In three match ups on the GOP side, there have been 3 different winners – Huckabee in IA, McCain in NH, and now Romney in MI.

If Thompson pulls off a win in SC, and Giuliani wins in FL (either is possible) – then I’ll have to take back my early comment about CA’s early primary being just about the Legislators Job Protection Act (also known as Prop 93), because CA and NY might be the bi-coastal "deciders" on the GOP side…but still…to quote the Bakesfield Californian, "No on Prop 93 – don’t swallow this Baloney."

Here’s an excerpt from C&E:

Romney Wins Michigan Primary Shane D’Aprile, Jan 15, 2008

In what amounted to a must win for his… Read More

David Freddoso from the "The Corner" on National Review Online posted this today. I had to share it, because California is so incredibly impacted by the immigration debate, and this letter makes an important point about McCain’s stance on immigration:

From a reader in the active-duty military:

Put me in the camp of those who have reluctantly come to believe that McCain is the candidate to support in the Republican primary. If I could annoint a candidate, it would be The Fred. I actually care passionately about immigration and free speech, and I really didn’t think I could forgive McCain for his positions on those issues, but here is my reasoning:

1) McCain-Feingold: while it seems like it should be unconstitutional, in practice, it has proven to be pretty easy to work around. Even a poorly financed candidate like Huckabee has been able to get his message out.

2) Immigration: for all his faults, I think McCain will be a man of his word in this respect: he has agreed to… Read More

I have to admit that it gets depressing to cover the Bay Area for the Flashreport. Sure, there are funny stories to pass along, mostly political antics from San Francisco, where the inmates run the asylum.

But is also terribly frustrating to live here, where ever ballot initiative includes multiple local tax increases (February’s proposes three tax increases for Oakland homeowners and I can assure you that they will all pass. These people have never met a tax they didn’t like.)

I knew it was bad when Jerry Brown was the most conservative mayoral candidate on the ballot. But I never imagined that they replace Mayor Moonbean with Ron Dellums! I’ve been waiting for him to open a district office in Cuba ever since he took office.

But then again, as much as I can’t stand him or his politics, the man won the election. Clearly the people of Oakland wanted him.

And now they are enjoying the fruits of his liberal labors.

Late last week, a 10-year-old boy was shot during his… Read More

This morning FR friends and anti-tax stalwarts Lew Uhler and Jon Coupal spoke to a crowded sidewalk full of reporters in front of the belly of the beast (the YES on Prop 93 headquarters!) about their opposition to Prop. 93, the Nunez-Perata power grab.

Coupal, President of the Howard Jarvis Tax Association, spoke about the sham of Prop. 93. He let reporters know that although Nunez and Perata are telling voters that this measure shortens term-limits, the fact of the matter is that it will really lengthen them for the majority of officeholders in Sacramento. He also pointed out that Núñez and Perata broke their promise to the people of California by not including redistricting in this proposal, which makes it an incomplete attempt at reform.

Following that, Uhler laid into the real reasons behind this measure. As the author of the original bill that created term-limits in California, I can think of no one more qualified to speak on the issue.

FR’s very own… Read More

One of the most compelling letters that has come into my County office arrived last week. It was from a nurse at Sutter Davis Hospital. I have copied the letter below with permission of the author but removed her name.

Former Assemblyman Knox authored this bill that was signed by Governor Davis in 1999.

This bill took effect on January 1, 2000 and heavily regulated the work day. The proponents argued that this was necessary to "protect" workers. The opponents (most every business group in the state) felt that these restrictions would do away with the flexibility needed to run a business.

This letter makes exactly the point that was made during the 1999-2000 legislative session. Nurses and others are in a position that this law is hurting more than it is helping.

Little is done to evaluate major policy changes in California. There is no doubt in my mind that if AB 60 (Knox) is one of the worst job killers in California’s history.

Unfortunately for this nurse her professional association — the California Nurses Association supported the bill. Maybe they would consider sponsoring the effort to revoke this… Read More

LAObservedhas somesnapshots of LA PoliceChief Bratton’sinterview in Playboy. So if you get it for the interviews….. you can read about his liberal bent.… Read More

GOP Scrum for Doolittle¹s Seat Coming

By David M. Drucker Roll Call Staff

January 15, 2008

With Rep. John Doolittle (R-Calif.) now out of the race, Republicans in the solidly conservative 4th district are jockeying for position to replace him ‹ setting the stage for a primary battle that could split California¹s House GOP delegation.

One potential scenario features a grudge match between rivals Rico Oller and former 3rd district Rep. Doug Ose ‹ with moderates in the delegation siding with Ose and conservatives backing Oller, a former state Senator. Oller finished ahead of Ose¹s sister, Mary, in the 2004 3rd district GOP primary to replace Ose but a close second to the upset winner, now-Rep. Dan Lungren (R).

… Read More

It really is déjà vu all over again for me. I am pretty sure we have been here before. So why are the media and everyone else acting like it’s the first time?

Every four years the same things happen. Some candidates compete in Iowa and New Hampshire and some don’t. There is a huge build up to Iowa, even though at the end of the day only a few of the major contenders are competing there. They pick the safe, conservative, strong-family, candidate, who sometimes isn’t the national frontrunner. Everyone acts shocked. Then they scramble to explain what might have happened – even though it is the same thing that happens every four years. Tom Harkin won Iowa for the Democrats in 1992 and Dick Gephardt in 1988. Bob Dole won for the Republicans in 1988 and in 1996 when and barely won there over Pat Robertson, who subsequently won New Hampshire, when Dole went on to become the nominee.

Then we are off to New Hampshire where another candidate is up in the polls. It is the non-traditional candidate. Shocker. The people of “Give Me Liberty of Give Me Death” are supporting John McCain, for the second time. Does that really surprise… Read More