I believe that the California Republican Party decided to make the party more "competitive" (be more accepting of Democrat positions, less "divisive"). That happened when Democrat Gray Davis was elected governor in 1998.
There was much gnashing of teeth and mental suffering brought on by the lie that as Republicans they incurred great damage by supporting Prop 187 -- never mind that the last Republican governor not only won on that issue but I believe the Republicans made great gains in the legislature the same year (1994).
Since then there have been, I believe, exactly three Republicans elected to statewide offices including "star power" Arnold Schwarzenkennedy.
Now the National Republicans are saying grow up and be like the Californians.
I cannot prove it but I am certain that the California Republican Party is run by Democrat moles -- I wonder about the influence of Democrat moles on the National Republican Party.
Bingo!
Exactly right.