Posted on 05/19/2006 10:32:20 AM PDT by SmithL
The Democrats' two candidates for governor, Phil Angelides and Steve Westly, are escalating their personal attacks as the June 6 primary draws closer -- but the insults they've exchanged so far are pablum compared to the sheer nastiness of another statewide primary duel.
Former Assemblyman Tony Strickland and state Sen. Abel Maldonado are jousting for the Republican nomination for state controller and as it happens, their duel represents this year's only clear-cut conflict between the ever-hostile conservative and moderate wings of the Republican Party. Conservatives may carp about what they see as the quasi-liberalism of Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, but they also know that he's their only hope of keeping the governorship in Republican hands. And with the exception of state Sen. Tom McClintock, who's running unopposed for the nomination for lieutenant governor, moderates dominate GOP primary contests for other statewide offices.
It leaves the Maldonado-Strickland race as the sole vessel into which those on both sides of an intraparty power struggle -- one that dates back a half-century to the conflicts between the Earl Warren and William Knowland factions in the 1950s -- can pour their hopes and fears. And it means that what might otherwise be a genteel competition between former legislative colleagues has become highly personal.
Strickland, whose wife, Audra, succeeded him in the Legislature from a district in Los Angeles' northwestern suburbs, represents the conservatives who have dominated the GOP's legislative contingent and party affairs, at least until the last few years, but have been unable to elect statewide candidates. Maldonado, a rare Republican Latino officeholder, represents a district to the north on California's Central Coast, and has aligned himself closely with Schwarzenegger.
A clue to the ideological underpinnings of the duel is that the conservative California Republican Assembly backs Strickland,
(Excerpt) Read more at sacbee.com ...
Have you looked at the platform of the California Republican League?
Part libertarian, part Peace and Freedom party. Strange "principles"
I know who the New Majority money is on.
I have not seen a poll to date reflecting where the candidates are running, the primary is not far off so we'll see soon enough.
The winner gets to take on Cruz Bustamante if he survives his primary race.
The article of this thread mentioned the California Republican League as supporting Maldonado. I remembered the group from among Arnold's first endorsements and I posted about some of their outrageous "principles" . (See here). Below is their 'about' page from their current website:
California Republican LeagueDoes anyone know who this group is or if this is part of a McCloskey (or other) coordinated campaign to rewrite the platform of the party? Anybody know if they have any members or are just another pretty website?Who We Are:
The CRL is a permanently chartered Republican volunteer organization, founded in 1964 to insure that the Republican Party represents the views of the majority of California Republicans. We are men and women, old and young, members of all races, creeds, tax brackets, and sexual orientations who welcome all persons of like minds. Membership is not limited by any bias or prejudice. We encourage all citizens who want to elect more Common Sense Republicans to all levels of government to join us.
Status of the Party:
Control of the California Republican Party is currently in the hands of a group of individuals who do not have the support of mainstream Republican voters. These individuals represent only the extreme right wing of the party, and therefore, the majority of California Republicans are without a voice in the state party. Control by the far right of the state party has been disastrous for out Republican candidates and representatives. Their policies, statements, and actions have lead to the defeat of Republican officeholders at every level of government throughout California. If you agree with out mission statement, we invite you to help us bring out Grand Old Party back to the Republican majority! Join the CRL!
Yank the Plank!:
It is undeniable that the majority of California Republicans are Pro-Choice, as are the majority of Californians. The State and National Parties' position on abortion is not only contrary to the views held by a majority of California Republicans, but is proving a liability for Republican candidates in their attempt to win votes from Independents and Democrats. Therefore, we are currently working with other Republican groups throughout the state to delete all direct and indirect references to abortion in the California Republican Party platform and the national Republican platform. We say, "Yank the Plank!"
http://www.republicanleague.org/principles.html
California Republican League
Principles Shared by our Membership
Our members embrace some or all of the following principles:
1. An individual's reproductive system is none of the government's business. Those who oppose abortion should not use the government to deny others access to safe abortions. Reducing abortions in this country is best achieved by reducing unwanted pregnancies, not by making it illegal (which will simply change the location of abortions from the hospital to the back alley).
2. Government should not prevent contraceptive distribution, nor prevent teaching adolescents the causes of pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases. These efforts, along with encouraging abstinence among our teenagers, are the best ways to reduce unwanted pregnancies, and therefore, abortions.
3. In our society there should be a strict separation of church and state. Current efforts to prohibit abortion, and virtually end birth control, are thinly disguised efforts by certain religions groups to impose their religious beliefs on others.
4. It is imperative our government establish the framework to preserve our Earth for future generations. This goal is compatible with a growing capitalist economy and it is our duty to make it happen.
5. Education should be a top government priority. The government should pursue strict standards in education, including student testing and effective teacher evaluation. The educational curriculum should focus on the core academic disciplines of reading, writing and arithmetic. There should be no social promotion for students, incompetent teachers should be dismissed, and competent teachers should receive a decent and fair salary.
6. Discrimination is wrong. No person should be denied the American dream on the basis of race, gender, creed, national origin, income level, or sexual orientation. Further, quotas and preferences are fundamentally in conflict with this belief.
7. The government should keep taxes as low as possible.
8. The government should not interfere in the economic activity of its citizens unless absolutely necessary. There should be absolutely no subsidies or price controls of any kind as the government should be a catalyst for wealth creation not wealth re-distribution.
9. The government should exercise a strict fiscal policy of balanced budgets and a monetary policy focused on low inflation and a sound dollar.
10. The federal government should continually and persistently pursue international treaties that promote free markets and human rights throughout the world.
11. The government should focus on maintaining and expanding our county’s infrastructure, as this is one of the best ways the government can contribute to economic growth.
12. The federal government should spend a sufficient amount of money on defense so we can insure the security of our nation and keep all our commitments to all our allies. The federal government should focus its resources on the construction of a missile defense system because the first priority of any nation should be the protection of its citizens.
13. The government should also protect its citizens from internal threats, by stopping the vast proliferation of assault weapons and other firearms. This position does not conflict with the second amendment and it enables us to enjoy our personal freedom to pursue happiness without fear.
14. The medical sector of our economy should not be socialized and only medical doctors (not bureaucrats, insurance company representatives or non-medical HMO personnel) should determine which sort of treatment is best for their patients.
15. All law enforcement organizations should be well funded and supported by the community. The government's priority should be community policing and victims’ rights. Our laws should provide for a life sentence for those who commit three violent felonies or sex offenses.
16. Valid and probative evidence should not be excluded from a criminal trial based on technicalities. The exclusionary rule is not in the U.S. Constitution, and the courts should stop pretending it is.
17. Treatment as opposed to incarceration is the best way to deal with all drug possession offenders.
18. The proliferation of lawsuits in this country has damaged our economy and benefits trial lawyers at the expense of the rest of community. Steps should be taken to insure that frivolous and groundless lawsuits are dismissed from our courts and all cases should be diverted to mediation and/or arbitration rather than proceeding directly to trial.
I had received an e-mail from some group seeking to oust AUDRA Strickland. What do you think the chances are I got this because of Maldonado's e-mail list?
Today I found two 4 foot by 8 foot signs not too far from Doolittle's Roseville CA Dist 4 Headquarters. They both said "How do you spell CORRUPTION?" then answered their own rhetorical question with big huge letters "D-O-O-L-I-T-T-L-E!"
An awful lot of Doolittle sign vandalism this time around. I hope John squashes his supposed challenger as badly this time as he has the numerous times before. This Abrahamoff deal was just way too convenient this time around and has worked way too well against Delay, Doolittle and by vast extention... Pombo!
I'm a little afraid the Cheney coming out to help Doolittle and Pombo raise funds today has given the adversaries encouragement that they actually might be getting somewhere if Dick is helping out this time!
This "Yank the Plank" bunch has been around since at least 1998 in CA. My memory of them is rather vague. Sorry.
Off topic...
CCC does NOT support Richman for Treasurer (spit)
{fires proofreader}
I called Doolittle's Roseville office this afternoon to tell 'em about it. Told 'em I'da torn them down but it's quite a different situation from just tearing down a defaced sign. Whoever put that fairly expensive sign up has first amendment rights!
All I can hope for is that they have been placed on the state or county right of way, or on someone's property without permission so they'll be disposed of with some legal rationale!
SW-I knew the Yank-the-Plank folks had been around for a long while. But some of these other "principles" left me scratching my head. These sound just like Arnie:
4. It is imperative our government establish the framework to preserve our Earth for future generations. This goal is compatible with a growing capitalist economy and it is our duty to make it happen.7. The government should keep taxes as low as possible.
[No mention of SMALLER government though. Borrowing is apparently AOK]13. The government should also protect its citizens from internal threats, by stopping the vast proliferation of assault weapons and other firearms. This position does not conflict with the second amendment and it enables us to enjoy our personal freedom to pursue happiness without fear.
[I dunno, but I think fearing government is healthy and don't look to them to give me freedom--but I do fight as I watch them take it away]17. Treatment as opposed to incarceration is the best way to deal with all drug possession offenders.
[And hence, Arnold renamed the Department of Corrections to the more touchy-feely Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation]
Hedgetrimmer--Doesn't this sound like the same thing we encountered on that other thread.
10. The federal government should continually and persistently pursue international treaties that promote free markets and human rights throughout the world.
That is awful!
Can you tell who is behind it? Dems or Rinos?
Agreed. I was planning on voting for Parrish.
I'm sickened by the choices for Ins Comm. Liberal or a liberal or a liberal. Hmmm....
I don't know, but they're huge, professionally made signs, which would likely indicate Democrat/Union funding, and they, along with the media, are using RINO pukes like McCloskey to help undermine Pombo's campaign.
HE DID?!? Unfreakinbelieveable!!!
That must be because incarcerated criminals can workout and bodybuild and buy his magazines and protein supplements while paying their debt to Society, right? (which "Rehabs" Arnold's bank accounts, too)
The only thing I despise more than Democrats are elected Repub "leaders" that constantly accomodate said Democrats!!!
Speaking of deals... Made me think of new tagline!!!
Thanks for the ping. The rupublican league is socialist at its core, the rest is window dressing to snare uncritical voters.
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