In GOP They Trust (CA trending Republican)

LA Times ^ | 12/24/04 | Maria L. La Ganga

[BurbankKarl]

MURRIETA, Calif. — As four vintage military planes soared above the second annual Veterans Day parade here last month, all eyes turned skyward.

Suddenly, one plane veered west, alone. The empty space where the plane had flown was a tribute to those who've died in defense of freedom. Eyes misted over. Young parents snapped pictures. Old men saluted.

Mayor Jack van Haaster commemorated the somber fly-by: "We give tribute to those whose lives were lost in service to their country." Then he clambered into a shiny convertible to lead high school bands and candy-tossing Marines, car clubs and Scout troops on a mile-long swing around the unfinished center of this fast-growing, young, Republican city.

Here in the stout heart of red California, voters snort with disdain when they hear that President Bush's strong victory caught America's Democrats by surprise. Not a single Murrieta precinct swung Sen. John Kerry's way in the bitterly fought 2004 election; in many parts of town, 70% or more of the electorate cast ballots for Bush — a strong show of red unity in one of America's bluest states.

The same values that drew voters here to Bush in the first place also led many of them to Murrieta, the self-proclaimed gem of the Temecula Valley, where streets are safe, schools are good and housing is more affordable than in many other parts of California.

"People come here with their families, and they want a conservative lifestyle that they can re-create," said Mayor Pro Tem Kelly Seyrato, who moved here nearly 15 years ago with his wife from Los Angeles County so they could buy a house and start a family. "We were able to recapture the fresh neighborhood of the '60s feel…. It had a lot of promise out here."

[marsh2]

Here in my "unpopulated" County, where I represent the people of my "unpopulated" District, we are about 2/3 Republican. The Democrats tend to be County social and health service workers who are employed by the County.

[Toidylop]

I got a few friends living in the area. The most conservative folks I've known :). You've thunk that you'd walk thru a little midwestern town.

[Lancey Howard]

"We were able to recapture the fresh neighborhood of the '60s feel….

I grew up in a new suburban neighborhood in the '60s. It was good.
Liberal scumbag Democrats absolutely cringe at the thought....

[Lancey Howard]

The problem in California is the same as it is everywhere: it's not just the goofy Democrat scumbags in the concentrated parasite-nests (cities), it's their enablers out in areas which are mostly populated by normal, traditional, taxpaying American families who inexpicably vote Democrat along with the goofy scumbags that who cause the real problem. I mean, these people may as well slap "kick me" signs on their own backs.

[SweetCaroline]

Is the state turning right, or is it's Republican leadership...

....WELL,....think about it.

The Republican leadership dropped McClintock like a hot potato and jump on RNOLD'S, pro-choice, pro-gay bandwagon!

[HarryCaul]

You'll note the implicit equation: "Appreciation for veteran's sacrifices = Republican".

While we all know it's true, it's rare to see a major media outlet admit it.

[McGavin999]

I can remember when California was Republican. Maybe if all the republicans moved to the Xburbs it would shift the power in the state enough to get a republican legislature. God knows the libs have practically ruined that state.

[guitarist]

I think Demos probably peaked in California in the late 90's. There is just a long way for the Repbulicans to come back. Big Christian families and conservative immigrants will boost our vote, while the mushy brains of youth trained in public schools will boost the liberals' vote. Give us the trend, but it may take a long time to pass 50 percent!

[NorCalRepub]

yup.......I even met Ronald Reagan when he was governor when he visited the bay area when BART was being built and my dad was a pretty high up mucky muck at PG&E......he still has the picture of him and Ronny.......I will always remember that with fond memories.....too many libs moved in when they doscovered the mecca's of SF and LA......too bad

[Bryan]

I grew up in a new suburban neighborhood in the '60s. It was good. Liberal scumbag Democrats absolutely cringe at the thought....

Isn't it strange? The lunatic left-wing fringe seems to believe that the early 21st Century is a rerun of the 1960s. Think about it. They have their anti-war protests, they're calling the war a "quagmire," they get on their moral high horse about Abu Ghraib and anything else that remotely resembles a war crime, and they're treating Bush like Richard Nixon.

The "popular resistance" blowing up Iraqi civilians is glorified in the same way as the "popular resistance" that blew up South Vietnamese civilians. Look at what Michael Moore said about them.

[506trooper]

"That mess in Washington right now could tip that state to the GOP as well in 2008. Dare we dream of a Red state America reaching the Pacific?"

Washington has voted republican in the past.

Electoral votes for president

1972 9-Nixon

1976 8-Ford, 1-Reagan

1980 9-Reagan

1984 10-Reagan

Let's just say the demonrats aren't doing themselves any favors this year.

With a little work, I think 2006 may see a Rebulican senator for the first time in a while.

Even the old time democrats in this state have a tendency to be conservative.

We'll see

[DoughtyOne]

I've thought about it. I voted for Schwarzenegger, and supported him here when I felt that McClintock didn't have a chance in 2003. A number of people thought that was wrong.

That said, I would like to see someone step up to the plate in 2006, and wage a solid campaign to unseat Schwarzenegger. While I was quite angry with McCintock for his antics in 2003, I would rather see him run against Schwarzenegger in the 2006 primary, one we can put all our efforts behind.

In the primary, we won't have the democrats voting for the candidate. That would present a realistic chance for conservatives to displace the leftist Schwarzenegger, something I didn't think they had a realistic shot at in 2003. Others disagree with me on that also.

I would hope that we can all get behind the conservative candidate in 2006, not having to deal with popularity as much in the mixed party political free-for-all, and put a solid guy in position to take the governorship.

[McGavin999]

If you read the story you can see then end of the democrat party. These are family people. Most of them have a number of children. Now, go interview the democrats in their stronghold and see how many children you find.

[BurbankKarl]

I still can't beleive the Times ran this story.

[cold_vicious_logic]

Maybe it's just my screen, but that map looks like it has blood splattered on it and mold growing on it.

[BenLurkin]

Hope this looks better.

[cold_vicious_logic]

Even legal hispanics vote way below the rate that would be associated with their percentage of the population

Wouldn't that be true of every group and demographic in America?

[cold_vicious_logic]

Much. And I adjusted the colors a bit on my monitor ;)

[SweetCaroline]

I would hope that we can all get behind the conservative candidate in 2006, not having to deal with popularity as much in the mixed party political free-for-all, and put a solid guy in position to take the governorship.

....Oh, I will truly be more active in 2006. After these holidays, I plan to jump start the San Benito Republican Womens Club. My family hates my involvement but they haven't seen nothing yet!!!!!!!!!!!

[DoughtyOne]

Thanks for mentioning your plans. They sound great. You're not the only one with family members who've got a cup of coolaide in their hand.

Leftist ideology is like a disease. Sometimes you don't even know you have it, until the symptoms break out. Here's to our success finding that magic pill.