Jim Brulte

The new television ad supporting Proposition 11 doesn't pass the laugh test, according to Paul Hefner, a spokesman for the anti-11 group Citizens for Accountability.

Hefner said that the ad, which paints politicians as being against the measure, conveniently ignores Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and the other politicians who favor the measure.

That list includes former Gov. Gray Davis, former state Senate Republican Leader Jim Brulte (R-Rancho Cucamonga) and former Assembly Speaker Bob Hertzberg (D-Los Angeles), Hefner pointed out.

Indicating his seriousness in running, Insurance Commissioner Steve Poizner has already assembled a campaign team and a long list of supporters for a potential gubernatorial bid in 2010.

In the announcement of the exploratory committee's formation, Poizner, a moderate Republican, announced that former Senate Republican Leader Jim Brulte (R-Rancho Cucamonga) will be his campaign chair. Brulte also served as finance chair for the California Republican Party.

BLOOMINGTON, Minn. -- Former Senate Republican Leader Jim Brulte (R-Rancho Cucamonga) said state Republicans have reason to worry in California this fall, regardless of how presumptive Republican presidential nominee John McCain does.

"If there's a wave, you've got to make sure you're on it," said Brulte, who served in both the State Assembly and Senate during the 1990s and early 2000s and is attending the Republican National Convention this week as a delegate. "And if it's coming at you, you have to be ready for it."