California’s new Republican… Read More

One of the most trusted arguments in a conservative’s arsenal is W.W.F.F.D. or “What Would the Founding Fathers Do?” Former State Assemblyman and fellow Flash Report blogger Ray Haynes makes that very appeal in his spirited defense of Prop. 28, the latest effort by Sacramento politicians to undermine California’s term limits law. I greatly respect and admire Haynes’s service in Sacramento. He fought for limited government principles, even when no one was looking, and was routinely the only legislator to vote no on silly and unnecessary bills.

But, he’s dead wrong on Prop 28 and the Federalist Papers.

I’ve always been confused about my position on term limits. In theory, term limits are another government regulation that unnecessarily limits voter choice. Then again, in practice, one only needs to look at the number of “conservative”… Read More

Great news for the Republican Party and Carly Fiorina fans! The accomplished former HP CEO and U.S. Senate candidate has been named a Vice Chair of the National Republican Senatorial Committee. While California would certainly be better off with Carly serving in the Senate and not just at the NRSC, this is nonetheless excellent news for the Republican Party.

During her campaign to unseat Barbara Boxer, Carly proved herself a dedicated campaigner with a remarkable ability to connect with voters and—most importantly to the NRSC—top donors. Her experience at the highest levels of the business world brought a depth of understanding to the current economic woes facing the country.

Listening to Carly speak about her ideas for turning around the economy and reining in government growth… Read More