Greetings From California!

WOODLAND HILLS, Calif. — My host, Ladd Ehlinger Jr., tells me that this is known as the “Porn Capital of the World,” but that’s not why I’m here or why Ladd’s here. He’s doing political ads, trying to bring to California some of the viral video magic he patented in Alabama. (See: The greatest political ad ever.)

Among other things, the topic that interests me is the same question a lot of conservatives keep asking, “What the #$%* is wrong with the California Republican Party?” (Short answer: Everything.) Some of the stories I’ve heard about the incompetent bumbling of this state’s GOP . . . well, it’s sad and tragic. This is a year when there might be hope for Republicans in California, but if the state party can’t get its act together, opportunities will be lost.

California is not lost, but Republicans in this state have got to stop playing “me too” politics. To quote Jennifer Rubin: “The opposition party must oppose.”

We have scheduled a blogger meet-up Saturday in Santa Monica — Little Miss Atilla, Joe Fein and the Rhetorican have already RSVP’d — and my schedule today will include, among other things, watching Ladd audition actresses for parts in his upcoming commercials.

EXIT QUESTION: Should Republicans write off a congressional district that went 53?% for Arnold Schwarzenegger in 2006?

UPDATE: Da Tech Guy points out that “the establishment hasn’t actually led the charge in this cycle.”

UPDATE II: Dave Weigel examines the danger of dismissing “crazy” candidates.

Quiverin’ And Quakin’ And Quaverin’ At Quayle

by Smitty

Drug cartels in Mexico vs. tax cartels in DC? Gateway Pundit (h/t) calls it the most honest ad of this political season.

You mileage may vary. Equating DC and Mexican drug gangs may be good, solid, hyper-pragmatic politics, but AZ’s Senator McCain and Quayle’s own family have helped staunch the Progressive tide how, exactly?
I’ve not seen enough Quayle material to form an opinion yet, but Gateway Pundit likes the lad.

In Addition To Ron Miller, You Need To Read Ayaan Hirsi Ali

by Smitty

Pat in Shreveport has a post concerning BHO’s Ramadan message. Not to distract too greatly from this blog or Ron Miller, you need to check out Nomad.

I hope to meet Ayaan and get an autograph in my copy of Nomad, from which I’ll pull some excellent quotations Real Soon Now. To characterize Ayaan’s experiences as harrowing isn’t hyperbole. We can fall short of generalizing her experiences to cover the entire Islamic world, but there is still a need to confront the situation she outlines in a firm, positive way.

I’m not quite sure that the good POTUS sees or understands this.

Going to California

Leaving today on a non-stop flight and I’ll be there by supper Pacific time. If you don’t remember my friend Ladd Ehlinger Jr., you’ll remember the World Greatest Campaign Ad he did for Dale Peterson. Ladd’s doing some work in California now — kind of top secret — and wants me to come hang out with him for a few days. Contributions to the Shoe Leather Fund will be appreciated. Readers in the L.A. area should get in touch, as we’ll be having a blogger get-together Saturday in Santa Monica.

The Ron Miller Book Party For ‘Sellout’

by Smitty

This is the first of several posts in support of Ron Miller’s book, Sellout. These are the prepared remarks, which reveal the kind of man you want for a neighbor: positive, patriotic, and Godly.

The initial clip, featuring thank yous and credits is here, but let me start you a minute into Ron’s remarks.

The genesis of ‘Sellout’

or, ‘A Funny Thing Happend On The Way To A Protest Last Year’

Ron Miller and the College Republicans

After growing up in a pro-Democratic Party family, he finds himself in a leadership position with those Republicans.

Ron Miller’s personal ‘Damascus Road’

The movie mentioned is Guess Who’s Coming To Dinner.

Ron Miller applauds Black Conservatives

I’m fairly certain Ron is referring to this group, at the National Press Club recently, though I could be wrong.

Ron Miller’s book, Sellout should, indeed, sell out. I was impressed with Ron, his straight-ahead presentation, and his deep faith. I picked up three copies. Thanks most of all to God, for Ron, for the unction to get the little Panasonic HDC-TM55 camera, and for the chain of events through someone who knows Stacy McCain which led me to attend the book event.

The Q&A session got even more interesting. Ron seems the sort of fellow who is better still when receiving questions, so I hope he gets booked on all sorts of talk shows. Can Rachel Maddow thrive in such a pleasant environment of unrelenting decency? I don’t know, but your indulgence is sought while I go to work and do that which supports the pleasure of blogging.