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Senator George Allen, R- Virginia, will be speaking as one of featured headliners (Governor Schwarzenegger will speak tomorrow at noon) of this convention.

The Senator, a non-declared but running nevertheless candidate, for President is spreading his name among the party faithful – to mine those contacts and fundraising powers of the California GOP.

Flap remembers Senator Allen’s father, also George Allen (George Herbert Allen), who was the coach of the Los Angeles Rams — when Los Angeles had an NFL franchise.

Flap remains skeptical that the younger Allen can score a Super Bowl win to the Presidency in 2008.

The Vice Presidency?

Live Blogging will commence within the half hour.

Senator Allen has been introduced by the Chairman of the California Republican Party.

He starts his speech by saying Governor Schwarzenegger has been leading the fight for real change in Sacramento and gives him credit for balancing the California budget without raising taxes.

He is happy to be back here in Orange County. The Senator was raised in California when his father was the coach of the Los Angeles Rams where the training camp was at Cal State Fullerton. He remembers meeting Governor Reagan who came out to the camp to watch the Rams. Reagan was elected Governor of California in 1966.

Then he moved to Virigina when his dad went on to coach the Washington Redskins where he got involved with Virginians for Reagan.

He credits his start in politics here in Orange County and with Ronald Reagan.

Discussing a broad range of issues:

1. Supports permanent 15% capital gains tax

2.Elimination of Estate (Death) Tax

Protestors are heard through the door of the hall….chanting …..?

Nahhhh relax it is a demonstration for a young Republican campaign.

The Senator is also supportive of less litigation – tort reform; energy independence from foreign sources of oil via drilling for domestic sources in Alaska.

Questions from the audience:

He supports parental notification for abortion – supports California Proposition 73.

He is now discussing illegal immigration:

1. Secure the border

2. More detention and patrol

3. Effective Guest Worker Program and not the McCain-Kennedy bill but more like the Cornyn bill

He finishes with a Ronald Reagan story and the Cold War. How he was ridiculed and discounted in the war against communism but because of Ronald Reagan perseverence people in Eastern Europe are now free…… so it goes for Iraq.

America must be patient, support our troops in Iraq and persevere.

America must stand strong for freedom!

Thanks to SactoDan for the photo.

Technorati Tags: George Allen, Ronald Reagan, California Republican Party, Arnold Schwarzenegger

California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, center, shakes hands with supporters after announcing that he would seek re-election, at a town hall meeting in San Diego, Friday, Sept. 16, 2005. Schwarzenegger has hinted as much for weeks, saying as recently as Wednesday that he wanted to stay and fix the ‘broken system’ of state government. The announcement was timed to coincide with the state Republican convention in Anaheim, which Schwarzenegger will address Saturday afternoon.

The ASSociated Press has Schwarzenegger Says He’ll Seek Re-Election.

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger confirmed an open secret Friday, telling supporters that he’s running for re-election next year — an early announcement designed to re-energize his sagging political momentum.

“I’m going to follow through with this here. I’m not in there for three years. I originally got into this … to finish the job. I’m in there for seven years,” he told an enthusiastic crowd of about 200 invited guests. “Yes, I will run for governor.”

Flap hopes you went all in.

Previously Flap had Arnold Schwarzenegger Watch: Second Run Likely

The announcement was timed to coincide with the state Republican convention in Anaheim, which Schwarzenegger will address Saturday afternoon.

The challengers already are lining up. State Treasurer Phil Angelides and Controller Steve Westly have announced they will seek the Democratic nomination. Two liberal Hollywood luminaries, director Rob Reiner and actor Warren Beatty, also have been mentioned as possible candidates.

Let the 2006 California election season begin.

Flap will be covering and blogging the Governor’s luncheon speech tomorrow.

From the California Republican Party’s Official Press Release:

California Republican Party (CRP) Chairman Duf Sundheim released the following statement today after Governor Schwarzenegger’s announcement that he will run for re-election:

“Governor Schwarzenegger’s announcement that he will run for re-election is great news for Californians. The Governor was sent to Sacramento to fix California’s broken system of government and he has worked tirelessly during his time in office to make reform a reality. Today’s announcement from the Governor lets all Californians know that he will not stop working until the job is done.

“The Governor has the full support and backing of the CRP and we will continue to work with him to restore responsibility and accountability to our state government.”

Stay tuned…. the California campaign for 2006 has just started.

Read the spin from the New York Times here.

“The invincible Teflon-coated superhero turns out not to be able to repeal the law of gravity,” said Martin Kaplan, who studies politics and popular culture at the University of Southern California’s Annenberg School. “Once your poll numbers fall below 40 percent, you are fair game for anyone. Gary Coleman probably thinks he could beat him now.”

P…….LEASE Kaplan you have been a shill for far too long for the lefty Democrats and Norman Lear.

But, what do you expect from the New York Times.

Technorati Tags: Arnold Schwarzenegger, California Recovery Team, California Special Election, Bear Flag League, California Republican Party

Cross-posted to the Bear Flag League Special Election Page

The Entry to the Press Room.

Flap has arrived at the Anaheim Marriott to attend and cover the California Republican Party Convention.

The vendors are setting up and the hotel is abuzz with all of the suits and budding politicians and lots of staffers.

Here is a photo of a fellow Bear Flag Leaguer, Sacto Dan and Flap’s set up. Now, Dan is an anonymous blogger…. can’t you tell?

More later………

Technorati Tags: California Republican Party

Jonathon Berg, right, puts his head on the shoulder of his partner, Ivan Morales during a rally held in support of a same-sex marriage bill, held at the Capitol in Sacramento,Calif., Thursday, Sept. 8, 2005. On Tuesday the state Assembly approved a same-sex marriage measure, that had already been approved by the state Senate, making California the first state Legislature to approve gay marriage. Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger has announced that he will veto the bill.

The San Francisco Chronicle has Schwarzenegger aides to meet with gay leaders, Same-sex marriage bill isn’t on agenda, spokeswoman says.

Top aides to Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger have agreed to meet with leaders of gay and lesbian rights groups next Wednesday, two days before the same-sex marriage bill the Legislature passed this month is due to arrive on his desk.

The 90-minute meeting is not a sign that Schwarzenegger is considering changing his mind about vetoing the bill, said Margita Thompson, his spokeswoman.

In fact, the marriage bill will not be a topic of conversation between gay leaders and the governor’s acting chief of staff and other top aides, she said.

“This is an outreach meeting that happens within the normal course of business, and I understand there is heightened media interest,” Thompson said. “The legislation is specifically not going to be discussed.”

Somehow Flap is skeptical that the gay (same sex) marriage bill will NOT be discussed. California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger has not taken a definitive position on gay marriage but obfuscated his true position on the issue. Flap previously had the Governor’s veto announcement.

Schwarzenegger has said he believes the issue of same-sex marriage should be decided by the courts, not the Legislature. A separate challenge to Proposition 22, the initiative voters approved in 2002 that limited marriage to heterosexual couples, is making its way to the California Supreme Court.

But gay leaders said they would continue pressing the governor on the issue until he actually vetoes the bill — and they plan to bring it up during the meeting.

“There are real people he’s going to harm with the veto pen,” said Geoffrey Kors, executive director of Equality California, the LGBT rights organization behind the marriage bill. “Instead, he could be a shining example of a strong leader and someone who is going to stand for equality.”

If the governor believes the issue should be left to the courts, Kors said, he should sign the bill and let it face an inevitable court challenge.

There has been discussion of an Overlooked Legal Option That Would Let Governor Schwarzenegger Fully Respect Proposition 22 and the Will of the People, Yet Also Sign the Gay Marriage Bill.

For political purposes – SPELLED VOTES – Arnold is treading a fine line. He does not wish to alienate gay voters any more than he has. But, let’s face politcal facts if he equivocates on this veto he will alienate his conservative, faith-based and evangelical base.

Kors’ organization has been holding town hall meetings across California on the issue and started a campaign Monday highlighting different segments of the population that would be affected by the bill. More than 20,000 people have signed an online petition asking the governor to approve the bill, and 50,000 have sent e-mails to his office the first two days of the campaign, Kors said.

If the legislation is brought up, Thompson said, “it will be cordially listened to, but it won’t have any impact on the decision.”

The Governator cannot be a switch-hitter on this issue. He must have a strong and timely veto message to satisfy his base and quell the nervousness of conservatives.

Technorati Tags: Arnold Schwarzenegger, gay marriage, same sex marriage, Proposition 22