Yes, we often refrain from press releases in deference to original blog content, but this pretty much says it all….

Issa Statement on House Passage of Bailout

Washington, DC – Congressman Darrell Issa today made the following statement following the House’s passage of the $700 Billion bailout:

"The vote today to pass a Wall Street bailout package is a tragic defeat for taxpayers. We are being saddled with a $700 billion bill for risky decisions made by Wall Street financiers and a plan that has little chance of resolving the underlying problems in the financial markets. Taxpayers are outraged, and they should be.

"The last two weeks have revealed to the American people the breadth of the failure on the part of federal regulators, the Bush Administration and Congressional leaders. With a manufactured sense of urgency they spread panic through the markets, shattered Americans confidence in the banking system,… Read More

Assembly District 80 will be one of the most competitive in the California this November. This is the seat where incumbent Republican Bonnie Garcia barely won reelection in 2006, but is now retiring due to term limits. The GOP nominee for the seat is former Palm Springs Police Chief Gary Jeandron, a strong conservative. The Democrats have put forward as their nominee Manuel Perez, a liberal (so much for theory that competitive districts producing moderate nominees). Voters will have two candidates with contrasting political philosophies and visions for the future of the Golden State.

So how are things looking in this race? Longtime FR friend Jamie Fisfis is the principal of Chariot Research, and is well respected for his acumen in the public opinion (polling) field. He is just out of the field with a survey of voters in AD 80, and has shared the results with FR.

Here is what Fisfis presented to us…… Read More

In 2008 Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger had 1187 pieces of legislation sent to him by the Democrat-controlled state legislature. Much of this legislation was terrible – which makes sense when you consider that all of these bills had to pass muster with the liberals who run the State Senate and State Assembly. Virtually any Republican bill of any substance was killed somewhere in the legislative process, ensuring that only bills that grow the size and scope of state government reach the Governor’s desk.

That said, the Governor vetoed 415 of the bills, and signed 772 of them. Interestingly, the Governor’s veto percentage of nearly 35% is the highest of any Governor. In spending time going through a lot of the bills that the Governor did sign, and considering that previous Governors (of either party) signed a greater percentage than Schwarzenegger, it’s no wonder state government is so big and fat.

For a short period of time, Governor Schwarzenegger actually threatened to veto ALL of the legislation on his desk.… Read More

In 2008 Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger had 1187 pieces of legislation sent to him by the Democrat-controlled state legislature. Much of this legislation was terrible – which makes sense when you consider that all of these bills had to pass muster with the liberals who run the State Senate and State Assembly. Virtually any Republican bill of any substance was killed somewhere in the legislative process, ensuring that only bills that grow the size and scope of state government reach the Governor’s desk.

That said, the Governor vetoed 415 of the bills, and signed 772 of them. Interestingly, the Governor’s veto percentage of nearly 35% is the highest of any Governor. In spending time going through a lot of the bills that the Governor did sign, and considering that previous Governors (of either party) signed a greater percentage than Schwarzenegger, it’s no wonder state government is so big and fat.

For a short period of time, Governor Schwarzenegger actually threatened to veto ALL of the legislation on his desk.… Read More

Late last night the US Senate passed the massive Wall Street bailout—which went from three pages a week ago to the size of a novel after Congressional input. Both of California’s US Senators, Barbara Boxer and Diane Feinstein, voted for the bailout. The courageous House Republicans, who just a few days ago stood up to enormous pressure to approve the bailout, will now be under even greater pressure from lobbyists and Wall Street to follow suit. But the reason many Republicans (and Democrats), including my congressman, John Doolittle, voted against the $700 billion bailout is because they were receiving unprecedented contact from their constituents. Fearful of losing their elections next month, members actually listened to those they were sent to Washington, DC, to represent.

The House of Representatives’ web site was overwhelmed because of all the hits and emails. The American People—thanks mostly to the new media—are informed and engaged and they want their voice heard on an act so monumental that it will impact our country for decades to come.

With so many constituents calling their… Read More

They may seem as elusive as a mythological creature, but conservatives do actually exist in Hollywood. And many of these outnumbered conservatives appear in the new film An American Carol, opening October 3. Last month Republican National Convention attendees had the opportunity to view the film in a special sneak preview. Many of the movie’s stars were in attendance, including Kevin Farley, John Voight, Robert Davi and producer David Zucker. Zucker is famous for bringing to the big screen popular movies like Airplane, Naked Gun, and Scary Movie—all films known for their irreverent humor.

A modern spoof on Charles Dickens’ classic A Christmas Carol, An American Carol lampoons documentary film maker Michael Moore and his ultra-liberal cohorts. In the film, documentary film maker Michael Malone (Farley) takes his antipathy for America to a whole new level by campaigning to abolish the fourth of July and its celebration (doesn’t get more un-American than that!). He is then visited by three spirits who show him the true meaning of American freedom and the cost of maintaining that freedom.

… Read More

We’ve got spirit, yes we do…

Today I stopped in at the Pleasanton Victory HQ, and talked with long time GOP pal, Judy Lloyd. We are both fired up for the debate tomorrow night, and can’t wait to see Biden vs. the Barracuda!!!

While in the office, I met Nathan Conrad, who is coordinating the Victory efforts in the Bay Area. I tried to get him to talk a little smack and lay down a challenge to his counterparts throughout the State. He told me that the Pleasanton office is making over 5,000 calls per week!

Impressive!

I got to see Justin Norell and Forest Tracy working the phones, and may I say…they are charmers! I don’t know how anyone could say ‘no’ if one of these gents asked them to vote for Senator McCain. Justin and Forest…you guys are awesome!

We need some precinct… Read More

**A FlashReport Exclusive — We Had It Here First** One of Governor Schwarzenegger’s most senior staff members, and certainly the highest placed conservative in the administration, Cabinet Secretary Dan Dunmoyer, is leaving the administration. Replacing Dunmoyer will be another Republican, Victoria Bradshaw, currently the Secretary of the Labor and Workforce Development Agency. This change at the highest levels of the Schwarzenegger Administration will be publicly announced later this morning.

There will be a short transition, but as Dunmoyer told me in a conversation last night, “Vickie is already prepared to hit the ground running.”

In addition to be a current agency secretary since 2004, Bradshaw… Read More