If this story is true (and Novak loves to bash Bush, so it may not be accurate), then Bush (Rove) would appear to be feverishly building the political scaffold from which GWB's hopes for a second term will be prominently hung for all to mock.
Lose only one of these three: California, Texas, or Florida -- and kiss a second term good-bye! (And, who can argue that it doesn't help to have a Republican Governor in charge come election time!)
How do you figure? Bush didn't win California the first time... and if he can hold Florida it should come down exactly as before. Plus, several states were very close... OR, PA, WI, MN and a few others as I recall. If Bush can swing them his way he can afford to lose Florida. California would only be icing on the cake. It will be tough, but it's not impossible. This state (California) had 16 consecutive years of Republican leadership, sent Reagan to the WH, and has some very conservative areas aside from LA and San Fran. The leadership just needs to get behind candidates that the voters want, not who the party hacks think deserve a chance.
Simon's ascendency to the nomination should be a wake-up call to the party leadership! He energized the masses big time, and everyone should be pulling for him now.