Posted on 02/22/2009 10:05:51 PM PST by Steelfish
State GOP won't pay to support tax backers
By Peter Hecht
California Republican Party delegates passed a resolution Sunday to deny funding for campaign mailers for six state lawmakers who voted for a budget with tax increases.
But the party action, approved in a voice vote at the Republican's state convention in Sacramento, didn't include a formal censure of the lawmakers as originally drafted.
The vote may be mostly symbolic because only two of the six targeted legislators are eligible to run for re-election in 2010.
But Jon Fleischman, a state party officer and a conservative firebrand who publishes the FlashReport Web letter, claimed credit for passing "a stronger message that would restrict financial support" of lawmakers who defied wishes of the party base.
"We want the folks to understand that they can't expect the support of the party if they don't support the party's position," he said.
Shortly before the voice vote, a banner reading "The Six Losers" was unveiled listing lawmakers who voted for the budget. State Republican chairman Ron Nehring quickly closed curtains to cover the sign, which was displayed behind the table of party executive officers.
GOP senators Abel Maldonado of Santa Maria, Roy Ashburn of Bakersfield and Dave Cogdill of Modesto voted for the budget plan that was signed by Republican Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger. It was also backed by Assembly Republicans Mike Villines of Clovis, Roger Niello of Fair Oaks and Anthony Adams of Hesperia.
Only Cogdill and Adams are eligible to run for re-election to their current posts in 2010.
Mike Spence, president of the conservative California Republican Assembly, said the tax issue could dog any of the lawmakers if they run for other state offices. He said the resolution could prevent party-funded mailers on their behalf in primary and general elections.
(Excerpt) Read more at sacbee.com ...
One word. Recall.
Only the six of them? No censure of our "Republican" Governor?
The wobbly CRP leadership will probably turn around and fund Arnie and Maldo's pursuit of an open primary.
They never cease to go lower than I thought they could.
Money is the lifeblood of politicians. I’m glad they aren’t getting any.
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