Posted on 09/05/2007 7:23:15 PM PDT by NormsRevenge
LOS ANGELES - California Republicans are headed for a showdown over the direction of the party that could highlight national schisms over gay rights, gun control and abortion.
Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger wants the state GOP platform — the party's statement of core values — boiled down to as little as a single page focusing on lowering taxes, limiting the size of government and building a strong national defense.
A centrist, the actor-governor describes himself as a "post-partisan" who wants to bridge the political divide that often leaves the state capital of Sacramento gridlocked.
But some conservatives see his move as an attempt to undercut party positions on everything from traditional marriage to opposition to abortion rights.
"There's a move afoot to make sure the Republican Party stands for nothing," said Michael Spence, president of the conservative California Republican Assembly.
It's "a direct assault on Republican Party principles. They think they can reduce the party to a few lines or sound bites."
State party members will begin work on a new platform later this week at the state convention. In a sign of internal differences, a platform draft being circulated by state GOP chairman Ron Nehring goes well beyond the trimmed-down framework suggested by the governor.
Schwarzenegger is circulating a letter, also signed by Republican leaders in the legislature, that says the platform should be distilled to a page or two of concise principles echoing those held by Ronald Reagan.
The current state platform runs about a dozen pages and opposes gay marriage and domestic-partner benefits; calls for overturning the landmark Roe v. Wade decision that established a constitutional right to an abortion; and opposes gun registration.
The governor's letter makes no mention of those issues.
"We have found long recitations of detailed policy statements are unwieldy, hard to follow and for the most party unread by the very people we want to share our core beliefs with," the letter said.
Nehring said the party was in the midst of a "healthy discussion" on its future.
"This is normal for people to express different views," Nehring said. His draft platform states that marriage is "one man to one woman" and that society must protect "the unborn."
Republican moderates in the state have long argued that the party needs to shift to the political middle or risk becoming an afterthought in a state known for its increasingly diverse population and Democratic leanings. The legislature, for example, is firmly in Democratic hands.
Schwarzenegger's re-election last year was largely attributed to his move to the political middle ground, a decision that created a rift with the GOP right wing.
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Wasn't there a certain other politico that wanted to build a bridge to the future too.. and we know how well that panned out. ;-)
Those Third Waysians, ya got to love 'em.. or ya'd have to throttle 'em for being so stupid.
California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger (R) shakes hands with Germany's Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier in the governor's office in Sacramento, California August 30, 2007. Steinmeier and Schwarzenegger met to discuss future cooperation between California and Germany on environmental issues. REUTERS/William Foster/Office of Governor Schwarzenegger/Handout
California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, center, speaks as former governors Pete Wilson, right, and Gray Davis look on, during a news conference Thursday Aug. 23, 2007 in Los Angeles. The three along with members of the Voices of Reform Coalition including Common Cause and League of Women Voters met to discuss ways promote a fundamental change in the way political boundaries are drawn to insure fairness and transparency in elections. (AP Photo/Nick Ut)
Well, California Republicans, you either champion Conservatism or with leftism, embrace Massachusetts moribundity.
Is it the people that elect these idiots that are to blame or is it the parties that nominate and fund these ‘roids, or both?
I think the CA capital is better gridlocked seeing all the crap that has been flowing out of it.
The sad thing is ,, all the while they are gridlocked, the mandated spending and COLAs and programs in general keep growing,, to say we live on thin ice here is an understatement, we are walking on vapor, it’s all special effects.. Mr’ FReeze was just a movie role, not the Gub’s true self when it comes to spending.
Incrementally over decades the socialists have increased their influence in the GOP to the point where the party has aligned itself with the Socialist Democrat party by replacing Conservative core principles with Socialism. Conservatives only logical recourse is to leave the GOP and unite with the large number of unaffiliated Conservatives.
Centrist? LOL
Not hardly. When the RP in California sets their agenda, Arnold should be in Pakistan.
One page. Hell Schwarzenegger’s agenda would fit in a paragraph.
Conservatives only logical recourse is to leave the GOP and unite with the large number of unaffiliated Conservatives.
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We need a triggering event. CFR and Comprehensive Immigration Reform didn’t do the trick.
NeXt!;-)
One page. Hell Schwarzenegger’s agenda would fit in a paragraph.
Like his scripts, short and sweet ... and easily memorized.
"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." - Manuel II Palelologus
Yes, like a small que card.
I bet he rode a Trojan pony as a kid. ;-)
"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." - Manuel II Palelologus
I had to laugh at that one. Man, I could go in twenty different directions with that set-up.
The joke is probably on us. Schwarzenegger probably means trojan horse in German.
Porn star Mary Carey would’ve been a better Governor than RINOLD & she would have probably looked better too.
ROFL!
That is too true. The Terminator wants to be loved too badly. What unfortunate is that he could if he used his position to give voice to a conservatism as he did at the 04 convention he could accomplish a conservative revolution that would make him as love as Reagan. We need a fearless politician who knows how to speak to the people and lead with his ideas. What we have nationwide is a vacuum of leadership. Not only can they not articulate conservatism convincingly they make clear that they don’t really believe it and readily offer apologies where none are due to those who are systematically destroying the very foundations of this nation.
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