[Torie]

Riordan doesn't need the grass roots to win. In fact the grass roots is a myth in California. It is all money, television, and hit mailers. But then you aleady knew that.

[goldstategop]

Really? Then why he did he bother appearing at the state convention in San Jose if we're all just a myth, hmm? Something in your statement doesn't click here. Either he thinks we're important enough to try to win over or he can get all the liberals and moderates in Gray Davis' camp to flock to his banner and vote for him. Dickie Pooh's theory is if he runs Left enough he'll get the Rat Left to vote for him because they think Davis' isn't liberal enough for them. An interesting application of Republican politics I've never in my entire life seen successful any where. If Dickie Pooh wins the state on his formula I'll won't begrude him his victory. All the same I will never vote for him cause I could never vote for a straight liberal. I'll always be to the last breath a conservative.

[Sabertooth]

Riordan doesn't need the grass roots to win. In fact the grass roots is a myth in California.

Forget grass roots for a moment... if Riordan's "moderateness" costs him some percentage of his base, and he doesn't win, what would you conclude?

[Dan from Michigan]

Usually on election strategies, we don't disagree that often, but I have a VERY hard time believing the grass roots is a myth.

California is not Michigan(It was the grass roots that beat Bush here Ironically), but I can't see grass roots being a myth anywhere. Are Californians that caught up in TV?

[GuillermoX]

Yeah right. Tell that to Al Checchi (sp) who ended up spending $44 for every vote he received.

[rdf]

You are right. The RINO's and much earlier, the Progressives, killed party activism in CA. Grassroots politics means nothing here, except in the initiaitve process.

Riordan will win the nomination, with the tacit blessing of Rove and co. and then he will lose the general.

I should add that I have endorsed Simon, and I will not vote for Riordan in the general. Like 3 past GOP party chairmen.

Gloomily,

Richard F.

[Carry_Okie]

It is all money, television, and hit mailers.

If the base doesn't turn out for him (it won't), Dickie goes down in flames, especially when the media bring out LADWP.

Bet on it.

[ElkGroveDan]

Riordan doesn't need the grass roots to win. In fact the grass roots is a myth in California. It is all money, television, and hit mailers. But then you aleady knew that.

Wow you are a real bitter cynical person aren't you?

I really resent that. I have been part of the grassroots in California for many years. The grass roots has been down and unmotivated in recent years, but that's because we keep nominating people like Riordan (ok not riordan, no one is as bad as riordan). But it is really hard for people to get motivated by the likes of Tom Campbell or John Seymour at the top of the ticket.

In the years when there are solid conservatives to work for, not just in California, but anywhere, in those years people get out and work and get excited. Unfortunaltely on a statewide level we haven't had someone like that since Herschensohn in 1992. On issues like Proposition 22 - the Defense of Marriage Act, in 2000, the grassroots grew into to tall fields of grass indeed. We could barely keep up with the lawn signs and precinct activities. There were a million lawn signs placed statewide. That can only be done through grass roots.

Just wait and see. After Bill Simon wins March 5th. The grassroots across California will come out of the woodwork.