Berkeley Leftists Deploy Witches Against Marines

The Marines at the Marine Corps Recruiting Center in Berkeley now have a new adversary they were probably not trained to handle when they went through basic training at Camp Pendleton or Camp Lejeune: witches.

In another example of how desperate the extreme left is to find somebody -- anybody -- to stand in the way of Marines recruiting in the Bay Area, the wacky anti-war group Code Pink is recruiting witches, sirens, and others to "cast spells" and "do rituals" against the Marines.

Yet, it seems the anti-war group leaders are coming up short on magicians (or whatever). Fox News reports that the protests this week at the Berkeley recruiting center have been "ill attended" despite the best efforts of the Berkeley city council to support the protests by issuing special noise and parking permits to Code Pink.

FoxNews Story: Code Pink Protesters Try Witchcraft Against Marines

Perata Pulls Plug on Denham Recall Effort

We are watchful and cautious about the announcement by the unpredictable Senator Perata that he's ending support for the recall campaign against Senator Denham.

Our ground troops continue to mobilize to defeat this ballot measure, and I believe our strength on the ground was a key factor in prompting Senator Perata to reverse course and abandon his campaign to recall Senator Denham.

Our thousands of Republican volunteers from in and around the 12th Senate district remain ready to conduct one of the most widespread and effective ‘get out the vote’ efforts in recent California GOP history.

I want to commend our county Republican chairmen, and Jeff's fellow Republican legislators, who continue to organize volunteers for deployment in the district.

Senate Republican Leader Dave Cogdill deserves special credit for his tenacious efforts to put an end to this ill-advised recall campaign and instead focus attention on solving the state’s budget crisis without raising taxes.

Senator Denham should be recognized for standing on principle against higher taxes and for a balanced budget. In doing so he has worked to put solid Republican ideas into action, while looking out for the California taxpayer and advancing responsible governance.

Dems Admit It: Denham Recall is About Raising Taxes

As voters recognize the recall effort against Jeff Denham for what it is -- a Sacramento-manufactured scheme with zero genuine support in the district -- the Mercury News today reports that Senator Don Perata admits the real reason for the recall: raising taxes.

As Californians continue suffering under high gas prices, food prices, and taxes that are among the highest in the nation, the Democrats campaigning against Senator Denham have one goal in mind: passing a budget that raises taxes on Californians even higher. Here's the latest proof:

Senate leader defends recall effort against GOP lawmaker
By DON THOMPSON
Associated Press Writer

SACRAMENTO—State Senate leader Don Perata on Thursday said the recall drive he is backing against a Central Valley Republican will help Democrats pass a budget with tax increases if it succeeds. If Sen. Jeff Denham of Merced is replaced by the lone Democrat on the recall ballot, it would leave Democrats just one vote short of the two-thirds majority they need to pass the budget in the Senate.

Full article

CRA Convention Draws Republican Leaders

Last weekend's CRA convention in Orange County drew numerous Republican leaders from throughout California. On Friday night I was pleased to be joined by Insurance Commissioner Steve Poizner, BOE Member Michelle Steel, and incoming National Committeeman Shawn Steel.

The CRP's volunteer organizations -- including the CRA, CFRW, CCR's, YR's, CR's, etc -- serve a critical role in our party by keeping volunteers active and engaged between elections, and helping to bring those volunteers into the campaign organization in the general election.

While some Republican groups may take sides in primaries, it's important that we keep our eye on the ultimate goal of putting Republican ideas into action by mobilizing in full force in the general election, supporting whichever candidates our members choose to nominate.

Congratulations to Mike Spence, Karl Heft, Scott Voights, and everyone else who helped organize the convention.

Getting to Know John McCain

Karl Rove's column in today's Wall Street Journal tells us a lot about Senator McCain, his character, and what he will bring to the Oval Office. This column goes to the top of the "must read" list for California Republicans. Take a moment to read this insightful piece.

WSJ: Getting to Know John McCain

Dreier Slams Dems Over Broken Promise to Ease Gas Pain

Whittier Daily News, April 23, 2008: "Rep. David Dreier challenged the Democratic leadership to find solutions to high gas prices on the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives on Wednesday. The San Dimas Republican said in an interview that he called for a vote on a measure for House members to discuss and vote on energy proposals from any representative. The measure was voted down along party lines, with Democrats voting against it, he said. 'Two years ago Speaker (Nancy) Pelosi said she had a 'common sense plan' for reducing gas prices,' said Dreier. 'We're still waiting to hear it."

"On Tuesday, the Republican leadership, including Dreier, who is the ranking Republican on the House Rules Committee, sent a letter to Pelosi asking for action on gas prices. Dreier said the group would like to see increased oil exploration, new oil refineries and coal liquefaction to expand U.S. energy sources ... According to government figures, a gallon of gas in California costs an average of $3.85, up 53 cents a gallon from this time last year."

GOP: Stay on Offense in Global War on Terror

America's offensive in the global war on terror continues to demonstrate important signs of success, and Al Queda's number two provides the latest evidence.

An AFP story (Al Queda Chief Slams Muslims for Lack of Support, AFP) cites Al Queda number two Ayman al-Zawahiri complaining publicly about Muslims "failing to support Islamist insurgencies in Iraq and elsewhere in a new audiotape posted Tuesday on the Internet."

Translation: "We're feeling pretty isolated because no one else is coming to help us."

Here's a direct quote from Bin Laden's junior partner:

"I call upon the Muslim Nation to fear Allah's question (at judgement day) about its failure to support its brothers of the Mujahedeen (holy Warriors), and (urge it) not to withhold men and money, which is the mainstay of a war."

Translation: "We're out of people, and money, and we're pretty upset about it."

In the same tape, Bin Laden's "mini-me" complains about Iran attempting to undermine Al Queda with...rumors. Specifically, he's upset that Iran may be trying to diminish Al Queda's reputation among terrorists by circulating a theory that it was an internal conspiracy, and not Al Queda, that attacked America on 9/11.

This is a new tact for al-Zawahiri, who would rarely mention Iran in previous tapes, according to the AP story.

These are all further signs not of a growing terrorist movement against America. Instead, they are key indicators that relentless pressure from the United States and our allies is continuing to isolate and fracture the enemy -- all the more reason why it is critical for America to remain on offense and keep the pressure on.