Excerpts from Thursday’s North County Times Article "Activists Seek Term Limit for Supervisors" by Gig Conaughton:

Angered by county supervisors’ decision to challenge California’s medical marijuana law, and backed by a national marijuana advocacy organization, local activists Wednesday filed letters of intent to start a voter-initiative to impose term limits on supervisors. Medical marijuana proponents say the five county supervisors, all of whom have served at least three consecutive four-year terms, are "out of touch" with voters and that term limits could eliminate the problem.

"These supervisors have been running unopposed, and they (feel) they can do anything they want," said Claudia Little, one of the activists who signed papers at the county Registrar of Voters office. "They’re insulated … and their attitude is just arrogance. We need to stop this dangerous activity of them not listening to their constituents."

County supervisors voted unanimously in December to sue the state to try to overturn California’s 9-year-old, voter-approved medical marijuana law,… Read More

Contested Republican primaries are tricky things. They can be divisive and explosive. Add a mix of 10 GOP candidates and the dynamics get more interesting. Factor into that mix that at least four and maybe more of these candidates will have a lot of resources with which to engage their opponents. A perfect storm? Not yet, add one more element. At a time when scandals, indictments, and a resignation are plaguing the Republicans in Congress, the ‘perfect storm’ I’ve outlined is taking place in the 50th Congressional District, where Randy ‘Duke’ Cunningham plead guilty to taking seven figures in payoffs – resigning his seat in disgrace… waiting for a jail sentence.

At a time when conventional wisdom would be to disassociate with the besieged GOP establishment, there is one candidate for whom that is not an option. Brian Bilbray, one of the leading candidates is not only a former Member of Congress, but is currently a federal lobbyist.

Interestingly, Bilbray’s… Read More

On the main page of the FR today, we linked to this USA Today major story focusing on the relationship between Congressman Jerry Lewis (R-Redlands), Chairman of the House Appropriations Committee, and a hedge fund named Cerberus, which raised substantial money for Lewis, and who has also benefitted from a major $1.6 billion dollar project. Congressional Quarterly carried this response to the story from Congressman Lewis:

Lewis Denies Discussing Contract With Donors House Appropriations: Chairman Jerry Lewis, R-Calif., today said neither he nor any members of his staff had discussed a defense funding allocation with representatives of a defense contractor or a hedge fund that hosted a fundraiser for Lewis’ leadership … Read More

I remember from playing Scrabble that instead of playing a tile on your turn, you can instead throw ‘back’ all of your tiles, and pick new ones from the bag of unused tiles – a fresh start so to speak. That seems to be what is being advocated by first-term (this go-around) Congressman Dan Lungren (R-Sacramento – pictured to the right). He is advocating that all of the House leadership positions come up for a new vote — right now there is a pitched battle taking place as to who will replace Tom DeLay as the Majority Leader (#2 ranked position, behind the Speaker). This race, though, is touching off two off other races as one of the candidates for leader is currently the GOP Whip (#3),… Read More

The Los AngelesCounty Planning Commission has approved regulations for "pot" clubs. This bake sale is a little differentfrom your mom’s PTA bake sale. The feds say no pot, the state’s voters said why not. See the article here.This is classic conflict between state and national interests, libertarian and traditional conservatives.

Good news for some: JackIn TheBox is open 24 hours.… Read More

This week Martin Garrick’s campaign for the open 74th Assembly District (disclosure – Coronado Communications client) announced more than $370,000 raised, along with a partial list of a formidable finance committee. In the last few weeks, Garrick has announced the endorsements of former United States Senator and California Governor Pete Wilson, State Senator Tom McClintock, San Diego County District Attorney Bonnie Dumanis, San Diego County Treasurer Dan McAllister, San Diego Assessor Greg Smith, and a host of former California Republican Party and San Diego Republican Party Chairmen, among others. Rumors have Scott Packard, son of former Congressman Ron Packard, considering an entrance into the race.

Meanwhile, in the 50th Congressional District self-financing businessman Alan Uke continues his television ad campaign. I’ve personally seen the ad several times, and I don’t really watch much besides the Simpsons, the Office, and the news. My guess is of the three, Nygren is aiming at the news watchers. Brian Bilbray earned the endorsement of neighboring Congressman Darrell Issa, who is burning up the phones. Gilliard has been brought on by the… Read More

What a difference two months make. The FlashReport has been around for almost five years now (only recently as a website) — I’ve been publishing consistently since Arnold Schwarzenegger splashed onto the political scene. First with his ballot measure, Proposition 49, where he promoted after school programs, and right on through to his campaign for Governor, his pledge to review and reform the way state government works, his drive to pass reforms in a special election after they were rejected by the legislature, and into this year. If you are a regular reader of the FlashReport, you would have to notice the distinct change in rhetoric lately. Especially since I would routinely get e-mails until two months ago asking why this site was a ‘propaganda machine’ for the Governor. The change in my commentaries about the Governor’s proposals… Read More

What a difference two months make. The FlashReport has been around for almost five years now (only recently as a website) — I’ve been publishing consistently since Arnold Schwarzenegger splashed onto the political scene. First with his ballot measure, Proposition 49, where he promoted after school programs, and right on through to his campaign for Governor, his pledge to review and reform the way state government works, his drive to pass reforms in a special election after they were rejected by the legislature, and into this year. If you are a regular reader of the FlashReport, you would have to notice the distinct change in rhetoric lately. Especially since I would routinely get e-mails until two months ago asking why this site was a ‘propaganda machine’ for the Governor. The change in my commentaries about the Governor’s proposals… Read More