Republican candidate for the 80th Assembly District Gary Jeandron opened his Indio Headquarters on August 2nd.  It was a great opportunity to be a part of the effort to hold on to the seat for the Republican Party.  The Riverside County Young Republicans were a stronghold of support for Bonnie Garcia's race in 2006, a hard fought and well earned victory by the celebrated outgoing Assemblymember.  Once again we find the 80th Assembly District in the top tier of targeted races this election cycle.  With a 2/3rd majority possibility for the Dem's at stake, losing this seat for the County would definitely diminish our ability to obtain State resources as one of the strongest Republican voting blocks in the legislature.  The Inland Empire class of 2008 looks to be a promising one with the experience of current legislator John Benoit, and the fresh ideas of Jeff Miller and Brian Nestande all nominees in relatively safe Republican Districts.  While not everyone of note was in attendance, the support for "the Chief" was well represented. 

NBC News recently featured legislation by Assemblyman John J. Benoit that cracks down on false 911 calls in a special report on non-emergency calls made on 911 lines.

 

The news report touched on a troubling trend across the country with 911 emergency systems being tied down with frivolous phone calls.

 

Illustrative of this trend is one Florida man who dialed 911 numerous times to complain about mayonnaise and mustard being left off his Subway sandwich order.  Another man in Hayward, California made as many as 27,000 prank calls to 911, telling authorities he made the calls "because it's free."  Non-emergency 911 calls account for 20-45% of cell phone calls made to 911 lines in California, and up to 50-80% in Sacramento.

 

In July, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger signed into law Assembly Bill 1976, Benoit's measure that strengthens fines for fraudulent 911 telephone calls.  Under current law, individuals who undermine emergency response with fraudulent 911 calls are given warnings on the first two offenses, with escalating fines for further offenses.  Benoit's law, which will take effect January 1, removes the second warning and imposes a $50 fine for the second offense, a $100 fine for a third offense, and...

This Saturday, the Riverside County Republican Party is offering a candidate school for local city councilmen, school board members, sanitary district members, water board members or anyone aspiring to these offices.  It is a great opportunity for local candidates to hear from a variety of local political consultants and get the basics of running a professional campaign.

Yours truly will be doing a short presentation on the importance of incorporating blogs into your campaign media efforts.  Here are the details:

The Republican Party of Riverside County and our local elected official organization, REAL Riverside presents our annual candidate school Saturday, August 16, 2008 from 9am-Noon at the Party's HQ in Moreno Valley. Please see attached flyer for more information. Please forward to anyone who might be interested in running for local office this November or in future.  RSVP soon as space is limited.

The Republican Party of Riverside County
Invites you to our annual
CANDIDATE BOOTCAMP

SATURDAY AUGUST 16, 2008 9 a.m.-Noon
Republican Party...

I know this isn't Riverside County news, although I'm sure quite a few Sirius Satelitte Radio's have been sold in the area, but I could resist sharing it with our readers.  Because all of the FCC Commisioners voting on the merger between the top two satelitte companies who voted "Yes" were Republican and all of the the commissioners who voted "no" were democrats, Howard Stern says he will never vote for a Democrat again.

It is a great example of someone who believes in all of the liberal politicians who regualte every aspect of our lives until that regulation effects them.  Then all of the sudden they realize why all of the Cuban and Vietnamese populations are majority Republican.  This Democrat regulation sure seems a lot like socialsim or communism if you have experience either.

Good for Howard Stern for speaking out against the influence of special interests on Democrats in Washington and their over-regulation and anti-business attitude.

If the kids are not in the room, you should check out the audio too.  Funny stuff.

This is one of the most bias stories I have seen from the local media in a long time.  The Desert Sun's Mariecar Mendoza totally misrepresents Sen. Jim Battin's position on the state budget and the so-called cuts that the school districts are facing.  What is never mentioned is that these are cuts to scheduled increases.  Realistically, the education budget will grow a little bit no matter which budget plan you look at.  It just won't grow as fast as the teacher's association would like.

Mendoza also acts like Battin wants to cut the education budget just because he voted against the Democrats budget that included nearly $10 BILLION DOLLARS in new taxes.  The only reference Mendoza makes to this is through the California Teachers Association spokes-hole who said that the budget was written to "close tax loopholes to provide revenue..."

What a nice way to describe $10 billion dollars in new taxes.

I agree with one of the commenters on the Desert Sun's website that felt that this seems like the CTA union is just...

Here is an interesting article from the Yucca Valley Hi-Desert Star written by Riverside County Assemblyman Paul Cook about our messed up state budget process:

Legislators have long relied on easy fixes to solve budget deficits
Yucca Valley Hi-Desert Star
7/29/08

Once again, California's Legislature is saddled with the arduous task of creating a state budget for the next fiscal year, and more often than not, budgeting becomes a nasty partisan battle to decide how tax revenue is spent. This year is no different, as the state faces one of the worst budget deficits in its history. As usual, Republicans and Democrats are unable to find common ground to solve a $15 billion deficit. As the summer drags on and government officials propose the same "tried and failed" solutions, one must wonder how we can avoid budget pitfalls in the future. The answer lies in substantive budget reform.

Legislators have long relied on easy fixes to solve budget deficits. These unrealistic solutions have...

80th Assembly District candidate Gary Jeandron is opening a new campaign headquarters this Sat. in Indio.  The press release said that refreshments and appetizers will be provided so I'm sure you can count on many of my fellow staffers to be there for the free food considering they are not getting paid right now.

New Gary Jeandron Campaign Headquarters
Saturday, August 2, at 1:00pm
81557 Dr. Carreon Blvd, Ste A1
Indio, CA 92201
RSVP: Bill Lohr at bill@garyjeandron.com or call 760-278-9495

I'm not sure what to make of Jeandron's campaign.  I hear from many party activists in the county who feel things are going great and that his ballot title will be the deciding factor in his victory.  The folks I talk to OUTSIDE the county feel that the 80th is a lost cause and that Jeandron not being Hispanic or female is going to cost him key swing votes that Bonnie Garcia always captured.  Only time will tell...

Jeandron's newsletter this week said that he recently attended the Coachella Chamber Mayor's...

From flash-floods to fires and earthquakes, Riverside County along with the rest of Southern California has had its share of disasters.  The video below from the NRA explains how vulnerable we really are, and how simple it would be for our own government to completely violate our individual liberties.  In this case, all that was needed was a natural disaster:



The video you will see on this web site is horrifying. The crimes committed against law-abiding gun owners are beyond comprehension. The arrogance of anti-gun politicians and government officials and their hate of freedom will churn your stomach.

The law is the law, the Constitution is the Constitution. If ONE local mayor or police chief can decide what the Second Amendment means, it opens the door to tyranny--where ANY mayor or police chief can say what the Second Amendment means.

You've seen this brand of abuse of freedom in the history books--in the pages about days of gun confiscations leading to the terror of Stalin, Mao and Hitler. But you'd never in a million years think it could happen in America.

Well,...

In an effort to keep our readers up to speed on what our Riverside Congressional Representatives are doing I thought I would share this press release I found on Congresswoman Mary Bono Mack's website:

Bono Mack Announces Funds To Boost Local Economy
Washington, July 18, 2008

Congresswoman Mary Bono Mack (CA-45) today announced two federal grants for the Desert Alliance for Community Empowerment (DACE). Issued by the United States Department of Agriculture, the Rural Business Enterprise Grants in the amounts of $200,000 and $90,000 will help DACE continue to promote development and business enterprises in the Coachella Valley.

"I applaud DACE for its continued commitment to increasing opportunities and enhancing quality of life for residents of the Coachella Valley," said Bono Mack. "These funds will help expand new businesses and development in rural areas of our region that need it the most. Small businesses drive our local economy; they create new jobs and help communities grow. I am pleased that DACE is getting these federal dollars to invest in our community and support its continued growth...

In an effort to keep our readers up to speed on what our Riverside Congressional Representatives are doing I thought I would share this press release I found on Congressman Ken Calvert's website:

Rep. Calvert Introduces Bill To Allow For Energy Exploration In Outer Continental Shelf

WASHINGTON, D.C. July 17, 2008- Today Congressman Ken Calvert (R-CA) introduced the MORE Act, the Maximize Offshore Resource Exploration, H.R. 6529 (attached).

"This week the President lifted the executive moratorium on offshore energy exploration and now Congress should follow his lead and end the congressional moratorium as well," said Rep. Calvert. "My legislation allows for federally-permitted development of resources beyond 25 miles off the coastline and provides a strong incentive for states to allow federal-lease exploration within 25 miles."

Under the MORE Act, states will receive 75% of the royalties for oil and natural gas production beyond 25 miles of the coastline and the U.S. Treasury would receive the remaining 25%.  If states elect to allow exploration and production within 25 miles...

In an effort to keep our readers up to speed on what our Riverside Congressional Representatives are doing I thought I would share this press release I found on Congresswoman Mary Bono Mack's website:

In Veto Override, Bono Mack Seeks To Reverse Cut to Medicare Physician Payments

Washington, Jul 15 - Voting to override the President's veto, Congresswoman Mary Bono Mack (CA-45) today helped ensure that millions of seniors have access to the health care they need. The Medicare Improvements for Patients and Provider Act, H.R. 6331, will reverse the 10.6 percent cut in reimbursement to Medicare physicians that took effect on July 1 and has been threatening access to health care for seniors and for military families that depend on the TRICARE system.

"The millions of seniors who depend on Medicare deserve to have this problem solved," said Bono Mack. "I am proud to protect seniors' access to health care and ensure that our hardworking physicians are not penalized by a faulty payment formula. By temporarily extending these payments, it is my hope that we...

In an effort to keep our readers up to speed on what our Riverside Congressional Representatives are doing I thought I would share this press release I found on Congressman Darrell Issa's website:

Decision Not to Drill Rests Squarely on the Shoulders of Democrat Congressional Leadership
July 14, 2008

Washington, DC - Rep. Darrell Issa (R-Vista), today, hailed President George W. Bush's decision to lift the 1990 Executive Order that bars new drilling on much of America's Outer Continental Shelf.

"This decision is a step in the right direction for American consumers and our economy, but a defeat for the environmental lobby that has spent tens of millions of dollars in Washington over the years to place our nation's energy reserves off-limits," said Issa.  "The decision between using America's own energy reserves or to continuing to send our dollars to Venezuela and the Middle East now rests squarely on the shoulders of Nancy Pelosi and the rest of the Democratic Congressional leadership."

As Nancy Pelosi continues to thwart efforts to have an up or...

In an effort to keep our readers up to speed on what our Riverside Congressional Representatives are doing I thought I would share this press release I found on Congressman Ken Calvert's website:

Rep. Calvert Commends Passage Of Three House Resolutions Recognizing America's Space Enterprise
Thursday, July 10, 2008

WASHINGTON, D.C. July 10, 2008 - Congressman Calvert (R-CA) commended the passage of three House resolutions this week that recognized America's space enterprise.

"America's accomplishments in space are unparalleled and I was pleased that Congress recognized a few of the important dates in the history of U.S. space exploration," said Rep. Calvert, the former Chairman of the Subcommittee on Space and Aeronautics and a co-sponsor of the three bills.

The three resolutions that passed the House this week include:

H. Res. 1312 - Commemorating the 25th anniversary of the Space Foundation. The mission of the Space Foundation is to advance space-related endeavors to inspire, enable, and propel humanity. The Foundation has become the leading nonprofit organization advancing the exploration, development, and use of space and space education for the benefit of all humankind.

H. Res. 1313 - Celebrating the 25th anniversary of the...

In an effort to keep our readers up to speed on what our Riverside Congressional Representatives are doing I thought I would share this press release I found on Congressman Jerry Lewis's website:

Congressman Lewis Praises Supreme Court Decision Upholding the Second Amendment
Thursday, June 26

WASHINGTON - Congressman Jerry Lewis Thursday hailed the U.S. Supreme Court decision striking down the restrictive Washington , D.C. gun ban and upholding an individual's right to own a firearm under the Second Amendment to the Constitution.

"The Washington , D.C. gun ban was the most egregious example of a law that didn't work - it restricted law-abiding citizens from protecting their homes and families, but had virtually no affect on gun-related crime," Lewis said. "The Supreme Court absolutely made the right decision to throw out this unconstitutional law, and I believe our Nation's Capital will now be a safer place."

In a 5-4 ruling Thursday, the Supreme Court threw out the law and reaffirmed the right of individual citizens to own guns...

In an effort to keep our readers up to speed on what our Riverside Congressional Representatives are doing I thought I would share this press release I found on Congressman Darrell Issa's website:

Issa Repeats Warning of Soaring Nationwide Electricity Bills this Summer
June 26, 2008

Washington, DC - Today, at an Oversight and Government Reform Committee Hearing focusing on alleged malfeasance at a Texas Rural Electric Co-op, Rep. Darrell Issa warned the Committee that rising natural gas prices and other energy supply factors would likely lead to much higher electric bills for consumers this summer.

"Consumers should expect significant hikes in their electricity bills this summer over what they paid a year ago due to the rising cost of natural gas on the global market and other cost factors," said Issa citing a May report by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.

"While bad actors in the energy industry need to be held legally accountable for malfeasance, I remain deeply concerned that this Committee, and the Congress, aren't acting to address the nationwide rising cost of energy - why nuclear power plants aren't being built, why 'NIMBYism' has stopped wind power projects and...

In an effort to keep our readers up to speed on what our Riverside Congressional Representatives are doing I thought I would share this press release I found on Congressman Jerry Lewis's website:

Passage of Intelligence Bill Will Help Prevent Another September 11, Lewis Says
Friday, June 20

WASHINGTON - Congressman Jerry Lewis strongly supported passage of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) renewal Friday, saying America desperately needs a fully-developed intelligence capability to prevent future terrorist attacks.

" America learned a number of things on 9/11/2001, most importantly that we need our intelligence communities to have every tool possible to protect us," said Lewis, the senior Republican member of the House Appropriations Committee. "The terrorists in the world want to destroy our way of life, and we need to know where they are and what they are planning.

"One of the most important intelligence capabilities is to be able to listen in on people who are known terrorists when they communicate with people inside the United States ," Lewis said. "This capability has...

AroundTheCapitol.com had a great story yesterday about our local University of California - UC Riverside.  As a UCR Highlander myself, I was really encouraged by the first part of the story that emphasized the UC systems commitment to open two new medical schools. (The other is at UC Merced)  UCR's med school won't be open for four or five years, but first will go before the UC Board of Regents next week for final approval.

It will be the first medical school for the UC system in 40 years and is much needed in the rapidly growing Inland Empire.  According to the San Francisco Chronicle:

"The state is expected to have a shortfall of 17,000 physicians by 2015, and the San Joaquin Valley and Inland Empire, among the fastest-growing parts of the state, have dire shortages of primary physicians and specialists...By 2011, enrollment of first-year medical students across the country is expected to be up 21 percent from the 2002 level, he [Edward Salsberg, director of the Center for Workforce Studies of the Association of...

According to Riverside County Assistant Registrar of Voters Doug Kinzle, Riverside voter turnout could be as high as 80 percent in November's presidential election and the county is begging for people to be poll workers (which I think is a waste of time.)

The PE's Julia Glick reported here that in the past two presidential elections, turnout in Riverside County hovered above 70 percent and was considered high. Besides adding poll workers and polling places, Inland registrars of voters are planning for voluminous mountains of extra-bulky paper ballots. They are also campaigning to boost voting by mail in order to reduce the lines at the polls.

The increased turnout will require more poll workers, but anyone reading this blog will most likely be volunteering for some local Republican campaign on Election Day and won't be able to waste their day sitting in a neighbor's garage. Kinzle acknowledges that recruitment will be difficult and that he needs more poll workers than they have ever used - about 4,000 workers at the polls in November....

It's often been said that the most dangerous place on the planet is between Rod Pacheco and a television camera.  The Press Enterprise calls out Pacheco on his grandstanding in this editorial.
 

Press Enterprise Editorial
10:00 PM PDT on Tuesday, July 8, 2008
Crime Bluster

Political posturing and half-baked threats from Riverside County's district attorney do nothing to protect public safety in Riverside -- and in fact, could disrupt the city's policing strategy and community relations. District Attorney Rod Pacheco needs to end the self-serving rhetorical outbursts and let Riverside police manage the city's law enforcement.

The district attorney erupted after revelations last month that the city police had yet to make an arrest under an anti-gang injunction, five months after a judge approved it. The district attorney and Riverside police filed the injunction against 114 East Side Riva gang members in August, with great publicity. The injunction bars gang members from a variety of activities, such as being out after 10 p.m., wearing gang apparel and associating with other gang members.

Pacheco last week threatened to intervene in Riverside to enforce the injunction, and accused the city police of doing a poor job:...

I thought readers may enjoy this post by the PE's Shirin Parsavand about the California teachers unions deceptive new radio ad on the state budget.

In this one, a mother and child listen to a car radio news report: "California is still facing a $15 billion budget crisis with local schools facing cuts of $4.3 billion."  Shirin points out that the, "Mom seems to forget entirely that she's talking to a child when she says that politicians should 'put partisanship aside and make education a real priority again.' Or maybe the kid just has very strong vocabulary skills."

Shirin also points out that their really is not a cut to the education budget.  It just doesn't grow as fast as the teachers union would like.  The ad ignores that schools and community colleges would get more funding under the governor's revised budget proposal for 2008-09 than last year, although the increase is slight for K-12 schools.

The radio spot also talks about teacher layoffs, but many of those teachers were called back,...

We've come a long way since the time a rag tag group of Americans in Boston decided to dress up in native costume and make a bold statement over tea and taxes just over 235 years ago. 

Fast forward to July 1, 2008 when California becomes one more state to regulate our use of cellphones while driving.  The new hands-free law has already affected drivers on freeways throughout the State of California where the CHP has begun issuing citations upon visual confirmation of cellphone use.

Why penalize cellphone use while driving, why not...driving with a pet in your lap?

While many argue the new law is a matter of saving lives and in the best interest of the general public, there are several studies that seem to disagree with this argument.  One such study that was issued by the Public Policy Institute of California determined the new hands-free law could potentially save "300 lives a year" according to the study.  It is important to note that these results were based on findings from states on the east...

The FPPC has finally responded to a complaint filed against former Assemblyman and recently defeated State Senate candidate Russ Bogh on behalf of the Inland Empire Taxpayers Association (IETA) back in early April.   The complaint pointed out that Bogh had opened a committee for County Supervisor which he was using to benefit his race for the 37th State Senate seat.

Often times complaints filed in the middle of close elections, end up amounting to nothing but bogus political ploys. The FPPC's finding that Bogh's Supervisor fund known as the Riverside County Leadership Fund committee, "violated Government Code Section 85201 by making three non-monetary contributions totaling $731.90 to the Russ Bogh Leadership Committee" gives voters confidence that the IETA are straight shooters.

The letter goes on to demand that Bogh, "must immediately return this money to the Riverside County Leadership Fund committee.  Please provide the Enforcement Division with a copy of the canceled check within 30 days from the date of the letter." (June 10th)

The letter is a written warning from the FPPC that threatens...

A friend of mine sent me his account of yesterday's fundraising stop at the Riverside Convention Center for Sen. John McCain. The Senator talked about the economy and the effect on Inland homeowners and touched on the issue of energy. 

He advocated for more drilling saying that America needed to "get out of our own way" when it comes to harnessing our own sources of oil.  He criticized the way President Bush conducted the Iraq War but felt that Gen. Petraeus was on the right track and making progress since the surge.

McCain also told a touching story about the mother of a solider killed in Iraq.  McCain said that the mother asked him to wear her son's military ID bracelet and to make sure her son didn't die in vain. 

As you will see from my insider's report, McCain came off very personable and I'm told he even took photos with almost everyone who attended.  Here the PE's account of the lunch, a bunch of hippies from Palm Springs...

Three things every GOP Central Committee should be doing are registering republican voters, raising money and turning those Republican voters out on Election Day.

Sen. Dennis Hollingsworth is helping the Republican Party of Riverside County do two of the three.

The voter registration program of the Republican Party of Riverside County and the Lincoln Club of Southwest Riverside County are inviting interested Republicans to a reception and fundraiser honoring State Senator Dennis Hollingsworth on Thursday, June 19 5pm to 7pm at Baily's Restaurant 29699 Old Town Front Street Temecula. 

Members of the Lincoln Club of Southwest Riverside County, Members of REAL Riverside and the Republican Party of Riverside County's Chairman Circle attend at no charge. 

Individual tickets are $75.   Space is VERY limited. 

To RSVP, for questions, or for information on becoming a member of The Lincoln Club of Southwest Riverside County, REAL Riverside or The Chairman's Circle contact:  Republican Party of Riverside County Vice Chairman Ken Minesinger at kenminesinger@hotmail.com.

Newly elected Assemblyman-elect Jeff Miller joined the RCYR's and Assemblyman John Benoit's sweep of this season's election continued. Tonight, Benoit campaign staffer Nathan Miller was elected the new President of the Riverside County Young Republicans.  Nathan was a staffer with Congressman Ken Calvert before joining Team Benoit for the battle with Russ Bogh.

Nathan is also the brave soul who called out Republican Party of Riverside County Chairman Bob Richman at last month's Central Committee meeting - but I'll have a full report on that this weekend.

Nathan was supposed to have a showdown with CRP Associate Rep. and long time RCYR member Eric Linder.  Linder was the current External President of the club.  In a magnanimous but obviously pre-orchestrated political move, Linder nominated his opponent Nathan Miller for YR President and there was no opposing nomination.  Miller wins.

The rest of the officers are Chris Mann for Internal VP, Mike Gasca for External VP, Joe Ludwig for Treasurer and Darin Schemmer for Secretary (the guy who really controls the votes for the club if you ask me.)...

Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger visited Riverside yesterday.  You can see the video here.  He was introduced by Riverside County Supervisor John Tavaglione who promised the Governor would tell us, "a little bit about the extremely difficult budget crisis that the state has in place right now and how he intends to fix it."

Borrowing and tax increases are the answer I heard, but first the Governor went through his history as a champion to reduce spending.  Arnold talked about trying to get spending limits through the legislature and through the ballot initiative process.  Then he professed his love for Riverside and renewed his call for a "rainy day" fund to help stabilize the budget.

"...the reason why I'm here in Riverside, besides that I love Riverside is because Riverside has a system in place that we should have as a state, which is that when you have a problem economically you have a rainy day fund set aside. Now, you have $34 million set aside that...

As of midnight tonight, I am shocked to see how badly John Benoit beat Russ Bogh.  The race was expensive and tough.  Both sides looked to have ran good races, but the result did not show the closeness that this commentator expected.

I'm not sure if Bogh was too tough in his attacks or if John Benoit had the better resume and looked the part better. 

I don't know why the margin was as big as it was, but it was big.  Congratulations to Assemblyman/State Senator-Elect Benoit and his consultant/Chief of Staff Barry Nestande.

REP - State Senator 37th District
510/692 73.70%
                                Vote Count      Percent
JOHN J. BENOIT           21,922          57.92%
RUSS BOGH                11,878          31.38%
DAVID PETERS              4,052         10.70%
Total                             37,852        100.00%

I'd be interested to hear from our readers why they think this was such a blow out.

The PE reported Friday that the California Dental Association (CDA) and the unions are both spending over a quarter million to support Assemblyman John Benoit and his opponent Russ Bogh respectively.  In the AD80 race, it is a little scary to see Democrats in the desert so organized and well funded.  Not too long ago, there was hardly an organized Democratic Party in Riverside County to speak of.  But now, "There has been more than $625,000 in independent expenditures in the race -- significantly more than the four candidates' combined spending as of two weeks ago." (Click here for the Press Enterprise article).

The statewide unions representing school employees, nurses and state workers spent $560,000 to promote Coachella school board member Manuel Perez.

Cathedral Councilman Greg Pettis pointed to $21,000 in anti-Perez spending by the Desert Stonewall Democrats.

In the SD37 race:

CDA spent $360,000 to promote Benoit and oppose Bogh.

Unions spent almost $270,000 to promote Bogh and oppose Benoit.

Occasionally, one of my Republican friends asks me why I am so anti-union.  Many Republicans are hard working union members and so my buddy wanted to know why I assumed unions are pro-Democrat.  First off, look at the amount of money that the unions give to Democrats nationally.

Second, and more importantly at the local level, is that they constantly want to expand government and make it more expensive.  It is why they exist - to expand their membership and increase benefits for their members.  And while I am in favor of getting a fair wage for a day of work, I also don't want to overspend.  The unions are committed to making sure local government overspends and constantly grows.  To any conservative or Republican this is the exact opposite of what you want out of government.

But to paraphrase the Gipper, here they go again.

Check out this e-mail I received from a county employee regarding expanding the local union to even temporary workers.  I posted previously about the TAP program and tried to point out that without the TAP program many people would not qualify for entree level jobs or possibly would not be selected...

This ran in Saturday's Press Enterprise about the race between Corona Mayor and former GOP Chairman Jeff Miller and RSM Councilman Neil Blais.  They are both running for the Republican nomination in the 71st Assembly District.  The premise of the article is that western Riverside County and eastern Orange County don't seem to have the same concerns.  I disagree with that strongly and would consider traffic, illegal immigration, taxes/state budget and tough-on-crime measures to be at the top of both regions' priority lists.

The article also has a pretty good history of the representation of western Riverside County and eastern Orange County.  It goes back to when western Riverside County was represented by then-Assembly members Dennis Hollingsworth, R-Murrieta, and Rod Pacheco, R-Riverside. Eastern Orange County was represented by former Assemblyman Bill Campbell. It goes into the effect redistricting and the LA-based AD60 had on the district lines, term limits, Hollingsworth battle with then-Corona Mayor Jeff Bennett after a bitter primary battle in which Bennett spent $1 million, Spitzer running unopposed all the way up to the Miller-Blais contest, which...

This video is awesome.  It shows how crazy Henry Waxman is and it is all because of Riverside County Congressman Darrell Issa.  There is a part of the video where Waxman is banging the gavel and I thought he might throw it at Issa he was so upset.  Anger management might be something for Waxman to look into.

And if almost getting thrown out of committee wasn't bad enough for Congressman Issa, New York Magazine ran his photo in a story about Rep. Vito Fossella.  The two kind of look alike.  Fossella is the guy who got charged for DUI and having a 3-year-old daughter with a woman who is not his wife.

That is not someone you want to be confused with.  Tough week Darrell.
 

Video: Waxman threatens to toss Issa from hearing on ozone
7:51 AM Wed, May 21, 2008
Posted by: PE News
Inland Rep. Darrell Issa locked horns with fellow California Rep. Henry Waxman and nearly got ejected from Tuesday's Oversight and Government Reform Committee Hearing on the Environmental Protection Agency's new Ozone Standards.