( 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.

Ferial Masry's campaign is announcing what they call a major endorsement and event.

Click on continue reading for details.

Click here for a discussion about the map of the district.

( State Assembly Member Pedro Nava talking about environmental justice.)

In 2010 Assemblymembers Pedro Nava and Audra Strickland will both be termed out of office.

Early rumors say that Pedro Nava's wife, Susan Jordan will run to replace him. She is Director of The California Coastal Protection Network. Their website can be found here. I do not live in the district and I know very little about either of their records. But his wife seems to be an accomplished individual.

On the Republican side Jeff Gorell, former candidate in the 2004 Republican Assembly primary, has started planning to run again. His PR and lobbying firm website can be found here. His campaign site can be found here. He also has a facebook account. Jeff has a long biography including education and military service that makes him appear to be the most formidable candidate thus far. Do you think there will be a challenge for him in the primary?

There is a protest called by CTA outside Assembly Member Strickland's office to protest her insistence of cuts only for any proposed budget. Click on continue reading for details.

The Simi Valley Acorn has an update about the Hannah-Beth Jackson supporters who filed a complaint against Assemblymember Audra Strickland's Chief of Staff for the trouble that happened outside of the fundraiser for Tony Strickland that Mitt Romney spoke about.

Read the story here before you comment.

The story also mentions that Audra Strickland's suspension of her Chief of Staff was not immediate after when she announced it last month but instead started this month.

I think the most accurate quote in the article ( the portion about it being a slow process) was from Jack Phillips:

"The wheels of justice are going," Phillips said. "It's a slow process, but hopefully we'll have some justice done."

The process is often very deliberate and slow. I feel that the longer it takes the more confidence we should have that the police have conducted a thoughtful investigation to arrive at the truth.

But I am divided.

I also want the case to be dealt with expeditiously so that the campaign can focus on campaign finance, the state budget, the environment, education funding and other critical issues.

I am not excusing his behavior. I agree with Assemblymember Strickland that he showed poor judgment. I expect Audra Strickland to stay loyal to a long time friend, employee, and supporter. That is why I am glad she took some responsibility in admitting he displayed poor judgment. He should have been standing with the main group of people there to support Tony Strickland by the hotel, not down the street.

Nor am I saying this is not a serious issue.

Of about 100 protesters total almost all of them were peaceful. It would have been much easier if both groups stayed apart from each other and the Republican group didn't try to claim the whole sidewalk. In the future, would it be that hard to call each other? If a politician claims they will work with people across the aisle to pass major legislation how hard would it be to make a call and work it out before hand?

Thank you to everyone that came out to support their cause and stayed respectful.

I am curious if any member of the press asked the Strickland camp if the accusations about calling people Unamerican and other names is true. There was wild name calling going all around from both sides once the shoving had happened.

For all sides it would be best not to make them wait for months before announcing the results. I am sure the people that asked the police to investigate and Assemblymember Audra Strickland's Chief of Staff all want it dealt with as quickly as can be done. This whole "fracas" ( my favorite word to describe it from Star reporter Teresa Rochester) is hanging over the heads of many people waiting to see what will happen. For all of their sakes I want it resolved soon.

This is being covered on other blogs too.

Click here for Flap's blog
Click here for Blogabarbara
Click here for Political Watch Central Coast.

Anyone that feels they owe someone an apology should do it. Maybe if Tony Strickland's campaign apologized and chipped in towards the medical bills for the man that was hurt they could all move forward. It is amazing what a heart felt apology can do in this world. But if people are truly wronged it is unreasonable to expect them to forgive and move forward if you keep denying responsibility.

It would be really cool if Hannah-Beth Jackson and Tony Strickland called each other to work it out on behalf of their supporters. I know the chances are slim, but they have to be better than balancing the state budget without massive tax increases or massive spending cuts, yes? When I see either of them again I won't ask what was talked about but I will ask if they picked up the phone.

Feel free to call me naive.

But if the Strickland campaign feels they did nothing wrong I guess the justice system will grind its heavy and slow gears before issuing an opinion.

Anyone agree with me? Should they call each other?

Here is the story in The Star today in PDF format ( It is not a Rick Roll). If you see it online please post the URL.

angeles story.pdf

( Click on picture to see the original.)

The text reads: Proudly Serving
California's Thirty Seventh Assembly District
Camarillo, Fillmore, Los Angeles, Moorpark, Ojai, Santa Paula, Simi Valley, Thousand Oaks, Chatsworth

Here is a map of the district:

( Click for larger size map.)

I am just curious? Where in the district is that awesome beach?

The Ventura County Star is currently holding a photography contest. That beach might make a great scene.

First person to point out where in the district that beach is wins a prize.

The Ventura County Star's Timm Herdt wrote an article about the contest for nomination to take on Assembly Woman Audra Strickland that prompted me to ask what my readers think about this campaign.

Ferial Masry:

Pluses: On the one hand we have a Saudi born woman that draws worldwide attention to the virtues of American democracy. Ferial Masry, as a high school teacher and immigrant, has a important story to tell about our nation and our values. In addition, her son Omar ( full disclosure: I have known Omar for a few years) served in Iraq and helped to show this wasn't a crusader war for conquest but instead a war designed in part to help the people of Iraq. Ferial Masry, just by running, strengthens America's democracy and broadens the base of the Democratic Party. Click on continue reading to read an update from her campaign.

Negatives: Ferial Masry stands very little chance of winning. She has already lost twice to Audra Strickland and I don't see any real reason to see a fundamental shift. In the last two campaigns she hasn't shown the ability to raise the hundreds of thousands of dollars it would take to make this a competitive contest.

There was a debate over the fairness of a mailer her campaign was using. Click here to see the mailer and read the discussion.

A campaign supporter that sends me updates responded to my requests for clarification with this statement:

Ferial made those flyers for this cycle BEFORE Hare was in the race. He got in very late... sorry for your confusion... Renee

David Hare:

Pluses: With a strong connection to the local agricultural community David could reach out to groups not currently connected very well to the Democratic Party. David owns his own small business and could campaign on his experience battling against bureaucracies when trying to get a business off of the ground. David is also a strong environmentalist which seems a natural fit for parts of the district. He also has done a better job raising money.

Negatives: David is being attacked for the legal hoops that he has had to jump through in the process of running his business. I don't know the level of infractions he has against him but most business people will tell you that almost any business has a history of some sort of warnings, violations, lawsuits, complaints, or financial disputes. It is up to voters to see if the charges are serious or frivolous. From what I have seen the complaints seem rather minor. I am interested to see how good of a campaign Hare puts together in anticipation of the open seat in about two years when from the looks of it Jeff Gorell will be running on the Republican side.

So, what do you think? How are you or did you make up your mind in this campaign? Is asking how much money each candidate raised a decent question?

Has CAPC rated the candidates in the primary?

( David Hare, candidate for the Democratic nomination to take on Republican Assembly Member Audra Strickland. To see his website click here. His opponent is Ferial Masry. If you have pictures oft he Street Fair email them to me and I will post them.)

So, how did The Simi Valley Street Fair go? What candidates did you see? Who did you speak to and about what?

What city is holding the next event where candidates can meet the public in an informal setting? Independence day celebrations?

Ferial Masry appears to be using a flyer left over from a previous campaign. There is nothing wrong with that but in this case it is potentially misleading as some voters would assume the Ventura County Star editorial quote is about her primary election opponent, David Hare when it is actually about Assembly Member Audra Strickland.

I call on Ferial Masry's campaign to clear this up and apologize.

If this mailer isn't really being used currently I apologize to the Masry campaign who besides this incidence runs a very ethical campaign in my experience.

( David Hare at a political registration and education day at Frontier High School in Camarillo.)

The campaign for the 37 Assembly District Democratic nomination ( Currently Audra Strickland R Moorpark) between David Hare and Ferial Masry seems to have all the momentum going in David Hare's direction.

Anyone hear of Masry campaigning outside of Democratic clubs?

Being that Tony Strickland and Audra Strickland will both be on the ballot would David Hare or Ferial Masry work best with Hannah Beth Jackson as a quasi running mate?

Click on continue reading to read the press release from David Hare's campaign.