My dayjob duties have recently expanded to include more frequent travel to places like Adairsville, Ga., Manitowoc, Wisc., and Kewanee, Ill. which means that I am not only (thankfully) outside the Beltway Bubble but also in some refreshingly nice, Red Town kind of places. And, it means it has been so long since I posted that I nearly forgot my password–luckily the "name of my first pet" reminder prompt helped me recover.

LA Observed notes some interesting updates on the Calif. media scene; "Wilshire & Washington" blogger Ted Johnson has an interesting take on the Twin Cities protests and his own "recovery" efforts, and also writes on Hollywood/musical acts’ take on the candidates. Does anyone care what "Heart" really thinks? These dreams might not go on.

Over at Politco, Sen. Ensigh (R-Nev.) speaks the truth on his party and his views on leadership support. The paper is also heavily promoting their swing state map, here. And,… Read More

Update: Wednesday Morning

1. Barack-Backpedal from lipstick on a pig statement

2. Joe-Backpedal from the great idea of he [instead of Hillary] running for VP with Barack

3, Barack and Joe-Keep distance from supporters comparing the top of ticket to the Messiah, and from Guv. Palin’s never having an abortion being her primary qualification.

4. Barack and Joe-Thursday’s "Dumb Things" list-Try not to screwup on 9/11

Tuesday Morning 1. Barack-Insult at least 51% of the U.S. population by comparing Gov. Sarah Palin to a lipstick wearing pig.

2. Joe-Insult at least 51% of the U.S. population by telling the press that Gov. Sarah Palin running for VP is a setback for women.

3. Barack and Joe-thoughtfully prepare Wednesdays "Dumb Things" list… Read More

A good synopsis from the Gov’s press team…. Voices Heard ‘Round The State…California Correctional Peace Officers Association’s Recall Attempt Just Another Political Intimidation Tactic

Sacramento Bee: “Union leaders can’t buy Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, who has never accepted CCPOA contributions, so now they want to recall him.” (Editorial, “A Desperate Ploy From Guards Union,” Sacramento Bee, 9/9/08)

CCPOA’s Actions Are A “Desperate” Attempt To Bully The Governor Towards High Pay Raises

San Diego Union-Tribune: “This Is A Bullying Tactic Designed To Force The Governor To Go Along With A Raise.” “… Everything about this reeks – starting with the group pushing for a recall. The prison guards union isn’t motivated by altruism; instead, this is a bullying tactic designed to force the governor to go along with a raise for CCPOA members.” (Editorial, “Recall Folly,” San Diego Union-Tribune, 9/9/08)

Union Trying To Use… Read More

The Governor may as well have been humming the U.C.L.A. Bruin fight song while going to a meeting of the U.S.C. Trojans. My sources tell me that that is a good analogy for what happened today when the Governor went into a closed-door meeting with Assembly Republicans. Once again, he has earnestly asked GOP legislators to sign off on a budget deal that punishes California taxpayers for the overspending of politicians (something Arnold actually promised he would never do), asking Republicans to sign off on his so-called "temporary" tax increase. You know, the one that socks it to Californians through a tax increase the next few years, and "promises" to then lower the tax rate a few years out… Right.

Well, Assembly Republicans made it clear to the Governor that a tax increase is not going to happen.

After the meeting, Assemblyman Chuck DeVore, a leading critic of the Governor’s broken "I will not raise your taxes" pledge, has this to say:

We caught up with Jon Coupal, President of the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association.

Q: Jon, what do you think about reports that the California Correctional Peace Officers Association is going to try and qualify a recall of Governor Schwarzenegger? Coupal’s Answer "This is a stupid distraction. That is the only way to describe the latest effort by the prison guards union to recall Governor Schwarzenegger.

Make no mistake, we have our issues with the Governor based on legitimate policy disputes. He believes that tax increases will help California and we don’t. But what is needed is grownups dealing with the many crises facing California like grownups.… Read More

Update: The bill was voted down 27 aye votes,all Reeps, to 45 no votes, all Dems

Our budget vice chair, Roger Niellois presenting on the budget package put forth from the Republican caucus, for vote right now. The bill is known as SB 1087, and amends the Budget Conference Committee report. It decreases spending from the original report document by over $5 billion. Though not a perfect document, as we hit day 71 of the ‘new’ fiscal year, this version is the best version so far that does not raise taxes, nor hurt the economy, and keeps spending priorities fairly well intact considering the mess we’re in. This is one we can live with.… Read More

Assemblyman Todd Spitzer is turning down any per diem payments related to budget sessions. So are two others. Maybe more will join in!… Read More

Should we really believe the qualification ratings of the State Bar Association?

Radical lawyers continue to use the bar to push their agenda. Now they State Bar may consider taking a position on Proposition 8. Of course it would be to oppose overturning Ron George and the judicial activists that don’t care what the people think about marriage.

Guess what? Ron George will be speaking at the upcoming meeting. Balancing him out will be Tom Daschle

It is dangerous to allow organizations with political agendas like the State Bar to pretend to be unbiased keepers of the law. The State Bar has politicized itself and should not be part of the judicial selection process… Read More