Free Republic

California’s gasoline market is entering a period of acute supply shortages directly attributable to prior refinery closures, and the long-term systemic decline in in-state crude oil production which have been further exacerbated by the ongoing war in the Middle East. For California, there is a clear trajectory toward increasing supply deficit conditions through April and a high probability of physical shortages by May accompanied by consumer price increases at the pump.

April 15 (Reuters) - The departure of California gubernatorial candidate Eric Swalwell helps Democrats narrow the field in a June primary election, which could hurt Republicans who had been leading the race to succeed ​Gavin Newsom. In a field of 61 candidates, including 24 Democrats and 12 Republicans, Swalwell led or was near the top among the Democrats ahead of the June 2 primary and was among the five candidates to meet the polling ​threshold to qualify for the first televised debate scheduled next Wednesday. "This horrible scandal may have the effect of solving the problems that the Democratic Party...

Eric Swalwell has dropped out of the race for California Governor after a series of sexual misconduct allegations. Republicans may be celebrating the demise of the prominent Democrat, but they should hold off on the champagne for now. Swalwell’s exit only increases the chance of two Democrats moving through to the run-off, depriving the GOP of a place on the ticket. However some Republicans still believe that the two GOP candidates in the race – Steve Hilton and Chad Bianco – can make it through California’s jungle primary and face each other in November. While it sounds exciting and makes...

Schwarzenegger on Leno Schwarzenegger, best known for playing a killer robot in three "Terminator" movies, opened his campaign with a raw display of the extraordinary media platform at his disposal, announcing his candidacy on NBC's "Tonight Show With Jay Leno." Among those caught off-guard by the announcement was his close friend and another potential candidate, former Los Angeles Mayor Richard Riordan. One of Riordan's closest advisers said the mayor thought he had an understanding that Schwarzenegger would withdraw from the race, easing Riordan's way in. Riordan aide angry "So this is what it feels like to be mugged," the adviser...