THE DINNER – AND THE GOVERNOR’S SPEECH Republicans, including myself, were really looking forward to last night’s dinner with our Republican Governor, Arnold Schwarzenegger. Sometimes, because there is a tendency for differences of opinion to be highlighted more than areas of agreement, there becomes a perception that divisions are bigger than they are. As readers here know, I have my share of differences of opinion with this Governor on a few key public-policy initiatives this year, and a certain personnel decision. That said, I am still a supporter of Arnold Schwarzenegger, feel he has been a good Governor, and am anxious to see him re-elected. It is my desire to see him re-elected that often times ‘animates’ me to be so vocal. The checkers-players out there say, "You aren’t helping the Governor to get re-elected by criticizing him in a public forum" (referring to this website). These folks are only thinking one move ahead. I like to think of myself as… Read More

A sold out crowd of about 750 people are here for lunch with Senator Tom McClintock, who is running unopposed for the Republican nomination for Lieutenant Governor. Central to his speech was a passionate articulation of those policy accomplishments of Arnold Schwarzenegger that are important to Republicans and taxpayers.

After a humorous introduction from Congressman Darrell Issa, who said that he (Issa) was funnier, but that McClintock was smarter… McClintock came to the podium with a standing ovation and lengthy cheers as “California, Here We Come” blared on the soundsystem, remeniscint of Reagan’s glory days!

McClintock started with a reminder that just two years ago, in the high-turnout special election, two out of every three votes were cast for Republican candidates.

His thoughts on the Democrats:“Steve Westly is the emptiest suit I has ever met. “

“Phil Angelides is a self-announted elitest who is so good at runnuing his own life he deserves to run everyone else’s.”

On principles:“When we have stood by our principles we have won. In the end, if we don’t stand by our principles, what have… Read More

I’m here at the California Republican Party convention in San Jose where I just met Kevan Otto, the most recent candidate to enter the 59th Assembly District primary. The scoop on Otto’s entry into the hotly contested race belonged to FR’s Mike Spence a week ago. But ha, I’m first to get a photo of the guy (see right).

By the way, if you’re at the convention today you can hear more of Mike Spence’s wisdom, along with that of other FlashReport.org contributors, at a panel discussion at 4 p.m. (hey, that’s right now…) or at the "Congratulations FlashReport" party hosted by Congressman Darrell Issa later tonight.

Otto is president of the L.A. School Police Association. He’s also served as president of L.A. North PORAC and the state POST advisory committee. A resident of Sierra Madre in the San Gabriel Valley, Otto already has several law enforcement endorsements, even though filing’s still open for the… Read More

I was saddened to read on my new friend Bill Bradley’s New West Notes blog that our Republican Governor’s Chief of Staff, Democrat Susan Kennedy, would not be coming with the Governor to the GOP Convention!

The Governor has been taking her along as he has gone to smaller meetings with GOP donors. I had a chance (h/t to FR friend Richard Costigan) to meet Ms. Kennedy briefly following the State of the State Address last year. I found her to be quite charming and funny.

I actually think that it would be a good idea for her to come to the convention tonight. Actually, there are a few good reasons. Enough so that I thought I would give you my list of top reasons:

#10: Delegates would be fascinated, I’m sure, to hear about what it was like to try and defend Gray Davis in the recall – she could give a speech on… Read More

I don’t usually reprint press releases (read: propaganda) verbatim – but since I am scrambling to catch a flight to San Jose, and this release from Van Tran just arrived, I thought I should share the first paragraph since I earlier in the week posted that Lynn Daucher had pulled her nomination papers, but that Tran had not. Looks like we are off to the races.

For those far from Orange County, this is in the race for the GOP nomination for State Senate in the 34th district, where the forced retirement of Democrat Joe Dunn has left a competitive seat, since the GOP has tirelessly registered a ton of new GOPers in this once-safe Dem district.

OK, the blurb:

Popular Orange County Assemblyman Van Tran officially pulled candidate papers today for the open 34th Senate District, while his campaign finance team announced that $250,000 has already been raised for the effort.… Read More

Since last year Mindy Tucker Fletcher has been serving in the administration of Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, and not answering the phones (though that is an important part of any operation). Mindy is Deputy Chief of Staff for External Affairs. From this post, she is the liaison from the Governor to…well…everyone. In this spot, she also oversees the Governor’s field operations around the state. Her predecessor, Cassandra Pye, left big shoes to fill but Mindy has been doing a great job.

Well, the Governor will be looking for a new occupant for this post as it was made known this afternoon that Fletcher has been named Deputy Campaign Manager for the Governor’s re-election effort, sitting second- seat to CM Steve Schmidt.

Fletcher is no stranger to campaigns, having served as Press Secretary in President Bush’s campaign, working with Communications Director Karen Hughes.

I’ve come to know Mindy as a friend, and have high regard for her political acumen and ability. She will be a tremendous asset to the Governor in her new role (as she has been in her current one).

The campaign team is coming together as… Read More

Since Rep. Bob Dornan lost to Loretta Sanchez in 1996, Orange County Republicans have searched for a credible candidate to beat Sanchez.

Local Republicans have over the years fronted a list of misfits, retreads and drop-outs who have amounted to nothing. But under the leadership of Republican Party Chairman Scott Baugh, the 47th Congressional District which includs Santa Ana has become competative again fot the GOP (Democrats now outnumber GOP voters by only about 3%).

So 2006 could be a year where the GOP wins or at least make a credible showing. That is if they find a candidate. Enter Rosie Availa, Santa Ana School Board Member. Rosie is a nice lady and principled conservative. But she has little ability to raise money. Tan Nguyen is the other guy in the race. He is best known for running as a DEMOCRAT against Congressman Dana Rohrabacher in 2004. He lost in the Democrat Primary.

Nguyen has all the right answers now. He says the… Read More

The speech that I want to hear from Governor Schwarzenegger tonight at the GOP convention would have as its central theme a return to fiscal conservatism. It would include an emphasis on infrastructure, with a public adoption of the proposal introduced by EVERY Assembly Republican to finance infrastructure by paying-as-we-go instead of through massive borrowing. The speech would go on to talk about the need to have pension reform, and the importance of finishing what the Governor started, by putting and end to deficit spending in Sacramento. Other highlights of the speech would include his decision to replace Rob Reiner as Chairman of California’s ‘Tobacco Tax Spending Committee’ with attorney Hugh Hewitt, the unveiling of a new Republican Chief of Staff (I’m okay with anyone at this point who is registered as a Republican), a commitment to find and appoint qualified Republican judges to the bench, and an embrace of a statewide measure to fight eminent domain… Read More