How could anyone remain a Democrat all through the Reagan era and beyond. Did he vote for Mondale? How about Clinton and Dukakis? This guy is toast.

This is old news. Neil never "danced around the issue" as Shawn Fago said (seriously? Fago? Miller must really be digging deep for quotes).

The fact is, Neil has always been open about his former registration. His supporters know this, his endorsers know this. Neil's record on council and as Mayor of RSM show he is a true conservative.

It is by conservative leadership that RSM has a budget surplus, something Corona lacks. Instead of grabbing hold of old news maybe Miller should spend more time improving his city.

Bottom line: if all you OC'rs want your beautiful county to be like Corona then you know who to vote for. If you want your county and city to prosper like RSM, Neil is the levelheaded conservative businessman that we need.

What is even more telling of Team Blais' fate is that they went all day without spinning this in thier favor. To let the Miller camp run with it is just incompetence at its worst!

Now, I don't have a horse in this race and I am not sure this is campaign ending, but it doesn't help going into an important endorsement weekend.

How would this be campaign ending? Its OLD NEWS. This "news" didn't prevent Neil from out raising Miller, or prevent Neil from receiving an endorsement from Spitzer and Moorlach.

Neil got to OC and THEN be became a Republican after being a Democrat all his adult life - 20 years! 1997 is not that long ago. What is it about Ronald Reagan that Neil did not like?

No way!!!

There is no way the Blais campaign can just sweep this aside. Now I have to know, who did Blais vote for in 1980? 1988? 1992? Did he precinct walk for Clinton? Has he given any money to Dems?

He will have to come clean with his votes, his activity as a Dem (was he ever pro abortion).

This just explodes the issues in this campaign. It will be hard to put this new info next to Jeff Miller, OC Party Chair in Riverside.

Wow, how does Neil work around this one?

Anon @ 6:13

I personally don't have a horse in this race but I find it despicable for you to attack a staffer in defense of the candidate you support. Neil would be much better served if instead you addressed the issue raised by the press release.

This really is old news. This disclosure has been known for quite some time. What I find interesting is that it appears that Miller and his gaggle have a problem with a former Democrat becoming a Republican because he has Republican conservative values.

Is it Miller's position that unless you are born a Republican you are not allowed to be a Republican? Maybe that is why the Democrats have taken over this state. What Miller is really saying is, you have no entitlement to joining our party unless you originally registered that way right out of high school.

Jeff Miller is the type of person that will drive the Republican Party further into the drink by this type of attitude. His alienation of all converted Democrats and all potential Democrat converts should be viewed with serious contemt.

While Scott Baugh and the OC Republican Party is out trying to register Democrats and Declines as Republicans in order to take back some seats that we have lost in this county, Miller comes out here and does this?

And just for a case in point- Ronald Reagan was a Democrat, so I suppose that Miller does not believe that he should have been Governor of California or President of the United States because of it?

The election in the 71st AD must be approaching. Apparently Jeff Miller's campaign is on a scavenger hunt going through old garbage cans to find dirt on the race leader. Neil Blais became a Republican 11 years ago. From what I have witnessed, Neil has demonstrated the qualities we look for in the CRA. If changing your party is a problem then perhaps we should have tarred and feathered one of my hero's. President Ronald Reagan was a union president and registered Democrat until 1962.

Neil served on the RSM cityhood committee. The city of RSM is a true success story in OC. I attended one of their recent meetings and heard that they have demonstrated correct fiscal management, have a healthy reserve, and will not be impacted by the state shortfall as many other cities around the state.

Neil also championed Prop 98 to protect private property rights for all Californians. Through his leadership the council voted 5-0 on that Agenda Item.

Larry Gilbert, former president Saddleback Republican Assembly, SRA, a chartered unit of the CRA and OC Chairman, Prop 98 property rights ballot measure.

So Miller thinks only life long Republicans are worthy. Game, set and match to Blais. You just insulted a good portion of your potential constituency.

I truly believe the CRA is comprised of intelligent voters who will see through Miller's tactics. The last thing Miller wants is for the CRA members to scrutinize his record, so he releases a ridiculous thing like this. Kind of reminds me of the scene in Dumb & Dumber when Jim Carey is walking out of a bar and sees a news headline from 1969 and shouts "We landed on the moon!!!"

I'm sorry Team Miller, the constituents you are trying to represent are smarter than that. Although I should probably be careful what I say, you might try to use eminent domain to take my house.

""So Miller thinks only life long Republicans are worthy. Game, set and match to Blais. You just insulted a good portion of your potential constituency.""

Excuse me but a good portion of Republican Primary voters are rock solid Republicans. Game Set Match to Miller

I am a local elected official in OC and after telling Neil that I was not going to endorse in his race he put the attack dogs on me and I hesitantly endorsed him. While he was courting my endorsement, he NEVER told me he was a registered Democrat. Never. So the assertion that "everyone knews" is a bold face bull $&#@ lie.

I may not be able to endorse Jeff Miller, but I am voting for him.

"insulted a good portion of your potential constituency"

How about Karl Roves and other Blais supports rants about Corona and Riverside County. Now that is insulting.

Anonymous said:

"Excuse me but a good portion of Republican Primary voters are rock solid Republicans."

You're proving my point. You don't have to be a life long Republican to be a rock solid Republican...

To Corona Carrie:

I believe the point being made regarding the Corona/Riverside comments is that the City of Corona is facing a budget deficit along with many other problems not faced in most of South County. As a South County resident I am very concerned about the possibility of having my neighborhood being led my an individual who has contributed to the condition of Corona. I'm sorry if you don't like to hear it, but Corona on average cannot offer the same quality if life that South County can. Bottom line is that Neil has my vote - he knows how to lead a prosperous community.

I simply don't trust my community in the hands of a politician from a struggling area.

All this chatter about the City of Corona (or Carona if you are Neil's consultant). But really, can you compare running the two cities? I mean one is a big bussling city with businesses, residents, public safety agencies, and the other one is a glorified HOA.

Jeff has lead a real city in tough times while Neil's accomplishments include making sure the lawns are mowed on the same day and that no leaves their garage doors open for longer than 2 hours. It is clear who is the better choice to fight for all of the 71st in Sacramento.

At least Jeff can get major interstates in his town...Neil can't even get a lousy toll road built!

As a former democrat who re-registered as a republican, I find this entire charade by Jeff Miller and his campaign extremely distasteful. I know one thing, I won't be voting for my candidate based on his past party registration. I will be voting on who I feel is the best person to carry the conservative values that led me to the republican party in the first place.

I will be voting for Neil Blais.

And the republican party should take notice about the display of disrespect that Miller has cast on people like me and start thinking about how his position is going to start costing you voters if you are not careful.

Corona Carrie,

Are you one of Miller's public safety union supporters that gave him $18,000 in his last city council campaign? You sure sound like it.

Lets add it up- union money, eminent domain for private gain, tax and fee increases, and an attempt to steal a utility from private industry.

Sounds like the wrong pwerson to send to Sacramento to represent the 71st.

Karl-
You better go check and make sure your trash cans aren't out on the curb too long or your HOA will call in the violation to the management company.

I do believe I read that Neil accepted union money. Do you really want to go down that road Karl?

I can't wait for the next press release where Neil announces support from Norko!

Seriously--NO ONE thinks you are Neil's "Heavy artillery"

Karl to Question-

Seriously---I never said "I" was. But I know who has the big guns, and you will just have to wait and see when the time comes.

I am shaking in my boots.

Good rule of thumb on campaigns is that you have to have resources to get the message out to voters.

Neil

I would be happy to attend your fund raiser in LA next week.

Chill out! When Ronald Reagan switched from the dems to the reps only the mindless were the ones who questioned Reagan's political transformation.

...and another thing I really like the way this issue is turning into a Corona(Riverside) issue versus a RSM(Orange County)issue.

Sounds great! Hopefully, the papers will pick up on the "Do you want someone who represents Corona, representing you?" idea.

Let's compare cities:

Corona-Southern California's cow town. Have you been there, lately? Not nice. A place people live but don't work or stay over night.

Rancho Santa Margarita- safe, secure and a well run

Ay chihuahua!

I leave the computer for a few hours and a flame war breaks out.

No mas. I'm sending in Victor the Cleaner.

Jubal,

I understand the need to clean up the inflammatory remarks, as though they were good for a laugh, they did no good for the topic. There was a comment that I must ask why it was removed. Here's what it said:

From Lies

"I am a local elected official in OC and after telling Neil that I was not going to endorse in his race he put the attack dogs on me and I hesitantly endorsed him. While he was courting my endorsement, he NEVER told me he was a registered Democrat. Never. So the assertion that "everyone knew" is a bold face bull*CENSORED* lie.

I may not be able to endorse Jeff Miller, but I am voting for him"

Matt

A little use of sharp humor equals a "flame war"?

You might also want to send Victor the Cleaner back out for some more cleaning since I doubt that Assembly Speaker Elect Karen Bass was really posting on Red County last night. If your going to take down the funny ones you might as well get them all.

I am voting for Neil Blais.

Linder:

Accusations like that ought to be accompanied by self-identification. Otherwise, any yokel can post a comment saying something like:

"I'm a local elected official and at the3 last league of Cities meeting I heard so-and-so say we should repeal Prop. 13" or something like that.

Phil:

A little sharp humor is fine. What I saw was a flood of it. When you and Karl get into it like that, it tends to drive any other commentary away.