Free Republic

It is not surprising that people are leaving California and New York in record numbers. Citizens of those oppressive, socialist-leaning, nanny states have long suffered under governments that prioritize the rights and well-being of criminals while ignoring or abusing their own law-abiding and tax-paying citizens. For that reason, if you are one of those rare California conservatives, it is time to move to a free state. While it is not surprising to me that people are leaving California, it is surprising to me that there are still a (relatively) significant number of California conservatives and, more generally, Republicans in California....

California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) in an interview published Monday said the Republican Party is headed for the “waste bin of history.” In an interview with Politico, Newsom compared national Republicans to the GOP in California in the 1990s. California Republicans were once a force, but have seen their power disappear over the last two decades. Washington Republicans will "go the same direction — into the waste bin of history, the way Republicans of the '90s have gone. That’s exactly what will happen to this crop of national Republicans,” Newsom told Politico. Former California Gov. Pete Wilson's (R) push for...

Bannon's vision for a united conservative movement is going to be executed by a "grassroots army," Another California Republican Party convention has come and gone, and many are asking, “Why bother?” given that “The outcome of the convention changed the nature of how the party operates and further consolidated power among a very few while continuing support of the terrible Top 2 voting system,” as Tom Del Beccaro, former CA GOP Party Chairman says. I went to the convention Friday immediately following the second California State Senate committee hearing in two weeks on ‘hate speech,’ with Democrats seeking approval for...

Most of the activists, insiders, and lobbyists I talked to during the recent California Republican Party convention in Sacramento expressed optimism about their party despite blistering election losses and falling voter registration levels that will soon—I’m only half-joking here—have the party competing with the Greens and the Peace and Freedom folks. Their optimism came from the election of former lawmaker Jim Brulte of Rancho Cucamonga as party chairman. “California Republicans have chosen a former state lawmaker known for his fundraising work to lead the party back from the brink of irrelevance in a state that once was a GOP stronghold,”...

This weekend, the California Republican Party had its 2011 Fall Convention at the JW Marriott Hotel in downtown Los Angeles. One presidential candidate, Minnesota Rep. Michele Bachmann, spoke at a dinner on Friday night, and Saturday morning's breakfast featured two more contenders: Michigan Rep. Thaddeus McCotter and Texas Rep. Ron Paul. Paul's fans were out in force both outside the hotel -- awaiting his arrival -- and inside the ticketed Lincoln Clubs Breakfast. He spoke last and was late, allowing McCotter to add a question-and-answer period to his prepared remarks (more on that later, check back). McCotter is also on...

There has been meagre commentary on the economic plight of California, the propensity to keep spending, and the inevitable resort to DC for help. Since others have not opined on the subject, I'd like to get the views of this well-informed forum as to how this might come about.Will there be hearings?Will there be an appeal from Jerry Brown? from others?Will the GOP show tough love?

SAN DIEGO – For the first time in memory, California Republicans have a diverse statewide slate of candidates to field this fall, a lineup their state party chairman calls "an inspirational ticket." Coupled with national momentum for conservatives, the California GOP is hoping this might be their breakthrough year. Yet it's far from clear whether voters in California, where Democrats have a nearly 15-point voter registration advantage, will see the same glitter the GOP faithful perceive.

A fight to replace Assembly Republican leader Kevin McCarthy is raging full force, with six candidates jockeying for position, burning up the phone lines and twisting arms. The dominoes are lined up: If Rep. Bill Thomas, R-Bakersfield, retires from Congress this year, McCarthy will announce that he's running for the seat held by his mentor. McCarthy will then launch his campaign and, in coming weeks, step aside as GOP Assembly chief. McCarthy would be replaced by Sacramento Assemblyman Roger Niello, a fast-rising neophyte, or by George Plescia of La Jolla, Rick Keene of Chico, Sharon Runner of Lancaster, Mimi Walters...

by John Gizzi Posted Mar 30, 2004 Orange County Republican Chairman Tom Fuentes, dean of party leaders in the Golden State's 58 counties, is retiring after a record 20 years of service. Fuentes became chairman in 1984 at age 35. A successful businessman in the civil engineering field, he used his private-sector management skills to rebuild a party that had been living a "hand-to-mouth" existence. Today, it boasts a full-time staff and headquarters, and a bi-annual budget of $1 million. Fuentes also led the party in dealing with Orange County's demographic changes. As Democrats began making inroads in a region...

Amid the deepest transportation fiscal crisis in California history, Sen. Tom Torlakson, D-Concord, has unveiled a plan to increase gas taxes and reform road funding. The lawmaker introduced a bill Friday that would boost the fuel tax 10 cents a gallon at a cost to the average California driver of $45 a year. The money would pay for state and local road repairs and upgrades, as well as programs to reduce air pollution generated by vehicles. It would go into effect only after the average price of gas drops below $2 a gallon. In a twist certain to generate controversy,...

<p>SACRAMENTO (AP) - The state Assembly's five-member Republican women's caucus Wednesday endorsed former U.S. Treasurer Rosario Marin's campaign to be the GOP candidate to take on Democratic U.S. Sen. Barbara Boxer.</p> <p>Marin is one of four major Republicans running to challenge Boxer, who's seeking her third term this November.</p>