Subject: U.S. Politics

• Hair of the Dog: Not just for hangovers or hot dogs anymore

  When it comes to the Bush administration, it's not so much that rules are made to be broken, it's that rules are made so laws can be broken. The administration issues rules on "interrogations" of "detainees" that violate international law and various treaty obligations. And rules on wiretapping that violate laws which have been in place since the days when George W. Bush was a blackout drinker. Hours could be wasted counting the ways the Bush administration has abused the rules making process, a

  March 19, 2006

• Now He's Worried

  Kevin Phillips is worried. Perhaps the brightest of the version of "the Best and Brightest" who followed Nixon to the White House in 1968, Phillips looks at today's GOP and doesn't like what he sees. It's the subject of his new book, American Theocracy: The Perils and Politics of Radical Religion, Oil, and Borrowed Money in the 21st Century, the thesis of which he sums up in a Washington Post op-ed. Over a quarter-century of Bush presidencies and vice presidencies, the Republican Party has slowl

  April 3, 2006

• Wanted (sort of)

  Remember President Bush's steely determination to get Osama bin Laden Dead or Alive? Turns out he meant we'll get him, if we happen to bump into him. The New York Times reports this morning that "The Central Intelligence Agency has closed a unit that for a decade had the mission of hunting Osama bin Laden and his top lieutenants". The unit, known as Alec Station, was disbanded late last year and its analysts reassigned within the C.I.A. Counterterrorist Center, the officials said. The decisio

  July 4, 2006

• The Short Shelf Life of Rev. Lou's Man

  What's a frothing-at-the-mouth preacher, who's been named one of the Top 10 Power Broker of the Religious Right and can squeeze more than $6 million a year out of the faithful (and/or gullible), got to do to get a public display of affection from the California Republican Party? If you know, you should contact OC Weekly favorite Rev. Lou Sheldon, the barking mad Moses of the Anaheim-based Traditional Values Coalition, because while the state GOP is willing to hug Rev. Lou and his flock/politica

  August 24, 2006

• Dornan in '08

  I don't want to get anyone's hopes up, but judging by this report from Drew Cline, editorial page editor of New Hampshire's Manchester Union Leader, the race for the 2008 GOP presidential nomination could prove to be very, very entertaining. Cline writes on the Union Leader blog: I just got off the phone with former congressman and talk show Bob Dornan, who is considering. . . a run for President. "I can't stand the thought of my party having as its three front-runners three open adulterers, N

  November 16, 2006

• Dumping Ackerman

  There's tension inside the world's smallest big tent. Following the lead of their fellow Republicans in the Assembly-- who bounced alleged Schwarzenegger-appeaser George Plescia out of his position as leader of the Assembly's GOP, and replaced him with the allegedly unbending Mike Villines-- the rightwing of the rightwing in Senate has its knives out for that chamber's top Republican leader, Tustin's Dick Ackerman. John Howard reports in the Capitol Weekly, A closed-door retreat in Newport Beach

  December 1, 2006

• Ackerman Wins

  At the end of last week, it appeared that OC's Dick Ackerman was about to lose his position as Minority Leader in the State Senate. He stood accused by many of his fellow Republicans of being too ready to cut deals with Governor Schwarzenegger and too pro-infrastructure bonds. Sure, voters had already approved the bonds and seem to overwhelming approve of the latest version of Schwarzenegger (the deal-making, semi-Democrat model), but Senate Republicans didn't appear to care. After all, the C

  December 5, 2006

• Harmin' Harman

  Another law the Fullerton-based California Rifle and Pistol Association sponsors, and had introduced by Assemblyman Tom Harman (R-Huntington Beach) would allow those brought up on non-violent weapons charges to enter a "pre-trial diversion program," like traffic school for minor vehicle law offenders, except instead of getting bored to tears by a monotone speaker explaining the intricacies of California's vehicle code, you'll be bored to tears by a monotone speaker explaining the intricacies of

  March 12, 2006

• Agran's Irvine Machine Gets Challenger

  A majority of Irvine voters are Republicans and yet for years Larry Agran's progressive political machine has controlled the mayor's office. It's a reality Republican city councilwoman Christina Shea hopes to shatter next year. This morning Shea announced that she will run for the job herself. Shea will face Agran's Sukhee Kang and whatever shell Republican campaign Agran also secretly sponsors to the divide GOP voters. Over the years, Shea has been the bee in Agran's bonnet, especially on et

  September 13, 2007

• CA GOP Sure Knows How to Pick OCers

  The Republican Party of Orange County's Weekly Squeeze e-letter (guys: drop the cutesy orange metaphor, por favor) tells me today that longtime local GOP activist Kathy Tavoularis is now Executive Director of the California Delegation to the 2008 Republican National Convention. "A well organized delegation is extremely important for our candidates and delegates, and Kathy is uniquely qualified to take on this role," California GOP chairman Ron Nehring tells the Squeeze. Not only that, but Tavoul

  December 12, 2007

• Clinton, McCain lead in OC

  From OCVote.com as of 8:10 p.m. Democrats:Hillary ClintonBarack ObamaVote Count: 52,602Vote Count: 25,443 58.5(.3% Republicans:John McCainMitt Romney Vote Count: 56,586 Vote Count: 38,611 42.1(.7%Note: Both Clinton and McCain are leading statewide.

  February 5, 2008

• OC Vote update: 9 PM

  Top dogs are still the same as of 9 p.m. and only 106 of 2076 precincts are accounted for. It's gonna be a loooong night! Democrats:Hillary ClintonBarack ObamaVote Count: 52,854Vote Count: 25,543 58.5(.3% Republicans:John McCainMitt Romney Vote Count: 56,800Vote Count: 38778 42.1(.7%More here.

  February 5, 2008

• OC Vote update: 10 PM

  Slowly moving. But CNN's already called California for Clinton. Democrats:Hillary ClintonBarack ObamaVote Count: 53,881Vote Count: 26,297 58.5(.5% Republicans:John McCainMitt Romney Vote Count: 57,378Vote Count: 39,481 42.0(.9%

  February 5, 2008

• Myspace Bulletin from a friend in West L.A.

  8:39 p.m. "I know it's Super Tuesday and all, but it would have been nice if I could have watched Jeopardy & Wheel of Fortune when I got home from work like I planned."

  February 5, 2008

• OC Vote update: 11 PM

  Democrats:Hillary ClintonBarack ObamaVote Count: 81,233Vote Count: 46,911 57.33.1% Republicans:John McCainMitt Romney Vote Count: 75,393Vote Count: 60,108 41.02.7%

  February 5, 2008

• OC Vote: Final count

  Well, the votes from all 2076 precincts have been tallied. No huge surprises, but here are the final numbers in the presidential race: Democrats:Hillary ClintonBarack ObamaVote Count: 141,668Vote Count: 96,967 55.47.9% Republicans:John McCainMitt Romney Vote Count: 117,333Vote Count: 109,877 39.77.2%

  February 6, 2008

• Survey Says...Not Much

  We recently heard from a reader in Santa Ana who received a copy of the "Republican Party Census Document," along with an introductory letter from the RNC stating that "your answers will represent the views and opinions of ALL Republican voters living in your voting district...Unless we hear from YOU, we will not have an accurate BLUEPRINT -- a full legislative agenda and campaign plan -- and a unified Republican Party."" Problem is, our reader is not now nor has she ever been a registered Repu

  February 28, 2008

• Party Pooper

  October 7, 1999

• Obama Wins Presidential Election Thanks to Baby Hewie!

  The New York Observer is reporting that Orange County conservative yackmouth Hugh Hewitt unsuccessfully tried to sell a book proposal involving Republican presidential candidate Sarah Palin. We'd usually laugh at any Baby Hewie gaffe--the proposed title was How Sarah Palin Won the Election ... and Saved America, and ain't that a bit pompous?--except that his failure means hope for Democrats, as his infatuation with Palin might have provoked the Hugh Hewitt curse. Don't know about it? Read our w

  October 10, 2008

• The Grainy Face of Corporate Evil

  September 26, 2002

• Mackerel Flats' Folks Leaning Toward Obama? Who Knew?

  Around 11 this morning, KPCC 89.3 FM's AirTalk show presented a call-in segment called "I Didn't Know My Neighbor Was Voting For (Fill In The Blank)!" Host Larry Mantle wanted to know whether anyone's neighbors put political signs on their front lawns that surprised the listener. First caller Garrett of Newport Beach said he is seeing a lot more Obama for President signs in front of houses in his neighborhood (including his own) than he would have expected in the heart of conservative Orange C

  October 21, 2008

• Dear Mr. Fuentes

  August 17, 2000

• The Party's Over

  State GOP chairman Ron Nehring: "Lease, don't buy..." The state GOP's "Victory Night Party" (hah!) was over before it started. Driving over to the Hyatt Regency Irvine to make the 8:30 p.m. start time, I was talking on my Bluetooth to my brother in San Francisco when he informed me John McCain was already making his concession speech. "Holy shit!" I said as I steered into the Hyatt driveway. "I'm going to miss the Republicans crying in their beers." The mood was definitely somber inside the

  November 4, 2008

• Red County Nearly Turns Blue!

  . . . and if that happened, would the righty Red County blog have to change its name? Final election results from OC: PRESIDENT AND VICE PRESIDENT Completed Precincts: 2109 of 2109 Vote Count Percentage JOHN MCCAIN / SARAH PALIN (REP) 430,360 50.8% BARACK OBAMA / JOE BIDEN (DEM) 401,605 47.4% BOB BARR / WAYNE A. ROOT (LIB) 5,884 0.7% RALPH NADER / MATT GONZALEZ (P-F) 5,470 0.6% ALAN KEYES / WILEY S. DRAKE, SR. (AI) 2,672 0.3% CYNTHIA MCKINNEY / ROSA CLEMENTE (GRN) 1,720 0.2% McC

  November 5, 2008

• No Party Favors

  The county GOP gives beleaguered Republican board members at Capo Unified Schools a vote of no-confidence

  November 1, 2007

• Im a Complete Intellectual Fraud

  January 20, 2005

• Stealth Loretta

  Is Congresswoman Sanchez a whore orworsea Republican?

  March 1, 2007

• Diary of a Mad County

  October 26, 2006

• Who Is 'Jubal'?

  April 13, 2006

• Tom Fuentes,

  March 31, 2005

• Northern Exposure

  March 3, 2005

• No Moore!

  December 9, 2004

• The presidents conservative critics

  June 17, 2004

• Burning Bush

  April 8, 2004

• Queer Eye for the GOP Guy

  October 2, 2003

• We Live in Paradise!

  September 18, 2003

• Primary Madness

  March 14, 2002

• Drive-By Consultant

  July 12, 2001

• Fat Cat Nation!

  November 16, 2000

• Yeah, We Want 'Bush'

  September 28, 2000

• Gay-Baiting Brown

  February 10, 2000

• Will Little Saigon Bring Down Loretta Sanchez?

  Sanchez Slayer?North Orange County state Assemblyman Van Tran announced thru the Register's Martin Wisckol today that he hopes to be the 2010 Republican challenger to OC's lone Democratic member of congress: Loretta Sanchez. The news is as surprising as a six-hour traffic jam on the 55 or four-year-old, three-foot pot holes in Santa Ana.Over the last 13 years, local Republican Party heavyweights, disturbed they lost a unanimous Republican congressional delegation in Washington, have made no sec

  May 6, 2009

• Chuck DeVore's Quixotic Attempt to Twitter and Parody-Video His Way Into the U.S. Senate

  May 21, 2009

• Royce, Sanchez Blast North Korea's Harsh Sentencing of Journos

  Two Orange County representatives in the U.S. Congress came out strongly today against North Korea's harsh sentencing of 12 years hard labor for two U.S. journalists charged with "hostile acts." The other four Members of Congress were silent.Rep. Loretta Sanchez (D-Garden Grove) emailed the Weekly the following statement:"I am deeply concerned by reports that two U.S. citizens and California reporters have been sentenced to 12 years of hard labor on charges of illegally crossing into North Korea

  June 8, 2009

• Royce, Sanchez Blast North Korea's Harsh Sentencing of Journos

  Two Orange County representatives in the U.S. Congress came out strongly today against North Korea's harsh sentencing of 12 years hard labor for two U.S. journalists charged with "hostile acts." The other four Members of Congress were silent.Rep. Loretta Sanchez (D-Garden Grove) emailed the Weekly the following statement:"I am deeply concerned by reports that two U.S. citizens and California reporters have been sentenced to 12 years of hard labor on charges of illegally crossing into North Korea

  June 8, 2009

• Rohrabacher Goes Against Own Party on Behalf of Uyghurs

  Photo by Jack GouldDo the best hopes for imprisoned Uyghurs rest with this man?Unless it involves legalizing medical marijuana, banning U.S. weapons sales to dictators or erecting a memorial statue for Doobie Brothers guitarist Jeff "Skunk" Baxter, Rep. Dana Rohrabacher (R-Huntington Beach) usually does not find much common ground with Democrats. But the Surfin' Congressman has proven during his--what's it been now, 90-year?--House tenure that he can also be a lone ranger when it comes to his ow

  June 10, 2009

• Awesome Criminal of the Week, Pt. Douche

  Yoo, Douche.This tale of crime and no punishment has gone back and forth so many times that it's tempting to ignore this latest development, but John Yoo, Orange County's favorite torture enabler, may be back in deep doo-doo over his role in providing the legal justification for the Bush administration's practice of torturing terrorist suspects. Ever since President Obama stated that no government official was "above the law," speculation has abounded that Yoo, a Berkeley law professor who fled

  June 17, 2009

• Move Over, OC, Placer County's Now Bastion of Conservatism

  Thomas Shaller of FiveThirtyEight--a website that takes its name from the 535 electoral college votes as it crunches polling data and other numbers--makes a compelling case that Placer County in Northern California is the new Orange County when it comes to bastions of conservatism.While Orange County is credited with giving root to Barry Goldwater's turning-point presidential campaign of 1964 and proceeding to deliver strong Republican majorities for four decades, "[n]o such political treatments

  June 19, 2009

• Best Written Putdown of OC GOP EVER

  "Those who believe in truly limiting government, in domestic and overseas affairs, should realize that we are no longer part of the conservative movement and certainly not welcome in the Republican Party. We're not loved or wanted. Don't despair. I can guarantee that it's far more entertaining watching Republicans lose elections from a distance than from within their crazy, immigrant-bashing, warmongering, torture-endorsing, government-expanding, civil-liberties-trouncing hothouse."--Orange Coun

  July 19, 2009

• More Republi-Drama at OC GOP Meeting

  Chris Norby, in the fray​After a not-so-harmonious Western Conservative Political Action Conference last weekend and amidst a downright ugly state assembly race in north county, Red County's Alan Bartlett reports that last night's OC GOP Central Committee contained a few moments of strife and hand-wringing as well.First up: AD 72 candidate Linda Ackerman reportedly has filed an ethics complaint with the GOP against primary challenger and current county supervisor Chris Norby over one of his ca

  October 20, 2009