Today's top stories from behind the Orange Curtain:
Van Tran Drops Out Of 34th Senate District Race -- FR, Orange Punch
FR Blog, followed minutes later by Steve Greenhut at Orange Punch, report that Van Tran will seek re-election to the Assembly rather than election to the 34th Senate District.
Anaheim To Bid For 2008 National Political Conventions -- LAT
Thirty other cities are competing for the GOP caucus, and 11 want to lure the Democrats.
Bill Focus On Immigration -- DP
Assemblyman Tom Harman introduces three bills cracking down on illegal immigration.
Huntington Beach Debates Desalinization Plant -- OCR
More than 400 people attend meeting for Poseidon project.
OCTA To Offer OC Cities $30 Million For Transit Studies -- OCR and LAT
Each one can receive $100,000 to begin to develop ideas on how to link its residents to Metrolink system.
Orange Responding To Calls On Laborers -- OCR and LAT
Police received 330 complaints in 2005. Sweeps, fliers help enforce code.
Cypress School District Superintendent Died Monday Morning -- OCR
Superintendent William Eller was known for promoting high academic standards.
Laguna Beach May Market Emblem For Landslide Fundraiser -- OCR
The City Council tonight discusses merchandising its logo to raise money for victims of the Bluebird Canyon landslide.
Councilman WIns Parents' Thanks -- OCR
The parents of a Los Angeles County sheriff's deputy killed while on duty are thanking Brea Councilman Marty Simonoff for playing a role in the suspect's arrest in Mexico.
Laguna Hills To Discuss Improved Animal Care Tonight -- OCR
The City Council is set to air ideas ranging from mobile pet adoptions to low cost vaccinations.
Harman's newly found interest in the illegal immigration issue is laughable. It's way too little, way too late. Lucky for him, and kudos to Jen Jacobs, that they were able to get the Daily Pilot to run a story on it. That ought to be good for at least one mailer.
Posted by: Silence Dogood | February 28, 2006 at 10:16 AM
I believe that Tran made a deal with Correa to drop out of the 34th so that when correa wins he will support Tran for Supervisor.
Posted by: Tran For Supervisor! | February 28, 2006 at 10:42 AM
This is a major spanking of conservative Republicans. First, they get rolled in San Jose by Arnold, Duff and legislative leadership. They only win the battle of the hallway postings. Then their conservative champion against the dreaded RINO Dacuher gets cold feet and they're left with Art Pedroza trying to sell Lupe Moreno. For weeks OC Blog has been filled with chest beating posts of how Van Tran was going to squash the squishy Daucher. It turns out Van had no stomach for a tough fight. Can't blame him really, why not head for an easy re-election walk through?
This must be mortifying for Steve Greenhut, who has been obsessed with Lyn Daucher(when he's not obsessing about Larry Agran and unions) for much of the past year. I can see the new PAC now, Republicans for Correa, Steve Greenhut, Chair, Art Pedroza, Vice Chair, Jim Righeimer, Treasurer. They can sell Republicans on Lou's vote for the car tax and drivers licenses for illegal aliens, support for labor unions and government run health care. Maybe Umberg, with his gay marriage vote turning them off, will spare them the need for the PAC and will watch them go for George Reis. After all, I thought the Register was a libertarian newspaper.
Posted by: Bladerunner | February 28, 2006 at 11:49 AM
I really dislike conspiracy theories, however, the above post is quite interesting:
I believe that Tran made a deal with Correa to drop out of the 34th so that when correa wins he will support Tran for Supervisor.
Posted by: Logical | February 28, 2006 at 01:09 PM
Why would Lou want Van to drop out? His polling shows he beats Van Tran and the Dems probably have what Ackerman has seen on Van.
Too bad Van blinked...Dems will kill themselves off in primary, just like Westly and Angelides. Can you say Senator Daucher?
Posted by: Northcountystorm | February 28, 2006 at 01:22 PM
I know this space is usually restricted to OCR/LAT/DP/OCW items, but the Wall Street Journal had an op-ed today on some of the causes of the exodus from California, a subject that's been touched on here from time to time.
Interesting commentary on the article here regarding the article's emphasis on the business/tax environment and not enough on the "culture wars" aspect.
Posted by: Jason | February 28, 2006 at 01:25 PM