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

Friends of mine are telling me that longtime McClintock District Director Joe Giardiello is reported to be strongly considering making a run for Congress. As you might remember, Congressman Elton Gallegly really doesn’t want to be in office anymore, but stuck around for a bit longer to keep Michael Tenenbaum, from capturing his seat (24th District). Gallegly has recently stated he is keeping his options open, and knowing Joe, hecertainly wouldn’t be foolish enough to run against Gallegly. Joe, a McClintock confidante, and decorated Navy veteran who served during Desert Storm would be someone much more in the mold of a replacement Gallegly would be comfortable with. McClintock is, of course, wildly popular in the region, andJoe’s association with McClintock, not to mention a possible endorsement by the next Lt. Governor, would be invaluable in the race. With connections to the McClintock operation throughout the Central Coast district and as President of the Ventura County Republican Assembly,… 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

No one ever said some of these legislative seats were competitive. Short of the suicide nominees from the minority party and a few of their family, friends and newbies, most watchers know who will win a gerry-bastarded district.

Shirley Horton has the most competitive legislative race in San Diego, no doubt. I still think she’s okay, and all the other incumbents are as safe as the proverbial babe in their mother’s arms.

Yet, an argument can be made that the easiest contest isn’t even an incumbent’s, but that being faced bythe guy who perhaps had the toughest primary…Joel Anderson.

His opponent in the 77th AD, Chris Larkin, is said to have taken a walk on the race. Insiders say that Larkin, also the nominee against Jay La Suer two years ago, was expecting the Dems to pour a cool million behind his efforts, and when that didn’t happen, he quit in somewhat of a hissy-fit. It looks as if he’s stopped filing any campaign financial statements, and his website is downas of this morning,… 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

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

Today and tomorrow, I will be traveling with some of our GOP nominees as they barnstorm around the Golden State visiting and motivating GOP volunteers in Victory 06 Centers started from Sacramento this morning and ending in San Diego tomorrow night – with a lot of stops in between. I will be endeavoring to "live blog" as much as my fingers and my Blackberry will let me! It should be a lot of fun, and I’ll look forward to bringing you some interesting observations and insights… Today the GOP candidates traveling through the Central Valley (Sacramento, Stockton, Fresno and Bakersfield) include Liuetenant Governor nominee Tom McClintock, Controller nominee Tony Strickland, and Attorney… 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