Free Republic

In November, 2006 things looked bleak for California Republicans. Governor Schwarzenegger had won re-election, but he had long since abandoned his economic policies of 2003, and by soaking up all the available political money, he was no help to any other GOP candidate. The only other statewide office in Republican hands was the Insurance Commissioner. But 2006 was a Democratic year nationally, which left a glimmer of hope. After last week‘s election, there is now no hope at all, and from this point, things are only going to deteriorate. 2010 was clearly expected to be a Republican year. The GOP...

<p>A makeshift group now impetuously trumpets its intention to remove California Gov. Gray Davis. California is a state in the progressive tradition. We have referenda to overturn state laws we don't like and initiatives to pass state laws we want. And we can use the ballot box to change the state constitution itself.</p>

LOS ANGELES — The League of Women Voters is a familiar political-debate sponsor. Its seemingly moderate president moderates. And there are always the inevitably fair questions: Where do you stand on a woman's right to choose? Do you support gun control to protect children against drive-by shootings? Typically, public TV and public radio stations carry the boring debate; the ratings are low. Most voters judge the debate only by news clips and sound bites. Last night's debate was different. The California Association of Broadcasters sponsored it. Its president, Stan Statham, is a former state assemblyman. (Fortunately, Statham didn't ask about...

Last year, FR’s interview with political strategist-analyst Arnold Steinberg caused quite a stir. Since then, I have been getting periodic requests to interview Arnie again. Finally I approached him. Steinberg, an author years back of graduate textbooks in politics and media, also has been widely published as a columnist. He has been appointed to Federal commissions and boards by the Reagan and Bush administrations, and he served on the California Coastal Commission. He is an expert in virtually every phase of electoral politics, including candidate and initiative campaigns, and political advertising, including mail, print and especially broadcast. He has advised...