When I met Steve Schmidt in 1998, he was one of three very smart young Republican communications specialists working in California politics, all of whom were far too talented for their work environments. Like Rob Stutzman in Dan Lungren’s office and Nicolle Devenish at the Assembly Republican Caucus, Steve’s job on the Matt Fong for Senate campaign made him a rare bright spot in a tragically flawed political operation.

All three staffers had such superior political and messaging instincts to their colleagues that it was almost painful to watch them struggle to implement an inept strategic plan on a daily basis. Lungren and Fong were the frontmen for two of the worst-run and most strategicaly incoherent statewide campaigns in California history: both were political juggernauts when measured against the paralysis that had taken over the Assembly Republicans at that point in time. But the three young operatives not only survived their mediocre surroundings, but they all developed talents for political communications that have allowed them to achieve extraordinary successful careers in a field that has not historically been an area of Republican… Read More

ARNOLD TO GIVE STATE OF THE STATE ADDRESS Today at 5 p.m., the Governor will issue his 2006 State of the State Address before a special joint session of the California State Legislature. If you are not one of the 120 legislators, and other assorted VIP types who will be in the Assembly chambers, you can watch a streaming video of the Governor’s speech live right here. … Read More

It’s become a common story: environmentalists trying to impede progress — be it a needed road or new homes — by waving some endangered species like tribal medicine men wielding a talisman.

One instance where this scenario is being played out in Orange County is the planned extension of the 241 tollway to connect with the I-5 Freeway near San Clemente. Predictably, the enviros — inlcuding their allies on the State Park & Recreation Commission (which includes actor/director Clint Eastwood and Maria Shriver’s brother Bobby) — are shrieking that this proposed route will destroy the fragile ecosystem of this delicate wilderness area, wreak devastation and desolation blah, blah, blah.

The endangered species talisman being wielded in this instance is the arroyo toad, which inhabits San Mateo Creek, a creek running through the planned tollway alignment, which is dry for most of the year. This 2-3 inch amphibian is one of 300 species of true toads. It looks pretty much like any other toad. In fact, it is pretty much… Read More

Public Affairs specialist and Political Consultants will be using podcasts more regularly in their campaigns. Like many trends, the podcast started in the big cities (residents traveling in busses and trains) and is now moving into suburbs and rural areas.

For those of you not yet familiar with the technology, you can subscribe to a recorded program on the web and then it automatically sinks with your iPod so you can listen to it whenever you have the time — on the way to work, while you take a walk or even at your desk while working.

Podcasts are just a small part to a bigger trend. Consumers and voters are defining when and what information they are getting (think TiVo, satellite radio and blogs like the Flashreport). Advertisers and PR professionals who recognize the importance of these new trends will help their clients achieve their goals, those who choose to ignore it entirely will be left behind.

Entertaining and short 8 to 10 minute Podcasts targeted at specific demographics work like an idea virus that can… Read More

Rich Galen, the hack/philosopher/author/wack job of the D.C. based site Mullings, put out an insightful piece today on what he calls “The Abramoff Affect.” Galen played a roll in my formative years in politics as both my teacher at the RNC campaign school (they made us go…honest), but more importantly as someone who taught me even more traveling from state to state working for the first President Bush.

Some of the things I’ll always remember about Rich were his whip smart mind, his understanding of the news cycle, and his appreciation of the fundamental importance of humor in our goofy profession. Check out his site…and you’ll not only insightful commentary, but some funny stuff (Secret Decoder Ring…wtf?). It is guys like Galen who give me the courage to post stuff that mixes humor with… Read More

I just read on OC Blog that Ed Royce has endorsed Diane Harkey in the April 11 special election for the 35th Senate District seat. Diane Harkey is winning the endorsements primary hands-down. I’ll be interested to see what the campaign finance reports, due at the end of the month, show. I have no doubt Harkey will infuse a large amount of cash into her own campaign, but the real question will be how much her opponent, Assemblyman Tom Harman has raised.… Read More

ABRAMOFF SCANDAL: CALIFORNIA IMPACT? You need only pick up any newspaper in America today to see that the lead political story is the guilty-pleas yesterday of embattled DC lobbyist Jack Abramoff. Supposedly Abramoff has cut a deal with federal prosecutors where he will now assist them in going after some higher-profile DC types (read: Senators, Congressmen, staffers) in return for leniency on his sentencing. What does this have to do specifically with California politics? Well, there are several implications (just ask Joe Justin). In a direct sense, Abramoff has close relationships with many Californians, of which the most reported-about has been his close ties with Republican Congressman John Doolittle. I don’t think that Doolittle did anything wrong, but he will now have the challenges that come with having been a … Read More

Today marks the 10th Anniversary of the election of Republican Curt Pringle as Speaker of the California State Assembly. I should note that Curt appointed meto the Library of California Board, so if any of you have questions about the details of transaction based reimbursements on inter-library loans, please ask.

To every GOP leader back then, Curt and Jim Brulte– Thank you.

For those of us involved back then, it was a long fought road that involved recalling turncoat Republicans after the stunning election of 41 Republicans in the 1994 elections. Pointing out that electing someone with an R by his or her name isn’t good enough. There needs to be some party loyalty as three Republicans in succession sold out so they could be speaker for a day or worse leaving Democrat Willie Brown in charge. Can a GOP majority happen again? Don’t bet the farm on it in 2006. … Read More