Posted on 03/19/2011 8:22:41 PM PDT by SmithL
Sacramento, Calif. (AP) -- After steep losses at the polls and successive years of dwindling registration, California Republicans gathered this weekend amid infighting over the direction of a party that is ideologically divided and facing an uncertain future in a rapidly changing state.
For the first time in many years, frustrated moderates are publicly pushing back, resisting efforts to further insulate the party in what they say is an effort to save the California GOP from itself. In the process, they hope the party will begin to appeal to independent and minority voters, the fastest-growing segments of the state's electorate.
The party lost every statewide election last fall and has dropped to less than one-third of all registered voters in a state that claims conservative icon — and former governor — Ronald Reagan as a favorite son.
"It's a healthy debate that this party is finally having between people who are very rigid ideologically versus those who want to regain numbers to win elections," said Julie Soderlund, a consultant to Republican candidates and former spokeswoman to then-Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and 2010 U.S. Senate candidate Carly Fiorina.
(Excerpt) Read more at sfgate.com ...
Well, that's certainly some recommendation! She worked for two RINO losers! Now she wants to lose again.
My thoughts exactly.
why not just cede the leftist parts of the state to Mexico and be done with it? Let the Mexicans handle the mess.
As long as the CA state party keeps pushing failed Socialism, leftist RINO candidates (Ah-nold/Whitman) and backstabbing phonies (Maldonado), the party will continue to dwindle to complete irrelevance.
Maybe if the republicans put up some “moderates” we’d win. You know, high taxes, pro-choice, pro-illegal immigrant, anti-drilling. Those kinds of people are “popular” in CA.
How is Palin a RINO? She endorsed Carly.
Here’s a hint: Try conservatism.
the gop moderate need to join the dem
We need a good chant, here is one:
Remove the RINOs, Replace the Rockefellers!!!!
Remove the RINOs, Replace the Rockefellers!!!!
Remove the RINOs, Replace the Rockefellers!!!!
Remove the RINOs, Replace the Rockefellers!!!!
Remove the RINOs, Replace the Rockefellers!!!!
That is what is needed to clean up the Republican Party.
Looks to me that they haven’t learned their lessons. They should see what state GOP’s are doing in the south and midwest.
How has this been working in the Democrat party? They got a lot of moderate candidates to appeal to the independent voter?
Republicans out there should try conservativism.
Their “moderate”, “big tent” tactics aren’t working...
thing is, the south and midwest are not populated by Californians.
All these timid RINO's need do is look at what conservatism's common sense has finally done for WI, AZ, NJ, LA, OH, SC, MS and ME!!!
Madison WI was every bit as radically left as Berkeley, CA and look at it now!!!
Pete Wilson and a handful of others are behind this hideous logjam in CA and it sucks canal water!!!
That is a hell of a handicap.
Great point.
Totally agree! I'm so sick of Wilson and his ilk!
?
Did you follow the 2008 primary? It was filled with "moderates" (i.e. liberals calling themselves Republicans).
They all went down in flames.
Scream it from the rooftops, SW.
Isn't it time for him to retire?
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.