The State finally has a budget. Ventura County Timm Herdt has some details. Basically more cuts, more budget tricks, no new taxes. Ventura County Democratic legislators voted for it, Ventura County Republican legislators voted no, except for Cameron Smyth who abstained for some reason.
This picture of State Senator Tony Strickland is a true Rorschach test. Many of his critics will see a legislator that isn't concerned with the havoc caused when politicians refuse to compromise for the common good. But I assume his supporters will see a tired legislator who laughed at something in the middle of all the shenanigans, budgetary tricks, and empty speeches that defines the state budget process.
The question is what do you see in the budget?
Why Jerry Brown or Meg Whitman would like like to be held responsible for the problems in Sacramento surprises me.
Steve Sojka is running for Mayor of Simi Valley and his young supporters are enthusiastic to say the least. I earlier issued a challenge to his music team to create a music video dedicated to Simi Valley and his music team quickly embraced the challenge.
Now a supporter of his has created an anime video using an online generator. Check out the video above.
In the latest LA Times poll Meg Whitman is leading with Tom Campbell behind her. In third place is Insurance commissioner Steve Poizner. Now that Gavin Newsom dropped out I am wondering who will drop out next.
Tom Campbell has done an amazing job reaching out to moderates and Democrats. I interviewed him months ago and he has the ability to reach out to new voters for the Republican Party.
After this terrible poll for Steve Poizner will he be dropping out next? His personal wealth can
In other Tea Party news I stopped posting about the local Tea Party group after they posted an article that said Barack Obama committed treason and that he wasn't born in the United States of America. There are many groups that have used the Tea Party moniker, some more mainstream than others.
When Peter Foy ran for county supervisor he chose businessman/farmer for his ballot designation, even though his primary source of income and his main experiences were running an insurance firm. That's why I dubbed him Farmer Foy. The exaggerations candidates are willing to make to come up with a powerful ballot designation continues to amaze me.
Because of that I asked a friend Brian Mack to create a photoshop of Peter Foy as Farmer Foy.
Now, I am again putting out a call for a photoshop from a reader. You will be given credit and a link back to your website.
This time I need Peter Foy photoshopped as a communist leader. Choices include Stalin, Mao, Fidel Castro, Marx, or any other easily recognizable communist figure.I will explain why later.
If I get a photoshop by Sunday night I will post a picture of myself photoshopped as Vladimir Lenin.
Here is a recent photo submitted from a reader:
Mike Gibson, frequent antagonist of many around here, has said he is running for cuty council in Ventura in Walmart.
If you want to take credit for it leave a comment.
The new teenage Republican group is meeting tomorrow. Here is their meeting reminder:
Dear Friend,
This is a reminder that this Saturday, April 4, is RECLAIM's first meeting from 10am to 12pm at the Thousand Oaks Republican Headquarters, 2219 E. Thousand Oaks Blvd. Thousand Oaks, CA 91362. This is an introduction meeting to RECLAIM and its goals. RECLAIM is an organization geared toward Teenage Republicans in Ventura County and its surrounding areas. The purpose of RECLAIM is to encourage teenagers to become more active in politics on all levels. Both Co-founders, Claira Guerra and Steven Page, will be in attendance to introduce themselves to attendees. Mike Osborn, the Ventura County Republican Chairman, and Chris Collier, the county party Executive Director, will be there, as well, to help commemorate the beginning of a new era in the county. A special guest speaker will be present to give a speech on the future of the Republican Party and its place in modern politics. Two workshops will be available to attendees on ways to become an effective activist and how the county party can provide you opportunities to bring effective change to America starting at the grassroots level. This time will also allow attendees to voice their opinions on important issues. You wont want to miss this great opportunity!!!!!!!!!!!!! RSVP's are not required but greatly appreciated. Inform all the teenagers you know about this momentous occurrence.
Sincerely,
Claira Guerra and Steven Page
Co-founders of RECLAIM
Address: 2219 E. Thousand Oaks Blvd. Suite 103 Thousand Oaks, CA 91362
Phone Number: (805)557-1240
Email: reclaim@rocketmail.com
I hope the young people take this opportunity to tell the older Republican leaders how their generation differs on the issues of the day. Most people assume that Democrats have a lock on the youth vote but the truth is George W. Bush actually came within roughly a point of taking the youth vote in 2000.
This time Barack Obama earned their support by greater than a 2 to 1 margin. Some Republicans want to dismiss these voters as naive or caught up in a moment, but ridiculing them isn't likely to get them to stop supporting the president.
What happened? How did the Republican Party lose almost this entire generation to Barack Obama? Sure, some of them didn't understand the issues but I have talked to adults that thought he was a secret Muslim or forwarded me some really dumb and racist emails. Ignorance isn't confined to any age category or political party.
Many of the young people that I know were passionate, serious minded, and engaged in the process. That goes for conservative and progressive young people. I suggested to a few young conservatives that they attend this meeting.
America is best served by parties and candidates that compete for votes across the nation and in every demographic. We need these young people to learn from their party elders and most of all inform their party what needs to change.
Santa Barbara conservatives are also hosting a Tea Party to protest against liberal policies this weekend.
Here is their announcement:
SANTA BARBARA COUNTY TEA PARTY
VENTURA COUNTY TEA PARTY
LLOYD MARCUS STARS!
SANTA BARBARA'S BIG, COOL TEA PARTY
ADDS NATIONALLY ACCLAIMED MUSICIAN TO
ITS UNIQUE TAX REVOLT EVENT
Our city's unique version of the national grassroots tea party movement, Santa Barbara's Big, Cool Tea Party, has scored a musical coup. The tax savvy group has announced they have signed popular singer-songwriter Lloyd Marcus to perform at their rally this Saturday. Remembered by entertainment insiders as the man who gave Oprah Winfrey her start in broadcasting, Mr. Marcus will be flying in from Florida to inspire the tea party's expected crowd of 1,500. The musician's just released "American Tea Party Anthem" has become an instant hit after its national premiere last Tuesday on FOX TV.
"I'm looking forward to my first trip to your town and excited to be participating in Santa Barbara's Big, Cool Tea Party," reported Mr. Marcus. "The organizers have put together an unusual event, mixing fun and drama with historical perspective. . . . the Paul Revere Ride is great . . . It's all a class act. I like their upbeat attitude." The dynamic singer is spokesman for Our Country Deserves Better PAC and President of NAACPC. He earned millions of fans with his smooth vocals when he toured the country during the 2008 presidential campaign; many from around the state will be driving hours to hear him this weekend. In addition to his performance at the rally, Mr. Marcus will be feted by Mary Belle and Tom Snow at a private party on Friday evening.
The tea party is a family friendly event. Also getting star billing is the march's leader, "Paul Revere," who will deliver his 2009 warning to his fellow citizens as he rides on horseback through downtown. The American icon will be followed by a drum and fife band, colorful Revolutionary War characters and modern day patriots. The rally includes celebrities and tax experts, with Mr. Marcus as headliner. Participants are asked to assemble at the Courthouse at 2:30 PM. For registration and information, please visit www.santabarbaracountyteaparty.org.
The Tea Party has controversial conservative personality Tammy Bruce scheduled to speak at their event. Tammy Bruce recently went after Michelle Obama and said that we have trash living in the White House. Here is their post on getting Tammy Bruce
Talk show host Tammy Bruce has added national panache to Santa Barbara's Big, Cool Tea Party this Saturday. According to SBCTP Committee Member, Maureen Murphy, Ms. Bruce agreed to be join in the tax revolt group's event yesterday. "We was just thrilled she gave the OK. She originally couldn't come because of travel plans, but she changed it to attend the event."
Flagshipped at KABC Radio and nationally syndicated with 153 affiliates, Ms. Bruce's show premiered in Los Angeles in 1993 and has been running six days a week ever since. The popular, often witty communicator is the author of three best sellers on social issues, "The Death of Right and Wrong," "The New Thought Police," and "The New American Revolution." A native of Los Angeles, she is well regarded as a political analyst, who consistently argues that Americans' freedom of expression and personal liberty are under attack.
Other speakers include Hollywood screenwriter Andrew Klavan, COLAB Executive Director Andy Caldwell, Senator George Runner ( Editorial note from Brian Dennert: The same State Senator who has been avoiding meeting with Ventura County educators), Lompoc Mayor Richard De Wees, Past President of Santa Barbara Taxpayers Association Joe Armendariz, Gabriella Murrilo, and Erin Graffy de Garcia. The rally's headliner is singer-songwriter Lloyd Marcus, who will perform his latest hit, "The American Tea Party Anthem."
The ambitious local version of the growing national grassroots tax revolt movement begins with a march lead by American Revolutionary War Hero, Paul Revere (portrayed by Tony Browning), on horseback and ends with the rally. Organizers estimate the event will draw 1,500 participants from throughout the region and predict it will be an historic day for Santa Barbara. The tea party starts at the Courthouse at 2:30 PM. It is a family friendly event. Visit santabarbaracountyteaparty.org.
Maybe Ventura County Supervisor Peter Foy will also attend. Here is a photo of him attending a anti-tax rally put on by John and Ken of KFI AM 640
Radio as the California leader of Americans for Prosperity:
Rumors are that he is thinking of running for either Governor or Insurance Commissioner. I think it is more likely he runs for Insurance Commissioner. In a campaign for Insurance Commissioner his past support for far right candidate Alan Keyes wouldn't be as powerful of a negative.
How do you think County Supervisor Peter Foy is going to vote on raises for government employees next week? Click here for a story from The Star that provides documents and details on the proposed wage increases going in front of the Board of Supervisors next week.
If you attend any events and want me to post videos or pictures send them in. Have a fun weekend.
I posted an entry on the Ventura County Tea Party earlier and I didn't notice this event wasn't on the same day until tonight. Click here for information on the Ventura County event. Read through the comments and add your own thoughts.
You don't need to register to comment or use your real name. I rely on my readers to help alert me when a comment crosses the line and should be erased. If you see a comment that should be erased send me an email.
This is an open forum. What issue is bothering you?
Here are some links that deserve mentioning but maybe not as an entry to themselves:
I found a strange blog a history of a major event in Simi Valley. Make sure to start at the beginning. Click here to see it.
Republican candidate for governor Tom Campbell has started a blog where he answers questions from his readers. Republicans have a choice between two billionaires with high priced political consultants and a candidate so well versed on policy he takes questions directly. Maybe the other two will join him and start their own blogs where they take questions directly from voters.
Rep. Mike Honda is pushing our Governor to use more of the stimulus funding on California schools. Click here for his blog. Does anyone have a link that breaks down how California will be spending the money in the stimulus bill given to us? People have been asking me if it will save jobs for teachers and I don't have a clear answer.
The election for a new sheriff is really heating up with one of the candidates getting a job back after months of investigation. I don't have enough of a background in the relevant issues to provide insightful commentary but the story is really interesting and raises more questions than it answers. Click here for the story. I look forward to learning more as the campaigns start to get serious. A major function of campaigns is to inform the public of the different policy choices facing them. Without a campaign for this position in a few generations it isn't surprising that many of the issues aren't well known.
The Ventura County Young Republicans will be holding a mixer Tuesday night with County Supervisor Peter Foy and Thousand Oaks Planning Commissioner Mark Lunn.
Click on continue reading for details.
In related news voting remains open in the poll for who you would like to see as the nominee of the Republican Party for governor in 2010. Supervisor Peter Foy is behind Tom Campbell by just a few votes. Do you want Peter Foy to run? Vote for him and encourage him to run.
I like listening to Jim Kramer but this video of Jon Stewart taking him and Rick Santelli is really funny.
By my count Jon Stewart comes out with another victory.
If Rush Limbaugh is the leader of the Republican Party I nominate Jon Stewart to be the leader for the Democrats.
In poll related news Peter Foy and Tom Campbell are winning among my readers. I am keeping the voting open. Even though she is leading in recent polls Meg Whitman hasn't earned a single vote from my readers. A 3rd term for Arnold Schwarzenegger is beating her. Maybe Peter Foy will actually run, although I think he will run for insurance commissioner.
By Brian Dennert on February 17, 2009 4:34 PM
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I will be interviewing Tom Campbell tonight starting at 6:15PM.
The interview is done. Click on continue reading to see Tom Campbell's answers to my questions. Leave a comment with your opinion on the issues I brought up, his answers, of the campaign for governor. We had originally scheduled this for another date, but something came up in Tom Campbell's schedule and he was able to do it tonight. I have a bunch of entries to catch up with but interviewing someone I admire took precedent.
I am not sure who I will support for governor in 2010. I would be inclined to support a Democrat but if none of them offer up a platform that addresses our current problems and is innovative in their solutions I might support Tom Campbell. His depth of understanding of the issues impresses me. But with so much time between now and the next election we have the luxury of sitting back and analyzing the arguments the candidates put forth.
Tom and I will be posting on the comments section of this post. To follow along click on continue reading.
Tom, thanks for taking time out of your schedule to answer questions. I have admired your distinguished career and eclectic mix of policy views for years. Your background in law, economics, and as a legislator is a background I would welcome in a governor.
Your recent editorial in Reason Magazine triggered my request for this interview. Which brings me to my first questions:
What magazines, blogs, or radio shows do you follow?
What were some of the most recent books that you have read related to economics, politics, or history?
What authors or books created such an impression on you that you want to recommend them to younger people just starting to form their political ideology?
In the last week I received campaign updates from all three major Republican candidates for governor and nothing from any of the Democratic candidates. Why are the Democrats, with the exception of San Francisco mayor Gavin Newsom who is running an exceptional campaign on Facebook, off to such a slow start?
Today Meg Whitman, former fundraiser for Mitt Romney and John McCain announced she is running for governor and Steve Poizner countered by having someone file a FPPC complaint against her alleging she has already been running and therefore should have been filing FPPC forms.
Meg Whitman also announced some of her supporters which includes State Assembly member Audra Strickland, who opened an account to run for Secretary of State, and State Senator Tony Strickland, who is the leader of the Ventura County Republican Party.
Meanwhile from the Democrats I don't see much campaigning.
Jerry Brown was in Southern California for a fundraiser recently and has been building up goodwill for opposing the state being forced to build luxurious prison hospitals but I haven't seen much from the others.
I am interested in supporting a campaign in the primaries but I haven't seen them campaign enough to get me interested thus far.
Republicans, if the election was held today who would you vote for? Peter Foy, Steve Poizner, Meg Whitman, or Tom Campbell?
Click on continue reading for the campaign updates from the Republicans.
Ventura County Supervisor Peter Foy is said to be thinking of running for governor according to a recent article from Ventura County Star report Timm Herdt and other sources. He has a few people mentioned as opponents in recent polls including Insurance Commissioner Steve Poizner, former US House of Representative Member and State Controller Tom Campbell, former Ebay CEO and Mitt Romney/John McCain campaigns leader Meg Whitman.
Do you think he will run? I think there is a chance he is leaving it as a possibility to build up his name recognition and attract attention. I wouldn't be surprised if he ended up endorsing another candidate and then ran with their endorsement of him for State Insurance Commissioner. Even though in the past Peter Foy has used "farmer" as a ballot designation I would think that with his background in insurance he could run with that experience as a major issue. If he ran for governor I would expect his past support for very conservative candidates and policies out of the mainstream to be the center of any strategy against him. But with all of the problems in the state voters might not be interested in discussions over the wild things Alan Keyes has said over the years on topics from gay people, to the Democratic Party, to personal attacks on Barack Obama.
Click here for a more detailed post about his support for former Presidential candidate Alan Keyes.
Whatever he runs for would leave an open seat on the County Board of Supervisors representing Simi Valley, Moorpark, and some surrounding areas. Peter Foy has said int he past he wasn't planning to make a career out of being on the Board of Supervisors and there has been discussion he would only serve one term. A possible candidate to replace him is termed out State Assembly Member Audra Strickland. While that is a likely scenario she did open up an account to run for Secretary of State recently.
What other candidates do you think are possible in this game of musical chairs? Any chance Jim Dantona will run again if it was an open seat? What about former Supervisor Judy Mikels? City Council Member Barbra Williamson ran before and might be interested. I also see Moorpark City Council Member Keith Millhouse as an intriguing candidate. What candidates would you like to see on your ballot?
Click here for Timm Herdt's article and here for his blog post.
Click here for an entry on State Assembly member Audra Strickland opening an account to run for Secretary of State.
This blog is dedicated to Ventura County politics. Send in ideas for posts to briandennert@gmail.com
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