CA: Dem dominance of state is dead

OC Register ^ | 3/9/04 | Shawn Steel

[NormsRevenge]

The March 2 primary election indicates the spirit of the Gray Davis recall is alive and well. The recall of the unpopular Democratic Davis and the combined 62 percent of the vote captured by Republicans Arnold Schwarzenegger and Tom McClintock upended assumptions that Democratic dominance of California politics was part of the natural order of the universe. Last week's primary election is further evidence that the electorate is refusing to abide by its image as the "Left Coast," and contains strong messages for Republicans and Democrats alike.

[NormsRevenge]

Shawn Steel is the immediate past chairman of the California Republican Party and co-founder of the Gray Davis recall.

[NormsRevenge]

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[BillyBoy]

It is? Gee, the most socialist state in the union, Massachusetts, has a MORE conservative governor than CA. Come to think of it, Mass. has had four "Republican" governors in a row now. There hasn't been a RAT governor since Dukakis. By California standards then, Dem dominance of the state must be long dead. Mass. is "in play" for Bush!! </sarcasm>

[BurbankKarl]

This guy is looking through rose colored glasses I am afraid. When the R's represent at least 40% of the legislature, I will buy into it...

We still have had no one step up and rule about gays marrying in SF.

[So Cal Rocket]

I think that this has some truth to it... the pendulum is just starting to swing back the other way, and the Socialist Democrat Party has some fear in their eyes. Why else would they start proposing things like this:

California lawmakers propose lowering voting age to 14:
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1093465/posts

and:

UCLA: Constitutional amendment should allow non-citizens to vote ["illegals should vote in CA"]
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1038028/posts


They feel the power starting to slip from their hands - and will do anything to hang on to it.

[DumpsterDiver]

They feel the power starting to slip from their hands - and will do anything to hang on to it.

I hope you're right, but I'm going to maintain a very wary wait and see attitude.

[Saundra Duffy]

California dreamin'

[ZGuy]

In California, when the R's represent at least 40% of the legislature . . . then you can bet that for the majority of them the "R" will stand for RINO

[GSWarrior]

Wishful thinking.

[alloysteel]

Let us not burst into unrestrained and irrational exuberance just yet. Coastal California has an entrenched and dedicated wealthy faux-socialist elite that still has access to wide dissemination of their point of view, and they will not give up the microphone they believe they own.

Close your eyes and clap if you believe in Tinker Belle. The rest of you, be prepared to meet every expression of doubt about the efficacy of the Bush Doctrine with the very real benefits that have been achieved already.

Remember 9/11. And ask yourself, what rational human being would want Saddam Hussein restored to power in Iraq? If we would try to diminish the threat from the Middle East, are we not justified in changing the nature of the region?

[jmaroneps37]

Sea change? of course not but let's be happy for the nice start in the right direction. In the condition California is in, Arnold is about as Republican as you can be and still be elected. Its a socialist state friends, lets not forget that. Jesse Helms is NOT electable in California.

[goldstategop]

No, there won't be a Republican realignment for awhile. The good news is the Democrats seem incapable of comprehending the voters' message. While its too early to celebrate, I think we should do nothing - let them destroy themselves.

[Joe Hadenuf]

A resounding 66 percent of voters said no to Proposition 56, sponsored by the unions to make it easier for the Legislature to raise taxes and spend money. 76 percent of Orange County voters rejected it; Prop. 56 lost in even ultraliberal Santa Cruz County.

That was great! That message rang their bell.

[Redcloak]

Dem dominance of state is dead

That might explain the zombies wandering the halls up north. (As well as the zombies who are still in charge!)

[Amerigomag]

I think Mr. Steele has been listening to his own press releases for too long.

Connecting Schwarzenegger's "success" to Republican gains is whishful thinking at best. Schwarzenegger esentially ran as an Independant and could have won by a larger margin had he run as a rebellious Democrat.

[goldstategop]

Arnold won a third of the Democratic vote and most of the Independents. There aren't that many Republicans to allow a GOP candidate to win statewide office without appealing outside of the party.

[Amerigomag]

If memory serves me correctly (from Oct) about 12% of the electorate was conservative. Assuming those 12% were by in large Republicans, that means that 15% of the electorate are moderate Republicans.

Can't see how those 15% are going to overcome the native philosophy of the approximately 45% of the electorate that are registered Democrats.

Short answer. Steele is smoking something that's more than $5.00 per "pack".