Back in the early 1990’s all I heard about was how the Republican Party needed to be a “big tent.” The idea was to embrace anyone who wanted to be a Republican regardless of what that person stood for.

Of course that is how we get tax raising Governors like the one here in California. But what you also get are politicians that will put a bullet in your back as soon as the going gets tough.

Let’s look at John McCain. John McCain is no conservative. There are many issues where he went “maverick” rather than the generally excepted conservative position. Joe Lieberman reminded us of all those things during the RNC Convention.

So who stabbed him inthe back? Was it conservatives?

Collin Powell. This guy was made by Ronald Reagan and then the Bushes (not conservatives either). An enormous amount of Republican resources were spent promoting the General. Unfortunately, he isn’t the only one.

Former Republican Senator Lincoln Chafee, and Sen. Charles Mathias Jr. , Former Congressmen Jim Leach, Cong. Wayne Gilchrest and Former Mass. Governor Bill Weld all joined the team. How much did the Republican Party spend on behalf of these guys?… Read More

The entire Congressional delegation will be re-elected. There was some media reports that caused concern over Rohrabacher and Calvert.

No surprises in the legislative races.

Supervisor Janet Nguyen’s chief of staff, Andrew Do is on top for election to the Garden Grove city council, but late mail could have an impact.

Assemblyman Bob Huff’s district director, Tim Shaw is the top vote getter among absentees for the La Habra city council.

Santa Ana Mayor Miguel Pulido is set to win another term, it will be his seventh term. Terms are two years.

It does not look like Orange County will have a 35th city. Rossmoor cityhood is failing 73% to 28%.

See OC Registrar results updated here.… Read More

I’m recieving reports that this audio file is being distributed in target districts around the state. Clearly Democrats are trying to suppress Republican turnout. Without a disclaimer, the call clearly violates campaign finance laws and the sponsors could find themselves in extreme trouble.

The CRP was prepared for a dirty trick like this and Ron Nehring has an automated call going to voters at the same time informing GOP voters the election is still close and intstructing them to download voter guides from the CRP website.… Read More

They are spreading the eats and drinks around. Donuts, Coffee, Donuts, Pizza, Donuts, Ice Cream, Donutsand yes..Tequila are all free to voters at various locations throughout Los Angeles County.

No word on what ACORN is offering folks. But there are free donuts.… Read More

This just in from Jon Coupal, President of the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association… HJTA has released itsannual Legislative report card based on the votes and/or abstentions on 29 bills introduced in the California Legislature. These bills include proposals which either directly diminish the protections of Propositions 13 or 218, or are “tax like fees” that should require voter approval per Proposition 13. 2008 saw an overall lowering of grades as several bills (including what is now Proposition 1A (High Speed Rail) were passed with bipartisan support despite our strenuous objections. The number of A grades received (28) is the lowest ever. The number of B grades received is our highest ever (14).We’d also like to commend the four legislators who received perfect scores in 2008: Joel Anderson, Ted Gaines, Audra Strickland, & Mimi Walters.Especially on Election Day, it is important… Read More

On this election day, much will be decided across this country. The next President and Vice President will be elected. Republicans will certainly lose seats in the United States Senate, but will we be able to retain enough seats to filibuster against egregious, left-wing legislation? Pundits estimate House GOP loses in the neighborhood of 20-30 seats (some say that Tom McClintock’s bid for Congress is in peril, and that once-thought-safe incumbent Members of Congress like Dan Lungren are no longer assured reelection).

As the State Legislative level, it is unclear whether the sizable lead of Barack Obama in California will sweep Democrats into an even greater lock-hold on the Senate and Assembly, or whether, like in 2006, the Democrat wave will crash at the border (no state legislative seats changed parties that year).

In the State Senate, only one seat – the 19th District – is really in… Read More

On this election day, much will be decided across this country. The next President and Vice President will be elected. Republicans will certainly lose seats in the United States Senate, but will we be able to retain enough seats to filibuster against egregious, left-wing legislation? Pundits estimate House GOP loses in the neighborhood of 20-30 seats (some say that Tom McClintock’s bid for Congress is in peril, and that once-thought-safe incumbent Members of Congress like Dan Lungren are no longer assured reelection).

As the State Legislative level, it is unclear whether the sizable lead of Barack Obama in California will sweep Democrats into an even greater lock-hold on the Senate and Assembly, or whether, like in 2006, the Democrat wave will crash at the border (no state legislative seats changed parties that year).

In the State Senate, only one seat – the 19th District – is really in… Read More

Tonight, FR Publisher Jon Fleischman will "host" a live chat on the FR blog page, as election results come in. Using new technology, FR blog readers will be able to tune in to the live chat, and weigh in themselves in real time!

Be sure to check out the action later this afternoon, when the polls start to close on the East Coast. The live blog feed will appear atop FR’s blog page tonight.… Read More