Last week, when flying from Sacramento to Orange County on a SWA flight, I reported on the ‘notables’ on the flight.

Today’s flight has a different group of interesting characters, though no less notable. Flying with my fiance, Maureen, and me are… State Senator Chuck Poochigian, Assemblyman Chuck Devore, Assemblywoman Lynn Daucher, State GOP Chairman Duf Sundheim, former GOP Chairman Mike Schroeder, Republican Insurance Commissioner Nominee Steve Poizner, and from the Governor’s campaign team – Julie Soderlund and a discovery, that the son of my friend Rich Galen (www.mullings.com), Robert, is working for the Governor’s campaign.

With all of these GOPers, I shouldn’t leave out our token Democrat “VIP” – Assemblyman Tom Umberg.

Somehow I don’t think Umberg is going where the rest of us are headed – the Orange County GOP’s big annual Flag Day dinner (with special guests Arnold Schwarzenegger and talk show host and columnist Dennis Prager, of whom I am a huge fan, and whom I am introducing).… Read More

In what will be great news for liberals far and wide, I will be leaving on vacation to Great Britain tomorrow morning to return just in time to celebrate America’s birthday on July 4th! The good news is that during my absence, the FlashReport will continue to bring you all of the latest and greatest news on California politics. Nicholas Romero, whom you have seen as a guest editor for this site has been promoted and is now the Managing Editor of the FlashReport. Nick will be editing the main page of the site for the next few weeks, as well as joining the FlashReport Weblog with his own observations and analysis. Congratulations, Nick! I am also pleased to announce that many of our regular contributors from the Weblog have agreed to step up and make sure that this Daily Commentary page updated each and every day, starting with our Central Valley Correspondent, Mike Der Manouel, Jr., who will be posting on this page tomorrow. I’ll still be monitoring my emails (somewhat… Read More

In what will be great news for liberals far and wide, I will be leaving on vacation to Great Britain tomorrow morning to return just in time to celebrate America’s birthday on July 4th! The good news is that during my absence, the FlashReport will continue to bring you all of the latest and greatest news on California politics. Nicholas Romero, whom you have seen as a guest editor for this site has been promoted and is now the Managing Editor of the FlashReport. Nick will be editing the main page of the site for the next few weeks, as well as joining the FlashReport Weblog with his own observations and analysis. Congratulations, Nick! I am also pleased to announce that many of our regular contributors from the Weblog have agreed to step up and make sure that this Daily Commentary page updated each and every day, starting with our Central Valley Correspondent, Mike Der Manouel, Jr., who will be posting on this page tomorrow. I’ll still be monitoring my emails (somewhat… Read More

Before I get started on the FR Blog, I would like to thank Jon for continuing to show great respect for young people in politics. He doesn’t provide lip service like others. He creates opportunities for those of us just getting starting (relatively speaking) to get our feet wet. I was honored that he asked me, of all people, to join him compiling and editing the site. I am honored further to be in the company of some truly great political professionalsin the FR Blogpen.

Now on to this first post. It takes me back to earlier, sunnier days.

In my morning reading, I came across a sad story in the Orange County Register about a young boy who drowned yesterdayoff ofHuntington State Beach between towers 6 and 7. He and another boy were brought in from 150 to 200 yards off shore (1 and 1/2 to 2 football fields), a considerable distance in ocean terms (in a pool, that’s nothing), indicative of the conditions (South to Southwest swell, strong winds out of the West to Northwest). Two to four foot surf, as it was reported, is, again, nothing on a calm… Read More

Last Thursday the Lincoln Club of Orange County hosted a fundraiser for Lynn Swann, the Republican candidate for Governor of Pennsylvania. The All-Pro wide receiver of the Pittsburgh Steelers, USC All-American and T.V. sports commentator was greeted by 175 Lincoln Club members and USC alumni invitees for a lunch in Newport Beach. The guest list included a number of USC‘s athletic hall of… Read More

I just saw this story on the Orange County Register website and wanted to share the good news:

By JIM RADCLIFFE The Orange County Register… Read More

Long-time readers will recognize this as the third installment of my timetable for driving from here to there in California. Statewide race handlers take note! This trip started on a Friday around 10:10 in downtown San Diego, and ended up in downtown Sacramento around 5:50. To keep this series fresh, I have decided to also add temperature.

As mentioned me, my wife Valerie, and our 2 year old daughter Oncy (Ella) left downtown San Diego at 10:10am, driving north on the 5. It was a comfortable and overcast 68 degrees.

At 11:10 we drove through Irvine, jumping on the 405 for a change of pace. No traffic to speak of. 68 degrees. SAN DIEGO TO IRVINE 1 HOUR.

Around 12:10 we passed the Getty Museum. We did run into traffic around LAX, but nothing to cut your head off over. 75 degrees. IRVINE TO WEST LA 1 HOUR.

It was 1:30 by the time we got to Bakersfield via the 99 (the 5 may be a couple minutes faster, but it’s so boring I’d rather take the 99), and a dreadfully hot 95 degrees. We stopped for a bit to fill up the gas tank (heretofore we’d used half a tank), and to pick up some food at Carl’s Jr. Combined I estimate we… Read More

Issue Poses a Challenge For Schwarzenegger, Who Seeks Inroads With Latinos By CHRISTOPHER COOPER Wall Street Journal – June 12, 2006;PageA4

REDDING, Calif. — Pacing before a circle of supporters in this northern California city, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger trotted out a slightly romanticized story of a young Austrian who arrived… Read More