Brown Plans to Raise California Sales, Income and Car Taxes

CRP Statement Concerning Brown Plans to Raise California Sales, Income and Car Taxes …"One time cuts and tax hikes are not going to solve the state's perpetual budget deficit. Bold, fundamental reform is needed. Where are the plans to move government workers from an unaffordable and underfunded defined benefit to a defined contribution pension system to wipe out our massive pension liability? Where are the proposals to give our school boards better tools in collective bargaining and flexibility to shop around for the best services at the lowest cost? How about a plan to do away with 'greenmail' tactics to allow something to actually be built in this state to expand our tax base and create jobs?... http://www.cagop.org/

CA Repub Assembly's 2007 Scorecard

The Assembly Members receiving perfect scores were Assemblyman Joel Anderson, Assemblyman Chuck DeVore, Assemblyman Mike Duvall and Assemblywoman Mimi Walters. In the Senate, Senator Jim Battin, Senator Dave Cogdill, Senator Dennis Hollingsworth and Senator Tom McClintock received perfect ratings.

Newt Gingrich Praises New Platform

From CRP Chairman Ron Nehring's 3/5/08 e-update: "...Newt Gingrich, the leader of the 1994 Republican revolution and former Speaker of the House, this week praised the California Republican Party for adopting a platform based on Republican principles and issues with proven "tri-partisan" appeal."...

California Republican Party Endorses 'Save Our Kids' and Protect Marriage Initiatives

CRP Platform (Conservative version) adopted at CRP Convention 2-24-08

CA Republican Convention in SF has ended

Conservatives rule! At least at the past CA Republican Convention held in SF 2/22-24/08. The conservative version of the CA Republican Party Platform passed, with minimal input from the Libs in the GOP. Having seen the discord at the Indian Wells convention last September, I was totally surprised that passing a conservative Platform was relatively painless. And both sides were civil, with well-reasoned arguments - exception: 2-hr. discussion re CA water, not abortion, which the media loves to write about. In spite of the anonymous emails I got blasting Shawn Steele, the CRP ex-Chairman who was running for RNC Committeeman, won his race against Tim Morgan, who had been Committeeman for past 12 years. Shawn is conservative, Tim is "moderate." I also got anonymous emails criticizing Chairman Ron Nehring, but he ran the Convention very well, I thought. And, he's CONSERVATIVE.

Arguments to Liberal CRP Draft Platform

(Liberal) Draft Platform - CRP Convention 2/22 - 2/24/08

The CRP Platform Committee meets on Friday at 2pm, Hyatt Regency, to discuss draft. I plan to attend.

State GOP split as convention nears

Hmmm...

Note from Ron: CRP's SF Convention Preview

CRP's San Francisco Convention Preview, 2/21/08.

Dear Barbara,

Thank you for being such an important part of our Republican Party in California.

The CRP charges into the heart of liberal country this weekend with our state convention in San Francisco. With elections, a platform to adopt, and a long list of featured speakers, we hope you're planning to join us and be a part of it.

As a CRP member, here is your preview of what you can expect this weekend.

Platform. The CRP will adopt a new, four year platform at Sunday morning's general session. Several proposed drafts have been circulated. The Platform Committee is expected to adopt one as an initial draft, then send it to the floor, possibly after revisions. As Chairman, I'm committed to an open platform development process and will work to ensure we get to a final product for your consideration Sunday morning.

Elections. Nominations for National Committeeman, National Committeewoman, Secretary and Treasurer will take place on Saturday afternoon, with the election itself on Sunday morning. To my knowledge only the National Committeeman office is contested. I anticipate this campaign will contribute to increasing the CRP's carbon footprint through a flood of flyers and other printed materials.

Initiatives. The CRP may take positions on important initiatives slated for the June and November ballots. Liberals are pushing a long list of initiatives for the November election, including measures to increase prisoners' rights, abolish "three strikes," raise taxes, and other bright ideas.

Comprehensive workshops. To provide you with the ammunition you need to advance Republican ideas in your county, we're providing workshops on political technology and issues. "How to" workshops include communications, talk radio, and fundraising. Issues workshops include development and land use issues, dealing with organized labor, transportation, healthcare and improving schools. Workshop list

Steve Poizner. We're pleased to have our elected Insurance Commissioner as our featured speaker on Friday night. Steve is a real leader committed to building our party and advancing Republican ideas. He most recently chaired the successful "no on 93" campaign, turning back the Democrats' attempt to extend term limits. Visit Steve's website

David Horowitz. Saturday's lunch speaker is a vocal advocate for individual liberty and freedom. His "David Horowitz Freedom Center" implements a long list of ambitious programs aimed at fighting terrorism, promoting academic freedom and exposing the Left.

Congressmen Buck McKeon, Devin Nunes and Kevin McCarthy. These three outstanding members of California's Republican congressional delegation will highlight Saturday night's dinner. We have a great opportunity to pick up at least one congressional seat in California this year, making it harder for Nancy Pelosi to remain in that Speaker's chair.

John Fund. The Wall Street Journal's John Fund is a nationally recognized author, columnist and commentator. His most recent book, Stealing Elections: How Voter Fraud Threatens Our Democracy, is a must-read for anyone concerned about preserving ballot integrity. John speaks at the Friday Executive Committee lunch.

Morton Blackwell. The President of Leadership Institute joins us at our Executive Committee lunch for insight on the presidential campaign, and building a strong political party for the longer term. Morton also serves as the Republican National Committeeman from Virginia. I attended my first Leadership Institute school in 1989, and it's an honor to serve on the Republican National Committee now with Morton, who has been helping to train young conservative leaders for decades.

Bill Leonard. Headling our Sunday morning Prayer Breakfast is Bill Leonard, a tenacious advocate for conservative ideas and a strong defender of taxpyers on the state Board of Equalization.

The California Republican Party is moving ahead with the support of thousands of California Republicans. Thank you for all that you do in support of our party.

Sincerely,
Ron Nehring
CHAIRMAN, California Republican Party

Off to the SF Republican Convention

Wasn't it just last month I attended the Indian Wells CRP convention?? A lot has happened since the September 2007 convention, so this SF one should be very interesting. It's taking place at the Hyatt Regency Embarcadero.

I hope to see familiar faces and get updated information, and I will blog as warranted.

Ron Nehring, the CRP Chairman, has done a terrific job in getting out information re this convention, and the CRP website looks snazzy, and current!

More later...

Non-partisan offices...not really

From CRP Chairman Ron Nehring's E-Report 11/26/07: "Recently, some have complained about political parties being involved in local, so called 'non-partisan' elections. The notion that there is any government office in this state that is immune from questions of what is the proper role of government is a fiction. Every office invariably involves the taxation of citizens and the use of those funds, making the very assertion of a "non-partisan" office a quaint theory divorced from reality. [emphasis added] Anyone who's endured even a single city council or board of supervisors meeting understands this truth."...

Are these CA voters moving to Nevada?

Back home in cool (55 last night) Marin, I at last have decent, FAST, always on Internet Access, unlike Palm Springs, Hollywood, and Santa Barbara. Could these places be that incredibly backward, or just that we stayed in the WRONG places?? And don't get me started on the spotty cell coverage in LA! Ok, here are the real numbers of CA voters lost, from Tom McClintock's Blog at www.tommcclintock.com - "...It’s true, we’ve lost 370,000 Republican voters since 2005. But those who tell us we must be more like the Democrats have forgotten the rest of the story: the Democrats have lost 485,000 voters in the same period. "The problem is, our voters are staying home and the Democrats are going to the polls. In the Republican stronghold of Orange County last year, voter turnout barely topped 50 percent. In the Democratic bastion of San Francisco, turnout was 60 percent and in Marin county it hit 73 percent..."

Day 3. I love Tom McClintock

If only Sen. McClintock were Guv! In his address to the CRP Convention in the General Meeting on Sunday, he rebuked Schwarzenegger's global warming and socialized medicine issues, and he rebuked Schwarzenegger's rebuke of the CA Repub Party, (that we must move leftward if we are to prevail in CA).

I love Tom because he always brings up some interesting tidbits in his speeches, ie, CA Repubs have lost 325,000 voters - always heard and repeated; never heard, the Dems have lost 450,000 voters!! (approx. numbers as best as I can remember with my caffeine-deprived brain). Are 750,000 people leaving the Golden State because it is no longer golden?? Schwarzenegger & Co. say Repubs are losing CA because the CRP isn't reinventing its' core beliefs, like he has done.

I love Tom because he is such a staunch conservative, never waivering in his beliefs, and ALWAYS presenting cogent arguments to back up his words.

"Conventions for Dummies" book needed

Memo to CRP Chairman Ron Nehring: Can you please provide a Dummies guide to help us navigate this convention with some aplomb? It's important that we at least LOOK like we know all the lingo, procedures, and rules of this political ritual. Who knew that a CRP-elected Committeeman was a paid lobbyist to the RNC in DC??! We need help in navigating the meetings, parties (aka hospitality suites), and the foggy land of convention-ese. PS: Providing Alka-Seltzer in our Convention packets would be a loving thing.

Day 3. MIA: Rudy, Mitt, Fred, Mike, et al

Where are you? You want Republican money and grassroots support; being no-shows will help you how? Except for John McCain, and Duncan Hunter, none of the Republican presidential candidates came to the largest state Republican Party's party. Feb. 5 is coming up fast. Next CRP Convention is Feb. 22. Go figure.

Day 2 at the Games

OK, so we didn't make it to the Aerial Tram yesterday; ok, so we didn't make it to the Guv's dinner last night (and from what I've read & heard, glad we didn't!). We didn't make it past the Renaissance Atrium (as pictured). For Convention details, Jon Fleischman's Flash Report is terrific for you wonks out there.

I'm off to a media seminar put on by the CRP. I'm skipping McCain lunch today. I can't bear to hear the guy who took some of our free speech away with McCain-Feingold (much less pay $). My heart is not in it.

Let the Games Begin

Indian Wells is HOT (103 today)! But it is lovely seeing so many Republicans under one roof. Some familiar faces, but mostly not. It has been a few years since I've attended a Republican Convention. Lots of info kiosks offering literature - Rudy, Mitt, John Mc. (McCain is guest speaker at Saturday's lunch), and other info tables, which I will peruse later.

There will be five Republican governors at this convention: CA Arnold Schwarzenegger; FL Charlie Crist, TX Rick Perry. MN Tim Pawlenty, UT Jon Huntsman, Jr.

Re our Marin Central Committee members, there are Morgan Kelley, Carolyn Patrick, Tom Montgomery, and moi. I'm carrying proxies for Mark Hill and Susan Miller. Luis Buehler, Bay Area Rep, is carrying a proxy for Andrew Felder and John Fox.

Just ran into Morgan in Lobby, who says that John Fox and Alice Vipiana have resigned from the Marin Central Committee. Leaves quite a few more openings on Marin's Committee.

On to the Palm Springs Aerial Tram for me and my sidekick, husband Fred, for sightseeing! Supposed to be 72 degrees at the top of the mountain...hmmm, 103 or 72? How will I spend the afternoon?

My First Blog

Hi Bay Area Republicans. I am attending the CA Republican Party Convention this weekend, so hope to blog from there. Stay tuned.

FYI, my name is Barbara Howey, and I'm Chief Danoodler. It's not all about...me?? Or, is it? Perhaps, but I want to cover all things Republican on this blog, as well as other stuff (Marin, news, gossip, events) as the mood strikes. I will also have Guest Danoodlers (Bloggers, and Contributors).

I want to change the perception of Republicans - square, uptight, un-cool, but I can't change their honesty, forthrightness, steadfastness, generosity, patriotism, and their exceptional brainpower! Over the years, I've found Republicans to be extremely, to-the-max, informed on local and national issues, which is definitely more than I can say for some Democrats in Marin!

We are outnumbered in Marin and San Francisco, but we Republicans will keep plugging away, trying to ignore snide remarks, insults, and downright deranged thinking of Dems in Bay Area.

So relax, and enjoy the Danoodle Blog. I welcome your feedback.

Howey Bio

Barbara Howey is serving her fourth term on the Marin Republican Central Committee representing the 1st District, San Rafael and Terra Linda. She was first elected to the Committee in 2000. She was the Committee's Communications Chair/Webmaster, from March 2003 - May 2007.

Barbara attended the University of Alabama at Birmingham, and George Washington University, Washington, D.C. She joined the Foreign Service in 1969 as a Secretary, and was immediately sent to Vienna, Austria, for 2 years. She returned to the State Department, Washington, D.C., and the Council on Foreign Policy. From 1973-75 she worked on the Executive Staff of Dr. Henry Kissinger, Secretary of State, where she traveled widely and often on Dr. Kissinger's "shuttle diplomacy" trips to the Middle East, Europe, and the Far East.

Upon moving to the Bay Area in 1975, Barbara worked for the Social Security Administration; PBS's national television show OVER EASY with Hugh Downs and Mary Martin; and for the Levi Strauss Tourage clothing line in San Francisco.

Barbara was a conservative Democrat until 1992. After seeing what was going on in Education after her daughter entered school, she came to her senses and re-registered as a Republican that year. Her husband, a life-long Republican, was very happy!

Barbara began her Bay Area political activities in 1996 when she founded a conservative speaker's group, United Conservatives of Marin. She left UCOM in 1998 to manage Republican Russ Weiner's campaign for California State Assembly, Sixth District.

In 1999 Barbara co-founded Howey-Moi Associates, a public relations firm that represented Bay Area Republicans and national conservative organizations.

She is currently an empty-nester. She is a member of the Nob Hill Republican Women Federated, Marin Republican Women Federated, Novato Republican Women Federated, and has volunteered for various Republican activities for the past 9 years.

Barbara launched Danoodle.com on July 31, 2007.