Apparently when headed out on the campaign trail, integrity and consistency are a couple of traits that Joan Buchanan, the Democrat candidate for State Assembly in the highly competitive 15th Assembly District, leaves at home.

In a classic case of how advancing technology really makes it hard for shifty candidates to say one thing to one group on one day, and the opposite to another group on another day… Check this out…

Let’s frame this up. Buchanan told the audience at a candidates’ debate last Wednesday that she would support construction of a Peripheral Canal. This is a controversial project, that would divert waters around the Sacramento Delta and move it to Southern California (where I can use it to overwater my lawn).

While as an Orange County resident, I appreciated Buchanan’s stated position on the canal, apparently she must have taken a lot of grief from her… Read More

“At what point does a baby get human rights?” It’s a philosophically profound question, but for those who truly support human rights, it’s an easy one to answer. When Pastor Rick Warren asked this question of the presidential candidates during the Saddleback Civil Forum in August, their responses provided a distinctive contrast between the two.

Barack Obama tried to tiptoe around the political landmine by pleading compensation-capped ignorance: “it’s above my pay grade.” Knowing he had to kowtow to the radical abortion supporters while not offending the many pro-life Democrats or undecided voters, Obama took the easy way out—something a president is not able to do. John McCain’s response was clear and direct: “At the moment of conception.” Whether you support abortion or you’re pro-life, such honesty is refreshing and necessary in a leader.

So I give props to 4th Congressional District candidate Charlie Brown for his equal candor in a debate with fellow candidate Senator Tom McClintock earlier this week. Asked when life begins, he responded, “At birth.”

… Read More

A John McCann TV spot, up heavily on broadcast and cable….

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4NFQc1gjdCw… Read More

Today I am quite pleased to present this special guest commentary from long-long time FR friend Christopher Lauer… Flash The "Liberal"-tarian Party of Death By Chris Lauer

Recently, I had an interesting political discussion with an old friend who is a proud, card-carrying member of the Libertarian Party. He was urging me with great enthusiasm to vote Libertarian in this year’s presidential election.

I explained to him that while I have sympathy for the Libertarian Party (and consider myself somewhat of a libertarian); I could not associate… Read More

Opponents of Proposition 8 like to style themselves sunny defenders of tolerance heroically facing down the dark forces of bigotry and intolerance. "Hate" is a word they are especially fond of throwing at Prop. 8 supporters. But they’re liberals, so it’s OK for them.

You can read about all that anti-Prop. 8 tolerance and love in action in this Modesto Bee article:

In a violent display of intolerance, an opponent of Proposition 8 attacked and seriously injured a man who was volunteering on Sunday for the initiative to define marriage as between and a man and a woman.

Prop. 8 supporter, Jose Nunez, 37, was brutally assaulted while waiting to distribute yard signs to other supporters of the initiative after church services at the St. Stanislaus Parish in Modesto.

The assailant grabbed about 75 signs and yelled at Nunez accusingly, "What do you have against gays!" Although Nunez replied that he had nothing against gays, he was attacked anyway.

Today I am quite pleased to present this special guest commentary from long-long time FR friend Christopher Lauer… Flash

The "Liberal"-tarian Party of Death By Chris Lauer

Recently, I had an interesting political discussion with an old friend who is a proud, card-carrying member of the Libertarian Party. He was urging me with great enthusiasm to vote Libertarian in this year’s presidential election.

I explained to him that while I have sympathy for the Libertarian Party (and consider myself somewhat of a libertarian); I could not… Read More

For those who haven’t heard the news, look who has endorsed Prop. 11…

The Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association today announced the endorsement of Proposition 11 to stop the conflict of interest of lawmakers drawing their own districts and choosing the voters they want to help ensure their reelection. “The current system fixes elections so that fewer than five percent of state representatives face a challenge to their reelection,” said HJTA president Jon Coupal. “This has resulted in a climate where lawmakers do not have… Read More

With less than three weeks remaining in the election, John McCain isn’t quite political toast yet, but he’s under the broiler, there’s smoke around his edges and people are beginning to arrange the butter and jam.

McCain had his best debate performance of the election last night, and arguably might have won it. But that may be a bit like this year’s final tournament of the Fed Ex Cup golf playoffs. Vijay Singh had built such a lead by the time the final post-season tournament came around, all he had to do was complete it alive to win the $10 million Cup prize. Obama emerged from the debate on the defensive, with some bruises, but very much alive. That may be all he needed to do.

The daily national polls the media loves to tout are meaningless. To understand the condition of the presidential race, you have to look at the contest state by state. Right now, it looks very blue.

According to Real Clear Politics, Barack Obama has a clear lead in states with 249 of the 270 electoral votes necessary to win. He has a lead in states with another 37 electoral votes. John McCain has a solid lead… Read More