Free Republic

SACRAMENTO - To jump-start spending for Arnold Schwarzenegger's 2006 re-election campaign, California Republican Party leaders will seek to endorse the governor this weekend even before he officially declares himself a candidate. The move prompted a prominent GOP activist to resign from the party's rules committee in protest Friday, calling it an ill-advised proposal that will hurt the governor's credibility with voters and discourage primary competition. The party should first let Republican voters in the June 2006 primary cast their ballots, said Dora Kingsley, a veteran member of the state party. "It doesn't meet the smell-test," she said. "It puts the...

SACRAMENTO, Calif. -- Although Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger has not revealed whether he will seek re-election, the California Republican Party on Sunday changed a party rule and endorsed him 16 months before the 2006 gubernatorial primary. Delegates at the state GOP convention decided to make an exception to the party's policy of not endorsing candidates before the primary elections so Republicans can pay some early expenses - such as bulk mailing and voter registration- should Schwarzenegger decide to run again. "The Democratic Party is already raising money to field candidates for this office," said Karen Hanretty, a party spokeswoman. "To remain...