Dick Riordan rattles GOP convention unity (California Republican Convention)

San Francisco Chronicle ^ | 9 February 2002 | Carla Marinucci

[CounterCounterCulture]

The state Republican Party convention opened in San Jose yesterday with the traditional announcement that this year -- for sure -- the party is really, truly unified. Then the fistfights started.

"Conservatives have happily embraced moderates," party Chairman Shawn Steel said. "The old arguments have dissolved."

[CounterCounterCulture]

The best rumor heading up to the GOP convention is that some Republicans have hired a guy in a rhinoceros costume, horn and all, to dog Riordan as he meets the delegates.

Sounds like a Freeper to me ;)

[Gophack]

Ping

[Gophack]

Boy, I wish I were at the convention! I don't get to go to them much anymore since I had kids ... maybe when they're older.

Sounds like this convention will continue the Riordan slide. If we can get him to below 30% in the polls, Simon will take it. I don't hold firm to polls, but the lower Riordan drops, the more mobilized conservatives will be to go out and vote for a winner (Simon). Jones is obviously going nowhere, as his numbers haven't changed an iota, and Simon has soared.

Go Simon!

[Straight Vermonter]

I almost wish I lived in CA. so I could volunteer for the rhino job myself.

[BibChr]

The problem, said John Herrington and Michael Schroeder, is that Riordan is a closet liberal with a long history of backing Democrats

Hmph. Must be a glass closet. This would have to be the worst-kept secret since Clinton and Monica.

Dan

[TwoStep]

**Bump**

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

Go Simon!!

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[Cicero]

I don't know whether it's true that only Riordan can win. If it's true, then I'd rather see Gray Davis win. Riordan would complete the demolition of the Republican party in California if he won.

It's usually NOT true that only a RINO can win in a state like California, because although the number of Democrats is growing, a large part of the Republican base is very conservative and simply won't vote for a joker like Riordan.

If the party had enough sense to get behind Simon, who is an excellent candidate with plenty of money to help run the campaign and seems to be personally attractive, they still might possibly lose, but at least they would not be mortally offending their base. I don't know enough to be sure, but I suspect that if they unified behind Simon, and gave him enough time to speak to the voters, he would have a better chance of winning than Riordan would. I doubt whether having Simon at the head of the ticket would be worse for congressional candidates than having a divisive idiot like Riordan at the head of the ticket.

I'm not a Californian, but if I were, I would NEVER vote for Riordan.

[CounterCounterCulture]

If anybody has any opinions on the other statewide races, please share them HERE

[Beeline40@aol.com]

I was supposed to attend but could not make it. However, I WILL NOT VOTE FOR RIORDAN PERIOD. You might as well vote for Davis. No more RINOS especially for gov. I am voting for Simon.

[hattend]

"Conservatives have happily embraced moderates," party Chairman Shawn Steel said. "The old arguments have dissolved."

On which planet does this guy live? Certainly not planet Earth.

[Vis Numar]

The best rumor heading up to the GOP convention is that some Republicans have hired a guy in a rhinoceros costume, horn and all, to dog Riordan as he meets the delegates.

ROTFLOL

I want a phot of this!

[let freedom sing]

rino-- riordan should be tarred and feathered, but losing the nomination will be enough.

[goldstategop]

Shawn Steel meant we'd embrace LIBERALS. Not in this lifetime, amigos.

[goldstategop]

Amen. We conservatives can't wait to see that arrogant SOB DIABLA finally eat crow. Now "Let's Roll!!!"

[okie01]

"I'm not a Californian, but if I were, I would NEVER vote for Riordan."

There are RINOs and, then, there are RINOs.

But Dick Riordan is a Democrat...

[Torie]

I suspect that if they unified behind Simon, and gave him enough time to speak to the voters, he would have a better chance of winning than Riordan would

You are letting your ideology color your analysis. Plus Simon comes off as a Ken Doll, and has a thin record. He would be demolished. But since he won't win the primary, it is a moot point. Lots of fairly conservative Republicans are voting for Riordan because they think he is the only one that can win, and dislike Davis. When I told her I preferred Davis to Riordan, I was a bit worried she might start snipping something other than hair. Cheers.

[CounterCounterCulture]

LATEST THREAD:
Riordan defends his views before tough GOP crowd in San Jose (CA GOP Convention Day 2)

[goldstategop]

Do forgive me for being ideological. I haven't yet met a conservative desperate enough to win that he's going to throw his principles out of the window and embrace a liberal to do it. Mark my words: if Dickie Pooh wins the primary I and millions of like-minded CA conservatives will be too happy to repay his treating us like the crazy aunt in the basement --- to a landslide defeat come November and it is an event I look forward to with the greatest of pleasure.

[BluesDuke]

"Conservatives have happily embraced moderates," party Chairman Shawn Steel said. "The old arguments have dissolved."

Someone please pass me the Pepto-Bismol and the Kaeopectate...Now you know why I took a hike from the Republican Party a few years ago, except that then I had to sense by gut instinct what this gasbag has come right out and said. I sure hope he enjoys the sound of little feet going pit-a-pat in the other direction...