Posted on 08/09/2007 1:19:03 PM PDT by NormsRevenge
There is no doubt that in the eight years since they arrived on the California political scene, the New Majority has made a significant impact. But what is the New Majority? Who are they? And what are their goals?
Just the other day, I was invited to participate in a "media roundtable" with the leadership of the California New Majority and the Orange County New Majority Chapter. It was an informative session, and so I thought that I would share some observations with FlashReport readers.
The meeting was conducted by four leaders in the New Majority -- Tom McKernan, the CEO of the Auto Club of Southern California, who is the new Chairman of New Majority, Orange County -- Paul Folino (pictured left), Executive Chairman of Emulex Corporation, the Immediate Past Chairman of NM Orange County, Dwight Decker, the CEO of Conextant, who heads up the primary political committee of NM Orange County, and Tom Tucker, a real estate developer and investor, who is the Chairman of New Majority California.
(I did give Folino and Tucker a hard time for bringing me to a 'media' briefing -- as an elected officer of the State GOP, I felt more like a plant being there with reporters from the LA Times, Orange County Register, the Associated Press and others.)
In advance of writing about the New Majority, I reached out to Tom Tucker and asked if he could pen a column about his organization, which is featured on the FlashReport today.
Let me start by dispelling the an incorrect assumption about this group -- that it is just a PAC that raises money and donates it to candidates. Oh, there is plenty of that going on alright. In fact, the numbers are quite staggering. The annual membership dues to be a member of one of the NM's four existing chapters in Southern California (Los Angeles, Orange County, Inland Empire, San Diego) is a cool $10,000. The year end goals for membership for each of these chapters is 100, 160, 50 and 60 respectively. A little calculator work tells you that would be 370 members, which means a collective annual dues income of $3.7 million! (Double that number to figure out what they bring in during a 'normal' 2 year cycle -- which we are in now for the first time in several years.)
But as was told to us, the funds that the New Majority itself gives to candidates and causes is dwarfed by the total giving of its membership on top of club dues (they estimated that NM member giving in the last election cycle to have been upwards of a staggering $40 million).
To call their role in the financial structure of Governor Schwarzenegger's elections (both in the recall and last year) huge would actually be an understatement. They have also been extremely supportive of his ballot measure campaigns. They have also participated in a number of legislative campaigns.
The major initiative that is currently underway is a major investment in policy research in three areas -- redistricting, healthcare and energy independence. Tom Tucker talks more about that in his column, but the goal of the group is to walk their membership through a comprehensive review of these areas, and the follow that process with political action. As Tom McKernan (pictured right) told us, they are most advanced in this process in the area of redistricting. It sounds like the NM is ready and willing to participate financially to see a fair drawing of legislative district lines, presuming that a cogent and winnable strategy is pulled together by the Governor and Republican legislative leaders. In the other policy areas, they are still in the earlier stages of developing briefing papers. Last week they had Alan Zaramberg of the CalChamber down from Sacramento for a healthcare policy briefing.
Another priority of the New Majority is working to recruit and finance culturally diverse candidates. As they say in their very comprehensive membership recruitment brochure, "The New Majority is actively working to expand the Republican base by providing resources to encourage greater involvement of groups that are not typically associated with the Republican Party."
The leadership conveyed their desire to also weigh in and make a difference in competitive legislative districts where opportunities present themselves.
As a specific example of a local effort, financing voter registration in Central Orange County was cited. For many years now, the Orange County NM has been in a strategic partnership with the Orange County Republican Party. With their very serious financial commitment to voter registration efforts in this area of the County, the only Democrat stronghold, has become much more competitive. This was demonstrated first by the razor thin loss of Republican Lynn Daucher to Democrat Lou Correa in a seat that had previously been a "safe" seat for the party of Hillary Clinton. They point to the election of a Republican to replace Correa on the Board of Supervisors, Janet Nguyen, a Vietnamese American, as a major accomplishment.
In case you were wondering who the New Majority is backing for the GOP nomination for President, the answer is -- the nominee! Significant members of the organization are playing lead fundraising roles in the campaigns of Rudy Giuliani, John McCain and Mitt Romney, and there is definitely interest by some of their members in the potential candidacy of Fred Thompson. No matter who the ultimate GOP standard-bearer ends up being, there is a great desire to help make sure that a Republican follows George W. Bush into the White House.
It was clear from listening to McKernan, Folino, Decker (pictured left) and Tucker that they see the New Majority as playing a role in offsetting the financial advantage that Democrats enjoy from the monolithic mega-funding of labor unions.
It is significant to note that the New Majority have retained as their political advisors the team at Meridian Pacific. The principals there are well known in California political circles -- John Peschong, Matt Rexroad and Tom Ross. John Peschong (whom I know well, as he was the Regional Political Director for the Republican National Committee while I was serving as Executive Director of the California Republican Party) and Meridian team member Helen Silverstov were at the briefing, as was very long-time FR friend Wendy Cantor-Hales, the NM OC's Executive Director. I should also add that two other FR friends are actively engaged on the staff end of NM efforts -- Andy Gharakhani is the Executive Director of the Los Angeles County chapter, and Kathy Tavoularis is assisting efforts with the statewide umbrella group.
Looking out into 2009, Tom Tucker shared with us that they have a goal of having at least 500 members statewide. And Paul Folino shared that after the 2008 election cycle, he would be leading an effort to expand the New Majority to Northern California, starting with an effort in the Silicon Valley.
It was great to see the energy and enthusiasm of these leaders, who clearly were very proud of the achievements of the New Majority to date, as well they should be....
If I were a Democrat with any level of political sophistication here in the Golden State, I would start to lose sleep at night, because the New Majority is committed to making California into a red state.
An interesting read nonetheless.
California is already a “Red” state, btw, look at the leanings of many in elected office and on school district boards and foundations eco-across the state..
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iow, they played a key role in the pushing and passing of the massive bond measures and subsequent legislation in lieu of major profits and feathering their own nests.
nuff said.
The “New Majority” is more interested in redefining what red is, not, the view that freedom is important and red is defined today as small government, individual rights and constitutional freedom.
I’d love to see a Red State California again. Unfortunately in order for me to accept it you’ll have to cordon off San Fransisco, fire the 9th circus, roll back the gun restrictions, conservatize Hollywood, etc etc etc.
The New Majority is THE problem in the CA GOP today. Money, in the hands of a few, begets power and power corrupts.
FlashReport also has this from Tom Tucker, the Chairman of the New Majority of California.
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THE NEW MAJORITY - BUILDING ON SUCCESS
http://www.flashreport.org/special-reports0b.php?faID=2007080903390540
Continuing to build upon the recent success it has enjoyed with the 2006 elections, the New Majority is now turning its gaze towards new goals – this time in the area of policy, as well as to candidates.
The New Majority has enjoyed enormous success for itself. It has become a force to be reckoned with in state politics. From the 1999 to 2006 elections the New Majority and its membership of over 300 were able to raise approximately $40 million dollars to aid Republican candidates all over the state of California. The highlights of the New Majority’s successes in 2006 included aiding Governor Schwarzenegger’s re-election.
Now with the elections past, the New Majority is turning its attention to its policy goals: redistricting, health care, and energy independence.
Redistricting reform is a top priority for the New Majority. Taking the drawing of political boundaries out of the hands of the politicians will create fairness and competitive districts and therefore force elected officials to better serve their constituencies. Redistricting would bring meaningful reform to the way California is governed. It would also hold elected officials more accountable to their constituencies.
Another crucial issue that is facing California is health care. The New Majority has been taking steps to fully analyze the current proposal made by the Governor and will be prepared to play an important role in the ongoing healthcare policy debate.
Energy independence of the United States is a foremost concern to the members of the New Majority. This is an ongoing issue that needs to be addressed by business leaders across the country. Under the leadership of Committee Chair, Hadi Makarechian, New Majority Orange County has organized a taskforce, which will examine the issue of energy independence. There will be an energy summit in late fall so that members can take an opportunity to learn more about energy and the New Majority is sending out policy papers and pertinent articles to members of the New Majority on energy independence.
While there is a new focus on policy issues, the New Majority continues to believe that there are many qualified individuals who would make excellent public officials – they just need to be found.
In order to aide in this goal, the New Majority started a Growing Republican Opportunities to Win Committee (GROW). GROW just completed its first year and continues to identify quality Republican candidates, with an emphasis on bringing diversity into the Republican Party. Newly elected Orange County Supervisor Janet Nguyen was identified early in the program as an up-and-comer in the Republican Party. Over the next year, GROW Chairwoman Caroline Beeson will work to identify and encourage quality candidates to run for state legislature and statewide offices. As its next step, GROW is planning a training program for candidates in open Republican and targeted general election races.
We will also continue working with Assembly and Senate Republican leaders to ensure that we support them in their quest for winning Republican seats in 2008. We have an excellent working relationship with Senator Dick Ackerman and Assemblyman Mike Villines.
The New Majority has set out many ambitious goals for itself. But that is not usual for this group. As in the past, the New Majority is convinced that doing what is right and what is necessary is rarely easy. Yet it has set out such ambitious goals before and spectacularly achieved them. This time will be no different.
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Thomas E. Tucker is the Chairman of the New Majority of California and has been involved in the organization since its creation. He is a private real estate developer / investor. He has resided in Orange County since 1951. Tucker is a graduate of the University of Southern California with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business. In 1982, Tucker founded the Pennhill Group of Companies, a homebuilding company and land developer that was one of America’s largest privately held homebuilders. His current investment companies, Pennhill Properties and JenStar Capital develop real estate and fund businesses. He resides with his wife of 37 years, Joyce in Newport Beach , California. He has two grown daughters; Saralyn a tax attorney, and Jennifer a PhD candidate for the fall semester of 2007.
The annual membership dues to be a member of one of the NM’s four existing chapters in Southern California (Los Angeles, Orange County, Inland Empire, San Diego) is a cool $10,000. The year end goals for membership for each of these chapters is 100, 160, 50 and 60 respectively.
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Only 10K?
What we have here are 300 plus “Spartans” on a mission to make the GOP a more diverse party, ie; pro choice, pro gay, pro spending&borrowing., that would be doing just fine of since 1998 , it hadn’t openly sought to destroy its base and continue to lead from the mountain tops and expect the rest of us to just join in like good little serfs.
Denial is a subtle thing.
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So why should so many put their faith in a bunch of moderates to set it straight? They cost as much as dems and, in many cases, are just as amoral as them too.
CA is probably like most other Blue states in that the urban areas control the votes. But CA’s percentages are extreme. Kerry won it in a landslide.
If the Terminator didn’t start acting like a Dem, he would have been voted out. Reconquesta is very real. Homosexuals control the culture in areas like San Fran and San Diego. Even the famous Orange County isn't all that Red
And from what I see and hear, most Californians think they’re stars while completely vapid.
Thanks and we’ll need all the luck we can get.
At the rate the state is spending and digging a deeper debt hole, it may well be too late to stop the crash that the state will inevitably have to suffer before some sanity is on display from its leaders.
It is the voters and those who choose not to vote that will ultimately hold the bag, so to speak, while most of the wealthy including many of the New Majority will be long gone.
If LA and San Francisco were to fall into the sea, it California would be one of the reddest states in the union.
...and by “red state”, they mean Communist....
Sounds like a very misguided group of self-impressed wind-bags to me. Their agenda sounds little different than the Democrat’s agenda to my way of thinking.
This could be a great state. Instead it is influenced by the Democrats and other misguided groups (this being a fine example) that could be categorized most accurately as Democrats Lite (or not so Lite if your thoughts run along the same lines as mine).
Imagine if Simon or other decent candidates had access to these funds.
This group seems to exemplify the state of the Republican party these days. The leadership just hasn’t a friggen clue, and yet thinks it’s in the driver’s seat with their boy sitting in the state capital.
I guess you’d have to admit, their boy is in the driver’s seat. And he and his fellow travelers are driving this state right over a cliff.
Don’t you wish you had tens of millions of dollars you didn’t know what to do with, but front a guy and others in the name of Republicanism who should be registered as Democrats?
What a senseless revolting bunch of wind-bags. They’ll fix the state alright. Truly sad.
Their aim is power. Power is achieved by control. Control of both the legislature and individual legislators. The goal is for the members of this exclusive club to enjoy the public treasury.
The New Majority chose the CA GOP as their vehicle. They could just as easily have chosen the CA DEM because the New Majority is driven by principles of self enrichment not philosophies of governance.
Two excellent eamples come to mind:
First, the sad tale of Senator McClintock in the last election cycle. McClintock, ostensibly both a social and fiscal conservative was reduced to shilling for a European liberal whose governing philosophy McClintock diametrically opposed. What caused McClintock to abnadon his core principles. Money. The New Majority had it and he needed it for his reelection campaign.
Second, the Assembly vote on the 2007-2008 budget. There are conservative Republicans in the Assembly but the New Majority controls the Republican Caucus because they have a fellow traveler in Michael Villines. While VIllines talks a good conservative line, much like his Austrian counterpart in the executive, he voted with the Democrats in the Assembly, to forward a bloated, out of balance, budget bill on to the Senate for the Austrian's guaranteed signature.
Oh , he ‘fixed’ things alright, You don’t hear bond brokerage houses or the dems complaining much , do you? ;-)
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