LEAGUE TRUMPS ITS OWN BOARD You didn’t read much in the main-stream media about the League of Cities meeting recently held in San Francisco. Then again, why would you? It’s the LEAGUE OF CITIES (can you say…B-O-R-I-N-G to any newspaper reader). Not so boring, though, is what happenned at this particular meeting relative to Proposition 76, the Governor’s "Live within our means" fiscal reform measure on the Special Election ballot.

You had a mini-debate of sorts as speakers to the League meeting included Governor Schwarzenegger, the proponent of 76, and state Controller (and candidate for Governor) Steve Westly, and opponent. There was a LOT of grassroots-style lobbying — with the leadership of the League out there trying to quell the groundswell — ultimately unsuccessfully. Despite a previous vote by the League Board of Directors to stay neutral, the delegates voter 135-124 to support it.

You don’t hear much from embarrassed League officials on this important demonstration of local support for Proposition 76, but… Read More

BEHIND THE ORANGE CURTAIN In response to Orange County FR Blogger Adam Probolsky’s post of yesterday, Lynn Daucher reached out to me to let me know that she is NOT running for Supervisor. Furthermore, she personally called Supervisor Chris Norby to let him know that….

Given that is the least-kept secret in Orange County that State Senate Republican Leader Dick Ackerman has made it a high-priority to drum up an opponent to Norby (the two of them developed their ‘loving’ relationship when both ran for Assembly back in the ’90’s – Ackerman was the victor, but it was a nasty brawl). The question is, with Daucher out, who will be the next player in, "Can anyone beat Norby?"

From our point of view, Norby… Read More

YAFis Young Americans for Freedom, the conservative student group formed to counter radical leftists in the 1960’s. Jack Scott is a liberal Democractic State Senator from Pasadena that helped break Republican control of the Pasadena-Glendale part of Los Angeles County in the 1990’s.

In a race for the Pasadena Area Community College (PCC) District they have cometogether holding hands.

Brandon Powers is the State Chairman of California YAF and his campaign for trusteewas just endorsed by Sen. Jack Scott— who also happens to be the past President of the PCC. You can read the press release here.

In full disclosure mode, I too have endorsed Brandon Powers– although that is not newsworthy.

So what is going on?This happens all the time in California. It is… Read More

According to a recent fund raising request Assemblywoman Lynn Daucher (R-72) is still running (and raising money for) termed-out Bob Margett’s 29th Senate District Seat.

But the rumor mill suggests otherwise, that she is considering taking on Orange County’s most principled supervisor Chis Norby in ’06.

Orange County has a fairly restrictive campaign finance law, but now-supervisor Lou Correa transferred six-figures from his state account to his bid for sup, so it can be done.

Norby is not only principled, but also a nice guy. His office dishes out none of the standard fifth floor (the sups offices are on the 5th floor of the county hall of admin.) pretense of self importance that others might trend towards.

Norby is more of a man of the people than a lobbyists’ hack. That is perhaps what Daucher, a moderate who would seemingly be more amicable to the gentle prodding of the public affairs crowd, is thinking about most when considering a run.

The 4th District seat has a recent history of turning-out its own, Norby… Read More

FRESNO MAYOR ALAN AUTRY DOES THE RIGHT THING.

Fresno Police Officers Association President Jacky Parks, purportedly a Republican, is taking Fresno Mayor Alan Autry to task for having the audacity to support Proposition 76, the Live Within Our Means Act, on the ballot next month as part of Governor Arnold’s reform package. As the Bee’s John Ellis reported Saturday, here, Fresno’s public safety unions are threatening to sever ties with the city in ongoing labor relationships if the Mayor continues to support the Governor’s agenda. Frankly, I say let ’em walk out. I am continually disgusted with public safety siding with the idiotic majority in Sacramento. Further, I think its time for Republican legislators to stand up the cops and fireman and push back a little. Over time, Republicans have been THE law and order and public safety Party. We appoint tough judges, stand for strict… Read More

There is a lot of interesting news today. There is always interesting on the blog. But today I am taking a day off of my commentary. Flash… Read More

Two of the leading candidates to replace retiring Rep. Duke Cunningham recently visited Washingtonto build support for their campaigns.

Assemblyman Mark Wyland and Senator Bill Morrow spent a few days meeting with groups possibly interested in playing in the competitive GOP primary in safely Republican North County San Diego. Both are experienced and well-liked conservative legislators. Should Wyland decide to pass on the congressional seat, he could probably moonwalk (and he’s a very talented moonwalker) into Morrow’s senate seat with Morrow’s support.

Morrow, who ran in the GOP primary against Rep. Darrell Issa when Rep. Ron Packard retired in 2000, has regularly visited Washington in the time since that race and has built good relationships with PACs that supported him in 2000. That will mean something.

However, Wyland is personally wealthy and the reality for the PAC community is that this seat will be safely Republican no matter who comes out of the primary. That means many PACs… Read More

So you really want to know what is going on in San Diego?

Regardless of where I am these days I seem to get the same question "What the hell is going on down there in San Diego?" I’m starting to find the question irritating so….

Much of what is happening in San Diego comes down to a story of "campaign finance reform" and it goes a little something like this.

Once upon a time in the 1970’s the leaders in the city of San Diego thought they would do a good deed by giving the city of San Diego one of the strictest campaign finance ordinances in the country. With great booming voices from the sky, they said."there shall be no corporate contributions allowed to candidates running for office in the City of San Diego and all contributions shall be $250 or less. Even independent expenditures shall be made up of contributions of $250 or less."

So, let’s be honest here… It’s true that Republicans should have an easier time raising money in those… Read More