Today the Board of Directors of the California Chamber of Commerce is meeting to discuss, among other things, whether or not the Chamber will take an official position on Proposition 93. As is often talked about here on the FlashReport, Proposition 93 is what we call the "Fabian Nunez Career Politician Extension Act" as this measure was crafted by Nunez, and placed on the ballot by him, as a pretty naked attempt to preserve and consolidate his political power, as Assembly Speaker, for another six years. Some members of the Chamber’s Board may actually want to roll up their sleeves and get into the policy matter of the initiative. But before they do so, they may want to consider the politics of the situation… The Chamber, under the very able and capable leadership of Allan Zaramberg, came out pretty publicly and strongly saying that it would support a change in the state’s legislative term limits as part of a negotiated deal that would include a fair… Read More

There couldn’t be a more qualified candidate seeking a seat on the California Republican Party Board of Directors than Steve Baric. Baric, the President of the California Republican Lawyers Association, posseses a combination of traits that will serve the party will in one of its governing board members — Steve is smart, understands politics and the role of political parties, grasps business issues (at the end of the day, the CRP is a major corporation) and is grounded in his freedom-liberty oriented ideology.

Anyone who thought they were alone in their positive opinions of Steve needed only attend what was billed as a modest fundraising event on Wednesday night for Steve’s campaign for CRP Secretary (the position is up at this February’s convention and the incumbent, Jalene Forbis, is termed out). Well over a hundred people came to the event, and Steve’s haul was five-figures! The good news for CRP members is that it means that Steve will have the resources to really communicate his message going into the convention.

While I was unable to make it to Steve’s event (I admit it, I was taking full advantage of free cocktails… Read More

Here’s the release from the GOP, as well as links to two perspectives on last night’s Salate to Republican Elected Officials/Straw Poll Event. Some interesting comments starting to thread the posts….

"First in the South" Southern California Straw Poll Results

(SAN DIEGO) — Last night the Republican Party of San Diego County held its "first-in-the-south" Southern California Presidential Straw Poll at the Rancho Bernardo Inn Golf Resort and Spa as part of its annual Salute to Republican Elected Officials.

512 Republican enthusiasts of voting age from Orange, Imperial, Riverside and San Diego Counties RSVD’d to participate in the event and the Presidential straw poll.

Balloting systems were provided by Unisyn Voting Solutions, a new state of the art voting systems manufacturer. Official results of the straw poll:

Of those attending, 313 cast ballots.

Mitt… Read More

I got an email the other day that my good friend, and very effective leader, Jeff Miller was stepping down as Chairman of the Riverside County Republican Party – so he can fully campaign for his Assembly race (District 71).

Jeff has done a great job heading up the RivCo GOP. Just like his predecessor did, now-Assemblyman Kevin Jefferies, Jeff has run a professionial organization dedicated to Republicans winning elections – both on a state and local level. And just like Kevin –Jeff will be astrong member of the California Assembly.

Here’s some of his highlights:

— He ran the Party as a conservative, kept the Party united and raised over a million dollars for the first time.

— As a result of the dollars raised, the Party was able to put out over 200,000 pieces of mail, including two countywide slates, that helped re-elect… Read More

HANRETTY MAKES GLAMOUR MAG Former FR State Capitol Correspondent Karen Hanretty took off for the D.C. Beltway to try her hands at political communications on the national level. The capable former spokesman for the State GOP, already a regular on Hannity and Colmes, is now a senior member of the communications team for the Fred Thompson for President campaign. Glamour magazine has found Karen, and has done a little Q&A with her for their latest issue. Check it out here. Way to go, Karen! POOR JIM BRULTE… Yesterday it was reported that former legislative Republican Leader Jim Brulte had endorsed the Fabian Nunez Career Politican Term Limits Weakening Measure. We feel so bad for Brulte on this matter, that we though we would… Read More

HANRETTY MAKES GLAMOUR MAG Former FR State Capitol Correspondent Karen Hanretty took off for the D.C. Beltway to try her hands at political communications on the national level. The capable former spokesman for the State GOP, already a regular on Hannity and Colmes, is now a senior member of the communications team for the Fred Thompson for President campaign. Glamour magazine has found Karen, and has done a little Q&A with her for their latest issue. Check it out here. Way to go, Karen!

POOR JIM BRULTE… Yesterday it was reported that former legislative Republican Leader Jim Brulte had endorsed the Fabian Nunez Career Politican Term Limits Weakening Measure. We feel so bad for Brulte on this matter, that we though we would connect some dots for FR readers, because, as you will… Read More

The lead editorial in the print version of the Wall Street Journal today is very relevant to California politics… Of course, when she isn’t burning American flags, Senator Boxer is probably burning issues of the WSJ… (This didn’t make the main page as they didn’t put it online until just now…)

Hillary’s Revenge Bygones are never bygones with Mrs. Clinton. Thursday, December 6, 2007 3:00 p.m. EST

Summoning the ghosts of the Clinton impeachment may be taboo in the Democratic Presidential race, but it’s apparently fair game as payback against those who participated in it. Thus is California Senator Barbara Boxer exacting revenge against James Rogan, who has been nominated for… Read More

The FlashReport has obtained audio recordings of Jeff Denham Recall signature gatherers, where it is revealed they may be from outside the senate district, which would be a violation of state election law. READ ON…

Detroit is not in California’s 12th Senate District, and that could spell legal troubles for Senator Perata’s “Denham Recall” election team if, in fact, the signature gatherers working on the recall are not residents of the district. State law requires legislative recall signature circulators to live in the district in which they are circulating the recall petitions.

The FlashReport has learned that volunteers recently recorded several conversations with Denham Recall signature gatherers where they appear to admit not being from outside the district.

For example, at the Target store in Hollister, one Denham Recall paid petition circulator says he lives in San Mateo County, which is nearly 100 miles outside the district. [click here to listen]

At the Safeway in Hollister, another petition circulator admits “I actually do not live here. I’m… Read More