Mayor Faulconer requesting City Council allocate $2.1 million for expedited stadium EIR

Steve GrammSteve Gramm 14 Comments

One word: Huh? Read the Independent Budget Analyst Report. The report is dated today. The San Diego City Council vote is tomorrow. This would start the ball moving on an Environmental Impact Report the next day. Not exactly a lot of time for public digestion and reaction. Yet, the stakes have been set, apparently. The report ends with: …the decision …

DeMaio Tweets about County Supervisor fray

Steve GrammSteve Gramm 2 Comments

Note: Just after the below was posted, DeMaio went up with his own Rostra post on the subject. Read it here. ***** Carl DeMaio is weighing in on Twitter this morning about tonight’s Republican Central Committee consideration of an endorsement in next year’s District 2 County Supervisor election, which is shaping up to be a possible matchup between longtime Supervisor …

A conversation between two consultants

Steve GrammSteve Gramm 5 Comments

Consultant Jones: “Hey, got this kid in the 56th Congressional. He worked for Clarkson before the primary — got canned at some point, I think before June. Maybe for cause. But, he’s trying to float this pretty seedy story…says Clarkson solicited him and worse…in the campaign office…exposed himself…” Consultant Smith: “Clarkson?” CJ: “Yeah, he says Clarkson did, hit on him …

Our colleges and universities don’t have enough money…

Steve GrammSteve Gramm 2 Comments

Our colleges and universities don’t have enough money. We’re also told that cutbacks are impacting classes, with remaining classes full to the brim. Yet, there’s this… UC RIVERSIDE: New position to assist undocumented students Thoughts? Discussion? Is this even a legitimate Rostra post? Am I a racist for raising the discussion?

Richard Rider, is this the reason you left the Libertarian Party?

Steve GrammSteve Gramm 9 Comments

I have to admit, the email from the San Diego Libertarian Party intrigued me, as it included this headline: “Mike Benoit video on the IRS stealing his home at the Daily Paul” Benoit is a perennial candidate for office as a Libertarian against Duncan Hunter, meaning both Duncan Hunters over the years. Wanting to understand his alleged abuse at the …

Sign wars and unsubstantiated allegations

Steve GrammSteve Gramm 5 Comments

One of our Rostra bloggers was a candidate for office a few years ago. In the final days of the campaign, dozens of his opponent’s yard signs were taken down and strewn in the yard of his supporter.  Not his opponent’s supporter, his supporter. One could draw the conclusion his campaign had something to do with it, even if overzealous …

Core values and money in the 52nd Congressional District

Steve GrammSteve Gramm 30 Comments

Beliefs do matter. Principles matter as well. On the part of a candidate, his or her core values are meaningless without the ability to communicate them to voters. Meaningless. This says it all right now. The rest is meaningless. Carl DeMaio Cash On Hand $985,991 Net Contributions $1,080,294 Kirk Jorgensen Cash On Hand $62,768 Net Contributions $206,890 Fred Simon Cash …

Possess this!

Steve GrammSteve Gramm Leave a Comment

A little “hint” on the use of apostrophes and possessives.  Two press releases today from the same official: The first about “Jane Doe,” indicating “a partial summary judgment dismissing Jane Does’ claims…” Is there one Jane Doe, or multiple Does? The second, in reference to Corey Briggs, with a nearly complete opposite of the same error: “Mr. Brigg’s ‘client’ is …

Really, we can do so much better

Steve GrammSteve Gramm Leave a Comment

At the risk of criticism from the right or laughs from the left for even posting this, I frankly don’t care. This was part of a mass communication sent tonight in support of a candidate, from a longtime activist in state Republican circles… “About 12 years ago one of my clients was wrongfully accused, put a lien against his business …

Four Republicans looking at Congresswoman Susan Davis’ seat

Steve GrammSteve Gramm 36 Comments

According to the FEC website, four area Republicans have filed political committees as possible candidates in the 53rd Congressional District, to determine which one will have the right to lose to Congresswoman Susan Davis in November (see the chart below). Please tell me if in that statement I’m being too dismissive of anyone’s chances to unseat Davis. The field includes …

Fletcher, the Enigma

Steve GrammSteve Gramm 4 Comments

In a few hours we may know the fate of Nathan Fletcher’s political career. Can a political chameleon convince enough voters to back him, whether or not they can be sure of his politics? There has been a lot of talk of “drinking the Kool-Aid” when it comes to Fletcher’s supporters. I know several individuals I would describe as being …

The raising of ugly heads in mayoral race

Steve GrammSteve Gramm 17 Comments

I’ve seen Jeff Schwilk’s emails before, many of which “border” on something pretty obvious. It looks like some foaming at the mouth is now taking place over David Alvarez. Call me idealistic, but I’d like to think if anyone works against Alvarez’ election as mayor, it would be based on a disagreement with his policies, or a question about his …

Innovation, thy name is Nathan

Steve GrammSteve Gramm 24 Comments

When you’re head of innovation for a major company and you don’t really have to work, that’s very innovative. News 10… http://www.10news.com/news/investigations/nathan-fletcher-confronts-questions-and-concerns-on-his-qualcomm-job

Behind the scenes on Carl and Kevin

Steve GrammSteve Gramm 50 Comments

Many of our local media friends believe Carl DeMaio will be the pick from the right for San Diego mayor. Meaning no one has reported what’s really happening behind the scenes. Just about every deep-pocket center-right power player in town is encouraging both Kevin Faulconer and Carl DeMaio.  Well, encouraging Faulconer in the mayor’s race, while pushing for DeMaio to …

The Meltdown of Oceanside Mayor Jim Wood

Steve GrammSteve Gramm 7 Comments

Now that the Tri City Healthcare District Board has cleaned up its act, all eyes have turned to the Oceanside City Council to provide the political entertainment for North County. After the spectacle of last Wednesday’s city council meeting, lets just say Oceanside does not disappoint. Oceanside Mayor Jim Wood had a meltdown at the dais – all recorded on …

Judge Pirro to Boston bombers’ mom: We should not be required to breathe the same air as you.

Steve GrammSteve Gramm Leave a Comment

Judge Jeanine Pirro takes on the mother of the Boston bombing suspects. It’s absolutely worth a read… In New York Harbor stands a mighty woman with a torch, beckoning the huddled masses yearning to breathe free, and the wretched refuse from tempest tossed shores to her as she lifts her lamp beside the golden door. And they were by all …

Braun gets kid-glove treatment, while poker probably comes easy to Rath

Steve GrammSteve Gramm 6 Comments

Craig Gustafson’s excellent piece in last Sunday’s U-T San Diego, exposing the secret and inept campaign to smear Carl DeMaio and derail his mayoral bid, appears to contain a flaw that deserves a mention. One of the key players involved in the clandestine campaign is Gerry Braun, who was then a top aide to Mayor Jerry Sanders and an early Nathan Fletcher supporter. …