I got an e-mail about a looming show down between ML Peterson and other members of the Ventura County Board of Education over the issue of hiring lobbyists to represent their policy goals.

Read the e-mail for the perspective from ML Peterson.

I have not investigated all the competing claims in the story. I look forward to the Star assigning someone to sort out the details and either prove something wrong is happening or clear Audra and Tony of any wrong doing.

Barack Obama supporters have launched a myspace page to reach out in the last week before California's primary. Maybe the official campaign will contact them to see how they can help?

What has your campaign done to organize Ventura County?

What campaign has been calling you?

Someone I know that is on a list serve for a church was contacted to line up to support Mitt Romney. Have you heard stories like this one?
( Clarification: No where did I say this was wrong. If it was from the pulpit I would be offended, but church members e-mailing other church members seems to me people of a like mind promoting their values)

Owen Paun is back in town for the moment and I look forward to chatting with him about his adventures. Owen, I must say you left town when McCain was almost written off as a loser and you come back with your candidate as the national front runner. You must feel like a champion. What are your next plans? Are you going to be here through next Tuesday?

An oil rich Arab nation is investing in solar technology and attempting to build a zero carbon city.

How is it that the world's producers of oil admit that global warming is real and human caused but a few of our leaders still do not?
( For the record the Bush Administration believes global warming is real and human caused. They just haven't taken a bold stand on what to do about it.)

I am proud that California is trying to lead the way even though Bush's EPA keeps trying to stop us.

But what about local officials? Do they believe it is real and human caused? Who do they think should take the lead in fighting against it? Local governments, the state, the federal government, or the global community? What about the role of individuals or the free markets?

Please contact them and post their response here.

I will start with Peter Foy. He has already expressed skepticism that the world is heating up although he has agreed to some environmental goals at the county level.

Kieth Millhouse, Moorpark City Council Member has taken a personal approach to the issue. Click here to read more.

Barbra Williamson, I will cut you a deal. If you bring up global warming at the next council meeting I will remove the Barack Obama song from the front page. Deal? But first where do you stand?

Mike Osbourn is the head of the Ventura County Republicans. I am curious as to where he stands as he is a bit of a maverick on some issues. Mike, what do you believe? Do you agree with W. and Arnold?

Click on continue reading for a partial list of elected officials and their contact information. If they respond by e-mail please post their full e-mail.

For those that don't think we can rise to the challenge...

Yes we can.

( Did McCain pay Delay to attack him? I don't think most Republicans like Delay. They might like McCain's policies but they usually admire the man.)

I watched the debates tonight and I have a few quick observations.

1. Rudy Giuliani has no momentum. He didn't make any new points, he drew no attacks ( a sign that he isn't worth it), and he drew no important distinctions. On National Security what exactly does he have over McCain? I know he says the world wavered but I don't remember McCain wavering.

2. Mitt Romeny seemed more friendly in the debate. He isn't in attack mode anymore. None of them seem to be. It almost seems like they don't want to risk anything. That makes sense for the top two candidates but not the others.

3. McCain did make a mistake by questioning a quote that was attributed to him. Did he think MSNBC made it up?

4. If the election was held today Romney edges out McCain and Huckebee/Giuliani beg to be put on the ticket.

5. I expect Giuliani to be the next to drop out. Within a week if he gets fourth in Florida. He is fighting for many of the same votes as McCain. The same goes for Huckabee and Romney. If Giuliani gets fourth McCain wins. If Huckbee gets fourth Romney wins.

6. According to the results of the MSNBC Text poll Mitt Romney won the debate with about 41% to Ron Paul's 40%. I could have the numbers slightly off but the other candidates were in single digits. This is clearly not a scientific poll but it does say which candidate has the most fervent support.

7. McCain is my favorite Republican which means Republicans will vote against him if history repeats itself.

8. Huckabee has a great stage presence. He is quick witted and connects with the common person's frustrations.

So, what are your predictions for Florida?

First Mike Huckabee's de facto VP candidate Chuck Norris calls John McCain too old and adds that he might not live very long.

I beat his North Vietnamese captors thought the same thing.

Then Mike Huckabee tries and fails to round up the pro-secession vote by bringing up a settled issue over the Confederate Battle Flag ( if you don't know the difference read this Christopher Hitchens article that will be sure to add fuel to the fire) in a blatant appeal to divide people.

Oh, I almost forgot his "this is the negative ad I am not running stunt".
( turns out he was actually running the ad.)

Is it time to put him up there with Romney for the award as running the most negative campaigns?

Many people will point out that other candidates hit hard too. I agree, but the difference is that Mike Huckabee claims he isn't like the rest of them.

John McCain looks older than his age partially because of serious injuries he obtained fighting for our nation. To attack him for his age seems crass. It would have been better to have him as president when he was eight years younger but we got W. instead. Voters will judge if they seem his as fit for the job but raising it as an issue should be above Huckabee's campaign.

I don't see a realistic path to the nomination for Huckabee. John McCain's best hope is that conservatives don't stop him by rallying around one candidate like Mitt Romney. it would almost seem like Thompson and Huckabee are supporting McCain. Do any of you see a way Huckabee pulls this out?

I think the race is now between John McCain, Mitt Romney, and to a lesser degree Rudy Giuliani ( losing delegate race to Ron Paul).

Do you think it is time we start calling Mitt Romney ( most delegates) and John McCain ( higher in polls) front runners? They need to have a battle of ideas for the future of the country without the distractions of marginal candidates.

( Have a better line? Leave it in the comments.)

The Ventura County Republican Central Committee has an online poll for the Republican nomination.

So far Ron Paul is winning in a landslide.

UPDATE: It is now really close between Rudy Giuliani and Ron Paul.

Go vote.

Another update. Last time I checked Ron Paul was winning. But today the poll question has been changed. So, until they issue a correction, I am going to assume Ron Paul won.

( Got a better line for Arnold? Leave it in the comments. The funniest line will replace the current quote. Keep it about the propositions if you can.)

I read through much of the ballot summaries but I haven't finalized my choice on Propositions 94,95,96, and 97. Together they are known as the Indian Gaming Initiatives.

In short they would allow some tribes to expand their operations while paying more taxes then they currently do. Some sides argue about how much these funds will really be and who will calculate them.

One way I make my choice is by looking at who is in support and who is against a proposal. But there are people I trust and don't trust on both sides of this one.

So, how are you voting? What made up your mind?

If you are in favor of expanding gaming would you like a casino in your town one day?

Click here for a website in favor of the proposals.

and

Click here for a website against the proposals.

Click on continue reading to see the letter to the editor written by Simi Valley City Council Member Glen Becerra.

Since Glen Becerra doesn't mind letting us know how he feels about this issue I wonder if he is willing to endorse a Republican candidate while it is still important.

Barbra Williamson, do you still like Huckabee or Giuliani?

I think McCain is more your style.

( I chose this young whipper snapper for Mongo and Bubba who appreciate pictures from the candidates when they were younger.)

Now that the results from Nevada and South Carolina are coming in who are the big winners for today? I think Romney is because with Thompson gone conservative support might swing his way. But I don't really know the mind of Thompson supporters.

But back to Gallegly. Who will Gallegly endorse? I still think he should support McCain.

You can read Owen's final thoughts on South Carolina by clicking on continue reading.

Owen, any thoughts on Nevada? Why did Mitt win with such a commanding lead?

Put down your predictions for this Saturday's elections.

I predict Barack Obama wins in Nevada and the Republican primary in South Carolina will be really close between Huckabee and McCain.

For the Republican Nevada caucus Romeny will win and Ron Paul will do better than expected.

In other news, The Star has more elections coverage here. I even have a new plug on the front page of the section.

But to show this isn't only about me check out some other decent blogs here and here.

Timm Herdt's blog has some great recent entries on the youth vote and on Democratic delegate selection.