Adam Mendelsohn is a new dad. He and his family have just relocated from Washington, D.C., back home to California. You see, this new dad is now the new Communications Director for Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger. After years of valient service, Rob Stutzman has departed the post (though he will still be doing work with the Governor’s re-election campaign).

Adam is a friend, and I think that he will do a great job for the Governor. Adam consented to an interview that is featured in today’s issue of the FlashReport! Congratulations, Adam!

(P.S. – Rumor has it that Adam has pledged to bring his new baby with him to work each and every day! Somehow I think Mrs. Mendelsohn might not like that idea…!)

GOVERNOR IN SAN FRANCISCO Governor Schwarzenegger commemorated Martin Luthor King, Jr, day with an appearance in San Francisco, where he spoke at an event sponsored by labor… Read More

Adam Mendelsohn is a new dad. He and his family have just relocated from Washington, D.C., back home to California. You see, this new dad is now the new Communications Director for Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger. After years of valient service, Rob Stutzman has departed the post (though he will still be doing work with the Governor’s re-election campaign).

Adam is a friend, and I think that he will do a great job for the Governor. Adam consented to an interview that is featured in today’s issue of the FlashReport! Congratulations, Adam!

(P.S. – Rumor has it that Adam has pledged to bring his new baby with him to work each and every day! Somehow I think Mrs. Mendelsohn might not like that idea…!)

View Full Commentary… Read More

Starting today, I am pleased to announce that we are adding a new member of the FlashReport Weblog cast of characters — Amy Thoma — who will be our new Central Coast correspondent!

Amy is currently the Executive Director of the Monterey County GOP, and involved a with a lot of grassroots Republican activities. A graduate of the University of California at Los Angeles, Amy will bring a lot to the table.

Her beat will be from Santa Cruz down to Ventura County – a wide swath. Any FR readers are welcome to reach out to her!

We’ll be looking for great, insightful new and analysis from Amy!

Welcome!

Jon… Read More

If you haven ever driven North on the 710 (Long Beach Freeway) you will find that find that is stops at Valley Blvd in Alhambra. You have toexit. For over forty years the residents of South Pasadena have stopped completion of the 710 through Pasadenaby filinglawsuits, declaring homes as historic landmarks and punishing local politicians. Neighboring cities and business interests don’t like that fact. However, the intensity is on South Pasadena’s side. You can see a good quick rundown on that history here.

In an attempt to get around this problem, my buddy Gil Cedillo has introduced legislation to build a tunnel. You can my FR post on that here.

Now the supporters of finishing the freeway are trying to get a piece of Arnold’s $222 billion. See full story here.

These kinds of localfights will happen all over California. If the 710is included South Pasadena… Read More

Congressman Jerry Lewis, chairman of the powerful Appropriations Committee, favored fellow Californian Ken Calvert to take the vacancy left by Duke Cunningham’s resignation months ago on his committee. However, former Majority Leader Tom DeLay is poised to claim that plum assignment. DeLay, a member of the committee, had taken a leave in order to allow more room for other GOPers to get on the committee. With his responsibilities as Majority Leader, he wouldn’t have been a very active member anyway. Now, looking to find new power bases, DeLay will return.

One of the primary motivations of DeLay’s return is NASA. Johnson Space Center is one of DeLay’s constituents and he is passionate about the space program. This committee would give him oversight on NASA funding.… Read More

Fontana City Councilwoman Acquanetta Warren is the new Inland Regional Vice-Chair of the California Republican party. Warren was tapped by CRP Chairman Duf Sundheim to fill the vacancy created by the recent resignation of Ed Laning. The appointment was ratified unanimously by the full Board of Directors, which met Mondayin San Diego.

Warren, who is also 2nd Vice Chair of the San Bernardino County GOP, received key support from County Chairman Bill Postmus, Senator Bob Dutton of Rancho Cucamonga, former Sen.Jim Brulte, Assemblyman Bill Emmersonof Redlands, and past CRP Chair Shawn Steel. Also seeking the appointment was Thaddeus Taylor of Bishop,past chairman of the Inyo County Republican Party.

Keeping a representative of the state’s largest and fourth most populous county in the Inland seat was important to the leadership team of Postmus and his 1st Vice Chair, Paul Biane. The pair also serves as Chairman and Vice-Chairman, respectively, of… Read More

Okay, this has nothing to do with California other than the fact that it is one of Rep. Darrell Issa’s opponents for Policy Chairman. But this letter to the GOP Conference from Thaddeus McCotter of Michigan is too entertaining not to share.

Condi bows out (again) The contributors to the FlashReport can breath a sigh of relief. As you know, our primary focus on this sight is California politics. Well, a Californian running for President would pretty much make us a national website! That said, the only Californian who has seriously been discussed as a candidate for the Presidency is Secretary of State Dr. Condoleezza Rice. (As a matter of fact, Dick Morris has written an entire book on her candidacy – oops.) Dr. Rice, in a speech yesterday, made it very clear that she does NOT want to seek the Presidency, or Vice Presidency for that matter. Rice was on the faculty and in the administration at Stanford University for years before being tapped first as W’s National Security Advisor, and then as SoS. BIG BOND Cattle Call … Read More