Faith, Family and Keith Richman

Everyone knows that in order to be on slates--you have to pay. Everyone knows that some slates are for sale to the highest bidder.

Keith Richman is a GOP lawmaker with a proven pro-gay and pro-abortion agenda. He was the only GOP Assembly member NOT to support the parental notification initiative.

Now, Keith Richman has bought on to the "Family, Faith and Freedom" Slate. Proof is here.

Claude Parrish is no conservative hero. But Keith Richman??

The owners of this slate should change their name to "Family, Faith and Funds".

Any other good slate stories out there?

Time for Plescia to go

Did you see the Plescia letter "welcoming" President Fox to California. Click here. The CA GOP was dumb enough to send it around to their email list. How does this help us???

This on top of losing control of some members of his caucus who vote for bond deals.

Time for change.

My Picks for 2006 Dem Primary

Governor—Phil Angelides

Lt Gov—John Garamendi

Controller—Johnny Chiang

Secretary of State—Debra Bowen

Attorney General—Jerry Brown

BOE 4th District—Jerome Horton

Ethically challenged Jim Ayres at it again

Jim Ayres' attempt to deceive the voters about his military record was already exposed by the L.A. Times. Now he's apparently colluding with some potential "independent" expenditures.

A look at his redesigned website suddenly shows a wealth of information about his opponents all set up in a nice, neat fashion for someone to use. He even has high resolution photos of his opponents.

Amusingly, he even has a scan of a mail piece someone did attacking him on his fake medals. It's one of the best of the season.

Now the real question: Is there really anyone who thinks this guy has a chance to win?

Did GWBA Deliberately Leak the Memo?

A big fuss has been about the leaked GWBA memo here and here.

Yesterday, Adam Probolsky wrote about the dilema he faces when people ask him his thoughts about a particular race because he has information that isn't available for public consumption.

So when you ask a political consultant how a client of is going to do - keep in mind that the answer might be more wishful thinking rather than a cold assessment of the race OR perhaps in the case of one present client--their consultant is downplaying the candidates' chances as to not raise suspicion to his/her front runner status.[emphasis added]

I think GWBA deliberately released this memo. GWBA wants us to believe that Waldron is the underdog and Adam (who does a lot of work for GBWA clients) is along for the ride. By releasing this memo, GWBA hopes to slow down Garrick because Garrick is closing and Waldron doesn't have enough money to keep up.

Adam even said, everything that comes from his mount (and presumably his keyboard) is potentally BS. At least he admits it.

AD74: GBWA Memo Spreads Like Wildfire

“It is going to take substantially more money,” says Chris Wysocki to Marie Waldron.

California Campaigns has received a copy of an internal memo (mentioned earlier on the FlashReport), sent from GBWA partner Chris Wysocki to 74th AD candidate Marie Waldron, in which Wysocki bluntly lays out the dire straights of Waldron’s campaign.

The conventional wisdom has been that Waldron should hold a significant lead at the moment, and that Garrick would have to play catch up. Being that Garrick has an extensive monetary advantage, most insiders thought it’d be a battle of whether his money could surpass her institutional support by election day.

Throw those thoughts out the window.

In fact, her unfavorables are a full third higher than her favorables in her home town of Escondido.

Wysocki begins his analysis by bluntly writing, “Clearly, if the election were held today, we could come in third place. Your favorable ratings in Escondido are a significant concern, and we have to immediately bolster your positives in your home town.”

Chris' solution? Going negative. His summary states "His leasing office space to the Mexican Trade Center is a net negative of 29.2%," and "His Lincoln Property development is a net negative of 18.4%, as is his being a former city council candidate that lost." Most telling of GBWA's ensuing food fight is "His biggest hurdle is the tax lien issue (65.6 less likely to 1.6 more likely)."

This race looks to get ugly: fast. But with no base, and no money, Waldron seems t-o-a-s-t.

Arnold feeds the Gay Agenda

The Governor must not need pro-family conservatives is planning a fundraiser for the Log Cabin Club of California. Here is the story. The National Log Cabin Club rejected the George Bush campaign. In California they've attacked Assemblyman Tim Leslie. Now they will have more money to attack traditional marriage and support the several bills in the legislature forcing Homosexual ideology be placed in our schools. Three cheers for the GOP!!!

The Goldwater dictum

In two heavily Republican Assembly District Primaries, conservative divisions open doors for liberals.

William E. Saracino


“Let’s grow up conservatives. We want to take this Party back, and I think someday we can. Let’s get to work”

— Senator Barry Goldwater, withdrawing his name from nomination at the 1960 Republican National Convention.


Conservative political acumen will be tested in two Assembly Primaries June 6: those in the 59th and 77th A.D.s. Do conservatives have their act together? Or will they continue to allow internecine warfare to elect liberals in solidly conservative districts? These elections will tell.

The 59th district covers the San Gabriel Valley in L.A. County and the southwestern portion of San Bernardino County. Conservative incumbent Dennis Mountjoy is termed out. The candidates to succeed him are conservatives Anthony Adams and Barry Hartz, along with liberal Chris Lancaster. A long time activist in San Bernardino County, Adams has been campaigning hard for more than a year. His fundraising total is close to $400,000. He has the endorsements of tax-limits activist Lew Uhler, Jon Coupal of the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association, the Club for Growth, and former CRP Chairman and CRA President Mike Schroeder. He is on most conservative slate cards. Coming from a “safe” district like the 59th, Adams as Assemblyman would no doubt become a conservative leader in the Assembly.

His main opponent is liberal Chris Lancaster. Recalled from the Covina City Council for ram-rodding an unpopular tax, Lancaster’s public employee union pals subsequently poured tons of money into electing him to that body again. Rewarding their largess, Lancaster opposed last year’s Prop. 75, which would have brought fairness and democracy to public employee unions. When the 59th district became open, Lancaster quit the Covina Council and moved to La Verne so he could run. His endorsement list is topped by the Teamsters and the AFL-CIO. They can be expected to open their checkbooks wide for him.

If this were the end of the story — a carpet-bagging union sock puppet running against a solid conservative — there’d be little to write about. Adams would win easily. But third candidate Barry Hartz has the potential to split the district’s conservative majority. Hartz, like Adams, is a solid conservative but started his campaign quite late and has limited fundraising potential. His $75,000 is only a fifth of Adams’ total. He holds the formidable endorsements of Dennis and Dick Mountjoy and the CRA, but little else. He has as much chance of winning as I have of getting that date with Nicky Hilton, but he could siphon enough conservative votes from Adams to nominate Lancaster. In this race, conservatives have a chance, by how they cast their votes, to show the state — and the union hacks — that they’ve moved beyond falling into such childish traps ... or that they haven’t.

A similar story is evolving in the suburban San Diego County 77th A.D., although the two conservatives — businessman Joel Anderson and charter school principal Debbie Beyer — are a bit more evenly matched. Beyer, endorsed by outgoing incumbent Jay La Suer, local Rep. Duncan Hunter, and Assemblyman Tim Leslie, had, at last report, $85,000 cash on hand. Anderson, who had about $150,000 on hand, is supported by state Sen.s Tom McClintock and Bill Morrow, Assemblymen Mark Wyland, and Ray Haynes; the CRA, the Jarvis Taxpayers Association, and the lion’s share of local conservative activists.

They are opposed on the ballot by two markedly less conservative candidates. As in the 59th, a conservative would easily win a straight conservative vs. moderate Primary, but Beyer is a potential spoiler. She is a valuable conservative worker, spreading the Charter School success story and educational-choice gospel, but ... between the two, Joel Anderson is of a higher order of magnitude. He seems to have been present in every noteworthy conservative cause or campaign in San Diego during at least the last 15 years. He is a tested, proven fighter who won’t wilt under pressure. Conservatives rallying in the Assembly will instinctively look to Anderson; Democrats seeking GOP defectors will waste no time talking to Joel.

Liberals cannot beat either Anthony Adams or Joel Anderson. Only conservatives can do that. Have conservatives heeded Barry Goldwater’s words? The returns primary night will tell.

Downright Shameful Indeed

Candidate's Military Record Embellished
By H.G. Reza and Ashley Powers
May 12, 2006

An Assembly candidate from the Inland Empire who protested his opponent's ballot designation as a "Retired Marine Colonel" admitted this week that his own military service record had been exaggerated on his campaign website.

Jim Ayres, a Republican running in the 65th Assembly District, claimed to have earned a Gulf War combat award that Air Force officials said he was not given. He also said he received a Cold War medal when in fact he was the recipient of a certificate available to anyone who served during the Cold War.

Ayres' military record was corrected on his campaign website Wednesday after The Times interviewed him.

"It's a mistake on our website," said Ayres, who served 21 years in the military. "In no way, shape or form were we trying to mislead anybody."

The Ayres campaign funded a lawsuit earlier this year that unsuccessfully challenged the ballot designation of his opponent, Ret. Col. Paul Cook, who received a Bronze Star for valor and two Purple Hearts for service in Vietnam.

Ayres argued that Cook should not be allowed to refer to himself as a "Retired Marine Colonel" because he was now a college professor. Cook declined to comment Thursday about the controversy over Ayres' military resume. But he said he was still angry over the lawsuit.

"When he goes after me for being a Marine, I take umbrage," said Cook, who served for more than two decades in the military. "I'm very proud of being a career Marine."

Military credentials can be important to candidates in this Republican-heavy community that includes the cities of Hemet, Yucaipa and Twentynine Palms, home to a Marine base.

Ayres, who spent most of his military service in the Air Force Reserve, has highlighted his service record throughout his campaign.

On his website and in printed campaign materials, Ayres said he was awarded a Southwest Asia Service Medal for valor and a Cold War medal.

All veterans of the Gulf War qualified for the Southwest Asia Service medal, which was not given for valor, said Tech Sgt. Robert C. Mims, an Air Force spokesman.

Ayres received the Southwest medal, Mims said.

On the candidate's website Thursday, it stated that Ayres received the "Southwest Asia Service Medal with Bronze Star."

In this case, the "Bronze Star" refers to a bronze service star, which is pinned on campaign ribbons signifying participation in a particular operation.

Ayres' military record shows he was awarded an Air Force Outstanding Unit Award for valor issued to each member in his unit, Mims said.

Mims said Ayres also received a Cold War certificate for service during the Cold War years.

"But it's not a medal, and it's not an official Air Force decoration," Mims said. "Anybody who served in the military during the Cold War [from Sept. 2, 1945 to Dec. 26, 1991] qualifies for the certificate."

Ayres described his jobs in the military as a "parachute packer" and "survival equipment specialist."

Ayres, whose military service spanned from 1982 to 2003, said the distinction between a certificate and a medal was minimal.

"Does it make that much more difference whether it's a medal or certificate?" he said. "It's a medal that you can purchase based on the certificate. Is it recognized by the Department of Defense? No."

On Thursday, Ayres referred further questions to Tim Clark, his campaign consultant. Clark said the website changes were made by the webmaster, whom he said "had a typo that he corrected." He said Ayres never intended to mislead the voters.

"[Ayres] has served admirably," Clark said. "Any attempt to attack his service record is downright shameful."

http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-credentials12may12,1,3367826.story

Ouch. This on the heels of the YRs doing IEs calling Ayres a tax-raiser, and YAF filing a federal complaint against him. Bad week.

Down & Dirty in AD 65th

Cal-YAF Files Federal Complaint Against Jim Ayres
Calls for prosecution for “egregious” violations of the ‘Hatch Act’

California Young Americans for Freedom last week filed a complaint with the United States Department of Justice - Office of Special Counsel, regarding a potential significant violation of the Federal Hatch Act by 65th Assembly District candidate Jim Ayres.

FACT: The Hatch Act, first passed in 1939 in reaction to political abuses by the Democratic Party, is a safeguard to prevent federal, state and local government employees from exploiting their office for partisan political advantage.

FACT: Specifically, the Act prohibits local government employees “whose principal employment is in connection with an activity which is financed in whole or in part by loans or grants” by the federal government, such as Jim Ayres, from running in a partisan election.

FACT: From November 9, 1998 to March 6, 2006 , Jim Ayres was an employee of the Riverside County Economic Development Agency, a county program which received significant funding from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development through Community Development Block Grants.

FACT: Employees in County programs funded by the Federal government are subject to the restrictions of the Hatch Act. The Federal government may punish violations in Riverside County by requiring the dismissal of the offending employee and barring further Federal funding for Riverside County for two years,

FACT: Starting on January 18, 2005 , while employed with the county – more than a year prior to taking a leave of absence – Ayres actively campaigned and solicited contributions for the Republican nomination for State Assembly.

This appears to be in direct violation of the Hatch Act.

“California YAF is sick and tired of the ‘Culture of Corruption’ that has plagued our Country,” commented Cal-YAF Chairman Brandon Powers . “It is in this light that Cal-YAF has filed a complaint against Jim Ayres.

“This appears to be a most basic and egregious violation of the Hatch Act,” added Cal-YAF’s attorney Michael MacLellan. “The Hatch Act was passed to prevent government employees from doling out federal dollars in acts of patronage to influence elections. It spelled out very clear and concise do’s and don’ts for partisan candidates, rules Mr. Ayres apparently feels he is above following.”

“Cal-YAF has submitted a letter to the Office of Special Counsel calling for it ‘to immediately initiate an investigation regarding our claim that Mr. Ayres may have violated the Hatch Act and further calls upon the OSC to take all appropriate actions, including a prosecutorial referral to the US Merit Systems Protection Board and appropriate sanctions against Mr. Ayres and the County of Riverside for any violations of the Hatch Act,’” added Powers.

Coming Soon: More from Cal-YAF’s investigation of Jim Ayres…

Taxpayers Be Damned

As has been much publicized, last week the Legislature took up votes on bonds of varying sizes, shapes, colors. These votes were probably the most significant of the session to protect taxpayers.

Those who voted, waited until the wee hours of the morning to let their choices be heard…

Not everyone though, actually waited those hours to vote.

For example, where was Ray Haynes?

Well, he wasn’t in Sacramento at the time of the vote. That’s for sure. While he’s running to supposedly protect taxpayers on the Board of Equalization, Ray apparently can’t be troubled to stay in Sacramento to cast the most important vote in defense of taxpayers this year.

It makes one wonder what the point of running for office is if his “campaign” takes precedence over performing existent obligations.

But, I guess Ray figures if enough voters are “caressed” between now and Election Day, he might have a shot to keep his day job on the public dole.

Additionally though, as Ray likes to champion himself a stalwart Republican – despite his past of being a Democrat – Ray took the example his ideological soulmates introduced last week by taking his $153 per diem for just “showing up” to the Capitol at all that day.

Ray Haynes ditched California taxpayers when they needed him most. Soon, they’ll be able to return the favor.

Turn Out the Lights, The Party's Over

Conservatives have also been told to vote for Republicans that are socially liberally, "because they are fiscally conservative." The Governor was a case in point. "The other guy will spend and spend."

Turns out the other guy was us. Does anyone believe that Gray Davis would have led us into this kind of debt? Would Runner, Dutton, Plescia, Ackerman and company vote for this bond had a Democrat proposed it? Hell no!

With the spending addicts in Sacramento and Washington D.C. running the show, what can the GOP say about fiscal responsibility with a straight face?

The Bonds may pass. The Governor may even be re-elected. But who cares? More debt, more government waste and an eventual tax increase will be the GOP's legacy. Thanks Governor!

Chuck Devore has it right here.

Why Is Tony Winning?

Back-to-back public polls (here and here) have Tony Strickland up on Abel Maldonado in their race for the Republican nomination for Controller.

First to release was the Field Poll (FIELD, as the old joke goes, stands for Findings InEvitably Lean Democratic), which had Tony Strickland with a 9-point edge (23-14).

Next to come was the LA Times poll, which found Tony with a 7-point lead (18-11).

Two polls, Tony up in both.

With a termed-out Assemblyman against a Bay Area Senator, it is highly unlikely that either candidate really has the requisite statewide name-id to explain any sort of preference with the voters.

Even more interesting were Field’s findings that despite a 9-point ballot test edge, the candidates’ favorables/unfavorables are:

Abel – 11/12
Tony – 9/8

So, how does anyone explain Tony being up given this?

Could it be as simple as Republican Primary voters being leery of a Hispanic-named candidate? Or is Tony’s history as a conservative activist more explanatory? Or something else?