Assemblywoman Audra Strickland was the first person I saw when I snuck into the Bakersfield Victory heasquarters in advance of the candidate armada. She drove over from Ventura County with daughter Ruby so they could see her husband, Tony, in action!

On hand here at the HQ is State Senator Roy Ashburn, Bakersfield’s most popular political figure. “I’ve been priviledged to serve in the State Capitol with Tom McClintock, Chuck Poochigian, and Tony Strickland. These are three of the finest people you could place into statewide office!”

Working hard coordinating things is the dynamic duo – County GOP Chairman Matt Brady and V6 Deputy Field Director Glenn Rodgers.

I asked Matt how things were going, and he said, “We’re excited to have this bus tour activate our volunteers.”

Popular local radio talk show host Inga Barks warmed up the crowd and made introductions.

TS: “Our internal polling shows us up by two points. But this race is all about turnout. What you do the next 72 hours will make the difference!”

CP: “It has been such a great honor to run as a team… Read More

As we make the drive down into Kern County, I thought I would take the opportunity to give a little bit of personal perspective on the retirement of liberal Republican Congressman Bill Thomas.

We should all applaud the fact that after decades in Congress, this entrenched friend of the bureaucracy has called it quits. For years, Thomas has worked hard in the political realm to oppose Republicans with strong convictions for increasing the size and scope of the federal government.

FR readers know that I have often expressed my frustrations about the increasing size of the federal government under Republican watch in Washington, D.C. While Thomas’ departure from Congress won’t change that trend in and of itself, it will go a long way.

Thomas, by most accounts, is a bright and savvy politician. Too bad he used his skills to embrace government instead of reduce it. Adios Bill Thomas, you won’t be missed.

I’m sure that the William M. Thomas terminal at Bakersfield Airport will serve to remind you and your children of your decades of bringing home the pork for your district.… Read More

The Strickland campaign just went up with a message recorded by ‘America’s Mayor’ Rudy Giuliani. The message highlights Strickland’s opposition to tax increases, a stark contrast to his opponent John Chiang, who is supporting $6 billion dollars in tax increases on this years ballot and is sure to support even more taxes in the future.

It is a testament to Strickland’s breadth of support that a well known liberal Republican is so supportive of his campaign.… Read More

We’ve verified that the lights are off and no one is home at the Garamdendi Statewide HQ in Sacramento. Guess his staff have taken the day off. I wonder where the ersatz LG is today?

On a separate note, the Fresno GOP HQ shares a parking lot with the main Fresno offices of the SEIU HQ. Guess what? No one’s home at the union hall, either. Guess they took the day off, too…… Read More

Fresno is Poochigan territory, and a ton of activists are here to welcome the Victory GOTV tour. Poochigian had warmed up the crowd as his bus got here before the McClintock/Strickland bus.

TS: “You all are making the difference. You all will put us over the top.

TM: “Its a choice between a leadership team that has a track record of reducing burdons, or increasing them. I believe that 78 hours from now, you won’t be able to call California the left coast anymore “I he is an incredible candidate and be the best ag the state has ever had.

The FR was pleased to see our good friend Jessica Millan, who heads up Central Valley staff operations for the CRP’s Victory Program. Jessica was running things, as you would expect her to!

Kenneth May, the Chairman of the Fresno County GOP was pretty pumped up about the event here, saying: “This is the best turnout we’ve ever had at any kind of volunteer effect.”

May and Milan both praised Tal Eslick, the local V6 Coordinator for his work at the Fresno HQ. Eslick is the past president of the Fresno “Bulldog” College Republicans.… Read More

It’s the weekend before the election, otherwise known as the time for the celebrities to come out in support of their favorite candidates — leaving telephone messages.

Our client, Bruce McPherson rolled out a big name to California voters today — sending automated messages from Clint Eastwood to California voters is sure to catch some peoples attention.

You can listen to the recording here.

While you are there, check out the TV commercial if you haven’t seen it already — it draws a clear contrast between Secretary McPherson and Senator Bowen on the issue of showing identification at the polls.

If anybody recieves some other cool phone messages let me know — I’d be happy to share them.… Read More

While I am with Tony Strickland and Tom McClintock chugging our way down to Fresno, the Poochigian team took a brief diversion to Modesto. Senator Poochigian just sent me an update from that stop — which follows… (Because I am pasting it in, sorry if the formatting is messed up.)

From Senator Poochigian:

Jon: Had great visit with 50-60 volunteers at V ’06 HQ in Modesto. This is part of my 14th Senate District (Fresno – Sacto County line). They were hard at work at 10:30 a.m. working the phones, etc.Supervisor Jim DeMartini opened the event. (Senator-elect) Dave Cogdill – who will be my replacement in the Senatefollowed and offered strong words of encouragement to the volunteers to fight on til the polls close. We have manyfriends there (including a strong contingent from the active Republican Women’s Federated organization. Former Senator Dick Monteith (candidate for county supervisor) was also present. Congressional candidate John Kanno also spoke about his race. A number of other candidates for local office were also present. As on other stops, there is a heightened level of involvement and interest in… Read More

Sue and Vince Watson just called us as our RV is traveling towards Fresno. You’ll recall the Watsons are the Executive Life Insurance policy holders featured in Tom McClintock’s commercials – Insurance Commissioner Garamendi’s handling of the Executive Life debacle has left the Watsons with significantly less funds to care for their critically injured young child.

The Watsons were calling to wish Tom well, and to let him know that they have been seeing his commercials on TV down in San Diego.

We’re on our way to our next rally in Fresno!… Read More