We’ve been seeing reductions in staff at MSM newspapers for years now, as these publications deal with the significant decline in revenues and print-circulation. As these cuts have taken place, we’ve seen a serious pruning of veteran California political and policy reporters.

In the Voice of San Diego today there is an article about a new wave of cuts at the San Diego Union Tribune as its new owner makes changes in how they will operate. Included in the broad cuts are a number of local political reporters.

But of glaring interest (and alarm) to FR readers should be that longtime veteran political reporter and analyst John Marelius is among those departing the U-T in this latest reorganization. This is terrible news. John’s been observing and reporting on political here in the Golden State for as long as I can remember. Heck, I first met and dealt with John when I was an up… Read More

As implementation of Proposition 14 looms – which will emasculate political party primary elections – the organization and activities of local Republican Central Committees will become all the more important in helping to define differences between candidates. But the same election that spawned Prop. 14 also brought some curious changes to Republican Central Committees across the state as well. In Orange County, a whopping 17 incumbents were defeated in re-election bids for their party posts. And in Placer County, high profile GOP Chairman Tom Hudson and First Vice Chairman George Park both finished dead last in their districts and were thrown out of office. Why? The phenomenon did not occur in a number of other locations. Back in Orange County, high profile leaders like Scott Baugh and Tom Fuentes finished at the top of the ticket in their districts. The losers seemed contained for some reason. And in San Diego, Tony Kravric’s team was re-elected pretty much in tact. One observation was that “tea party” activists got traction in areas of some counties. That might be true in Orange County, but Hudson and Park claimed to represent the… Read More

On Sunday, many families will celebrate Father’s Day. As a Dad, I look forward to this day because it means spending extra time with my kids and grandkids. But in all seriousness, Father’s Day provides a great opportunity for people to recognize the important role men play in their families.

According to a 2008 survey, 95% of Californians agree that fathers are just as important as mothers in influencing their children. Hardworking dads who make an effort to be there for their kids contribute positively to their self-esteem and decision-making abilities. A strong father figure is irreplaceable in a child’s life.

Just this last week, I authored a Father’s Day resolution (SCR 112) commending the important role fathers play in their household and community. Annoyingly, the resolution wasn’t even given a hearing, but was blocked by progressive liberals. It’s funny that the party whose members claim to champion families and disadvantaged kids would choose to ignore a resolution with such a positive message.… Read More

From Today’s Wall Street Journal Political Diary Email…… Read More

Only a foolish politician would make a crucial decision based on seeking revenge instead of enacting good policy. For proof, look no further than the Sacramento City Council and its mayor who voted last night to boycott any Arizona-based business in contract with the City.

It’s too early to tell if the act will have an injurious affect on Arizona, but I am willing to bet that Sacramento will suffer more than our neighboring Cactus state. A Sac Bee story reports about one AZ-based construction company (Sundt) that will lose contracts with the City of Sacramento, but at the cost of nearly 70 local jobs. (Insert Homer Simpson’s famous "Doh!" here).

Some people might ask why I care about the goings-on of the Sacramento City Council since I am a resident of Lancaster. But the fact of the matter is I spend time in the Sacramento city limits where I live part-time and purchase goods and services from local business people. I have reason to care and a right to be angry about local leaders choosing to engage in a political stunt over performing their civil servant duties entrusted in them by voters.

Furthermore, the Bee article states… Read More

There was a lot of talk about the effect of Proposition 14 in the last election, and its effect on the legislative and congressional elections. The stated reason for enacting the "top two vote getters" idea for determining who gets to run in the general election was to "moderate" the caucuses, the idea being that if a moderate and an ideologue advance to the general election as the top two vote getters in the primary, the moderate is more likely to be elected, as members of the party whose candidates lost in the primary would be more likely to vote for the moderate of the other party.

While this idea is untested in practice anywhere in the country, interestingly enough, if Prop 14 was in effect in this election, it would not have accomplished its stated goal, at least on the Republican side of things. Of the 153 Congressional and Legislative elections held in the recent primary, only 10 would have sent two of the same primary to the general election. There would be 7 Democrat districts with two Democrats running in November, and 3 Republican districts with two Republicans. The Republican districts would have been Assembly District 25, and… Read More

In a joint conference call for the press, Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Steele and California Republican Party Chairman Ron Nehring unveiled the RNC’s Victory 2010 operation for California. Chairman Nehring made a point of emphasizing the unprecedented partnership between the CRP and the RNC and the enthusiasm Republicans are already showing as the general campaign season begins in earnest.

Since February of 2009 the RNC has played a role in more than 30 successful races across the country, including statewide victories in Virginia, New Jersey and Massachusetts. The Republican National Committee is laying the groundwork to compete aggressively not only in California, but in all fifty states for victory in November.

The RNC announced that it will be supporting the CRP’s statewide efforts with the necessary funding and resources to help effectively communicate the stark contrasts between the Republican and Democrat candidates seeking office. This means the RNC will provide them with… Read More

My blogging yesterday was light as I was down in San Diego County hanging out with U.S. Senate candidate Marco Rubio (R-Florida) and another buddy of mine, David Rivera, who is a leading candidate for an open U.S. House seat in South Florida.

Today’s blogging will also be light as I am off to Sacramento today. Former Senate (and Assembly) Republican Leader Jim Brulte, along with the current Senate and Assembly Republican Leaders, are hosting a two-day event for all of the GOP nominees for State Senate and State Assembly. Brulte asked me to participate as part of the program for that event this afternoon. (Hey, my flight lands in Sacramento at noon — I offer credit in the FR for any FR friend who wants to give me a lift to the Hyatt!).

By way of brief commentary, it will be funbto watch the final numbers gel in the Republican primary for Insurance Commissioner. Former Assembly Republican Leader (and Kennedy Library Honoree) Mike Villines is literally neck-and-neck with DOI Enforcement Attorney Brian FitzGerald, the latter having spend only a few thousand dollars on his campaign. Clearly the big factors… Read More