The next few days should tell us how much legislative Republicans want to see Arnold Schwarzenegger re-elected.

The infrastructure bond currently being negotiated does not appear to meet the principles of fiscal conservatism that Tom McClintock outlined in January. But that bond, regardless of the policy specifics involved, is a key to the governor’s re-election. While Schwarzenegger can certainly be re-elected running a “taxes on steroids” campaign against Phil Angelides, the ability to tell voters he’s done something significant in terms of road, school and levee construction will make that task much easier.

So do Assembly Republicans protect the state’s fiscal situation and endanger Arnold’s re-election.? Or do they compromise on principle under the assumption that four years of Governor Angelides would be much more damaging?

My guess is that six Republicans in the Assembly compromise, just enough to get the bond on the ballot. The rest of the caucus gets to have it both ways. That’s one of the few advantages of life in the minority caucus.… Read More

Republicans looking to choose between multiple candidates in a race are going to have to look elsewhere than the Insurance Commissioner’s seat. Six months ago, there was a spirited three-way primary going on between Dr. Phil Kurnzer, wealthy businessman Steve Poizner, and attorney Gary Mendoza. In the intervening months, Poizner’s campaign has been in high-gear, raising tons of cash, and amassing lots of endorsements. Most recently, last weekend, the endorsement of the conservative California Republican Assembly.

In the meantime, a couple of weeks ago, Dr. Phil hung it up, announcing that he was not longer a candidate. Today, I heard from Gary Mendoza’s campaign — he, too, has decided not to run. Mendoza’s departure, while not unexpected, is an example of another great guy who won’t be on the ballot. I’ve known Gary since our mutual involvement in former-Congressman, now SEC Chairman Chris Cox’s first Congressional campaign back in 1988. Gary held up the GOP banner as the nominee for Insurance Commissioner in 2002 — but was not able to win. Anyways, I am sure we’ll… Read More

The single most important decision that the legislature will make this year is whether to put a massive infrastructure borrowing plan in front of California voters this year. There is a lot of pressure mounting in the Capitol right now as Secretary of State McPherson has said that the deadline for the legislature to place an item on the June ballot is tomorrow (although many have said there is a week of ‘cushion’ in there).

Everyone in the capitol, the Governor, the Democrat Leadership, the Republican Leadership, all agree on the need for infrastructure investment. However, HOW THIS IS DONE IS VERY, VERY IMPORTANT.

When FR contributor Barry Jantz and I met with two Deputy Chiefs of Staff to the Governor in the hours leading up to the State of the State Address in January, a few key points were stressed to us: the Governor would insist that needed reforms (such as revamping the CEQA process) would be in this package, that there would be a 6% hard borrowing cap in the package, and that the Governor was committed to making sure that this bond measure did not get ‘loaded up’ with spending that wasn’t for basic… Read More

The single most important decision that the legislature will make this year is whether to put a massive infrastructure borrowing plan in front of California voters this year. There is a lot of pressure mounting in the Capitol right now as Secretary of State McPherson has said that the deadline for the legislature to place an item on the June ballot is tomorrow (although many have said there is a week of ‘cushion’ in there).

Everyone in the capitol, the Governor, the Democrat Leadership, the Republican Leadership, all agree on the need for infrastructure investment. However, HOW THIS IS DONE IS VERY, VERY IMPORTANT.

When FR contributor Barry Jantz and I met with two Deputy Chiefs of Staff to the Governor in the hours leading up to the State of the State Address in January, a few key points were stressed to us: the Governor would insist that needed reforms (such as revamping the CEQA process) would be in this package, that there would be a 6% hard borrowing cap in the package, and that the Governor was committed to making sure that this bond measure did not get ‘loaded up’ with spending that wasn’t for basic… Read More

I have been a subscriber to Human Events Magazine for years. Frankly, it is one of the few ‘paper’ subscriptions that I still maintain. HE gives the perspective on what is really going on inside of the Beltway, from a conservative point of view. The publication is owned by FR friend Tom Phillips, a great conservative leader. You can always check out HE Online via our Websites menu above.

One of the very best reasons to subscribe is to gain the insights of one of the most connected and most insightful people that I know — my close friend of many years, John Gizzi. "Giz" is the political editor of HE, and is renowned for being a walking storehouse of information about all things political around the country. His ability to remember even the most minor pieces of local political gossip is legendary. He and his bride, Colleen, are terrific… Read More

Pierre Prosper has dropped out of the race for Attorney general. this will save Pooch needed funds. Pierre did do a good job getting around to GOP groups and made a positive impression on most. Here is my post about my lunch with him. The money wasn’t there for him to make it work.

Here is the release

(LOS ANGELES) Former Ambassador at Large Pierre-Richard Prosper, candidate for Attorney General of California in 2006, released the following statement today:

“After much deliberation, and with thoughtful counsel from friends and supporters, I have decided to withdraw from seeking the Republican nomination for California Attorney General and therefore will not file on March 10, 2006 to be on the June primary ballot. This was a very difficult decision in light of the mounting support… Read More

Just a little while ago, Senator Roy Ashburn, held a press conference to announce that he is NOT running for Congress (wouldn’t it have been easier to send out a press release?). The decision by Asburn means that the protege of the retiring incumbent Bill Thomas should pretty much waltz into the United States House of Representatives. The Bakersfield Californian has an article up already.

The good news for everyone is that I’ve met Kevin McCarthy, and he is no Bill Thomas. McCarthy is certainly more conservative than Thomas ideologically, as he has demonstrated as the Assembly Republican Leader. McCarthy also has a decent personality. As Kevin and I have joked about over the years, you fight the good fight (for us, it was GOP youth politics) and then go get a beer. No one would ever get a beer with Thomas because he is a self-important jerk.

Anyways, it is always easy for me to digress into a Thomas-rant — let me get back to some analysis. In his announcement that he is seeking re-election to the State Senate, Ashurn endorsed McCarthy’s… Read More

Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger today announced the appointments of Judge Brad R. Hill as a justice in the Fifth District Court of Appeal, Richard S. Kemalyan to a judgeship in the Los Angeles County Superior Court, Patricia M. Murphy to a judgeship in the Ventura County Superior Court, Judge Nora M. Manella as a justice in the Second District Court of Appeal, and Steven M. Basha to a judgeship in the Yolo County Superior Court

Here is how the appointments stack up from a partisan perspective:

BRAD HILL Hill, 51, of Fresno, has served as a judge in the Fresno County Superior Court since 1998. He was previously a judge in the Fresno County Municipal Court from 1991 to 1998. Hill also served as a partner with McCormick, Barstow, Sheppard, Wayte &… Read More