• CA-26,  Tony Strickland

    CA-26: Stanislaus County Republican Party Loves Tony Strickland

    January 20, 2012 /

    Why is this important?

    Scott Lay lays it out and how the laundering operation works for both Republicans and Democrats.

    Tony Strickland, who recently decided to run for congress rather than re-election to the state senate has unusual support from the Republican Party 300 miles away in Stanislaus County. Unusual, that is, unless you know California’s campaign finance laws. In general in this cycle, donors to state candidates are limited to $7,800 ($3,900 each for the primary and general). However, donors can give $32,500 the state accounts of party county central committees, and spread it to several counties. In turn, party central committees wash the money and can give it in unlimited amounts to candidates.

    Both parties use this laundering method, which was knowingly written into Prop. 34, so please don’t take this as an attack on Tony or Stanislaus RCC. However, it’s a mockery of state contribution limits.

    The funny thing is that Strickland cannot use his state account for his federal Congressional run. Reportedly, Strickland will be returning some state account contributions to donors.

    But, who is to say these donors will not turn around and cut new checks to Strickland’s FEC regulated CA-26 campaign account?

    In any case, this illustrates a loophole in the law and why the supposed California campaign finance reform law, really is a crock.

    How about unlimited contributions with instant internet dosclosure when the check, say over $1,000, is cashed?

    Nahhhh, too simple.

  • Day By Day,  Mitt Romney,  Newt Gingrich

    Day By Day January 20, 2012 – Not Cowed

    January 20, 2012 /


    Day By Day by Chris Muir

    Chris, Mitt Romney is NOT a conservative but a Republican “lite.”

    This is why Newt Gingrich is surging in South Carolina polls. Despite his negative baggage, conservatives want someone who will “fight” for them – not flip flop to another position when the going gets tough.

    I suspect after Saturday, the Republican Presidential nomination race will re-start as a one on one of Romney vs. Gingrich.

  • Twitter

    @Flap Twitter Updates for 2012-01-20

    January 20, 2012 /
    • Newt's answer on #SOPA was sharp. Romney's was OK too. Santo's anything goes on the internet was lacking…. #
    • Siri: How rich is Mitt Romney? Wait one second – accessing Cayman Island accounts….. #
    • Romney's fesering sore = his tax returns. Will he release all of them or only last year's? #
    • Romney is looking much worse than Santo or Newt. In fact, Paul is looking better. Romney will sink in SC Polls after this debacle #
    • Obama will cut Romney up about his tax returns and being out of touch – and the 15% rate he pays #
    • Mitt Romney does not handle tax return questions very well – doesn't anyone prep him? #
    • Mitt Romney steps on Santo's attack of Gingrich as being crazy…..An oops Romney senior moment. #
    • Santorum smacking down Romney for RomneyCare and Gingrich for his support of individual mandate – +++ #
    • Speaker Newt Gingrich and Mrs. Gingrich Release 2010 Income Tax Return and Gingrich Foundation Tax Return | Newt… http://t.co/hEWyWm64 #
    • Top Senate Republican wants Web bill shelved – Yahoo! News http://t.co/f9m8z29X #
    • Mitt's Bain capitalism answer does no thave any substance and will not hold up against Obama nor Santorum or Newt #
    • John King had his question turned on its head by Newt = masterful…. #
    • Newt goes out swinging on the ex-wife interview…Romney declines to even comment – let's get on with the issues, he says #
    • Newt Gingrich turning ex-wife issue on its head…. angry response may be redeeming for him? #
    • Seriously, the CNN intros are laboring at best….get on with it! #
    • Top Senate Republican McConnell wants Protect IP Web bill shelved http://t.co/kMXi44hD #
    • President 2012: South Carolina GOP Presidential Debate at 5 PM | Flap's Blog – FullosseousFlap's Dental Blog http://t.co/ZKwYoKNC #
    • President 2012: South Carolina GOP Presidential Debate at 5 PM http://t.co/X0hc6JzW #
    • Obama, Romney Intensity Scores Similar http://t.co/rcPjroUG #
    • Obama, Romney Intensity Scores Similar http://t.co/Ay88zRUe #
    • Obama, Romney Intensity Scores Similar http://t.co/uv4TtYk4 #
    • BREAKING: Romney calls Santorum – CNN Political Ticker – http://t.co/briORGgz Blogs http://t.co/l4LFwNg7 #
    • (500) http://t.co/h5EW8tcH http://t.co/FkiRnt87 #
    • Obama, Romney Intensity Scores Similar http://t.co/hSGTNNvP #
    • SOPA: Why Rep. Elton Gallegly is Wrong on the Stop Online Piracy Act http://t.co/7NwVxjKM #
    • Obama, Romney Intensity Scores Similar http://t.co/g9BlbPxh #
    • Congress members change Twitter avatars to oppose online piracy bill – The Hill's Twitter Room http://t.co/51sgBUeY #
    • Junk Food in Schools Linked to Obesity? | Smiles For A Lifetime – Temporary (Locum Tenens) Dentistry http://t.co/dyffTirE #
    • Junk Food in Schools Linked to Obesity? http://t.co/s6wsc0gU #
    • Romney IRA’s Offshore Investments: Helping His Tax Bill? Avoiding taxes? http://t.co/ZzUBKtUS #
    • @sjreidhead Obama is doing OK. But, what really matters is Virginia, NC, and Florida. NH and Nevada are going red. Daniels or Ryan could go in reply to sjreidhead #
    • @sjreidhead I am still hopeful that another candidate will emerge and NOT Jeb Bush! But, I'll take Newt over Mitt. in reply to sjreidhead #
    • @sjreidhead Yes, Newt has. This primary election should be kept alive in any case. Gingrich can do that in S.C. Romney is more flawed in reply to sjreidhead #
    • Bachmann won't endorse Gingrich http://t.co/lrxnvNbD #
    • Bachmann won't endorse Gingrich – The Hill's Blog Briefing Room http://t.co/JmMPl1kE #
    • President 2012 Video: Newt Gingrich’s Ex-Wife Marianne Unloads on the Other Woman Callista | Flap's Blog – Fullo… http://t.co/TVAfsV1w #
    • Flap’s California Morning Collection: January 19, 2012 » Flap's California Blog http://t.co/AfZSHfTJ #
    • (500) http://t.co/bKhSN8r4 http://t.co/wIPhsn4v #
    • President 2012 Video: Newt Gingrich’s Ex-Wife Marianne Unloads on the Other Woman Callista http://t.co/9qobLerL #
    • Flap’s California Morning Collection: January 19, 2012 http://t.co/jLjnA5vG #
    • There you go, Rick Perry suspends his campaign and endorses Newt Gingrich #tcot #teaparty #
    • President 2012 GOP South Carolina Poll Watch: Newt Gingrich Leading? http://t.co/VnS2Q7dD #
    • Apple Announces a New iPad Textbook Experience http://t.co/gVt5zNN2 #
    • BBC News – UK unemployment increases by 118,000 to 2.69m http://t.co/4gsrJuvN #
    • Flap's Dentistry Blog: The Morning Drill: January 19, 2012 http://t.co/ctAUNCtG #
    • Yep | RT @ppppolls: All these late developments significantly increase the possibility of a 2008 NH Dem style polling 'disaster' #
    • UK unemployment increases by 118,000 to 2.69m – http://t.co/oe6BxVGT #
    • The Moring Drill: January 19, 2012 http://t.co/yvwh1qED #
    • Biden in San Fran: Giants to the Super Bowl! – http://t.co/0DyCUcvJ http://t.co/AQ3PX3Vc #
    • (500) http://t.co/iwGcF9Jf http://t.co/ZMrgy3Kz #
    • Romney Parks Millions in Cayman Islands – ABC News http://t.co/foMa6bRm #
    • CNN reporting that Perry will withdraw at 11 AM and endorse Newt Gingrich….stay tuned….#tcot #
    • MSNBC" Rick Perry has scheduled an 11 AM Charleston, SC newser…. #
    • I cannot say another Rick Perry debate would have made ANY difference in his candidacy. #PerryFAILEDatDebatesLongtimeAgo #
    • Will the Rick Perry withdrawal today sufficiently step on Marianne Gingrich's bitter interview? Hum…. #
    • @ali Rick Perry should have dropped out long ago…..ooops in reply to ali #
    • So, does Rick Perry endorse Newt Gingrich on his way out the door today? Or, does he play to the GOP Establishment and not endorse? #tcot #
    • President 2012: Newt Gingrich’s Ex-Wife Marianne Unloads Her Bitterness http://t.co/nyXoUIo3 #
    • Newt Gingrich on ex-wife: 20-year-old story – Tim Mak – http://t.co/0DyCUcvJ http://t.co/uzkrDwAD #
    • Gingrich Closes Gap But Romney Leads in South Carolina http://t.co/NiD35Wqb #
    • Romney Parks Millions in Cayman Islands – ABC News http://t.co/GYCuJavU #
    • @Flap Twitter Updates for 2012-01-19 | Flap's Blog – FullosseousFlap's Dental Blog http://t.co/rM0efPos #
    • Romney Parks Millions in Cayman Islands – ABC News http://t.co/yIPg32hp #
    • @Flap Twitter Updates for 2012-01-19 http://t.co/ICJpj7XJ #
    • Romney Parks Millions in Cayman Islands – ABC News http://t.co/fPpCU46j #
    • GOP poll: Mitt Romney leads Obama in 5 of 6 swing states – http://t.co/0DyCUcvJ http://t.co/n0sp96vc #
    • Romney Parks Millions in Cayman Islands – ABC News http://t.co/VyQrZOiO #
    • Flap's Dentistry Blog: The Daily Extraction: January 18, 2012 http://t.co/ePNlhTbM #
    • US News & World Report | News & Rankings | Best Colleges, Best Hospitals, and more http://t.co/2k4jR8A6 #

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  • President 2012

    President 2012: South Carolina GOP Presidential Debate at 5 PM

    January 19, 2012 /

    The set is seen before a Republican presidential debate in North Charleston, South Carolina January 19, 2012

    The Republican Presidential debate in a few hours will be the last before the South Carolina Primary Election on Saturday and with only four candidates left: Romney, Gingrich, Santorum and Paul.

    It should be a very lively debate – more like down and dirty.

    I will be supplying my comments on Twitter – @Flap.

  • Elton Gallegly,  SOPA

    SOPA: Why Rep. Elton Gallegly is Wrong on the Stop Online Piracy Act

    January 19, 2012 /

    What SOPA and PIPA are at face value and what they could end up enabling

    Elton, my friend, watch the video above and rewrite SOPA.

    I know you are a co-sponsor of the legislation.     However, it is a bad and fatally flawed piece of legislation.

    Many Republicans, including conservatives have withdrawn their support for SOPA and its Senate companion bill PIPA.

    Nobody wants or likes online piracy. But this law, as currently written, is not the way to go.

  • Newt Gingrich,  President 2012

    President 2012 Video: Newt Gingrich’s Ex-Wife Marianne Unloads on the Other Woman Callista

    January 19, 2012 /

    Hell hath no fury…..

    Newt Gingrich lacks the moral character to serve as President, his second ex-wife Marianne told ABC News, saying his campaign positions on the sanctity of marriage and the importance of family values do not square with what she saw during their 18 years of marriage.

    In her first television interview since the 1999 divorce, to be broadcast tonight on Nightline, Marianne Gingrich, a self-described conservative Republican, said she is coming forward now so voters can know what she knows about Gingrich.

    In her most provocative comments, the ex-Mrs. Gingrich said Newt sought an “open marriage” arrangement so he could have a mistress and a wife.

    She said when Gingrich admitted to a six-year affair with a Congressional aide, he asked her if she would share him with the other woman, Callista, who is now married to Gingrich.

    “And I just stared at him and he said, ‘Callista doesn’t care what I do,'” Marianne Gingrich told ABC News. “He wanted an open marriage and I refused.”

    Marianne described her “shock” at Gingrich’s behavior, including how she says she learned he conducted his affair with Callista “in my bedroom in our apartment in Washington.”

    Will this old story have ANY effect on the GOP Presidential race?

    Stay tuned…..

  • Polling,  President 2012

    President 2012 GOP South Carolina Poll Watch: Newt Gingrich Leading?

    January 19, 2012 /

    Republican presidential candidate, former House Speaker Newt Gingrich shakes hands with supporters while standing with his wife Callista Gingrich in South Carolina today

    According to two new polls just released this morning.

    American Research Group, Inc.

    • Newt Gingrich 33%
    • Mitt Romney 32%
    • Ron Paul 19%
    • Rick Santorum 9%
    • Rick Perry 4%

    InsiderAdvantage Poll

    • Newt Gingrich 32%
    • Mitt Romney 29%
    • Ron Paul 15%
    • Rick Santorum 11%
    • Rick Perry 3%

    And, now with Rick Perry withdrawing will Newt Gingrich finally become the anti-Romney?

    Perhaps.

    Stay tuned……

  • Newt Gingrich,  President 2012

    President 2012: Newt Gingrich’s Ex-Wife Marianne Unloads Her Bitterness

    January 19, 2012 /

    This is a 20 year old story, but will likely have some effect on Gingrich’s performance on the South Carolina GOP Presidential primary election on Saturday.

    But, how much?

    Marianne Gingrich has said she could end her ex-husband’s career with a single interview.

    Earlier this week, she sat before ABCNEWS cameras, the DRUDGE REPORT has learned.

    She spoke to ABCNEWS reporter Brian Ross for two hours, and her explosive revelations are set to rock the trail.

    But now a “civil war” has erupted inside of the network, an insider claims, on exactly when the confession will air!

    ABCNEWS suits determined it would be “unethical” to run the Marianne Gingrich interview so close to the South Carolina Primary, a curious decision, one insider argued, since the network has aggressively been reporting on other candidates.

    A decision was tentatively made to air the interview next Monday, after all votes have been counted.

    Gingrich canceled a press conference on Wednesday to deal with the matter.

    “He believes that what he says in public and how he lives don’t have to be connected,” Marianne Gingrich, Newt’s wife of 18 years, explained to ESQUIRE last year.

    So, the interview of Marianne Gingrich will air on television tonight and Newt has already appeared on the Today Show.

    Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

    Will South Carolina voters see this for what it is = a political hit by a bitter ex-wife?

    Hard to say.

    Guess we will see in the South Caarolina exit polls on Saturday.

  • Twitter

    @Flap Twitter Updates for 2012-01-19

    January 19, 2012 /

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  • CA-26,  Tony Strickland

    CA-26: Tony Strickland Announces First Day Fundraising Total of $318K

    January 18, 2012 /

    California State Senator Tony Strickland at yesterday’s Congressional announcement

    From the press release:

    One day after he launched his campaign for Congress, State Senator Tony Strickland announced that he has raised $317,915 in his first day as a candidate for the newly drawn 26th Congressional District.

    “I’m running for Congress because it’s time to put an end to politics as usual that has left too many in Ventura County worrying about their future,” said Strickland. “I’m honored that so many are uniting behind our campaign to create more jobs and opportunities for every citizen.”

    The funds raised to date come from a diverse community of supporters including small business owners, community leaders, and working families throughout the Congressional District.

    “I’m humbled that so many have joined me in this effort in just one day,” concluded Strickland.

    The total of $317,915 in one day alone would place Strickland among the top funded Congressional candidates the country for the previous three-month quarter. Noteworthy about the influx of financial support is that none of the contributions reflect transfers of any kind from Strickland’s state senate campaign account and only represent new financial contributors.

    Not a bad first day of fundraising at all.

    But, remember that Democrat Rep. Brad Sherman who is rumored looking at this Congressional District has over $3.5 Million already in the bank.

    There is little doubt that this contested race will be very expensive and in the multi-millions of dollars expended when the dust clears in November.