Yesterday I asked for input from FlashReport readers on the issue of term limits and potentially revising our state’s legislative term limits laws (right now there is a limit of two four-year terms in the Senate, and three two-year terms in the Assembly). As of this morning, I have had 194 FR readers write to me with their opinions on whether term limits is working or not and whether they would advocate changes. Overwhelmingly FlashReport readers do NOT want to see a change in term limits, and believe that they have been a good thing for California. Which is interesting because the common-speak among Capitol insiders is that they feel that term limits has turned out to be horrible public policy – leading to legislators perpetually focused on their next elective office and to a loss of experience in the legislature. A great many respondents also viewed the rhetoric around the need for extending terms or ending term limits as being self-serving proposals for members of the legislature who simply do not want to return to the private sector. These responses underscores a huge challenge ahead for those who want to… Read More

Yesterday I asked for input from FlashReport readers on the issue of term limits and potentially revising our state’s legislative term limits laws (right now there is a limit of two four-year terms in the Senate, and three two-year terms in the Assembly). As of this morning, I have had 194 FR readers write to me with their opinions on whether term limits is working or not and whether they would advocate changes. Overwhelmingly FlashReport readers do NOT want to see a change in term limits, and believe that they have been a good thing for California. Which is interesting because the common-speak among Capitol insiders is that they feel that term limits has turned out to be horrible public policy – leading to legislators perpetually focused on their next elective office and to a loss of experience in the legislature. A great many respondents also viewed the rhetoric around the need for extending terms or ending term limits as being self-serving proposals for members of the legislature who simply do not want to return to the private sector. These responses underscores a huge challenge ahead for those who want to… Read More

Its a simple fact, Phil Angelides presents in an awkward way at best.

I have never met the man, but his latest TV commercial airing here on Southern California (which I cannont find on his web page) shows him walking and talking and in a crowd of people and its not a pretty sight. He looks uncomfortable and shaky and far from gubernatorial.

I am not a bully for saying these things, I am simply observing that his body language does not transmit: strong leader. And when you put him in the same room with Governor Schwarzenegger, the voters who watch the interaction will see a governor debating their accountant.… Read More

Request for your thoughts: TERM LIMITS CHANGES/REPEAL I am penning a column on the issue of term limits, looking specifically at whether a measure penned by the state legislature and placed on the ballot would even have a chance of passing? Are term limits working? Have they failed? Please drop me a note here, or feel free to comment below. TOP STORY: Phil Angelides wants to raise your taxes, my taxes — everyone’s taxes. Just click here if you need a reminder of exactly how bad an Angelides Governship would be for the economic freedom of all Californians. The top story in the FR today comes out of the Sacramento Bee. Governor Schwarzenegger… Read More

Questions:I am back in Orange County during the congressional recess this week and have been around and about the district talking to constituents. And they have lots of questions about what is going on in Washington; several of whichare asked repeatedly. So, I thought you might be interested in the top 5 of these questions and my answers to them: How do you like being in Congress? Answer: I am enjoying it a great deal. I have never worked harder in my life nor been more stimulated by my work. Being involved in many of the great issues of the day and our world in a position to influence their outcome is a great responsibility. As a student of history, this is pretty heady stuff. Cold December days in Washington do, however, bring on a longing for a good Santa Ana offshore breeze from the ocean. What has surprised you the most so … Read More

Request for your thoughts: TERM LIMITS CHANGES/REPEAL I am penning a column on the issue of term limits, looking specifically at whether a measure penned by the state legislature and placed on the ballot would even have a chance of passing? Are term limits working? Have they failed? Please drop me a note here, or feel free to comment below. TOP STORY: Phil Angelides wants to raise your taxes, my taxes — everyone’s taxes. Just click here if you need a reminder of exactly how bad an Angelides Governship would be for the economic freedom of all Californians. The top story in the FR today comes out of the Sacramento Bee. Governor Schwarzenegger… Read More

Today, the Phil Angelides campaign crossed a line and compared Governor Schwarzenegger to Kim Jong-il, the North Korean dictator infamous for starving his own people and currently destabilizing Asia with missile tests. The Drudge Report has it here. This was quickly reported by FR State Capitol Correspondent Karen Hanretty in the post below this one (h/t Karen!).

This is just the start of what’s in store from the Angelides’ campaign. He has a history of rough, over-the-line politics. During the primary, Steve Westly liked to point to a Washington Post piece characterizing Angelides as a "champion smear artist."

For those of you unfamiliar with Angelides’ tactics, here’s a refresher on his attack television ad linking state Sen. David Roberti to a "murdered" abortion doctor. The ad was called "sleazy and… Read More

Today’s news brings good polling data for the Governor – a 44 to 37 lead over Phil Angelides. I have to admit the daily email from the campaign is good stuff, the messaging is solid, and the rapid response is the best I’ve seen in many years. That having been said, there is really no campaign taking place right now, and the Governor’s numbers seem to me to reflect a couple of factors: 1) no real campaign or messaging against him right now 2). collateral damage done to Angelides in his primary 3) Arnold’scozy relationship with the Democrat Speaker, Fabian Nunes, who really wants Angelides to lose so Los Angeles Mayor Antonia Villaraigosa can be Governor in 2010 4) union money and television ads against the Governor are completely non existent.

Yes, its good to be in the lead at any point in the campaign. But there is a long road ahead, and its going to be extremely tough throughout the summer and fall. The Governor is still challenged with the GOP base and not balancing the State’s budget was a missed opportunity to give conservatives some red meat over the summer months.… Read More