[A CA Guy]

We can go straight at new voters with a typical approach and they will be receptive.

The problem with others who have been bribed for decades is they are addicted.

You have a group of voters used to taking the easy road.
Come over here and take the harder road is not appealing and will not get their vote.

So I feel unless conservatives are more left with their approach then more conservative states, then all we will cause to get elected are the Abortion Loving Communist Democrats.

You maintain principles and slowly throw things in the mix to move the electorate more right, like teacher accountability and getting rid of tenure.

I think if it is hit hard enough in this state, that the majority of voters would vote against excessive pay and benefits of jobs connected to the state government, including unions.

Meanwhile, for a while I think we are going to have lots of money in with the new higher property taxes a third of the state are paying.

[calcowgirl]

A CA Guy, I've asked you specific questions several times and you seem to avoid them therefore it is almost impossible to have any kind of meaningful dialogue.

You seem to think that we can continue down the current path with a "typical approach" (whatever that means) and accept "just a little" socialism to bribe the welfare class into voting Republican. All of this without identifying a party platform or the principles on what that Republican party might stand for.

I disagree. I have read plenty of evidence that says conservatives can and do win. History from California and experience in other states say it can be done--and it doesn't mean that we need to tilt left. It means we need to define our platform and sell it! I do suggest you read some more history. The "we must win first" approach has been tried and failed--repeatedly.

Right now, I am hard pressed to explain to anyone why the Republican party is backing a big-spending, big-borrowing (read: taxes!), gun-grabbing, pro-GLBT, land-grabbing Governor who is forcing taxpayer/ratepayer subsidies of hydrogen highways, stemcell research, solar roofs, Global Warming, has appointed liberals statewide into key positions that will succeed his time in office, and made a huge number of liberal judicial appointments. The platform of the Republican Party was against ALL of these things. To say that this is somehow "small steps" in the right direction is just nonsensical. I am NOT looking for perfection in a candidate. I would be quite happy right now with someone who supported 75% or more of the Republican platform.