SickOfLibs, let me explain why this point is so important to Conservative Californians. You’re a good guy and I don’t want you thinking I don’t believe that.
It has been a long time since a Republican candidate come to California and waged a real effort to win the state. Just waging the fight is an important part of Conservatism.
How can we expect California’s voters to fully understand the Conservative message if that message is never fully expressed and defended in-state?
Bob Dole, George Bush, John McCain, these guys didn’t come to the state and give it their best shot to win. Instead they came to the state for several mega-bucks dinner fundraisers, then promptly fled the state to spend those campaign bucks elsewhere.
We haven’t had the big full-bore all out effot to win the state in twenty years or more. That means that we haven’t had the big add buys in the state. We haven’t had the state media covering a Republican campaigning through the state. We haven’t had a Conservative message expressed in-state.
During this same period of time, at every election cycle, the Democrats have campaigned progressively within the state. They spread their message far and wide, and nothing is spoken in the public arena here to refute the Liberal talking points.
What do you think would happen if the Republicans implemented this game plan in every state?
Within one decade the Republican party would cease to exist. The Democrats would have about 75 to 80% of the seats in Congress, and the White House all to themselves.
It’s foolish not to remain competitive in California. The RP abandoned (surrendered) it, and us along with it.
Angry doesn’t begin to express my thoughts on what has taken place since. As goes California, so goes the nation.
We have seen it. We are seeing more and more evidence of it all the time. The Republican party has for all intents and purposes surrendered across the board. California is not the only place what I have been describing has been taking place.
Our brain-trusts lament not being able to win big general election victories, and yet they have been content to spot the Democrats 52 electoral votes each election.
Our party is stuck on stupid.
That being said: ANY Republican, RINO or conservative in the CA governor's seat right now would be crucified for even doing half of what Brown is forced to do now. There is just no smiley solutions for CA. It will take pain.
That is good to read after all this back and forth.
I would say I am a 'somewhat' good guy (that Bush-bot from Ohio would strongly disagree with you on that!) that always questions the conventional wisdom and wants to make sure the crowd is not marching off another cliff before I join them.