* Governor Schwarzenegger’s Deputy Chief of Staff, Dan Dunmoyer (pictured), attended the meeting of the California Republican Lawyers Association last weekend at the State GOP confab in San Jose. Dunmoyer spent over a half hour talking to the group, and to its leaders, both publicly and privately. He made it clear that the Governor’s administration would like to appoint more Republicans, and specifically would like to work with the CRLA towards that goal. He said that he looked forward to working with CRLA to set up a specific process to engage them in the process of making suggestions for potential nominees, and would work with the group to get them information ahead-of-time on locations of vacancies. In response to this, the (very excited) CRLA members, according to their Los Angeles County Chairman Adam Abrahms, have already set up a new program, forming their own "Mini-JENY" Commission – aimed at being able to give the administration the names of Republicans to consider for appointment. Are you a qualified Republican Attorney who would like to seek an appointmen to the bench? Write to Adam, via the FR, here. Oh yes, a FR ‘shout out’ to Dunmoyer, who is quickly becoming VERY well respected by conservatives around California for his leadership.
* Yesterday the Governor appointed his first judge since the GOP convention – a Republican. So far, he’s batting 1000% Right on!
* Look for our Winners & Losers of the Winter GOP Convention to kick-off next week’s Monday FlashReport, along with a wrap up of the goings-on at the California Republican Assembly’s State Convention taking place this weekend in Bakersfield. I was going to run it today, but there is already so much content in today’s FlashReport!
* Don’t miss the featured column today on the incredible event held by the UC Irvine College Republicans. This event gained national attention, and thanks to some great penmanship, you can take five minutes and see what it was like to plan the first public unveilable of some controversial anti-Mohommed (and some anti-American cartoons that were printed in middle-east newspapers). Hear the tale of how one CR club (their Treasurer, and President are pictured to the right) overcame pressure, intimidation and threats to honor the first amendment rights of all Americans!
* Rumors that the CRA was meeting in Bakersfield to hold a "Bill Thomas: PLEASE RETIRE" rally are apparently exhaggerated, but it’s not too late to plan that event! Interesting to see will be whether Steve 
Poizner (pictured), admittedly much more socially moderate than CRA types, and famously a major donor to Al Gore for President (and don’t forget the 10K to the Al Gore Recount Committee) can score a CRA endorsement. The good news for Poizner is that he is running virtually unopposed in his race for Insurance Commissioner. The bad news is that seldom does pragmatism enter into things. Campaign advice to Steve Poizner: offer substantial support to fund the CRA’s primary slate mailer. If delegates are convinced you can help them get their star Tony Strickland over Senator Abel Maldonado in the primary for Controller, they may in fact ignore your more moderate views on social issues, and the other…stuff.
* You have to keep an eye on Bill Bradley’s New West Notes blogsite — he has turned into a one-man anti-Reiner site, and has been doing a superb job.
* Yesterday’s Commentary on the phenomenon of lobbyist Brian Bilbray doing anything he can to not be called a lobbyist on his ballot title generated over two hundred emails yesterday — ranging the gamut from ‘shame on him’ to ‘a lengthy piece from a federal lobbyist in DC defending his profession. Right now, Bilbray has allegedly reached a deal with the Secretary of State to be called a ‘consultant’ — we’ll see how that shakes out. I would say this, there isn’t anything wrong with being a lobbyist. I am more concerned about whether the former Congressman is going to go back to DC fired up to change the prevailing culture among Republicans, that seems to be an acceptance and a willingness to increase the size and scope of the federal government. With a ton of candidates running, Bilbray has a serious chance of being elected. If he does, it is likely he will not take on the very politicians who are endorsing his election. We need a shake-up in Washington, D.C., where the failure of Republicans to reign in spending and shrink the size of the government is extremely disheartening.
Have a great weekend!
Jon
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