Hiram Johnson

Republicans for Whitburn?

By Hiram Johnson | 09/29/08

I'ts no great secret on this blog that I have never found the Republican establishment in this city particularly pragmatic. Most of them strike me as the type who would rather die around the flag than take half a loaf. That's why the talk of "Republicans for Whitburn" over the last few days surprised me.   San Diego's 3rd District is hardly a place that will elect a Republican. I'm not an expert on the seat.... read more »

DeMaio in the Reader

By Hiram Johnson | 09/24/08

From the San Diego Reader...Pumping Up City CouncilBy Dorian Hargrove | Published Wednesday, Sept. 24, 2008At nine am, Saturday Morning, under the steady hum from the air conditioner inside Salvation Army's Fellowship Hall, District Six councilmember, Donna Frye, and councilmember-elect from district five, Carl Demaio conversed with a sparse crowd of concerned residents on ways of empowering San Diego's "girly-man" style of city council.The... read more »

Where is the ACLU?

By Hiram Johnson | 09/22/08

I believe I voted for the Ethics Commission. I support the idea of an Ethics Commission. But, like most other people active in politics here in San Diego, I'm starting to wonder what we got ourselves into with the type of ethics commission now in place.   Investigating corruption is one thing, but the endless slew of new rules and regulations is a burdon to the process as a whole, which I don't think anyone wants. The problem: we have... read more »

More Polling in District 1

By Hiram Johnson | 09/12/08

Someone was polling in San Diego City's District 1 (La Jolla) last night. Several positives and negatives on both candidates. If anything, from what I can tell, some of the whacks on Phil Thalheimer were a little over the top, so I'm guessing it was a labor poll. read more »

City Beat(s) on Emerald Campaign

By Hiram Johnson | 09/10/08

Emerald 2.0 City Council candidate retools her campaign after a poor primary showing By Eric Wolff Gone is Marti Emerald the blustery TV reporter-cum-District 7 City Council candidate whom CityBeat met in a Del Cerro restaurant in March. Gone is the red suit and careful makeup. Gone is the bravado of those early days when the campaign could boast about a January poll that put her up 35 points on her opponent, accountant April Boling. Where did... read more »

Emerald Kick Off Lackluster

By Hiram Johnson | 09/06/08

Since Marti Emerald emailed me an invitation to her kickoff I thought I'd at least drive by to take a look. The numbers were not what I expected. Putting it another way, the water bottle to attendee ration was way out of whack. New yard signs, though. read more »

Cushman and Emerald

By Hiram Johnson | 09/06/08

At a dinner in Tierrasanta last night I was talking to some people and I heard Port Commissioner Steve Cushman had been seen out walking door to door with Marti Emerald. I realize Cushman has come a long way from the days in which he was a Republican stalwart, but this sort of slavish loyalty to the union candidates is embarrasing. I'm guessing when the GOP members of the City City Council and the Mayor hear this that will be yet another reason... read more »

Say It Isn't So...

By Hiram Johnson | 09/03/08

Like any number of others I got an email from some College Republicans this morning saying that 7th San Diego City Council member Marti Emerald had been, once more, taped. This time is was while she was castigating a group of young college students at SDSU in the last day or two. The email says most of the incident is captured on a cell phone video with audio, and that it will be up on "utube at the appropriate time". I'm no fan of Mrs.... read more »

Republican Endorsement Meeting

By Hiram Johnson | 08/25/08

The Republican endorsement meeting is tonight, for nonpartisan local offices I think. I've got to say it was smart of them to start endorsing at all levels finally. I realize Mighty Thor will eliminate comments of people who are in the room, which I think is closed door, but I thought the information that this is going on, right now probably, was worth knowing. read more »

Just One Thought for Emerald Handlers

By Hiram Johnson | 08/18/08

Marti Emerald is still walking Republicans in the 7th San Diego City Council District. Fair enough - maybe she thinks she can get some votes person to person. But in some sort of tank top like she walked Rose Lake? It's not appropriate and led to a series of hilarious emails that I am not going to republish here out of good taste. Emerald handlers, please... read more »