Posted on 05/02/2016 2:41:01 PM PDT by Beautiful_Gracious_Skies
This is the most populous state in the nation, but in presidential elections, it has almost always found itself on the sidelines. The last time a Republican primary in California mattered was 52 years ago, when the party nominated Barry Goldwater.
But California will finally play an important role in the drama of presidential politics.
The 172 Republican delegates up for grabs in the state’s June 7 primary, which in most years has taken place well after the party’s presidential standard-bearer was known, will determine whether Donald J. Trump can clinch the nomination on the last day of voting and avoid having to wrangle uncommitted delegates at the national convention in July.
All three Republican presidential candidates, along with hundreds of reporters, turned up for the party’s state convention here over the weekend, the biggest show in memory of presidential candidate firepower at this yearly gathering.
“California is at a crossroads — California is going to decide this Republican primary,” Senator Cruz of Texas, who may need a win in Indiana to keep his hopes alive here, told hundreds of conventiongoers Saturday. “Who’d have thunk it?”
The sudden interest in California, on one hand, has been a cause for celebration in a state that has been starved for attention in presidential contests. A meaningful primary means extensive campaigning, and a national focus on issues of particular concern to the sprawling electorate here, rather than the usual brief touchdowns to raise money or appear on “Jimmy Kimmel Live.”.....
As desirable as the attention may be, the prospect of the presidential campaign’s arrival in California also poses a threat to the state’s Republican Party, which has been politically marginalized, with Republican registration at just 28 percent. A Republican has not won a statewide election since Arnold Schwarzenegger was re-elected governor in 2006.
(Excerpt) Read more at nytimes.com ...
One Trump supporter chose walk out the front door through the crowd.
http://www.liveleak.com/view?i=a78_1461962921#ICl0X6yagbVC0F1M.99
Time to build the wall and send them packing,
Let's "Make America Great Again!"
1968 - Depending on what you believe, Nixon hadn’t clinched.
1976 - Ford hadn’t clinched.
Trump supporter, Chris Conway, was attacked about 30 times and fought valiantly to make it through. A salute to his strength and courage and determination to show everyone the truth.
http://www.liveleak.com/view?i=a78_1461962921#ICl0X6yagbVC0F1M.99
Time to build the wall and send them packing,
Let’s “Make America Great Again!”
Ford was short about 44 delegates to RR.
The last time the CA primary mattered was in 1968, when Bobby Kennedy beat out Gene McCarthy in the Democrat race. The celebrations were short lived.
Pray history doesn’t repeat.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.