I remember about two hours after the big speech, getting an email to my blackberry. I had received a couple dozen already, from very frustrated GOPers. But this one was pretty succinct: “Jon, is there going to be a Republican response to the Governor’s address?”

If you think about it, here is a Republican volunteer who walked dozens of precincts, has probably made thousands of GOTV phone calls, and has volunteered at countless GOP conventions.

This person heard the speech, and felt Republicans should have a response. The Governor can’t be mad at these volunteers though. The Governor is moving to the center (at least rhetorically – Dan Schnur argues he’s been there on policy since day one) and those who worked to elect the “fiscal conservative” Arnold — not the “prolific borrowing/spend it-build it/regulate business Arnold — that seems to have emerged from the Christmas holiday.

To the volunteer who wrote that note, and the many others similarly concerned – be vocal and make your feelings known to your GOP elected leaders, your legislators and to your Governor. Be respectful but firm.… Read More

San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors Chairman Bill Postmus todayannounced his intention to change jobs next year. He will be running for County Assessor in the June 2006 countywide primary. Postmus, who’s also Chairman of the County GOP Central Committee, said he plans to transform the Assessor’s office into a "model operation whose mission will be to protect taxpayers and property owners and help bring better-paying jobs closer to San Bernardino County’s residents.

"I intend to take the experience I’ve gained from reforming county government, improving public services and getting the county’s financial house in order and put that knowledge to work in the Assessor’s Office," Postmus said. The County Assessor’s primary responsibility is to determine the assessed value of the county’s current $130.7 billion worth of real and personal property for tax purposes in the state’s… Read More

An earlier post made two errors in a report about a conversation with Assemblyman Wyland in re this blog –

First, and least important, I’m not actually his Chief of Staff. I don’t work for the government. Since I did serve in that position for many years, this reporting error is somewhat understandable.

Second, I believe what Mr. Wyland may actually have been saying is he has not been reading the blog because he already hears far too many of my thrilling “insights” live.… Read More

Since I have been threatened by our editor to pick up the pace (see earlier yellow journalism)… here we go:

The brawl for control of the San Diego City Council is now in full swing. There are two seats that have been vacated because of the local “stripper-gate” scandal.

One seat, district 8, is fairly safe Democrat/machine. It is drawing fire, but mostly labor is just making sure that the next machine candidate is anointed.

The other seat is a bloodbath. Lorena Gonzalez (Bustamonte aide de camp) vs. Kevin Faulconer (local businessman). Disclaimer: Faulconer is a Coronado Communications client. We are talking something like 1.7 million total expenditures for a seat 1/3 the size of an Assembly District. Now nothing could be more entertaining to the average voter than a mailbox full during the holiday season, but there isn’t much option when the election is January 10th. My guess is between the GOP and labor there are 100 people on the ground every day as well… a real house to house battle.

What’s interesting is labor candidate Lorena Gonzalez is getting pummeled for her relationship with old Cruz Bustamonte.… Read More

Fortunately for me, I grabbed the Canon Powershot Digital Camera before I flew to Sacramento. I did manage to snap a couple of fun pictures. On the left is me with recalled Governor Gray Davis, who was quite uninspiring. As luck would have it, I also got to meet Susan Kennedy, Governor Schwarzenegger’s new Chief of Staff (pictured below).

For a Democrat, I found her to be quite engaging and had a good sense of humor, all things considered. She was at first hesitant when I told her I would put this photo up on the FlashReport — but I told her that (for once) I would be tasteful and kind.

P.S. Speaking of photos, click through and scroll down to see an apoplectic Assemblyman Chuck DeVore responding to the Governor’s speech. Either… Read More

Today I had a very interesting conversation with my friend, Assemblyman Mark Wyland, in a hallway of the State Capitol. The Assemblyman wanted to complement me on the FlashReport website. Apparently he had not been aware of the FR until recently, let alone the fact his Chief of Staff, Duane Dichiara, isa contributor to this blog. Barry Jantz, our other San Diego contributor was with me when this conversation took place. Never one to shy away from embarrassing Duane (who never misses a chance to razzle his friends), I thought I would tell Duane about this on the blog. Barry pointed out that the Assemblyman (you know, the one who JUST started reading the FR) has a quote on the site. I asked Duane if he could… Read More

This morning, click here to read my co-commentary along with FR Contributor Barry Jantz. But as I compiled stories this morning from papers around the state and country on the Governor’s speech, I started to get frustrated as I read all of praise coming from liberal Democrats. Well, here are a few of the choice quotes, following by analysis from the Wall Street Journal that is worth a read.

Recalled Democrat Governor Gray Davis in the Orange County Register: "He gave the kind of speech I would like to have given." Democrat Speaker Fabian Nunez in the Washington Post: "He’s hitting all the Democratic notes in the song. There’s no question that his tone has changed dramatically."… Read More

What conservative in California has a higher profile than State Senator Tom McClintock? He has been arguably the most articulate, principled conservative in the legislature. Twice he carried the statewide conservative banner as the GOP nominee for State Controller (the last go-around losing to Steve Westly by less than one vote per precinct). Of course, he ran as the conservative candidate in the 2003 recall election, and won praise from not only conservatives but from across the political spectrum for the statesmanlike approach he took to campaigning in that race. Unless Governor Schwarzenegger leaves the GOP, he has a virtual lock on the Republican nomination for Governor in his re-election. McClintock is facing a clear field in his bid to be Arnold’s running mate. (Hmmm… “Schwarzenegger / McClintock” – that makes for a long bumper sticker…) It is clear from all of the news stories offering a prelude to the Governor’s State of the State speech tonight that Schwarzenegger is tacking hard to the political center, and some of his proposals (massive spending, wage hike mandates, etc.) are anathema to a rock-solid intellectual libertarian like… Read More