The idea is to regroup, rearm, and reorganize - then go back into CA after the collapse and take it back.
I don't see California colapsing in the typical sense. It's a wealthy state if it's leaders just put their minds to it.
What I see happening is separatists moving into positions of power, and encouraging the populace to move away from the nation, because California pays out more taxes than it gets back.
Right now we have a separatist as Mayor of L.A. The Lt Governor is also a separatist. I wouldn't be at all surprised if a number of people in the Legislature were too.
Look, whatever the ploy used, it's going to sound too good for the illiterate masses to pass up. Leaders can always come up with a good sounding reason to support evil, if they want to.