Dr. Lee Rogers (D-Simi Valley) is continuing to demand that Rep. Buck McKeon (R-Santa Clarita) release more information about his special deal from CountryWide Home Loans. He is also arguing that Rep. McKeon should donate the amount he benefited from CountryWide to the US Treasury.

Click on continue reading for the latest email from Dr. Lee Rogers.

The lobbyist from CountryWide claims he gave politicians special deals to influence them. The politicians that took the special deals claim they didn't know they were receiving special treatment.

What type of lobbyist would try to bribe a politician but not let them know?

( A video from the Barack Obama campaign going after John McCain for not do father in the senate investigation of the Republican Lobbying Scandal.)

Local teachers will be protesting outside of Assembly Member Audra Strickland's office in Westlake Friday afternoon. They are pushing for action on the state budget. Click on continue reading for details.

Is the point of the protest to really push Audra Strickland to work with Democrats and the governor to pass a budget? I don't see that happening. She has signed a pledge with Grover Norquist and Tom McClintock to not raise taxes. Here is a link to see the press release about her pledge.

Talk about bad timing though. Grover Norquist's business partner and long time friend Jack Abramoff was sentenced to federal prison Thursday. Jack Abramoff was convicted of a whole series of crimes. If you haven't read the story about how he worked with Grover Norquist to hide the source of casino money that was transferred to the Christian Coalition to go after another casino you really should look it up.

John McCain was involved in the investigation and deserves credit.

Why California Republicans would be working with someone that has trashed their nominee for years doesn't make sense if they want to be the majority party in this state. Can a Republican proudly support Grover Norquist ( John McCain is delusional and a liar) and proudly support John McCain at the same time? I don't think that makes sense at all.

Democrats point out that John McCain could have gone farther in the investigation and let key figures go.

If the point of the protest is to help drive up Audra Strickland's negatives and put pressure on other legislators that makes political sense. It is part of a statewide action and I know it will be getting press coverage.

But I don't think she is open to negotiating any deal that involves any tax increases. Her Chief of Staff who was suspended by her office for some period of time ( it isn't exactly clear when the suspension is over) is out campaigning for Tony Strickland. I saw him again waving signs by a freeway off ramp this week. I don't think he is up in Sacramento talking to assembly Democrats and the governor to make a deal on the budget.

Do you think she is going to move at all on the budget?

Is there any part of my analysis you disagree with?

Oh, and before you point out that both parties have corrupt members, I agree. I am embarrassed that Democratic Rep. Jefferson is in office even after he was found with money in his fridge and someone has plead guilty to bribing him.

If you are going to the protest take some pictures and send them in.

( If you know the story behind this picture from Rep. Gallegly's website I would like to know.)

I have heard there is an interesting story about The Ventura County Republican Central Committee's process in endorsing Rep. Elton Gallegly for re-election. Is there some problem with their bylaws because it is a contested primary?

If you know more about this please fill us in. I went to the endorsement page but there wasn't any listings. Click here to see Rep. Gallegly's current listings.

His website also details his positions on three issues: Taxes, Immigration, and Terrorism. See how many times you find the word Iraq on his issues page. Is he trying to avoid connection to the war?

( Rep. Elton Gallegly discussing his views on The Surge)

The VCRCC also has an online poll about the 2008 presidential election. Options include the war on terrorism/Iraq.

I recently wrote about Rep. Don Young (R-Alaska) who is the ranking minority member on the Committee on Natural Resources with Rep. Gallegly. It looks like Don Young cannot get anyone to donate to his legal defense bills to attempt to protect him from the criminal investigations he is facing. I am calling upon Rep. Gallegly to stand up and denounce the Bridge to Nowhere and Young's other over the top antics. Even in heavily Republican Alaska Senator Ted Stevens and Rep. Don Young are behind in the polls because of their connections to illicit earmarking combined with their connections to a shady business. Elton, how can you stay silent on this issue? Be a leader and stop these people from dragging your party down. It is a matter of time before they are arrested or defeated for reelection. And if that doesn't happen they will instead continue to drag down your party. Why not help put an end to their abuse of power?

If more leaders from both parties stood up to their own members America would have more trust in their government.

Looks like the US attorney scandal is tied into the recent revelations of yet another corruption case. So far it looks like if you dare to investigate a Republican even if you win a guilty plea, you get fired. Did Clinton US Attorneys face the same pressure?

And now not only are Democrats in congress after Rove but the administration is after him for leading presentations given to government employees on how to hand out federal money to help Republican candidates. No wonder the Faith based programs of W. have been stalled. It might be yet another Rove scam.

I support faith based programs in many ways, but I know we can never trust Karl Rove to run them. He is a Republican first and an American second.

Another day and yet another Republican member of the House of Representatives has the FBI raiding his office.

Are Republicans more corrupt than Democrats right now? Are the police, FBI, and other investigators targeting the GOP? What is going on?

Looks like John Doolittle has the FBI after him as part of the ongoing Abramoff investigations. Good things Bush didn't fire every prosecutor with talent! This scandal seems like it keeps dragging down Republican after Republican. How do these guys keep getting elected over and over?

And yes, the Democratic congressman with cash in his fridge is still shady.

If thousands of Republicans raised their voices these guys would resign, but your silence encourages them.

Rep. Gary Miller ( CA 20) is in a safe Republican district but that isn't stopping the DCCC from going after him using the new tool of youtube.com to undermine his support.

I know the campaign for president is starting earlier but I didn't think it would start with races like this one.

If you hear of early fund raisers, conference calls, or meetings for the upcoming election cycle e-mail them in.

Brett Wagner the former nominee in 2004 for CA-24 ( Currently Elton Gallegly) is planning on running again.

In his e-mail ( which you can read the entire e-mail by clicking on "continue reading") he mentions that the seat will be an open seat. I don't know Gallegly's plans as he has always been elusive and with his choices to run again or not, but it has been reported that he has hired a new campaign manager which could be a hint that he is planning on running again.

Anyways, what would would it take for a Democrat to win this seat? I never say never but I think all of us admit it would be a very difficult task.

When would any redistricting plan that is placed before voters next February go into effect?

Any new news on Gallegly's plans?

I reported awhile back that Steve Bennett is being targeted in the 2008 election for county supervisor. Currently the Ventura County Republican Central Committee is looking for a candidate to run against the popular Democrat in a bid to take control of the board.

Today The Star reported that robocalls are being launched against Steve Bennett although The VCRCC and their Chairman Mike Osbourn denied involvement. Osbourn is correct when he says it could be the work of a single person.

If it isn't a partisan Republican who else could it be?

I saw this sign outside of Wienerschnizel on Los Angeles tonight Feb. 24th.

As a test to see if Peter Foy and his team read this blog let's count down the time it takes to disappear. Of course it has been close to four months at so far.

How is it that the city has a new punitive sign law but yet this sign has been up for this long? I wish the city would enforce current laws before making new regulations.

Anyways, if you see old signs from ANY candidate e-mail them in and I will post them.

( The above cartoon is from The Star's in house cartoonist Steve Greeneberg.)

I was e-mailed a tip that Elton Gallegly might be preparing to run again. Like all anonymous stories take it with a grain of salt until it is confirmed.

When Elton Gallegly said if he ran again it would be his last term was it a pledge? In a tight election it could of been the reason for his victory, but as he won in a landslide, does it matter? Will his opponents use it against him?

Click on continue reading for the e-mail.

( Thanks to Brian Mack for another great photoshop!)
Will Jim Dantona join the race? Stay tuned for plenty of bad puns from this blog about the "Dantona 500".

In California State Senate seat 19 Tom McClintock is termed out and cannot run again in '08. This race wasn't on my radar as a seat Democrats could win, but a local politics junkie would like to change our minds.

Here is a guest blog entry from a local writer who wishes to remain nameless. For the sake of discussion let's call the writer Maximilien Robespierre.