There seems to be a new trend in California. Republicans running for the State Assembly ….as Democrats.

The first one does not really surprise me much. San Mateo County Supervisor Jerry Hill was a registered Republican for several decades. When he was elected to the non-partisan San Mateo City Council in 1991 he was a registered Republican.

Hill is now running for AD 19.

He was a Republican because years ago he wanted to support former Congressman Pete McCloskey in his run for President. I can buy that. I know some big name Republicans that actually voted for Gray Davis in the 1998 Democrat open primary thinking that he was the only one that the people of California would never actually elect as Governor.

If you read his policy positions it seems pretty clear that he would be far more comfortable in the political party with Jerry Brown, Nancy Pelosi, and gang.

The next two are a little different.

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Joey Bishop (1918-2007), last remaining member of the ‘Rat Pack’ passed away last night.

RIP

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There seems to be a new trend in California. Republicans running for the State Assembly ….as Democrats.

The first one does not really surprise me much. San Mateo County Supervisor Jerry Hill was a registered Republican for several decades. When he was elected to the non-partisan San Mateo City Council in 1991 he was a registered Republican.

Hill is now running for AD 19.

**There is more – click the link**

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The beleaguered Fresno Unified School District finally has a Board and Executive Leadership team that "gets it": you can’t serve the interests of schoolchildren without being financially stable. In my op-ed piece today in the Fresno Bee, I exhort the Board to stand tall against the Fresno Teachers Association – and not because I am opposed to teacher, but because it is actually in the interest of the teachers to lose this fight over a contract.

As you might expect, instead of placing a high value on the District’s financial status, the FTA is playing the negotiations right out of the NEA playbook – acting ugly in the process.

The FUSD Board needs to hang tough in this fight.… Read More

The Orange County Lincoln Club announced today that they have endorsed Dana Point Mayor Diane Harkey in her bid for Assembly District 73 (now held by Mimi Walters who is seeking the 33rd Senate District seat held by Senate Republican Leader Dick Ackerman who is termed-out).

Harkey has the support of Assemblywoman Walters, Congressman John Campbell and virtually every other elected official in Orange County. Adding the Lincoln Club is however a big boost since their membership is attracted to candidates like Harkey who have a business background themselves. Harkey has already enjoyed significant contributions from Lincoln Club members and will likely see more going forward.

LINCOLN CLUB ENDORSES DIANE HARKEY FOR 73rd ASSEMBLY

ORANGE COUNTY, Calif. (Oct. 15, 2007) – The Lincoln Club Board of Directors last Friday unanimously endorsed Hon. Diane Harkey, Mayor of Dana Point, for the 73rd Assembly District. Harkey is… Read More

From the AP Wire:

Calif. GOP House member says Doolittle shouldn’t seek re-election Associated Press Newswires WASHINGTON (AP) – Republican Congressman John Campbell of Orange County says it would be best if fellow GOP Representative John Doolittle doesn’t run for re-election. Campbell, who made his comments Wednesday in an interview with The Associated Press, is the first of Doolittle’s colleagues in the House to call publicly for him to step aside. … Read More

Here’s a funny one from an editorial in yesterday’s North County Times (admittedly taken a bit out of context):

"…the governor broke some new ground, and turned his back on conservatives…"

As FR readers know, the governor’s had his back turned on conservatives for quite some time…… Read More

The following story appears in today’s Roll Call Newspaper on Capitol Hill:

GOP Leaders Trying to Push Doolittle Out By David M. Drucker Roll Call Staff October 16, 2007 With polls showing his presumed Democratic opponent beating him in 2008, embattled Rep. John Doolittle (R-Calif.) is under pressure from House Republican leaders to retire at the end of this term. … Read More