Last night, I made the two mile trip over to the campus at the University of California, Irvine. Why? Because FR friend Kristen Lucero, who is President of the UC Irvine College Republicans told me about an event they were hosting on campus. An excerpt from a Los Angeles Times article on the event described it this way:

The caricatures, first printed in European newspapers, incited riots worldwide that led to dozens of deaths last month.

Organizers of the UCI forum, which drew about 250 people to an auditorium at the… Read More

Our Central Coast Correspondent, Amy Thoma, is on a little break right now. But I am sure that you will recall that she recently penned a column for the FR talking about a draconian, anti-freedom general plan amendment that has been proposed via initiative in the County of Monterey. This measure would take the balance that exists between allowing common-sense development and use of land by people against the need to preserve the natural beauty of the area and turn it on its head. Well, you can read all about it in Amy’s column.

I wanted to let you know that in the latest development, citing ‘fatal flaws’ the Monterey County Board of Supervisors by a 3-2 vote DECLINED to place this initiative onto the ballot. This is unusual given that there were enough signatures to qualify it, I think. So, the proponents have vowed to take the matter to court, and force the county to put the matter before the voters.

You can read the Monterey Herald’s take on the whole broo-haha… Read More

Who killed Stephen Ballreich?That’s the title of the Pasadena Weekly article on the 1991 murder of political consultant andformer Alhmabra MayorBallreich. While at one time he was a rising GOP star before flaming out, he was partially responsible for starting the process of registering and empowering Asain voters in that part of the San Gabriel Valley. It is lengthy, but you can read the article here.… Read More

I’ve heard of statewide organizations endorsing a candidate for office – but here is a case where an organization has endorsed a candidate for an office for which he is not even seeking. Prosper is currently running some sort of ‘Little Engine That Could’ campaign against Senator Chuck Poochigian for Attorney General.

The California Congress of Republicans, at the Republican State Convention in San Jose this past weekend, endorsed Ambassador Pierre Richard Prosper for the United State Senate seat now held by Dianne Feinstein. When told about the endorsement Ambassador Prosper said "it was the first endorsement he had received and thanked CCR for it."… Read More

WILL BILL THOMAS RUN FOR CONGRESS? All eyes are on the Registrar of Voters in Kern County these days as much speculation swirls about whether long-time moderate GOP Congressman Bill Thomas (pictured to the right) will decide to retire at the end of this term or not. For a while, it was really being talked about as a likely scenario, as Thomas’ seat as Chairman of the House Ways & Means Committee must be surrendered at the end of this session due to the House "3-term limit" on Committee Chairmanships (part of the Gingrich-era reforms). Most are of the opinion that Thomas’ retirement couldn’t come soon enough. The mercurial Congressman has long championed the election of liberal Republicans and has a decades-long track record of divisive politics. He also has quite a temper, which has been exhibited in public many-a-time. He… Read More

WILL BILL THOMAS RUN FOR CONGRESS? All eyes are on the Registrar of Voters in Kern County these days as much speculation swirls about whether long-time moderate GOP Congressman Bill Thomas (pictured to the right) will decide to retire at the end of this term or not. For a while, it was really being talked about as a likely scenario, as Thomas’ seat as Chairman of the House Ways & Means Committee must be surrendered at the end of this session due to the House "3-term limit" on Committee Chairmanships (part of the Gingrich-era reforms). Most are of the opinion that Thomas’ retirement couldn’t come soon enough. The mercurial Congressman has long championed the election of liberal Republicans and has a decades-long track record of divisive politics. He also has quite a temper, which has been exhibited in public many-a-time. He… Read More

The Tarrance Group, a polling firm out of Virginia was retained by the Tom Harman for State Senate campaign to survey likely voters. Today, Harman’s campaign gave the FR the early scoop (H/T to FR contributor Duane Dichiara) on the results from that survey.

This survey of 459 registered "likely" voters was taken on February 19-20. The ballot test: TOM HARMAN: 37% LARRY CABALLERO: 23% (Dem) DIANE HARKEY: 16% UNDECIDED: 20%

Name identification: HARMAN: 76% of voters know who he is with 39% having a favorable impression and 14% having an unfavorable impression. HARKEY: 39% know her, and… Read More

OC Sheriff Mike Carona has been called America’s Sheriff. Well last night Orange County conservative Republicans made it clear they support him for re-election here at home.

Over 60 California Republican Assembly delegates from a dozen OC chapters of the conservative grassroots organization UNANIMOUSLY voted to endorse Sheriff Mike Carona.

The sheriff’s most vocal opponent a lieutenant that works for the department has been putting the full court press on speaking at CRA chapter gatherings, but it amounted to nothing when it came time for the delegates to vote.

Carona is stronger than ever among the voters despite being the target of an LA Times attack campaign (I am a friend to the media and don’t use those words lightly).… Read More