In a textbook Ken Khachigian move, the Poochigian campaign has been airing a version of it “Fictional Crime Fighter” web ad all over Oakland cable TV. From ESPN (for us World Cup addicts) to Food Network to A&E to Fox News, anyone watching local Oakland cable over the long holiday weekend had to have been asleep to have missed seeing at least one of these ads. Click here to watch the ad.

No doubt, Jerry Brown’s friends have been calling him saying, “Man, that… Read More

I may be playing ‘catch up’ for a little while, as I try to go back and catch up on things that were going on and written about during my time off – three weeks, apparently, is an enternity in the world of politics.

That said, I was looking through past issues of Capitol Weekly (a great publication, and I am not just saying that because I am a regularly featured columnist there) and in their June 29th issue, in their regular "Personnel Profile" column they did a feature on Vince Sollitto. Last March, Vince was hired by the California Chamber of Commerce as their Vice President for Media Relations and External Affairs.

While I reserve my Chamber MVP Award for the unequalled Michele Zschau (who heads up the Cal-Chamber’s political efforts), I wanted to congratulate Vince for being recognized in CapWeekly, and take an opportunity to share with FR readers that I think that, while new, Vince is already doing an outstanding job for the Chamber of Commerce.

Vince… Read More

In honor of this nation’s founders, including those at Boston Harbor that rose up in defiance of the increasing tax on tea, and especially in honor of those that risked all by signing the Declaration,but also,in defiance of those seeking to tax oil, property, tobacco and businesses to death on this November ballot, a Happy Independence Day to everyone.

"Republicans believe everyday is the 4th of July, but Democrats believe everyday is April 15th."

Ronald Reagan… Read More

I was pleased to see that the Sacramento Bee today printed the text of the Declaration of Independence in its editorial section.

"Unanimous Declaration of the 13 United States of America. Action of Second Continental Congress.

When in the Course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another, and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature’s God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.

OAS_AD('Button20'); We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness. That to secure… Read More

Late yesterday I returned from my three week trip to Great Britain. It was a fun time and it was great to spend so much time in another country, really getting to know the people, the places, and yes, the politics. That said, all FR readers will be happy to know that I have little intention of sharing my personal vacation experiences with you on this website, unless they somehow tie into California politics. That said, it is great to be back in the United States in time to celebrate our nation’s birthday — especially having flown here to ‘the colonies’ as they are still referred to, tongue in cheek, by some Britons. Anyone who needs to understand what our freedoms bring to us here in America need only travel abroad — even to a country as ‘civilized’ as Great Britain, and understand that we truly are privileged to live in the greatest country on the planet! We’ll keep this July 4th commentary short — and the news synopsis on the main page is short as well. As I like to point out, political reporters like to enjoy their holiday weekends just like the rest of us! I would like to… Read More

Late yesterday I returned from my three week trip to Great Britain. It was a fun time and it was great to spend so much time in another country, really getting to know the people, the places, and yes, the politics. That said, all FR readers will be happy to know that I have little intention of sharing my personal vacation experiences with you on this website, unless they somehow tie into California politics. That said, it is great to be back in the United States in time to celebrate our nation’s birthday — especially having flown here to ‘the colonies’ as they are still referred to, tongue in cheek, by some Britons. Anyone who needs to understand what our freedoms bring to us here in America need only travel abroad — even to a country as ‘civilized’ as Great Britain, and understand that we truly are privileged to live in the greatest country on the planet! We’ll keep this July 4th commentary short — and the news synopsis on the main page is short as well. As I like to point out, political reporters like to enjoy their holiday weekends just like the rest of us! I would like to… Read More

It will come as no surprise to regular readers of the Flashreport that I spend a lot of time contemplating the slow, steadydecline of the GOP. It is indisputable that we hold power in Washington presently primarily due to the strong economy and decisive approach to the war against terrorists. But these are the kinds of things we are to expect a GOP government to do – so enough patting ourselves on the back for Reaganism 101.

When you combine these two policy achievements against our lack of leadership on other issues of the day – immigration, Medicare, Social Security and general government reform, and mix in a sprinkle of Pelosi, Reid and Dean, it’s not much of a surprise that we continue to eek out a majority every two years.

Tucker Carlson pens a piece for the Cato Institute on the present GOP woes and you might want to take a look this week if you get a chance.

Happy 4th!… Read More

Here’s the SD Online story. The crux of the story is summed up in a few paragraphs:

Charles LiMandri, a lawyer with the Thomas More Law Center…said Kennedy’s order means the Aug. 1 deadline to remove the cross is off.

"The way I read it, that is a granting of our application," he said. LiMandri said he did not think Kennedy would issue a stay "just to read the papers" and issue another order later.

"That is the only reasonable interpretation of what he did today," he said. "It allows this case to be litigated on the merits in the appeals court." Here also are the just-released comments from Phil Thalheimer, chairmanof San Diegans for the Mount Soledad National War Memorial:

"We are absolutely elated with today’s news. I am glad the courts have finally realized this issue is in no way about religion, and that it is simply about protecting a part of San Diego’s history and honoring those who gallantly… Read More