For over a decade Republicans have controlled the House of Representatives; Republicans also now control the Senate, and for nearly five years we have also had a Republican president. You would think that the “fiscal conservatism” that ALL Republicans (including self-styled moderate GOPers) purportedly espouse would have lead to a meaningful reduction in the size and scope of the federal government. But no. Things haven’t improved with respect to federal spending. In fact, federal spending is arguably worse than before the Republicans took over the reigns of government.

For instance, back in 1994, Newt Gingrich campaigned for a House majority, in part, on the basis that the federal government should have less of a role in education policy. This was a uniting principle for Republicans, since many of us believe that local school districts are best able to determine the needs of local school children. Enter George W. Bush, one of the biggest presidential spenders since the likes of FDR. Throwing out the localism of the 90’s, Bush increased federal involvement in education. And the Republican controlled… Read More

This time of year I get about a hundred Christmas, Hanukkah and general holiday cards from friends, family, clients, vendors and of course every elected official I have ever given money too or who thinks he can be president some day and somehow thinks I can be of help in the endeavor.

This year I placed a piece of double-sided tape to the back side of each card and stuck it to a bare white wall (most of my walls are bare–I am not big on hanging things that require more effort than two-sided tape).

While it wasn’t entirely a fair or for that matter a well regulated contest because the cards were placed on the wall at different times, they are different shapes and sizes, etc, we do have a winner: U. S. Senator George Allen

I am not necessarily supporting the senator at this point for President, but I felt some obligation to report the facts.

All the cards from the other POTUS hopefuls have fallen down, over time. Granted NY Governor Pataki failed to send me a card at all so he has been disqualified from the outset and I used the Kathy Tavoularis/Sen. John McCain card as a substitute for the Senator since I am not on his list… Read More

Happy Holidays!

First and foremost, thank you for being a ‘customer’ of the FlashReport website on California politics! While starting as an e-newsletter, it has now been almost three full months since we made the shift to being a web-based publication. The response has been overwhelming, and I just wanted to say THANK YOU on behalf of myself, and the team of folks who are contributors to the site!

THE MAIN PAGE, COMMENTARY PAGE and E-MAIL NOTICE features of this site will be DOWN until Tuesday, January 3rd. It has been an annual tradition since the FR started in 2001 for the Publisher (me) to take this time off. However, the FLASHREPORT WEBLOG WILL BE UP AND RUNNING throughout the holidays, where many of our contributors will still be posting tidbits and thoughts. I’ll be pitching in my ten cents, too.

While the main part of the site is down, we’ll be working on some changes that I hope you will enjoy. We are hopefully going to be bringing you a new exciting contributor to the site, and we are also working on having all of the changes in place… Read More

Here are a couple of interesting stories from a quick glance at today’s papers. I’ll be out of town through New Years, and unable to spend much time on the site. But perhaps highlighting a couple of stories today will inspire one or more of the blog team to do the same in the coming days. Maria Shriver Recasts ‘First Lady’ as a Powerful Role in California What her friends see as beneficial projects, her critics see as self-promotion A lengthy piece in today’s Los Angeles Times on California’s First Lady... … Read More

First and foremost, thank you for being a ‘customer’ of the FlashReport website on California politics! While starting as an e-newsletter, it has now been almost three full months since we made the shift to being a web-based publication. The response has been overwhelming, and I just wanted to say THANK YOU on behalf of myself, and the team of folks who are contributors to the site!

THE MAIN PAGE, COMMENTARY PAGE and E-MAIL NOTICE features of this site will be DOWN until Tuesday, January 3rd. It has been an annual tradition since the FR started in 2001 for the Publisher (me) to take this time off. However, the FLASHREPORT WEBLOG WILL BE UP AND RUNNING throughout the holidays, where many of our contributors will still be posting tidbits and thoughts. I’ll be pitching in my ten cents, too.

While the main part of the site is down, we’ll be working on some changes that I hope you will enjoy. We are hopefully going to be bringing you a couple of new exciting contributors to the site, and we are also working on having all of the changes in place for 1/3 to allow for you, FR readers, to be able to post… Read More

Lest we forget…

And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be taxed.And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city.

And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David)to be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.

And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.

And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all… Read More

A QUICK REMINDER THAT TOMORROW WILL BE THE LAST DAY THAT THE NEWS (HOME) PAGE OF THIS SITE OR THIS COMMENTARY PAGE WILL BE UPDATED UNTIL TUESDAY, JANUARY 3RD. I WILL BE TAKING A VACATION BETWEEN THE CHRISTMAS AND NEW YEARS HOLIDAYS! THE WEBLOG ON CALIFORNIA POLITICS WILL REMAIN ACTIVE DURING THIS TIME, SO BE SURE TO CHECK IN DAILY TO KEEP UP WITH OUR FR BLOG TEAM!

STATE GOP VICE CHAIRMAN CALLS FOR MCCLINTOCK ENDORSEMENT AT FEBRUARY CONVENTION This week, California Republican Party Vice Chairman and San Diego County GOP Chairman Ron Nehring sent a memo to his 57 colleagues, the Chairmen of the various County Central Committees around the state. The subject of the memo – encouraging them to all join in an effort to change the bylaws of the State GOP and grant a rare pre-primary endorsement to State Senator Tom McClintock in his bid for the Republican nomination for… Read More

In my commentary today, I talk about an effort being spearheaded by State GOP Vice-Chairman Ron Nehring to change Party rules to facilitate a pre-primary endorsement for McClintock, establishing a Schwrzenegger/ McClintock “ticket” for ’06.

In there, I said I didn’t remember whether the State GOP had already endorsed appointed Secretary of State Bruce McPherson when they endorsed the Governor for re-election.

FR contributor Mike Spence reminded me this morning that at the time, McPherson had not yet been confirmed by the State Senate. So the GOP passed a resolution urging that he be confirmed.

That isn’t to say that McPherson, Poochigian, Leslie and others might not try to get on the “pre-primary endorsement band wagon” – we’ll see how this develops!… Read More