There was a great column by Shane Goldmacher in yesterday’s edition of Capitol Weekly. If you haven’t had a chance to read it, you should. I am biased though, because it prominently features this website, and talks about the influence that it is having on California politics!

Also prominently mentioned are the efforts of my long time friend, Steve Frank. Like me, Steve is a former President of the California Republican Assembly (though he is OLD, so his Presidency was like around Lincoln’s time, or something like that). In all seriousness, Steve and I were on the phone joking about the ‘Rise of the Jewish Right’ — pretty funny!

Here is the beginning of the article, with a link to the rest at the bottom:

Yes kids, we face, as conservatives, a mortal onslaught of horrendous ballot initiatives in the next year, led by the ridiculous “Universal Preschool” initiative this June. But looming in the background, and with a much larger scope and impact, is a property tax initiative sponsored by super rich Silicon Valley leaders, to raise property taxes on everyone in the State. Shrouded under the cloak of fail a safe “education” and “child friendly” ballot title, (we should sue the sox off of the Attorney General to have this farce changed), the proposal would solve a problem that doesn’t exist – a mythical shortage of funding for public schools. You can read an informative article by Jon Coupal on the subject at http://www.hjta.org/HJTACalCommentaryV3-50.pdf.

Batten down the hatches mates, the pirates are coming to loot and pillage once more!… Read More

I am going to share some thoughts with you about this meeting at the took place, and I am adding this sentence at the beginning of my commentary, having just written it. I understand from all that the meeting with the Governor was a productive one, and went well. That overall, board members were very pleased with the opportunity to give meaningful input to the state’s top Republican… Now, onto my other thoughts…

CRP BOARD MEETS WITH GOVERNOR IN ATTENDANCE… Yesterday afternoon, for about an hour, the Board of Directors of the California Republican Party, along with some guests, had a meeting at the Hyatt Hotel across the street from the Capitol. The board members gathered first at the GOP’s Sacramento headquarters (the meeting location was not disclosed to board members ahead of time). Then they were escorted as a group to the Hyatt where the meeting took place. It did not take long for the ‘cone of… Read More

[Publishers note to Mike, and to the other contrubutors – I agree with everything in this post, but our mantra here on the FlashReport website is, "ALL California politics, ALL of the time." This post, of of course, is more about international politics. I won’t delete the post as I don’t operate that way, but to my team – please remember that we have a focus on this website. Of course, when Mike talks about ‘peace through capitulation’ below, I pray for our Governor to have the strength to continue to fend off Democrat attempts to grow government, through higher taxes or bonded indebtedness. – Flash]

Liberals, who know less about democratic government than anyone I know, continually sneer at the US’s attempts to export democracy around the globe. They want to achieve piece through capitulation, which has never worked in the history of mankind. The following account of the Iraqi election should make all real Americans proud.

By JAMES TARANTO

Ho Hum, an Election We were up late last night, and just after 1 a.m. EST we… Read More

Memo to all CRP Board Members: If you didn’t discuss specifically how the GOP is going to overcome the political agenda of nurses, teachers, firefighters, cops and firemen, you have wasted your time. I don’t care if Pat Buchanan or Pee Wee Herman is the chief of staff for the Governor, unless we begin to address tactical issues for winning statewide elections, its just hot air. Remember, the main thing is to keep the main thing the main thing. And the main thing is, how to we win elections? Micromanaging the Governor’s staff selections isn’t a strategy.… Read More

What follows is the official statement put forth by State GOP Communications Director Karen Hanretty after the State Party Board meeting:

"The California Republican Party Board of Directors met today with Governor Schwarzenegger to have a frank and free flowing discussion about his recent appointment of Susan Kennedy as his new chief of staff.

The Board advised the governor on his appointment and in response to a question, he reaffirmed his support for his chief of staff as well as his life-long support for Republican principles.

The Board emphasized to the Governor the importance of remaining committed to his policies of not raising taxes, opposing drivers’ licenses for illegal immigrants and expressed concern over proposed bonding in 2006."… Read More

Mineand I am sure many other political insiders phones are ringing this afternoon as word gets out that former State Senator/ Assemblyman and conservative hero Dick Mountjoy may throw his hat in the ring for United States Senate. I hope he jumps in. This is what the conservative base of the California Republican Party needs need right now-someone to rally around. Since the State GOP is currently lacking a U. S. Senate candidate, I am excited to hear that the father of Prop 187 may be willing be our standard bearer.

The conventional wisdom is that Senator Diane Feinstein can not be beat. Well without a candidate on the GOP side that is 100% correct. The Schwarzenegger / McClintock / Mountjoy ticket would certainly be in an interesting one in 2006.… Read More

Good call by the Gov (see my previous post).

SPECIAL ELECTION PROCLAMATION

BY THE GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA

I, ARNOLD SCHWARZENEGGER, Governor of the State of California, do hereby proclaim and order that a special election shall be held on the 6th day of June, 2006 within the 50th Congressional District of the State to fill the vacancy in the office of Member of Congress from said district arising from the resignation of office by Randy “Duke” Cunningham.

I also hereby proclaim and order that a special election shall be held on the 6th day of June, 2006 within the 35th Senate District of the State to fill the vacancy in the office of California State Senator from said district arising from the resignation of office by John Campbell.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF I have hereunto set my hand and caused the Great Seal of the State of California to be affixed this 15th day of December, 2005.

Arnold Schwarzenegger

Governor of California

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(I posted via Blackberry, so pardon any messed up fromating)… Read More