It’s interesting to read around the internet the various responses, especially from legislators, to the Governor’s speech. For the most part, you have Republicans applauding the Governor’s commitment to spending reform, and to tackling our state government’s deficit through cuts in spending – and most notably not through increasing taxes (see below for a reminder that the Governor does want to raise taxes, just not for the budget shortfall).

In the meantime, Democrats are thrashing the Governor, throwing in their class-warfare rhetoric (as pointed out by Assemblyman Anthony Adams a few blog posts down).

For a little bit, I wondered if perhaps I was being a bit off-message as my early critique of the speech was that I found it to be, from a conservative perspective, a mixed bag. So I re-read the speech.

Given the four-alarm fire that is the condition of our state finances, it is clear that the portion of his speech that dealt with this issue was the central part, and the area that (rightfully) has garnered the most comment, and media attention. I am really looking forward to the Governor introducing his first budget draft on Thursday. Based… Read More

California Republican Party Chairman Ron Nehring commented, after the results of the New Hampshire primary tonight that, “It’s clear following tonight’s results that Californians will vote before it’s clear who will carry each party’s banner into November. As a result, Californians have more influence over the ultimate result of this primary contest than at any time in recent memory.”

This is very true. As we get closer to the February 5 Super Duper Tuesday voting where California along with 23 other states will be holding their primaries, it becomes more and more likely that no candidates will have a real lock on their respective party’s nomination.

Before I pen some thoughts about the GOP Presidential primary, I want readers to know that as an elected officer of the California Republican Party, I have neither endorsed nor do I support any individual candidates in the race for the nomination…

As I reflect on the GOP results in the Granite State with John McCain coming in first place, nearly six points ahead of… Read More

Not long ago, I visited my favorite spot in Sacramento…the hallway where then-Governor Reagan’s picture hangs. I never walk through the Capitol without going there for inspiration, and I never fail to receive it. There were 2 things about Ronald Reagan that I can never forget: his effervescent smile and his optimistic message. I never saw him in person, but each time I saw him on TV, the part of my soul that belongs exclusively to my Country was always stirred. He made me proud to be an American.The last time I visited that portrait, I felt sad. I had just attended a RJC event at the Reagan library, where I reminisced on some of my fondest political memories, and I couldn’t help missing the days when President Reagan constantly reminded us of all the good things about America, and all the reasons to be hopeful about the future. We just don’t hear that message much anymore.

But tonight, I heard a message that reminded me of the Great Communicator. Here is an excerpt from Senator McCain’s speech tonight that I found especially moving:

We are the makers of history, not its victims.

Whatever the… Read More

New Hampshire is a cool 39 degrees and politics is in the air. I came here to observe the first in the nation Primary and support my candidate–Mitt Romney. With me here at the Romney HQ are dozens of California major donors and politicos.

Watching the results with me are former Assemblyman Tony Strickland, OC GOP Chairman Scott Baugh, private equity guru John Clarey and insurance executive John Carvelli.

It looks like Mitt is the only constant in the race for president. Taking silver twice in a row.

While the media wants to anoint the nominees, this race is wide open still.

On the car ride into NH from Boston we talked politics with our driver. Everyone here follows politics here, at least every four years they do.

Having known Governor Romney for four years, I have seen him in action and have studied his background. I am hoping our campaign and the media better communicate that Mitt Romney is the greatest agent of change in the race for president – running from either party.

Tomorrow we get on the phones and raise money.… Read More

Tomorrow morning I will have a bit lengthier critique of the Governor’s State of the State Address, but I thought I would post some immediate reaction, along with the full text of the speech (below) so that you have an opportunity to read it for yourself.

I think that I will preface my immediate comments by quoting an excerpt from the analysis given by Sacramento Bee columnist Dan Weintraub on his blog (free registration required), because I found these lines to be quite insightful:

It’s simply impossible anymore to categorize Schwarzenegger politically or ideologically. He is a fusion politician, taking ideas from the left and the right and the center as he sees fit. He is one of a kind.

Credit where credit is due: Schwarzenegger proposed the serious budget cuts that need to be made in order to protect the vital services that California provides to millions of families, students, employees and employers.

How does the Liberal Senate and Assembly Democrat leaders respond? Class warfare rhetoric and empty platitudes. When will the Democrats of this state ever get their heads out of the sand and realize that a California in budget crisis is useless to everyone!

Schwarzenegger called on us to work together, and to do so without raising taxes. I, for one, stand with my Republican colleagues ready to do just that.… Read More

"State legislators exchanged hugs, handshakes and kisses Monday as they returned to the Capitol for another year of doing whatever it is that they do – which usually isn’t much and may be even less this year." – Dan Walters (http://www.sacbee.com/111/story/617034.html)

It is amazing how much this sentiment is repeated by the pundits and talking heads of the Sac Capitol scene. The usual overtone is that Sacramento has failed to deliver because the "legislature" has done nothing. Allow me to disabuse you of that thought if it rings truewith you.

As long as the Democrats are in charge of the Legislature, their failure to do anything is a huge victory for Republicans. As Republicans, most all of us draw great joy from the "gridlock" of Sacramento.

Why? Because the Capitol Democrats in charge are principally hard core liberals who, despite their warm and fuzzy sentiments to the contrary, believe that anything that twitches deserves to be taxed, that personal responsibility is something reserved only for members of the legislature and should be… Read More

For months know, rumors have circulated around that Congressman John Doolittle who represents California’s 4th District, east of Sacramento, was going to announce his retirement. The Congressman has been been in a tough political battle, that must be very frustrating for him. You see, he is battling against a federal investigation of him that has been very high profile, but has yet to actually result in any formal charges. Yet, in the court of public opinion, Doolittle clearly has problems. In a district that was literally drawn to elect a Republican, he barely won re-election in 2006. His former opponent, military veteran Charlie Brown is running again, and I have seen polling data that shows it would be a very uphill battle for Doolittle to get re-elected. The taint of the FBI probe has also had a significant and negative impact on the Congressman’s ability to raise needed funds for re-election, and has also caused a severe financial drain as potential resources for a re-election bid are diverted to pay legal bills.

I know John Doolittle well — and he is a good and honorable man. I find it hard to believe that he has broken any laws, and… Read More