I missed the news a few days ago when it was announced that my friend Mike Richman has been kept aboard theNoah’s Ark ofconsulting firms, JohnsonClark Associates (they’ve got two of everything).

Mike, who previously was brought on with JCA to serve as a liaison with many of their candidates, now will take that job – with the title Deputy Political Director – on a permanent basis.

Congrats Mike! A greatgrab by Wayne and Tim!… Read More

Yesterday Arnold Schwarzenegger announced a number of changes in key senior positions in his administrations. A number of them represent great moves, and a few of them are, frankly very disturbing. Let’s start with the great news! First and foremost, the Governor’s elevation of conservative Dan Dunmoyer to the position of Cabinet Secretary is outstanding news for all of us. Dan is capable, smart and effective. In this key position which acts as a liaison and coordinator between the Governor and all of the Agency heads will be in good hands. Undoubtedly this will be a big relief for former Assemblyman Fred Aguair, the GOPer who has been toiling out of the limelight in this role for awhile now. In other big news for conservatives — stalwart Cynthia Bryant has been given a big promotion. For years, Cynthia has been sitting second chair to Richard Costigan in the Governor’s legislative affairs unit, working to push the Governor’s policy agenda with the Senate… Read More

Yesterday Arnold Schwarzenegger announced a number of changes in key senior positions in his administrations. A number of them represent great moves, and a few of them are, frankly very disturbing. Let’s start with the great news! First and foremost, the Governor’s elevation of conservative Dan Dunmoyer to the position of Cabinet Secretary is outstanding news for all of us. Dan is capable, smart and effective. In this key position which acts as a liaison and coordinator between the Governor and all of the Agency heads will be in good hands. Undoubtedly this will be a big relief for former Assemblyman Fred Aguair, the GOPer who has been toiling out of the limelight in this role for awhile now. In other big news for conservatives — stalwart Cynthia Bryant has been given a big promotion. For years, Cynthia has been sitting second chair to Richard Costigan in the Governor’s legislative affairs unit, working to push the Governor’s policy agenda with the Senate… Read More

A report out today in the San Francisco Chronicle shows that delinquency rates among homeowners is on the rise nationwide. The study shows that more than 4 ½% of homeowners with outstanding mortgages are 30 days or more behind in their payments. California’s delinquency rate is much lower, just over 2 ½ %. The reason? Strong job growth.

"It’s really job loss that causes people to lose their houses," said Ken Rosen, chairman of the Fisher Center for Real Estate Research at UC Berkeley.

[Pause…let that sink in for a moment…]

Who creates strong job growth?

If you are thinking ‘the government’, allow me to propose an alternative answer.

In my mind, the answer isthe business community. When businesses are successful, they can hire more people (and provide healthcare plans,… Read More

Nearly two months after this post that Chris Niemeyer was leaving the Lincoln Club of San Diego, and that a legislativestaffer and GOP consultant were in the running for the E.D. job (although I was sworn to secrecy as to the names), the job has finally been filled..

Congrats to T.J. Zane. I know he will do a great job!

Ok, so when I posted two months ago, I also wrote that the selection would likely be the next day. I also said to tell me if I was all wet. Apparently, I was right about the short list, as T.J. was the consultant I couldn’t name, but I need a towel on the timing. What the heck took two months?

There’s a story there, I just know it.

Whatever the case, the Lincoln Club sent out the following announcement:

LCSD Welcomes New Executive Director

The Lincoln Club is proud to announce its new executive director, T.J. Zane. We hope you will take a moment to personally welcome him and begin working together. A graduate of the University of… Read More

NBC reports Sen. Tim Johnson, Democrat, has had a stroke.

According to Reuters, U.S. Sen. Tim Johnson, Democrat of South Dakota, had an apparent stroke on Wednesday at his office in Washington and has been hospitalized, NBC News reported.

The condition of the 59-year-old Johnson was unknown, the network said.

When the 110th Congress convenes on January 4, there will be 49 Democrats in the Senate, 49 Republicans and two independents. But the two independents will align themselves with the Democrats, giving them majority control of the Senate.

South Dakota’s governor, Michael Rounds, who would appoint any successor if there is a vacancy, is a Republican.… Read More

A friend sent this to me…I thought FR readers would enjoy this too!

For My Democratic Friends:

Please accept with no obligation, implied or implicit, our best wishes for an environmentally conscious, socially responsible, low-stress, non-addictive, gender-neutral celebration of the winter solstice holiday, practiced within the most enjoyable traditions of the religious persuasion of your choice, or secular practices of your choice, with respect for the religious/secular persuasion and/or traditions of others, or their choice not to observe religious or secular traditions at all.

I also wish you a fiscally successful, personally fulfilling and medically uncomplicated recognition of the generally accepted calendar year 2007, but not without due respect for the calendars of choice of other cultures.

… Read More

The Federal Election Commission just issued this statement on today’s settlements of cases against the SwiftBoat Veterans and MoveOn.com for alleged 527 committee campaign act violations:

"The Federal Election Commission announced today that it has reached settlements with three 527 organizations accused of violating the federal campaign finance laws during the 2004 presidential election. The League of Conservation Voters 527 and 527II, MoveOn.org Voter Fund, and Swiftboat Veterans and POWs for Truth have collectively paid almost $630,000 to settle charges that they failed to register and file disclosure reports as federal political committees, and accepted contributions in violation of federal limits and source prohibitions. The Commission approved all three conciliation agreements by a vote of 6-0."… Read More