In GOP-rich Placer County, the Placer County Republican Central Committee chairman views himself as a brand manager of sorts. "We need to protect our brand," said Tom Hudson. "We need to stand for something." Hudson, 42, takes pride in unmasking and ousting people he says are liberals posing as Republicans. With the elected committee's backing, Hudson has drafted candidates to run against sitting GOP officeholders he views as not conservative enough, orchestrated a controversial endorsement during the primary for the 4th Congressional District seat, and played a role in the decision by two Placer County officeholders to drop their Republican...