GOP appears in deep trouble in California (The swing to the center really worked out well, huh?)

SFGate.com ^ | 12/8/08 | John Wildermuth

[NormsRevenge]

With their registrations sinking and their political clout withering, California Republicans have come out of the November election in danger of slipping into political irrelevance across much of the state.

"There's been a broad repudiation of traditional conservative Republicans in California," said Tony Quinn, a former GOP analyst and co-editor of the California Target Book, which focuses on political contests in the state. "There are almost no areas in the state that can be considered safely Republican anymore."

Since 2004, Republican registration has dropped by more than 317,000 in the state, while Democrats have picked up 563,000 new voters. Five previously GOP counties, including San Joaquin, Stanislaus and San Bernardino, now have more Democrats than Republicans.

Things aren't any better in the Legislature, where Democrats hold commanding majorities in both the Assembly and state Senate. The Democrats picked up three seats in the Assembly last month, including the last partisan post held by a Republican in the nine-county Bay Area.

And with Democrats moving to eliminate the two-thirds majority requirement for passage of a state budget, the GOP could lose the last bit of real power it holds in the Legislature.

Ron Nehring, chairman of the state Republican Party, doesn't paint nearly as grim a picture for California Republicans, especially in the wake of the pasting the party took across the nation in the Nov. 4 election.

"In a year where all the externals favored the Democrats in California, they came away with little to show for it," Nehring said. "They won a net three seats in the Assembly, but didn't pick up anything in the state Senate or Congress."

[NormsRevenge]

"There's been a broad repudiation of traditional conservative Republicans in California," said Tony Quinn, a former GOP analyst

--

and some want it to move even further .. left, that is..

[The Anti-One]

There are "conservative Republicans" in California?

Who knew?

[screaminsunshine]

RINO genius at work. Republicans are OVER. What a bunch of BOZOS.

[randog]

Randog County went blue this year, too, yet it's a very conservative community. Gosh, how do you explain that, republicans????

[RC2]

California is controlled by SF and LA. Ghettos at best. That’s where the population is. Go out in the rural areas and they are mostly Republicans. This is the reason that many want the state broken up. Let SF and LA be in Southern Californa and the rest in Northern California........a seperate state.

[reaganaut1]

It’s easy to bash California Republicans for being RINOs, but I don’t think conservatives are going to do well in a state — or country — where the electorate becomes increasingly Hispanic.

[MadIsh32]

You can’t have a “one size” fits all movement

In Cali in particular we have to focus much more on small government libertarian principles that support small business growth

SoCon’s won’t work in Cali

However support for small business will. Talk about that

[EagleUSA]

Taxifornia continues to head for the dung heap of liberal-socaialist history. A once-great state is on its last leg. It will degenerate to another New York or New Jersey....as the last vestiges of business and individual TAXPAYING workers leave the state.

Another liberal dung heap. Everything they touch turns to %$#@.

[AuntB]

“It’s easy to bash California Republicans for being RINOs, but I don’t think conservatives are going to do well in a state — or country — where the electorate becomes increasingly Hispanic.”

Duncan Hunter did. He got a majority of the hispanic vote. His son did well also. Real conservatives can be elected when the rino’s and the media don’t destroy them.

[F16Fighter]

Yeah, all that swooning over Ahnold Schwarzeneggar (Rino) over Tom McClintock was sheer genius. Some "Action" Hero.

He's made Gray Davis seem like Teddy Roosevelt.

[BlazingArizona]

What’s the mystery about this? The California Republicans and Democrats have merged to form a single Bankruptcy Party. It’s going to take a total collapse for a new conservative party to emerge.

[matginzac]

Unless I missed something, a very conservative proposition passed - Prop 8 - so I’d hold off on the “conservatism is dead in CA”. Also, the state is going down the tubes fast - a perfect, up-close lesson to the badly educated CAs (I count myself as one having grown up in the SF area but got the hell out as soon as I could...) in the concepts of low taxes, anti-illegals, anti-union conservative principals.

[AngelesCrestHighway]

There are “conservative Republicans” in California?.....

You bet!.....Hard core!....

[Extremely Extreme Extremist]

but I don’t think conservatives are going to do well in a state — or country — where the electorate becomes increasingly Hispanic.

You don't win by compromising your principles either. Run as conservatives and let the chips fall where they be. Duncan Hunter won his seat for 26 years, McClintock won his Congressional seat. Both didn't care what liberals thought of them. They ran as conservatives and won.

[AngelesCrestHighway]

The California Republicans and Democrats have merged to form a single Bankruptcy Party....

That’s it!....The Sacramento Asshats have the state on the road to ruin.

[Designer]

"In a year where all the externals favored the Democrats in California, they came away with little to show for it," Nehring said. "They won a net three seats in the Assembly, but didn't pick up anything in the state Senate or Congress."

And this is supposed to be a good thing?

The GOP in my state doesn't look so good either.

Picture a rudderless, leaking, rusty scow with a skeleton crew drawing staws to see who takes the blame.

[PGR88]

Interesting - California also appears to be in deep trouble.

As Margaret Thatcher said - The facts of life are conservative.

Californians are departing from them to obvious consequences

[F16Fighter]

"It’s easy to bash California Republicans for being RINOs, but I don’t think conservatives are going to do well in a state — or country — where the electorate becomes increasingly Hispanic."

And WHO do we have to blame for surrendering to the Illegal Invasion of Mexicans etal., bankrupting socialist policies, and PETA and ELF fascists controlling California's agriculture?

Yup, RINOs who are merely (D)s in drag so why not just let the Dems slash and burn and engage in their economic scotched-earch policy under their own (D) brand?

[matginzac]

I’m not sure abt the “libertarian” approach. I consider “libertarian” philosophy to be a cop out - keep the govt out of “moral enforcement”. While nobody is “hurt” when people have sex on the streets of SF and the police turn the other “cheek” (no pun intended - I think..), do you think it’s good for kids and animals to see that kind of stuff out in public?

[Cicero]

There was a LOT of unhappiness with Gray Davis because of the energy and economic crisis he presided over. Republicans had a chance to move in and make things work. But Bush and Rove pulled the rug out from under Bill Simon, who would have been a strong and knowledgeable governor, and backed Arnold instead.

Now Arnold will get the blame for destroying California’s economy, instead of Gray Davis. And frankly he deserves it. No one could have done a worse job, not even Bustamonte. At least if Bustamonte had won, he would be getting the blame for the worst mess in California since the Great Depression. But Arnold stepped right in and claimed it for himself. What a jerk.