Posted on 01/16/2014 7:16:11 AM PST by Kaslin
How near death is the California Republican Party? It's this bad. Democrats hold every statewide office. Term limits have opened up a few offices; still, no serious Republican plans to run for attorney general, lieutenant governor, treasurer or controller this year. If the lead Democrat for any of those offices were to die in September, there would be no Republican in the race to win in November.
A dead person or a nut job could win such a race.
Right now, two Republicans are fighting over the honor of losing to Gov. Jerry Brown, while a third seems likely to jump into the race. The son of Mexican farmworkers, former Lt. Gov. Abel Maldonado pushed for the state's top-two primary, which incurred the wrath of the GOP base. Also, in 2010, he failed to retain the office to which Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger had appointed him.
As a tea party darling, Assemblyman Tim Donnelly appeals to the GOP base, so he could win the chance to challenge Brown in November.
One reason former George W. Bush Treasury official Neel Kashkari is considering running for governor, spokesman Aaron McLear told me: The GOP needs "a credible candidate at the top of the ticket" who will make Californians "comfortable to vote for Republicans" instead of turning them off.
So the GOP has three candidates, maybe more, itching to fight one another -- and no one running against more vulnerable Democrats.
"Treasurer would make more sense" for Kashkari, opined Joel Fox of the conservative blog "Fox&Hounds."
Termed-out Controller John Chiang is running for treasurer. Assembly Speaker John Perez and Betty Yee reportedly are eying the race for controller. In those races, a Republican could emerge with a place on the November ballot.
Ditto lieutenant governor. And given what incumbent Gavin Newsom has said about the office, a GOP challenger might stand a chance.
California Republican Party Chairman Jim Brulte told me he has had "private conversations" with Republicans considering down-ticket races. Also, state Sen. Ted Gaines is running for insurance commissioner, and Pepperdine University's Pete Peterson is running for secretary of state.
"Without a strong and well-funded top of the ticket, I think a lot of Republicans have done the calculus. It's just not worth the sweat and tears," GOP big-foot Rob Stutzman explained.
"That is particularly a shame for the attorney general's office," he continued, as he sees Kamala Harris as highly vulnerable.
In 2010, Harris squeaked into office with 46 percent of the vote. Los Angeles District Attorney Steve Cooley came within a point of becoming the only GOP statewide officeholder.
Even with a dearth of GOP hopefuls, everyone I talked to had great things to say about Brulte, even California Democratic Party Chairman John Burton. Brulte, he told me, is "smart enough to focus" on legislative races and local contests his party can win.
The GOP has no bench, said Burton, before he asked me, "Have you ever thought of throwing your hat into the ring?"
They should be energized by the overbearing socialism prevalent in CA today. Instead they don't see any reason to resist.
Nominate a brain-dead half-baked “actor” who made exciting action movies, and the GOP might have a chance.
CA, like MA, is doomed and should be considered to be lost. However, since CA is beautiful, we can move the Mexifornians to MA to mingle with idiots who actually elected Dead Ted, Lurch, Bawny Fwank, and Fauxahauntis, wall in the place, and enjoy the west coast again.
Maybe if we could get a conservative to offer an alternative to the Dems but, with the like of Maldonado, that isn't happening...
These libs state voters want lots of spending and if that means their taxes going up they don't care.
In CA they swept GOP out of offices and ended the fiscal crises with lots of taxes.
I also recall there were a few here who were so critical of GOP CA candidates in 2010 as RINOs after their nominations that they in effect helped the Dems, Jerry Brown and Boxer yikes win that election. I think they thought that CA would reject Dem rule fast. Looks like that was wrong.
Remember Meg Whiteman and Nicky?
So long as the dead person or nut job's name has a (D) after it.
California is firmly conquered territory. It's a worthwhile cash cow for fundraising opportunities for national candidates, but for winning important statewide races...fuggedaboudit.
You would be incorrect. The real nail was driven into the coffin by Pete Wilson and crew, among whom Gerry Parsky was key. See the above links.
CAGOP are cowards. If they want to win they have to offer a stark choice, not a pale imitation.
Not ever. The numbers are continually trending in the Dim's favor. Even when (not if) CA crashes, it will rebuild with the same cast of characters. CA will crash or devolve into third world status. The current trajectory guarantees this.
I specifically recall Meg against Jerry and during that race illegal Nicky comes out with lawyer on press conference claiming she was abused and that Meg knew she was illegal. I remember clearly at least one here, maybe I could find the thread, kept siding with the illegal Nicky and thereby helping Jerry Brown.
She said she lived in CA and that Meg was guilty because she was a RINO. Similar with the Senate candidate
She must have thought that her fellow CAs would get fed up with all Dem rule.
If McClintock could run without jeopardizing his House seat, that would be fun to watch.
As long as those California checks don’t bounce, Californians will keep electing Democrats.
“As long as those California checks don’t bounce, Californians will keep electing Democrats.”
People are happy with benevolent dictatorships.
“More proof “republicans” do not intend to offer an alternative to statist government.”
The GOPe are basically bookkeepers with no fire in the belly for governing. They’re perfectly happy standing in the shadows in the minority.
Yep. Even when the barbarians are at the gates.
“The guy responsible for the demise of the CAGOP is George Walker Bush”
so, IT’S BUSH’S FAULT !!!!
The article linked is a very good read by a longtime California conservative.
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