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Can Larry Elder Save California?
Townhall.com ^ | August 19, 2021 | Kurt Schlichter

Posted on 08/19/2021 3:22:55 AM PDT by Kaslin

The answer to the question posed by the title is “No,” at least not alone, and I suspect Larry Elder would agree. But the hack cliché is that every journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step, and dumping Governor Hairstyle in favor of someone who is not a complete buffoon is a necessary first step.

Word on the street is that Larry Elder is the most likely to win if Question 1 (“Should we dump this idiot Newsom?”) and move on to Question 2 (“Now that we’re rid of that twit, who do we want to foist this thankless job upon?”). Full Disclosure: I know Larry – we talk occasionally, and he was a radio host for Salem, where I often guest for its full-time hosts (I’m the Michael Collin to their Neil Armstrongs and Buzz Aldrins).

The Democrats thought they were smart, and among their antics (like moving up the recall election to mid-September thinking it would help them but instead planting it right inside the Delta wave) was not entering any big-name Democrat for Question 2. The threat to the Dem-curious voters of Cali is simple – save Gavin’s gonads, or get stuck with a Republican. Of course, when these loyal donkey voters look out their kitchen window and see some homeless degenerate that Newsom let out of stir dropping trou to take care of business on the sidewalk, their anti-GOP inclinations might be sorely tested.

Besides Larry, there are several other GOP candidates on Question 2. I’ve had good friends recommend his main competitor, Kevin Falcouner, who has commandeered the moderate lane; other good friends worry that he’s too moderate. Of course, even a moderate conservative in California is practically Genghis Khan compared to the pinkos in power. There’s also young Assemblyman Kevin Kiley, who looks 12 and is unlikely to win, but has a bright future here. Bored rich guy John Cox stuffs my email in-box with press releases about appearing with a live bear and a giant ball of trash; like The Athlete Formerly Known As Bruce Jenner, his novelty act got tiresome quickly.

Saving California is serious business, and if we are going to do it, we need serious people.

And a serious analysis shows that a Larry Elder victory would not do it alone. He knows that it’s just a start. The Dems have a supermajority, but he would have the bully pulpit and the ability to make and repeal executive orders. Moreover, he could demonstrate – as The Impregnator failed to – that Republicans are not doomed to failure. A Republican, serving maturely and professionally, could undo some damage but also help out the brand immeasurably.

That, in turn, could set the stage for the real task, the unglamorous grunt work that is necessary to turn the Golden State from grody back to golden. First, we need to revitalize the state GOP. The people are very nice, but every time I show up to a California Republican event, I’m usually among the youngest and most ethnic. It needs to expand and become relevant to many more Californians. You can’t have a viable party without a functioning party apparatus, and we don’t have that right now.

The second challenge is that those conservatives who have not left (there’s this myth that all the California expats moving to Texas and Idaho and such are libs – no, most are patriots) are demoralized. We need to re-activate them. The guy who deserves credit for jump-starting that process is the great Ric Grenell. He could have run for governor himself. He might have won too, but he chose the arguably harder gig, and the one that might have the greatest long-term impact. His Fix California organization has used Stacey Abrams’ strategy in Georgia and gone out and identified 1.3 million – that’s million – California conservatives who sit out elections because they believe they can’t possibly win. And that’s just after an analysis of a few counties.

Motivate them and game-on! We saw California voters sweep Republicans back into lost House seats in 2020 despite the fact that Trump was as popular here as toe fungus. With the myriad disasters unfolding thanks to President * and California’s own contribution to the decline and fall of western civilization, Kamala Harris, 2022 promises to be amazing.

But if Larry Elder wins in September he still has to win again then for a full four-year term. Can it be done? Can he do it? I wanted to know, so I texted him and asked. Here’s what he said:

“People ask what is your experience? My response? Look at Gavin Newsom‘s experience. Elected twice mayor of San Francisco, spent eight years lieutenant governor, two years as a governor and look what we have: rising crime, rising homelessness, rising cost of living, and a continued decline in the quality of urban schools, while his own kids enjoyed in school private education. He shut down the state in a more drastic way then did any of the other 49 governors – all while ignoring science—and in the process, destroying at least 1/3 of all small businesses never to be reopened.”

All true, but I think he’s selling himself short when he positions himself as the anti-Gavin. He’s more than that. Larry has decades of experience with policy, he has a compelling life story, and he knows how to communicate. His message, since I started listening to him in the 1990s, has always been that you can succeed if you try. And that’s what Californians desperately need to re-learn.

We are Californians, damn it. I grew up here and came back after Desert Storm because I knew, in my bones, as sure as I knew anything, that I could succeed at whatever I tried because that was the essence of California. And I still love the state I served for decades during its myriad disasters as an officer in the California National Guard (which Larry will command and which is one of the only functional, professional agencies in the state).

We can make California into California again, people. Even you folks outside of California want and need California to be what it once was. And Larry Elder is the critical first step. So, step up.


TOPICS: Culture/Society; Editorial; Politics/Elections; US: California
KEYWORDS: california; gavinnewsom; larryelder; recallelections

1 posted on 08/19/2021 3:22:55 AM PDT by Kaslin
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To: Kaslin

Like an alcoholic you have to hit rock bottom before you start to climb out, not sure they have


2 posted on 08/19/2021 3:29:17 AM PDT by ronnie raygun (“When the people fear the government you have tyranny, when the government fears the people you have)
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To: Kaslin

I think Doc McCoy from Star Trek would have a very brutally honest answer for this.


3 posted on 08/19/2021 3:31:31 AM PDT by the_individual2014
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To: Kaslin

This place where university graduates of today are that great deal less educated and thoughtful compared to people a couple of generations ago or so who only made it to the eighth grade.


4 posted on 08/19/2021 3:34:19 AM PDT by OttawaFreeper ("The Gardens was founded by men-sportsmen-who fought for their country" Conn Smythe, 1966 )
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To: Kaslin
Perhaps he could if he were Governor...but that ain't gonna happen. None of those fine white “progressives” in Kalifornia will even consider voting for him.
5 posted on 08/19/2021 3:42:03 AM PDT by Gay State Conservative (Covid Is All About Mail In Balloting)
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To: Kaslin

Larry Elder would do some interesting things but California in its current form can’t be saved.


6 posted on 08/19/2021 4:35:40 AM PDT by No_Mas_Obama
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To: All

LOL. I just knew the FR Surrender Monkeys of Despair would get triggered by this. “It’s no use. Let’s just roll over and die in California— and the rest of America too, while we’re at it!”


7 posted on 08/19/2021 5:01:57 AM PDT by fidelis (Defeatism and despair are like poison to men's souls. If you can't be positive, at least be quiet.)
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To: Kaslin

You have 2 options: dissolve it and start over or break it up into multiple states. Neither are very likely. The Democrats will never give up the big tamale and the 53 electoral votes.


8 posted on 08/19/2021 5:23:33 AM PDT by DownInFlames (G)
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To: Kaslin

Nothing can save California because it’s full of Californians. Not the rugged gold rush types that built the place, but the Fruit, Flake and Nut types that are clueless of how the real world operates.


9 posted on 08/19/2021 5:31:47 AM PDT by VTenigma (The Democrat party is the party of the mathematically challenged )
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To: Gay State Conservative

Six months ago, I would have said there was no way Newsom would be replaced by a conservative in a recall election. It’s still an uphill battle (mainly because its the Dems who will be counting votes), but Larry’s chances are well above zero. Let’s fight because we actually have a chance to win!


10 posted on 08/19/2021 6:14:39 AM PDT by Dan in Wichita
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To: Dan in Wichita

Of course his chances are greater than zero...but now that SCOTUS has made it clear that there are no rules when it comes to elections I hope you’re not assuming that Rat Party Headquarters won’t do *everything* necessary to defeat him...including massive voter fraud


11 posted on 08/19/2021 6:22:48 AM PDT by Gay State Conservative (Covid Is All About Mail In Balloting)
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To: Gay State Conservative

I’m sure the Democrats will do everything possible (including illegal sh*t), but I’m sending $100 to Larry anyway. A miracle could happen here.


12 posted on 08/19/2021 6:30:45 AM PDT by Dan in Wichita
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To: Kaslin

Conservatives should plan three steps. One, consolidate electoral supremacy in every red precinct office, starting with school boards and city councils. Two, make gains in swing precincts. Three, gain seats in every state election.

The key is communication and fresh faces.


13 posted on 08/19/2021 8:17:00 AM PDT by lurk ( )
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To: ronnie raygun

There is no bottom in the barrel of degeneracy of progressives. They are rehearsing the women who say he raped them and will post pictures of him in a loan outfit or, gasp, blackface......


14 posted on 08/19/2021 10:13:58 AM PDT by Organic Panic (Democrats. Memories as short as Joe Biden's eyes.)
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To: Kaslin

Not with that legislature, he won’t. Nothing can derail the bitter end to which California is headed. Hopefully, Elder can slow the process.


15 posted on 08/19/2021 11:19:31 AM PDT by Mase (Save me from the people who would save me from myself!)
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To: Kaslin

Open up California and get rid of the mask requirements and vaccine mandate that is killing business and jobs and lower taxes and drill for oil and gas and build power plants and build many more reservoirs and stop diverting water away from central valley.

Do not ever bend for the democrats. Not once.
Do not become a Arnold Schwarzenegger and betray us.
Your job is not be liked by the democrats and become a doormat.


16 posted on 08/19/2021 2:56:35 PM PDT by minnesota_bound (I need more money. )
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