Replies

It was an uphill fight for any potential GOP nominee as of two weeks ago. Jones has to win the primary first, which is a problem as he's not a nutball (I voted for Jones in the 2002 GOP primary for Governor).

President Bush's support for the FMA pretty much terminated the weaks chances of any GOP nominee, though. That fired up the Democratic base here.

I suspect the same is true nationally. Bush 43 is playing the same script of most any incumbent president running for re-election - to hell with my party - ME FIRST! He appears to be going for a partial replay of 2000's state by state wins, with reapportionment giving him a minimum seven more electoral votes.

I was hoping for a GOP pickup of 4-5 Senate seats before last week. It now looks more like 2-3. Bush's support for the FMA encourages ticket-splitting and divided government.

Worse, his letting Congress spend wildly on discretionary domestic stuff, mostly boondoggles, pretty much puts a short-term limit on the beneficial effects of his 2001 tax cut. This helps his immediate re-election, but there will be a long-term price for it.

What most concerns me about Bush's Can't Say No attitude towards domestic spending is that it might reverse the pending economic recovery four years from now. It will be a real problem for the 2008 GOP nominee to face a recession that year.

With Hillary as the Democratic nominee.

Actually, Bush's support for Marriage will be one thing to solidify his own support.
Maybe it hurts Bush in cali, but it will help Bush in the midwest and elsewhere.

The anti-Bush liberals were already fired up.

The folks who need to be on alert is the conservative base. IMHO Boxer is beatable, indeed California is a more competitive state than people assume. Just look at the recall race numbers 60% for pro GOP candidate. A state-wide referendum on marriage in California pass with 63% of the vote. Meaning 63% in Cali support defining marriage as 1 man 1 woman in law - the President's position.

The real problem is that the GOP in California lacks self-esteem and confidence. They won a victory in 1994 on immigration and since then have let the media shame them into impotent silence. That was broken with the recall election ... I urge Cali conservatives to take heart and confidence from that win to go on to other victories.

Next step: Vote no on the propositions. Cut state spending.
JMHO.

President Bush's support for the FMA pretty much terminated the weaks chances of any GOP nominee, though. That fired up the Democratic base here.

I don't know about that.

I suspect the same is true nationally.

Well that's definitely false. The FMA is a huge winner for the Republican base AND swing voters especially conservative Democrats. It'll help us pick up seats in the senate, no question.

I think it's far too early in the election cycle to know how all this is going to play out. November is a long time from now. I assume Jones will win the primary tomorrow and then California voters will quit thinking about politics until about Labor Day.

I share your concerns, but drag Osama's corpse down Sunset Boulevard in late October and everything changes.