-
Sheriff Mike Carona Watch: Carona Fails to Gain Republican Party Support for Re-Election
Los Angeles Times: Carona Fails to Gain GOP Vote Support
Orange County Republican leaders have voted not to endorse beleaguered Sheriff Michael S. Carona for a third term, dealing a blow to his once high-flying political career.
Carona, who will face three challengers in the June election, fell one vote shy of gaining the endorsement of the county’s Republican central committee at its meeting Monday night.
Failure to secure this endorsement may mean primary election trouble for the two term incumbent sheriff. This vote comes scarcely two months after California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger raised $700,000 in an Orange County fundraiser for Carona.
Although the party did not endorse someone else, the move was a setback for Carona, whose political viability has slumped amid allegations of mismanagement, sexual misconduct and conflicts of interest — all of which he has denied.
Monday’s rebuff followed lengthy debate about several scandals and investigations that political analysts say kept Carona from running for higher office this year. The state attorney general is investigating allegations that Carona sexually harassed two women and whether he improperly billed his election committee for $130,000 in expenses.Losing the GOP endorsement was also noteworthy because the vote was coordinated by Carona supporters who are Republican party insiders, including former state GOP Chairman Michael Schroeder, Carona’s campaign spokesman, and former state GOP Executive Director Jon Fleischman, a Sheriff’s Department spokesman.
Also, Republican office holders in Orange County have accused the Sheriff of GOP disloyalty.
Speaking against a Carona endorsement at Monday’s GOP meeting were Costa Mesa Mayor Allan Mansoor, a sheriff’s deputy; Santa Ana school board member Rosemarie Avila; and anti-illegal-immigration activist Lupe Moreno.
Avila and Moreno criticized Carona for supporting Democrats in past elections, including being on the host committee for a fundraiser for then-Gov. Gray Davis and endorsing Latino activist Nativo Lopez for the Santa Ana school board, from which he eventually was recalled.
Flap handicaps a successful challenge to Carona being about even money at this time. Look for Sheriff’s Lt. Bill Hunt to gain support over the next few weeks.
Lt. Bill Hunt (L)
Is it over for Sheriff Mike Carona?Stay tuned…….
Previous:
Arnold Schwarzenegger Watch: Fundraiser with the Governor Nets Orange County Sheriff Carona $700,000
Technorati Tags: MikeCarona, SheriffCarona, California, ArnoldSchwarzenegger, MikeSchroeder, JonFleischman, BillHunt, OrangeCountySheriff
-
Arnold Schwarzenegger Watch: Rob Reiner = “A Friend”
California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, right, jokes with students from left, Jamie Vang, Polly Thet, Maikao Vang and Nalee Chang in the medical nursing careers class at Duncan Polytechnic High School, Tuesday, March 21, 2006, in Fresno, Calif. Schwarzenegger talked about the $50 million he has included in his 2006-07 budget for vocational education.
Fresno Bee: Governor promotes budget, bond proposals in Fresno visit
Gov. Schwarzenegger toured Duncan Polytechnical High School on Tuesday, using the school’s vocational education focus to highlight his push for such training, including $50 million in his proposed state budget and additional money in a state infrastructure bond he wants to put on the November ballot.
The governor toured woodworking, automotive and nursing classes at the school, visiting with students and getting briefed on vocational education issues by teachers and Duncan principal Carol Gaab Hansen.
Schwarzenegger also sat down with The Bee’s editorial board, where he addressed a broad range of subjects, including the infrastructure bond, education, Sacramento’s commitment to the central San Joaquin Valley and immigration reform.
And, what did the Governor say at the editorial board………?
Said maintaining $1 billion in the state infrastructure bond for Highway 99 improvements is not negotiable. If that amount is reduced, the governor said of the bond: “It won’t happen.”
This is a backhanded criticism of state Republican legislative leaders. So, Schwarzenegger will probably get “NOTHING” to place on the November ballot or a defeat at the polls for whatever measure that appears.
Defended the statewide high school exit exam, which students must pass to graduate. “I believe very strongly in the exit exam,” he said. Still, the governor said some sort of accommodation must be made for special education students, in the form of a waiver or an alternative assessment.
The California High School Exit Exam is a disaster and California public schools are worse than a disaster. California Superintendent of Public Instruction is a career politician with only 18 months as a teacher and a joke.
Education accountablility is one thing but the California Teachers Union calls the shots and until they are brought around or tamed the schools will remain the same – with or without an exit exam which NO ONE will pass (unless it is watered down).
Said the federal government must come up with a viable guest-worker program to assist agriculture. Still, he acknowledged there are daunting challenges in such a program, including getting guest workers to return to their country of origin.
Arnld must be listening to the Big Ag boys who write the campaign checks. Flap thought Arnold supported Gilchrist and the Minutemen?
Defended actor Rob Reiner, who has come under fire after a state commission he chairs spent $23 million in state money on an ad campaign promoting the benefits of preschool at the same time he is pushing a preschool ballot initiative. He said he is standing by Reiner, whom he called “a friend,” until there is evidence of wrongdoing. “Innocent until proven guilty,” he said.
With LEFTIE “friends” like this who needs ……. well, the reader understands. Arnold sure knows how to put his foot in his mouth. Hollywood Actor/Producer Rob Reiner should have been fired months ago for his blatant political manipulation of the First 5 California Children and Families Commission. A brewing scandal that now Schwarzenegger owns.
Does Arnold REALLY want to be re-elected in November or does he have a “DEATH WISH?”
Stay tuned……
The Sacramento Bee has Governor won’t oust Reiner from commissionÂ
Previous:
Arnold Schwarzenegger Watch: Alliance for a Better California – “We’re BACK!â€
Arnold Schwarzenegger Watch: The New Majority
Arnold Schwarzenegger Watch: Public Works Bonds are DEAD and so is Schwarzenegger’s Re-election?
Technorati Tags: ArnoldSchwarzenegger, California, CaliforniaElection2006, CRP, CaliforniaRepublicanParty
-
Day By Day by Chris Muir
-
Iran Nuclear Watch: United Nations Security Council Stalled But Diplomats Express Urgency
China’s ambassador to the UN Wang Guangya speaks to the press about the nuclear weapons situation in Iran, at the UN headquarters in New York on 17 March. A deadlocked UN Security Council put off a scheduled meeting to allow more time to narrow differences on a Franco-British statement on the Iranian nuclear crisis, diplomats said.
New York Times: Security Council Is Stalled Over Iran’s Nuclear Program
After nearly two weeks of haggling, a deadlocked Security Council put off full consideration of Iran’s nuclear program on Tuesday, amid indications that Iran was close to taking a major step in its efforts to enrich uranium.
Britain and France had promoted a statement calling on Iran to abandon its uranium activities, which the West believes is part of a nuclear weapons program. With American support, Britain and France want a two-week deadline with threats of possible punishment, but have met resistance from China and Russia.
The Europeans said Tuesday that they would consult on possible revisions that could draw the unanimous support needed for the statement from all 15 Security Council members. The postponement followed a four-hour meeting on Monday of senior Foreign Ministry officials of Britain, China, France, Germany, Russia and the United States.
YAWN…..why are the Europeans holding out hope for the U.N. Security Council? Russia and China will NEVER approve any sort of sanction. This entire referral is a lesson in futility.
But, now it turns out that Iran has been stalling for a PURPOSE.
The impasse generated frustration among European and American negotiators, who said within the last week that the International Atomic Energy Agency in Vienna had briefed officials on Iran’s uranium activities at its Natanz complex.
Diplomats from different countries, who declined to be identified because they were discussing sensitive classified information, said Iran appeared on the verge of assembling 164 centrifuges, the number needed to form a “cascade” mechanism that could enrich uranium for nuclear energy or, eventually, bombs.
In effect, they said the 164 centrifuges would significantly increase Iran’s ability to make weapons, in defiance of demands by the United States, Britain, France, Germany and the United States that it cease its uranium activities immediately.
“What this means is that time is not on our side,” a European diplomat said. “It means that while we are negotiating, Iran is not wasting its time.”
The Quotes:
France’s ambassador, Jean-Marc de la Sablière, said: “It seems to me we will need some time, a few days, I suppose. But we don’t have much time. I guess that we will have to come to the end of discussion very soon. But I cannot tell you exactly when.”
R. Nicholas Burns, under secretary of state for political affairs, turned aside such speculation, saying in a telephone interview from Washington that he had heard strong sentiment for a statement at the Monday meeting, at which he represented the United States.
“We believe that the members of the Security Council all have an interest in issuing this presidential statement, because the most important step we can now take is to send a common, united, clear message to Iran — that is, suspend your nuclear program and return to negotiations,” he said. “It may take some time to achieve the final wording, but we believe that goal is attainable.”
The Point of No Return is fast approaching. but, don’t count on anything substantiative from the United Nations Security Council.
If the intelligence regarding the Natanz uranium centrifuges is correct, the Winds of War may be blowing in hurricane force very soon.
Stay tuned…..
Previous:
Iran Nuclear Watch: Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad – The West Should Apologize to Iran
Iran Nuclear Watch: Big 6 Meeting Yields Nothing
Iran Nuclear Watch: Iran Wants IAEA Supervision and Inspections
Condoleezza Rice Watch: Iran is the “Central Bank of Terrorismâ€
Iran Nuclear Watch: Ayatollah Ali Khamenei – “Iran’s Nuclear Fuel Program IRREVERSIBLEâ€
Iran Nuclear Watch: United Nations Security Council Divided Over Response to Iran Nuclear FLAP
Iran Nuclear Watch: Russia – “Iran Still Considering Uranium Enrichment DEALâ€
Iran Nuclear Watch: Russia Rebukes Iran Over Withdrawl from Uranium Enrichment Negotiations
Iran Nuclear Watch: Iran Builds a Secret Underground Command Center
Iran Nuclear Watch: Iran Threatens “OIL†Weapon
Iran Nuclear Watch: Israel – “America Needs to Get Its Act Together.â€
The Natanz uranium enrichment complex in Natanz is pictured in this January 2, 2006 satellite image.
Technorati Tags: Iran, Russia, China, SergeiLavrov, UnitedNations, UnitedNationsSecurityCouncil, ZhouWenzhong, NicholasBurns, EuropeanUnion, MahmoudAhmadinejad, ManouchehrMottaki, JacquesChirac, Chirac, France, Iran, Nuclearweapons, nuclear, AbdulQadeerKhan, AliLarijani, CondoleezzaRice, JohnBolton, RezaVaidi, GholamHosseinMohseniEjehei, SergeiKiriyenko
-
The Right-Wing Blogosphere is DEAD?
There Is No Right-Wing Blogosphere Anymore
Wishful thinking from the Left…..
Technorati Tags: Blogosphere, Right-Wing, Conservative
-
Arnold Schwarzenegger Watch: Governor and California Republican Party Raise $2.5 Million and PROTESTS
California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger talks about the importance of education to some 900 high school choir members, staff and families at the 17th annual High School Choir Festival at Disney Hall in Los Angeles on Monday, March 20, 2006. Schwarzenegger was to host a major fundraising dinner later in the evening.
ASSociated Press: Schwarzenegger, GOP raise $2.5 million at SoCal fundraiser
Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and the state GOP collected an estimated $2.5 million at a fundraiser headlined by Sen. John McCain that helped replenish coffers drained by a failed ballot measure campaign last year.
Top donors kicked in as much as $100,000 to attend Monday night’s dinner and reception at the Beverly Hilton while about 200 protesters from teacher, firefighter and other unions protested outside.
Some of the donors are listed here on ElectionTrack and here on the invitation.
Members of the California Nurses Association push what looks like a gurney with a giant soap bar down a hallway as they try to see California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger at a fundraiser attendeded by U.S. Sen. John McCain, in Beverly Hills, Calif., Monday, March 20, 2006. The nurses are wearing protective gear and want to hand the symbolic soap bar to Schwarzenegger to clean up corporate corruption.
Security guards and police turned away about two dozen members of the California Nurses Association who tried to march into the reception shouting, “Shame on Arnold.”
“This fundraiser is the prime example of what is wrong with our system,” said Jill Furillo, Southern California director of the nurses association. “They write their $100,000 checks because they hope to get a favor in return.”
The scene was reminiscent of 2005, when union activists angered by the governor’s agenda hounded his public appearances and ran millions of dollars of TV ads. Their campaign contributed to the November defeat of Schwarzenegger-supported ballot measures to slow state spending and curb public union power in Sacramento.
Flap supposes the acquiescence of Governor Schwarzenegger to the nurse staffing ratios sought by the California Nurses Association immediately after the November 2005 California Special Election has had little deterrent effect on labor protests. But, then, we knew that didn’t we?
Apparently, those nurses have not forgotten how Schwarzenegger stated he would “kick their butt.”
It looks to Flap it is the reverse on whose ass is getting kicked.
A man in a mask of U.S. Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., joins a protest outside a gala fundraiser for California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, at which McCain was to be a featured speaker, at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Beverly Hills, Calif., Monday, March 20, 2006. One organizer explained the visual metaphor as meaning the governor should ‘come clean’ about his special-interest financial support. Scores of union members protested, calling for his ouster in November.
McCain, R-Ariz, headlined the governor’s reelection fundraiser, hosted by donors from the entertainment and business elite that included “The Terminator” director James Cameron, Interscope Records chief Jimmy Iovine, Yahoo Inc. Chairman Terry Semel and Univision Communications Inc. Chairman A. Jerrold
McCain has urged Schwarzenegger to push for campaign finance reforms in California in 2006. But the governor has spent much of his time talking about building highways, levees and schools, not restraining the flow of campaign dollars.
McCain spokesman Craig Goldman said that to his knowledge, the senator and governor did not discuss campaign finance reform at the fundraiser.
It is trolling for dollars season to fund the June and November campaigns. The Democrats have filed a complaint against McCain for soliciting money above the federal limits, but it will go nowhere.
Democrat candidates for Governor are trolling for the same dollars and believe, Flap, they will turn NO donor away.
The Democrats running against him in the June primary – state Controller Steve Westly and Treasurer Phil Angelides – were also busy fundraising, sometimes appealing to the same corporate and entertainment industry donors pursued by the governor.
Schwarzenegger has collected at least $5.2 million for his reelection, according to state reports, while Angelides has raised about $2 million. Westly has collected $3.4 million but that includes $2.5 million of his own money.
Here are some more photos from the union protests:
A man wearing an Arnold Schwarzenegger mask is wheeled in a bathtub with a bubble-making machine during a protest outside a gala fundraiser for the California governor.
Members of the California Nurses Association, some wearing hazardous infection protection gear, blow soap bubbles as they walk outside after being escorted out by hotel security at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Beverly Hills, Calif., Monday, March 20, 2006. The nurses wanted to hand over a large soap bar to California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger who at the hotel holding a fundraiser with Sen. John McCain.
Stay tuned…. The campaign for California Governor is just beginning……..
Previous:
Arnold Schwarzenegger Watch: Alliance for a Better California – “We’re BACK!â€
Arnold Schwarzenegger Watch: The New Majority
Arnold Schwarzenegger Watch: Public Works Bonds are DEAD and so is Schwarzenegger’s Re-election?
Technorati Tags: ArnoldSchwarzenegger, California, CaliforniaElection2006, CRP, CaliforniaRepublicanParty
-
Iran Nuclear Watch: Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad – The West Should Apologize to Iran
Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad greets the crowd as he begins a speech in Gorgan, March 14, 2006. Iran will stand by its right to obtain nuclear technology and anyone spreading propaganda against its atomic program will come to regret it, Ahmadinejad said on Monday.
ASSociated Press:Iranian President Wants West to Apologize
President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad on Monday said the West should apologize to
Iran for accusing it of trying to develop a nuclear weapons program and said his country would continue to resist international pressure to halt its nuclear energy program.The Quotes:
“Today they tell our nation that nuclear energy is a bad thing and it is not necessary for our people to have it. But the nation of Iran has stood (for its right),” he said in a televised speech to mark the Iranian New Year, which begins Tuesday.
“Those who head war and crimes accused the Iranian nation of war seeking. They insulted our nation. I do advise them to apologize.”
“Today we announce with pride that the peaceful knowledge and technology are at our disposal in order to be used for different purposes, including electricity generation, and we have not borrowed it from anybody that can take it away from us.”
Ahmadinejad reiterated that Iran should be compensated for a two and a half year suspension of its nuclear activities. Under heavy pressure from the West, Iran suspended its enrichment of uranium and related activities in 2003 and began negotiating with Germany, Britain and France to reach an agreed framework for its nuclear development. It resumed nuclear research earlier this year when talks failed.
Right.
Iran should be compensated for seeking Weapons of Mass Destruction to shunt over to their terrorist friends and to blackmail surrounding states, such as Jordan and Israel?
President Ahmadinejad, a lackey for the Iranian Mullahs who actually run Iran needs to stand down Iranian uranium enrichment and permit full IAEA inspections of his “peaceful” nuclear program.
No LESS is acceptable.
Previous:
Iran Nuclear Watch: Big 6 Meeting Yields Nothing
Iran Nuclear Watch: Iran Wants IAEA Supervision and Inspections
Condoleezza Rice Watch: Iran is the “Central Bank of Terrorismâ€
Iran Nuclear Watch: Ayatollah Ali Khamenei – “Iran’s Nuclear Fuel Program IRREVERSIBLEâ€
Iran Nuclear Watch: United Nations Security Council Divided Over Response to Iran Nuclear FLAP
Iran Nuclear Watch: Russia – “Iran Still Considering Uranium Enrichment DEALâ€
Iran Nuclear Watch: Russia Rebukes Iran Over Withdrawl from Uranium Enrichment Negotiations
Iran Nuclear Watch: Iran Builds a Secret Underground Command Center
Iran Nuclear Watch: Iran Threatens “OIL†Weapon
Iran Nuclear Watch: Israel – “America Needs to Get Its Act Together.â€
The Natanz uranium enrichment complex in Natanz is pictured in this January 2, 2006 satellite image.
Technorati Tags: Iran, Russia, China, SergeiLavrov, UnitedNations, UnitedNationsSecurityCouncil, ZhouWenzhong, NicholasBurns, EuropeanUnion, MahmoudAhmadinejad, ManouchehrMottaki, JacquesChirac, Chirac, France, Iran, Nuclearweapons, nuclear, AbdulQadeerKhan, AliLarijani, CondoleezzaRice, JohnBolton, RezaVaidi, GholamHosseinMohseniEjehei, SergeiKiriyenko
-
Day By Day by Chris Muir
-
Iran Nuclear Watch: Big 6 Meeting Yields Nothing
Nicholas Burns, US Undersecretary of State speaks to reporters after a meeting held in New York by senior diplomats from six key nations to discuss how to persuade Iran to stop enriching uranium, the radioactive material that can be used to make a nuclear weapon, Monday, March 20, 2006.
ASSociated Press: Britain Calls for New Talks With Iran
Britain has suggested imposing U.N. sanctions on Iran unless it allays suspicions about its nuclear program, but Russia and China remained at odds with Europe and the United States Monday night on the best way to confront Tehran.
Senior diplomats from six key nations convened for a 4 1/2-hour meeting to discuss how to persuade Iran to stop enriching uranium, the radioactive material that can be used to make a nuclear weapon. But they still could not overcome Russian and Chinese opposition to tough action in the U.N. Security Council.
DUH….Iran has Russia and China by the “short hairs” in commerce/business.
The United Nations even with Bolton there appears even more worthless than Flap thought.
By the time these moronic diplomats finish Mauritius will have nuclear weapons.
Stay tuned…..
Previous:
Iran Nuclear Watch: Iran Wants IAEA Supervision and Inspections
Condoleezza Rice Watch: Iran is the “Central Bank of Terrorismâ€
Iran Nuclear Watch: Ayatollah Ali Khamenei – “Iran’s Nuclear Fuel Program IRREVERSIBLEâ€
Iran Nuclear Watch: United Nations Security Council Divided Over Response to Iran Nuclear FLAP
Iran Nuclear Watch: Russia – “Iran Still Considering Uranium Enrichment DEALâ€
Iran Nuclear Watch: Russia Rebukes Iran Over Withdrawl from Uranium Enrichment Negotiations
Iran Nuclear Watch: Iran Builds a Secret Underground Command Center
Iran Nuclear Watch: Iran Threatens “OIL†Weapon
Iran Nuclear Watch: Israel – “America Needs to Get Its Act Together.â€
The Natanz uranium enrichment complex in Natanz is pictured in this January 2, 2006 satellite image.
Technorati Tags: Iran, Russia, China, SergeiLavrov, UnitedNations, UnitedNationsSecurityCouncil, ZhouWenzhong, NicholasBurns, EuropeanUnion, MahmoudAhmadinejad, ManouchehrMottaki, JacquesChirac, Chirac, France, Iran, Nuclearweapons, nuclear, AbdulQadeerKhan, AliLarijani, CondoleezzaRice, JohnBolton, RezaVaidi, GholamHosseinMohseniEjehei, SergeiKiriyenko
-
Arnold Schwarzenegger Watch: Alliance for a Better California – “We’re BACK!”
NBC4TV: Sen. John McCain To Speak At Schwarzenegger Fund-Raiser
Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger’s campaign will get a much-needed infusion of at least $2 million thanks to a fund-raiser Monday in Beverly Hills featuring a speech by Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz.
Tickets for Monday’s fund-raiser at the Beverly Hilton, which also benefits the California Republican Party, start at $1,000.
The Alliance for a Better California is BACK and has a “SURPRISE” for the California Governor:
***Media Advisory***
FIREFIGHTERS, NURSES, TEACHERS, POLICE OFFICERS AND CONCERNED CITIZENS HOLD
RALLY OUTSIDE SCHWARZENEGGER-MCCAIN FUNDRAISER AT THE BEVERLY HILTONFed up with the Governor Schwarzenegger’s broken promises and failure to lead, the Alliance for a Better California is holding a rally outside the Governor’s Beverly Hills fundraiser with Senator John McCain, where the Governor is expected to raise an unprecedented $2 million in one night.
The Alliance for a Better California is also circulating an online petition to Senator McCain asking him not to attend the fundraiser, which violates both the letter and spirit of the McCain-Feingold campaign finance reform law the Senator fought so vigorously to pass.
The Governor’s campaign announced last month their fundraising goal of $120 million for this election. The Governor is holding fundraisers this month in New York City, Phoenix, Washington, D.C. and all over the state of California. On his trip to D.C., where he promised to bring back federal dollars to shore up the state’s levees, Schwarzenegger ended up bringing home more money for his campaign than he did for the entire state of California.
WHAT: RALLY/PROTEST AT GOVERNOR’S FUNDRAISER IN BEVERLY HILLS WITH FIREFIGHTERS, NURSES, TEACHERS, POLICE OFFICERS, SCHOOL EMPLOYEES AND OTHER CONCERNED CITIZENS
WHERE: THE BEVERLY HILTON
WHITTIER AND SANTA MONICA BLVD.
BEVERLY HILLS, CAWHEN: MONDAY, MARCH 20TH
4:30 P.M.CONTACT: ROBIN SWANSON (916) 443-7817
*** LEADERS FROM THE CALIFORNIA TEACHERS ASSOCIATION, THE CALIFORNIA FEDERATION OF TEACHERS, THE CALIFORNIA PROFESSIONAL FIREFIGHTERS AND THE CALIFORNIA SCHOOL EMPLOYEES ASSN. MAY BE AVAILABLE FOR INTERVIEWS IN ADVANCE OF THE RALLY. TO SET ONE UP, PLEASE CALL ROBIN.
*** DAVID SANCHEZ OF THE CALIFORNIA TEACHERS ASSOCIATION IS A SPANISH SPEAKER, AND WILL BE AVAILABLE FOR INTERVIEWS IN SPANISH AT THE RALLY.
Looks like that deal Schwarzenegger cut with the California Nurses Association after the November 2005 California Special Election wasn’t enough.
But, then again, after reading the Los Angeles Times today the donors may NOT show because of Schwarzenegger’s “living large.”
Stay tuned for photos of tonight’s protest demonstrations……
Previous:
Arnold Schwarzenegger Watch: The New Majority
Arnold Schwarzenegger Watch: Public Works Bonds are DEAD and so is Schwarzenegger’s Re-election?
Technorati Tags: ArnoldSchwarzenegger, California, CaliforniaElection2006, CRP, CaliforniaRepublicanParty