Posted on 02/25/2012 3:06:36 AM PST by Cincinatus' Wife
When California pushed back its presidential primary to June to save money, the declarations came swiftly: The state's 5 million GOP voters would be bystanders to a race that was widely expected to be decided long before then.
It was a variation on a complaint made for decades — behemoth California left with no voice while pipsqueak states have all the fun.
But now, as the Republican contest to take on President Obama has slogged on far longer than most expected, there is at least an outside chance that California could have a decisive role when voters head to the polls June 5.
And the presidential field is starting to notice. Though politicians typically flock to California to raise money from the state's deep-pocketed donors, they are now coming to town for politicking as well, notably at this weekend's state GOP convention.
Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich is slated to speak to the party's most committed activists Saturday at a luncheon. Mitt Romney is dispatching a top surrogate, former Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty, to speak at a dinner Saturday alongside Reince Priebus, chairman of the Republican National Committee.
"That is a recognition of California's prominence on the national stage," said Ron Nehring, the former state party chairman. He, like many party insiders, says it still remains likely that the race will be decided by June, but months of wild turns mean anything is possible.
"This cycle has defied all expectations," Nehring said. "There's a tendency among pundits to take what the current trend lines are and project them forward, and that is exactly what has not happened at every point in this process."
(Excerpt) Read more at latimes.com ...
This year could prove very interesting. Texas may not have their primary until June 26 so both California and Texas may end up having a big say in who our nominee is for a very critical election. Could be interesting unintended consequence of government intervention.
There are LOTS of Mormons in CA, particularly in the computer industry. I used to live near Hewlett Packard headquarters, and it seemed to me that about half the nearby city was Mormon. I think this will have an impact, although from what I have read, Gingrich is giving some very convincing speeches out there.
Also, Perry may be helpful there. He’s a much better and more comfortable speaker now that he himself isn’t running, and I think (non-Mormon) Californians may get a sort of Western, Reagan-like vibe off of him that will make them comfortable about supporting Gingrich.
From the article: “slogged on far longer than most expected” because, as it turns out, Mitt was not inevitable! Give me a break LAT, we have only elected 198 delegates so far, with 85 of those being non-binding.
Federal Way, between Seattle and Tacoma, is one example.
This will be one for the books.
The Left likes Mitt too.
Sob. Sob.
Those rascally conservatives!
When California pushed back its presidential primary to June to save money, the declarations came swiftly: The state's 5 million GOP voters would be bystanders to a race that was widely expected to be decided long before then... But now, as the Republican contest to take on President Obama has slogged on far longer than most expected, there is at least an outside chance that California could have a decisive role when voters head to the polls June 5... Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich is slated to speak to the party's most committed activists Saturday at a luncheon. Mitt Romney is dispatching a top surrogate, former Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty, to speak at a dinner Saturday alongside Reince Priebus, chairman of the Republican National Committee.
Newt
Newt could take my district (4) and the Central Valley if he gets a good ground game going.
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