North Pole

Time for Change at the County of San Diego

By North Pole | 01/20/09

Over the last couple of months I've read a couple articles in the San Diego Union Tribune about the County Assessor position. Greg Smith has held the seat for decades, and from all accounts has done a good job. So then he decides to quit, which is fine. But instead of having an election for the position, the five Supervisors appoint one of Smith's employees, Dave Butler, who I don't know, to the position until the next election. At first, it's... read more »

Oceanside Assemblywoman Harkey Says California in 'Undeclared Bankruptcy'

By North Pole | 01/20/09

SACRAMENTO, CA -Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger addressed a joint session of theLegislature this morning in his annual State of the State address. The address focused primarily on the current fiscal crisis facing Californians."I am encouraged by the Governor's commitment to find a bipartisan solution to our budget crisis, said Assemblywoman Harkey (R-Dana Point). We must have the political courage to implement real changes to our state's debt... read more »

North County Just Ain't What She Used to Be

By North Pole | 01/04/09

In the past, North County Republicans were able to pile up sizable margins. Not in 2008, wherein Congressman Bilbray and Assembly candidates Harkey, Garrick, and Fletcher won by the tips of their collective fingers. I think it's safe to say that 2008 was a tidal wave for the Democrats, and that the November results are probably their high water mark, but the numbers are still disturbing. North County just isn't the Republican fortress it used to... read more »

North Coast A Push

By North Pole | 12/05/08

While it looks like much of the rest of the county went blue this time the fights in Oceanside and Encinitas resulted in a push. Oceanside was a real fight, with from what I can tell the fire labor union spending well over $150,000 in the attempt to gain a majority. In the end though the city got status quo: the exact same 3-2 GOP majority as before the election, but with Wood, who has been under fire for his affiliation with labor, still the... read more »

The Surge

By North Pole | 11/20/08

I was listening to the radio Wednesday and there were a number of political consultants or pollsters of both political parties discussing the 'Obama Surge'. I was driving, but I took some notes because I thought what the guests to the program said was worth noting.   First, the 'surge' really happened well before Election Day. Why? In a Presidential year where everyone is pretty much going to vote the 'surge' is actually not low level... read more »

The Future

By North Pole | 11/03/08

As I sit here at work skimming the news there is much conversation about the future of the Republican Party as a whole. This is probably an appropriate venue for that discussion.   How should the national and state GOP change? read more »

A Day of Walking in the 1rst Council District

By North Pole | 11/01/08

This morning I put my sneakers on and joined others walking in the 1st Council District. What did I learn? Quite a few of the voters have already voted. About 10 of the 27 or so people I talked to had already turned in their ballots. Wow. I really don't know if this absentee voting is a good idea. People vote before they get the full campaign. I stopped at every house that had a Lightner sign on top of everyone who was on my list. I talked to... read more »

Oceanside Update

By North Pole | 10/30/08

From what I can tell, Oceanside city elections are a battle royale. Esther Sanchez is being savaged by a tv ad paid for by airport people, and she is threatening to sue. The airport group has also taken a couple of shots at Lowrey and Sanchez in the mail. Lowery, by the way, is an absolute communist - the mailer points out he supports the 'Border Angels' and other crazy anti-American groups. There are also a host of mailers forth from the... read more »

TV Up in Oceanside Council Race

By North Pole | 10/28/08

I awoke this morning to a commercial whacking liberal Democrat Oceanside City Councilmember Esther Sanchez. Couldn't happen to a nicer person. Sanchez is perhaps the most 'out there' official in north county -- bad on taxes, bad on illegal immigration, and tied to the labor unions. It would be a great victory for the GOP to put her back in the streets. read more »

Mail in the Box in San Marcos City Elections

By North Pole | 10/23/08

At breakfast this morning one of my friends brought me three mailers he got in the last few days from San Marcos City Council candidates Hal Martin, Rebecca Jones, and Dean Nelson. The Martin and Jones mailers looked very similar - I thought to indicate that perhaps they were running as a "ticket" in San Marcos. Of the two Rececca Jones' was more appealing to me: it stressed government accountability while Martin's stressed experience. I believe... read more »