CA: GOP again sees state as winnable

Sac Bee ^ | 2/27/04 | Michael Doyle

[NormsRevenge]

WASHINGTON - Republicans next week will accelerate a drive to register 350,000 new GOP voters in California, in a campaign meant to both symbolize and boost their Golden State aspirations.

"California is definitely in play," Republican National Committee Chairman Ed Gillespie insisted Thursday. "We have a real chance to win it in November, and we are going to put our money where our mouth is in that regard."

[NormsRevenge]

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[Semper Paratus]

If W is just competitive in (Cal EE forn ya) it will cost the 'rats precious resources.

[finnman69]

California dreaming. I would concentrate on states such as PA, MI, WI and on solidifying the base in FL, MO, OH.

[KJacob]

with the money they have, they can concentrate everywhere.

[Cicero]

If the Republicans can spend a little in California and force the Democrats to spend more, it will be worth while.

And there is some chance because of the lingering anger over the Gray Davis fiasco. It depends how Arnold handles himself over the next 7 months, and whether he stumbles over the budget and bond issue. The jury is out on that.

[alloysteel]

All that is necessary in California is to LOOK like Republicans could take the state, and Democrats are messing their pants about the possibility already. Gray Davis, the Rock, the Impregnable, is gone, gone in a whisk. This same-sex marriage license fiasco in San Francisco is going to blow up in their faces. Gay activists, a large contributor pool for the California Democrats, have been set back some 30 years, and find themselves in combat with fellow Democrats. And the reality of energy blackouts has not altogether faded from the collective memory of the California voters.

[kellynla]

What people fail to realize is that nearly 20% of the registered voters in CA are "indepedents." And the majority of those voters don't decide until the day before an election. BUT THEY DO VOTE!!!

VOTE "NO" ON PROPOSITIONS 55,56,57 & 58 !
http://www.noblankchecks.com

KNOCKOUT BOXER! VOTE FOR KALOOGIAN!
http://www.howardforsenate.com

VOTE FOR DORNAN!
http://www.bobdornan.com

[kellynla]

"indepedents" = "independents" LOL

[doggieboy]

Agreed. I remember the 2000 election when we thought we had a chance in California. Wasn't even close.

[Thud]

Not a chance. A Dean nomination was the GOP's only shot. And Bush just fired up the Democratic base here, which will affect all partisan races. Ask Governor Schwarzenegger about that.

[Califelephant]

No one will really know whether Bush can put California into play until both party's conventions are over. Then the GOP will have to do some serious polling here to see what's possible. Arnold can make a difference in this race, and we'll probably be seeing quite a few campaign events with Bush and Arnold appearing together this year.

[Belisaurius]

Could be that they are really trying to shift a few seats in the house to the Republicans.

[SolutionsOnly]

The debacles of gay marriage, Gray Davis, and , immigration do seem enough to win enough 'hearts and minds' over to the conservative viewpoint. Only those in the most advanced stages of denial can be blind to the system breaking down right before their eyes!

[Thud]

Congressmen are running from this like frightened deer.

[NathanR]

The debacles of gay marriage, Gray Davis, and , immigration do seem enough to win enough 'hearts and minds' over to the conservative viewpoint. Only those in the most advanced stages of denial can be blind to the system breaking down right before their eyes!

Just because they think that the system is breaking down, doesn't mean they will vote for Bush. Especially, it they think he is part of the problem. You should have heard John and Ken (KFI in Los Angeles) ripping into a Bush Republican flak the other day. They are not impressed with either the defense of marriage amendment or his handeling of illegal immigrants.

They think this choice of the weakest amendment possible is just a cynical appeal to his base, which will never pass. More importantly, they think his "amnesty" program is totally wrong, and that it will end with many more illegals in the state sucking up precious resources.

[Dan from Michigan]

If they go to fight for California, they better not use issues that cost them elsewhere to fight for it.

[SolutionsOnly]

Your point are well taken... but every now and then California has brilliant flashes of common sense - Prop 13, 187, the recall... So I'm optimistic.

I hate Bush's immigration plan too, but it's only a battle in the larger war. Remember, the Dems wanted to grant licesnses - they're immigration rhetoric is even more non-sensical - they're viewed as even worse. We'll stop the immigration proposal in Congress... Amnesty is going nowhere!

[NathanR]

Remember, the Dems wanted to grant licesnses - they're immigration rhetoric is even more non-sensical...

Of course. That is why I still plan to vote for Bush. However, others may plan to throw their vote away or not vote at all, if he keeps up like this.

However, for every vote he loses over the marriage amendment, he will probably gain 10, so that was probably a very good decision.

[atomicpossum]

The Dems cannot win without California. Make them have to fight tooth and nail-- especially when 61% have had their vote nullified by the san Francisco mayor, there will be some genuine dissent to mine for Republican support.