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Riverside County's Majority Party

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Assemblyman Nestande to Host Education Roundtables with California Superintendent of Schools Jack O’Connell‏

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RIVERSIDE- Assemblyman Brian Nestande (R-Palm Desert) will host Education Roundtables with California Superintendent of Schools, Jack O’Connell in Riverside and Palm Desert on Friday, January 8, 2010.  The event will host the Superintendents, Board of Education members, Principals, and PTO Presidents of school districts in the 64th District.

“I am pleased to have Superintendent Jack O’Connell come visit with educational leaders in my district,” Nestande said.  “It is important to have dialogue between Sacramento and our community.”

The first roundtable will begin in Riverside at 10:00am at the Riverside Adult School, 6735 Magnolia Avenue. The second roundtable will begin at 3:30pm at Palm Desert High School, 43-570 Phyllis Jackson Road.

Nestande is the Vice-Chair of the Education Committee, which focuses on K-12 education, certificated employees of schools, school finance, and school facilities.  Superintendent Jack O’Connell’s role is to lead the California Department of Education, which oversees the state’s diverse and dynamic public school system that is responsible for the education of more than seven million children and young adults in more than 9,000 schools.

What:              Education Roundtables with Assemblyman Brian Nestande and Superintendent Jack O’Connell

When: Friday, January 8, 2010

10:00am-11:30am                                3:30pm-5:00pm

Where: Riverside Adult School Palm Desert High School

6735 Magnolia Avenue 43-570 Phyllis Jackson Road

Riverside, CA Palm Desert, CA

Interviews, Handouts, Visuals will be available upon request.

Assemblyman Nestande proudly serves the communities of Canyon Lake, Indian Wells, Lake Elsinore, Moreno Valley, Murrieta, Palm Desert, Rancho Mirage, Riverside, Temecula, Perris, Wildomar, Winchester, Menifee, Hemet, Aguanga, Anza, Idyllwild, Bermuda Dunes, Mountain Center, and Woodcrest.

Citizen Power

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John Stossel / Fox Business Channel

That fact that American workers can vote to form a union sounds… democratic. Majority rules. Every worker’s vote is equal. No powerful boss makes decisions for you.

Except it doesn’t work out that way. Union bosses are eager to make decisions — and spend members’ dues — in ways many of their members never would. Union dues are routinely used to build cozy relationships with certain favored politicians. If you disagree with the union bosses’ choice, tough.

Ron Nehring writes that unions funneling money to their cronies in government took a toll on California.

Such political power has served as a massive force in favor of the unsustainable spending that has forced cities like Vallejo, California into bankruptcy with unrealistic salaries and pension benefits for their unionized employees.

Normally only a tiny fraction of Americans choose to donate to candidates or political causes. Yet many government employee unions enjoy the power to compel virtually all of their members into supporting the unions’ advocacy, regardless of how the individual worker feels about that agenda.

Some members are fighting back. They propose a state-wide vote on what they call “paycheck protection.”

California proponents of paycheck protection have begun circulating a ballot measure that if passed would get the state out of the business of collecting political cash for its government employee union officials. Political participation would once again become voluntary …

The initiative is being called the “Citizen Power Initiative.” More information and petitions are available here.

I hope it passes. Whether you want to support a candidate or a political party should be your decision. Union bosses shouldn’t get to force you to give money to causes you may hate.

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Mike Reynolds and 3 Strikes Coalition Endorse Harman for Attorney General

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“Three Strikes” Co-author says “Tom Harman is the only candidate for Attorney General we can count on to protect Three Strikes”

Fresno, CA – Three Strikes and You’re Out coauthor and crime victim’s advocate Mike Reynolds and his Three Strikes coalition endorsed Tom Harman for California’s next Attorney General.  Reynold’s daughter Kimber was tragically murdered in 1992 and when one of the two men responsible for her murder was killed during his arrest, Mr. Reynolds looked toward just punishment for the other.  When that second man was sentenced to only nine years in prison (and ultimately paroled in half that time), he took action.  This became the catalyst California’s “three-strikes-and-you’re-out” law passed by voters in 1994.

“The Three Strikes law is one of the most important and effective protections law-abiding citizens have,” said Reynolds.  “Tom Harman is the only candidate for Attorney General we can count on to protect Three Strikes.”

“In the past few years, we have had to fight against critics on the left that have sought to weaken the Three Strikes law.  Electing Tom Harman as Attorney General is the best insurance we have to make sure the extreme criminal rights crowd doesn’t succeed.”

In the State Senate and Assembly, Tom Harman has been an advocate for tough-on-crime measures and legislation.  He is a strong proponent of California’s death penalty law and in 2008 introduced SB 315 that if enacted would have sped up the long and tedious process needed to ultimately carry out justice against criminals on death row.

As California’s next Attorney General, Tom will continue to strengthen California’s death penalty law, defend Three Strikes and vigorously prosecute public fraud and corruption.

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www.TomHarman4AG.com

www.Twitter.com/TomHarman4AG

GOP Poised for Comeback in Midterm Elections

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Republicans begin 2010 with a very different political environment than a year ago.  Our team leads in generic ballot tests, more Americans are identifying as Republicans, voters disapprove of Democrat policies, and the Republican base is far more energized than Democrats.

Los Angeles Times

Reporting from Roswell, N.M. – After losing the White House and nearly 70 congressional seats in the last two elections, Republicans are poised for a strong comeback in 2010, with significant gains likely in the House and a good chance of boosting their numbers in the Senate and statehouses across the country.

The results could hamper President Obama’s legislative efforts as he prepares to seek reelection and reshape the political landscape for a decade beyond, as lawmakers redraw congressional and state political boundaries to reflect the next census.

All 435 House seats, 36 in the Senate and the governorships of 37 states will be on the ballot in November. Democrats are favored to retain the Massachusetts seat of the late Sen. Edward M. Kennedy in a special election Jan. 19.

Some of the Democrats’ most prominent figures, including Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid of Nevada and Senate Banking Committee Chairman Christopher J. Dodd of Connecticut, are in serious danger as they seek reelection. Both would probably lose if elections were held today.

“It all adds up to a pretty bad year for the party in power,” said Jennifer Duffy, an analyst with the nonpartisan Cook Political Report. “How bad? I’m not sure we know yet.”

Full story

Dem Recruits Continue to Head for the Exits

The Hill

Democrats have lost yet another touted recruit, this time in Kansas.

State Sen. Laura Kelly (D) just announced her withdrawal from the race to face Rep. Lynn Jenkins (R-Kan.). She becomes the fifth formidable recruit to bow out in recent weeks.

Kelly joins several recent dropouts, including businessman Jack McDonald, a well-funded challenger to Rep. Michael McCaul (R-Texas) who announced last week that he wouldn’t run. The others are Ohio state Rep. Todd Book, who was running against Rep. Jean Schmidt (R-Ohio); former Tennessee Commerce and Insurance Commissioner Paula Flowers, who was running for Rep. Zach Wamp’s (R-Tenn.) seat; and Solana Beach City Councilman Dave Roberts, who was running against Rep. Brian Bilbray (R-Calif.).

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Looking Ahead to the New Year

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Happy New Year from everyone at the California Republican Party!

FireworksAs we begin the new year, we’re presented with an incredible opportunity to set the state, and the country, on the right track as we elect more of our fellow Republicans who will carry the torch for the important issues that have brought us to politics.

Working together this year we made great progress, with the result that our party enters 2010 far stronger than it entered 2009.

More Americans are again identifying with our party, we lead in generic ballot tests, and the public is rejecting the liberal agenda of Barack Obama and Nancy Pelosi.

Much has been accomplished, and much more needs to be done.

The Republican Party that takes the gavel back from Speaker Pelosi will be a stronger and more disciplined one than the party that gave it to her, and the hundreds of thousands of Americans who have become active in politics this year are a big reason why.

We know that Republicans are elected not simply to hold office, but to use the authority of those offices to put ideas into action.

Looking forward to 2010, I’m reminded of what Leadership Institute President Morton Blackwell has long observed: that the winner of a political contest, over time, is ultimately determined by the number and effectiveness of those engaged on each side of the contest.

We already know our ideas are the right ones for California, and America.

To put these ideas into action, we will need your help.

In the months ahead, you’ll be asked to be a key part of the Republican campaign by becoming the Republican Party’s representative in your precinct, to help register new Republican voters in your community, to donate to the campaign, or to help in recruiting new volunteers to this cause that is greater than each of us.

History shows us that the party that does not hold the White House has gained seats in Congress and state legislatures in 10 of the last 12 mid-term elections.  Combined with a President and a Congress out of touch with the American people, we have the opportunity to elect an army of Republicans to office to put our solid ideas into action.

Thank you for your leadership in the Republican Party, and for the opportunity to work with you toward victory in 2010.

On behalf of the leadership, elected officials and staff of the California Republican Party, we wish you all the best in this new year,
Ron Nehring
Ron Nehring
CHAIRMAN, California Republican Party

Score Card 2009: GOP Consolidates Behind Tom Harman for Attorney General

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Sacramento, CA- Republican Attorney General candidate Tom Harman ends 2009 with strong GOP support from across California.  Tom Harman has earned the support and respect of his fellow Californians due to his tough, “public safety first message,” his commitment to strengthening our Three-Strikes law, his legislative efforts to streamline the death penalty process and his commitment to vigorously defend the will of the voters expressed in their passage of Proposition 8.

Harman’s endorsements include:

Former Governor George Deukmejian

Former Secretary of State and co-author of 3-Strikes Bill Jones

Former Secretary of State Bruce McPherson

Former Assistant U.S. Attorney Bill Simon

Congressman Kevin McCarthy

Congressman Buck McKeon

Congressman Ed Royce

District Attorney Tony Rackauckas

District Attorney Gary Woolverton

Sheriff Lee Baca

Sheriff Sandra Hutchens

Sheriff William Lutze

Sheriff Brian Muller

Jane Barnett, Chairwoman – Los Angeles County Republican Central Committee

Former Senate Minority Leader Jim Brulte

Bill Leonard, Member – Board of Equalization

Michelle Steel, Member – Board of Equalization Former California Republican Party Chairman Mike Schroeder

Los Angeles County Supervisor Mike Antonovich

Los Angeles County Supervisor Don Knabe

Orange County Supervisor Patricia Bates

Orange County Supervisor Janet Nguyen

Michael Antonopoulos, Chairman California College Republicans

Austin Dragon, Chairman Southern California Republican Club

Benjamin Lopez, former Chairman Young Republicans Federation of California

Lauryn Picciano, President Orange County Young Republicans

Andrew Lund, Chairman San Diego Young Republicans

Shawn Fago, Immediate Past President Orange County Young Republicans

Mike Harris, Former Chairman Sonoma County Republican Party

Paul Cummings Jr., Former Chairman Republican Party of Alameda County

Gary Aminoff, President San Fernando Valley Republican Club

California Republican Veterans Association

Association of Orange County Deputy District Attorneys

Newport Beach Police Officers Association

Collene (Thompson) Campbell – National Crime Victim Advocate

Former Assembly Republican Leader Robert Naylor

Over 38 Republican members of the California Legislature

(partial list)

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www.TomHarman4AG.com

www.Twitter.com/TomHarman4AG

Paid for by Friends of Tom Harman for Attorney General 2010

2150 River Plaza Dr., #150 Sacramento, CA 95833

CRP Chairman Ron Nehring Responds to Radanovich Announcement

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SACRAMENTO — California Republican Party Chairman Ron Nehring issued the following statement in response to the announcement by Rep. George Radanovich (R-CA) that he will not seek re-election in 2010 in order to tend to pressing family issues:

“Californians have been incredibly fortunate to have an outstanding representative in Congress fighting for them in Rep. George Radanovich.  Throughout his 15 years in the House, George has been a thoughtful, passionate, and committed advocate on the issues facing California’s Central Valley including water, agriculture, and jobs.

“All of our thoughts and prayers are with George, his wife Ethie and their son.

“While the California Republican Party must remain neutral in Republican primaries, the emergence of State Senator Jeff Denham as a candidate to succeed Congressman Radanovich is important and demonstrates Republican strength in holding this seat.  I am confident we will not only send a new Republican representative to the House for the 19th district in 2010, but we will add to California’s Republican delegation as well.

QUICK FACTS ON THE 19th CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT

2008: McCain 52%, Obama 46%
2004: Bush 61%, Kerry 38%
2000: Bush 57%, Gore: 38%

WALL STREET JOURNAL ON THE GOP HOLDING THIS SEAT

“The eight-term lawmaker’s retirement should not pose a major threat to the GOP’s chances of holding on to his district-Radanovich ran unopposed in 2008 and John McCain bested Barack Obama in his Fresno-based district by six points, 52%-46%.”

California Rep George Radanovich to Retire, WSJ, 12/29/09

Reception and Meeting Featuring Rod Pacheco and Stan Sniff

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“DRIVE TO VICTORY 2010”

THE REPUBLICAN PARTY OF RIVERSIDE COUNTY

Cordially Invites you to a Reception and General Membership Meeting/Presentation Featuring

Rod Pacheco,

Riverside County District Attorney

And

Stanley Sniff

Riverside County Sheriff-Coroner

ON

Thursday, January 21, 2010

Reception:  630pm, Meeting:  7pm

AT

The Historic Mission Inn

3649 Mission Inn Avenue

Riverside, CA. 92501

HELP US ATTAIN VICTORY IN 2010!

All Registered Republicans Attend At No Charge

Light Refreshments, No Host Bar

For questions about the event or for information on The Republican Party of Riverside County:

Riversidegop.com

Boehner: Senate Dems Have Put Their Votes ‘On the Auction Block’

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By Michael O’Brien – 12/23/09 12:00 PM ET

Senate Democrats have put their healthcare votes “on the auction block,” House Minority Leader John Boehner (R-Ohio) asserted Wednesday.

As the Senate prepares to move forward with passing its health bill tonight and tomorrow, the top House Republican decried “sweeteners” in the upper chamber’s bill to win votes, and vowed not to give up fighting the Democratic-led reform efforts.

“Senate Democrats have sunk to plenty of new lows to jam through this government-run health monstrosity, but putting their votes on the auction block tops them all,” Boehner said.

His office pointed to a Quinnipiac poll released this week showing a majority of voters in opposition to the Senate health bill. Opposition to the Senate bill has ticked downward slightly in the past two weeks, though Boehner’s office suggested that anger toward the anger toward the bill is growing as people learn more about sweeteners for senators included in the bill.

$1.2 billion was included in the latest iteration of the health bill to restore some Medicaid funding in Massachusetts and Vermont, as well as in Nebraska, where Sen. Ben Nelson (D) secured $100 million for his state’s Medicaid obligations. Sen. Chris Dodd (D-Conn.) also managed to get $100 million for the University of Connecticut’s hospitals. Sen. Mary Landrieu (D-La.) also managed $100 million in disaster relief funds for her state before agreeing to vote with Democrats to begin debate on their health bill.

“Americans want lower health care costs, yet Senator Reid’s payoffs, kickbacks, and sweetheart deals prove once and for all that Democrats cannot be trusted to deliver on their behalf,” Boehner said, joining Senate GOP colleagues who have blasted the Senate’s sweeteners as “sleazy,” among other adjectives.

The House minority leader also vowed to keep fighting the bill, while urging opponents of the bill to do the same.

“My message to the American people is now is not the time to give up,” Boehner said. “Now is the time to speak out, more loudly and clearly than ever, against this government takeover of health care.”

Democratic Representative Griffith to Switch Parties

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Democrats in Washington are grasping for any spin they can put on one of their members jumping ship and joining the Republican Party today.  He wasn’t reliable, we’re not surprised, we didn’t like him much anyway, etc.  The reality is this: when a member of your majority caucus in the House is driven out and feels compelled to join the opposition party on principle, that’s a sign your party has lost touch with reality.

December 22, 2009

Democratic Representative Griffith to Switch Parties

Bloomberg

Dec. 22 (Bloomberg) — U.S. Representative Parker Griffith of Alabama, one of the most endangered first-term lawmakers, announced he is switching to the Republican Party.
“I have become increasingly concerned that the bills and policies pushed by the current Democratic leadership are not good for north Alabama or our nation,” Griffith said today at a press conference at his home in Huntsville. “More importantly, they do not represent my values and my convictions.”

Griffith said he would immediately join the House Republican Conference. Even with his switch, the Democrats hold a 257-178 edge in the House. Republicans, who had targeted Griffith for defeat in next year’s election, welcomed their newest member. “Parker Griffith is a dedicated public servant who has consistently put the best interests of his constituents first, and it is in that spirit that Republicans welcome him,” said House Republican Leader John Boehner of Ohio. House Republican Whip Eric Cantor of Virginia said Griffith’s switch was a rebuke to Democratic policies such as the $787 billion stimulus package and the proposed expansion of health care to cover those without insurance. “When a member of Congress decides to leave a 258-seat majority to join a deep minority, it is a sure sign that the majority party has become completely disconnected from working families in America,” Cantor said. Medical Doctor A medical doctor who won with about 51 percent of the vote in 2008, Griffith kept the northern Alabama district in Democratic hands following the retirement of nine-term Representative Bud Cramer. He was one of seven Democrats to vote against the stimulus and he opposed the party’s health-care overhaul and its legislation to curb global warming. He has been a member of the Blue Dog Coalition of House Democrats who pushed for spending cuts and a smaller federal deficit.

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