Posted on 02/09/2007 10:31:44 AM PST by NormsRevenge
SACRAMENTO — The 2008 presidential campaign will take center stage this weekend at the California Republican Party convention, as one of the leading GOP contenders — former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani — addresses delegates Saturday and seeks to build on an already strong organizational advantage in the Golden State.
Although delegates are also scheduled to hear from Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger tonight, the partisans at the convention are already looking ahead.
"This won't be an Arnold convention," said former Assemblyman Tony Strickland of Moorpark. "This will be more of a Giuliani convention."
Giuliani, who this week formed an exploratory committee for a presidential run, is scheduled to remain in California for several days, making stops in Silicon Valley and at an annual agricultural expo in Tulare. He already has formed a strong network of supporters in California, largely with the help of former gubernatorial nominee Bill Simon, a one-time colleague in the U.S. Attorney's Office in New York.
Simon has enlisted many from his 2002 campaign team to help his old boss' efforts in California, including Simi Valley conservative strategist Steve Frank.
Frank, who has been known to stir up controversy at past state conventions, said Thursday he is "heavily involved" with the Giuliani campaign and promised to be on "my best behavior" at this convention.
The attention given to the presidential campaign and a hotly contested race to select the state party's new vice president is probably good news for Schwarzenegger, because those two issues will deflect potential protests from the conservative wing of the party.
Schwarzenegger has drawn the ire of some conservatives since his re-election by declaring an era of "post-partisanship" and by proposing a universal healthcare plan that includes billions in what he describes as "fees" on businesses, doctors and hospitals.
Conservative critics describe those fees as taxes — and contend that, by proposing them, Schwarzenegger has broken his pledge not to seek a tax increase.
Among his sharpest critics has been Ventura County Sen. Tom McClintock, who as the party's nominee for lieutenant governor in the fall, had been described by many as the governor's "running mate." This week, in comments to a news reporter, McClintock offered this pointed criticism of Schwarzenegger's recent performance: "I'd say he was governing as a Democrat, but that would be an insult to Democrats."
Ventura County Republican Central Committee Chairman Mike Osborn of Ventura, who will lead a contingent of perhaps three dozen county delegates at the convention, said he expects Schwarzenegger will receive a polite reception.
"There's been a lot of smoke, but I haven't seen anything happening," he said of GOP dissatisfaction with the governor.
Asked about Schwarzenegger's theme of "post-partisanship," Osborn acknowledged: "I would like to hear him mention the word ‘Republican' a few more times."
When asked earlier this year whether he was considering becoming an independent, Schwarzenegger said he entertained no such thoughts and proclaimed himself "a proud Republican."
Although Giuliani will be the only presidential candidate to attend the convention, advocates for other candidates are expected to work the partisan crowd — including Strickland, who is backing former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney. Those two, along with Arizona Sen. John McCain, are considered the early front-runners for the party's 2008 nomination.
"He already has formed a strong network of supporters in California, largely with the help of former gubernatorial nominee Bill Simon"
Wasn't Bill Simon a conservative darling nominee who lost to Gray Davis? Will conservatives follow his lead now or declare him a non-conservative?
Sounds like a good time for a third party candidate.
"Yeah, let's put the Dems in charge of foreign policy instead of someone who is 100% on board with the continued prosecution of the war on terror. Good plan."
Anyone "conservative" or Republican who would even entertain the thought of a third party candidate is endorsing Hillary and no better than the left wing scum they profess to disdain.
A REAL conservative wouldn't think of it.
Hey I got a better idea, while we're already in the minority start getting rid of these Liberal Republicans and pick a Presidential candidate that serves the real ideas of the base on foreign and domestic policy.
It sure is nice of you to decide for all real conservatives.
No, mainstream media didn't gravitate toward Rudy, they were dragged there by the poll numbers. McCain came in third on the Fox poll and Lutz (sp? the pollster)agreed with the numbers. On top of all McCain's other deficiencies, he is now facing the problem that all the other major candidates have sworn to forgo federal matching funds, and McCain's name is attatched to the bill that campaign finance bill designed to limit funding.
"The Republican base Conservatives are lost with Rudy anyway so what difference is a third party candidate? How about the Republican party just put a real base candidate out there and we won't have to argue so many Rudy liberal ideas fitting in the party?"
If someone else comes along and gets the nomination a la Duncan Hunter or Newt, the base will be satisfied and I will gladly cast my vote for them.
However, if Rudy get's the nomination, ANY conservative or Republican who endorses and votes for a third party candidate is a traitor scumbag and will hav cast a vote for Hillary.
Do I make myself clear?
I can not in good conscience ever vote for Rino Rudy. I will go third party if he is nominated.
The conservative base doesn't matter anymore... or so it seems. the lesson of '06 is lost,, and frankly , was never recognized.
It's all about the mushy middle, yaknow. That is who is being pandered to daily as things play out here and nationally.
imo, it's nothing but a Progressive plunge off the cliff in hopes the parachute made out of the Big Tent cloth will hold.
A real conservative wouldn't even think about nominating Rudy.
A real conservative wouldn't even think about nominating Rudy.
I will not vote for the Rino.
Let me make this as clear as I can, I will vote for whom ever I want, even third party, and that doesn't make me a "traitor" if I choose to do so.
As for your question,"Do I make myself clear?", yes you do, you're a complete moron who has delusions of grandeur.
Worrying about Rudy is not the issue. Congress is.
Presidents have most power over Judges and Foreign Affairs. The rest is controlled by Congress.
If Congress remains Rat, it doesn't matter if Jerry Falwell is President, no socially conservative legislation will be considered, let alone implemented.
I like Rudy and am likely to vote for him if he can convince me that he'll repudiate his gun-grabbing ways, but this "the other side is worse/Anybody But Hillary" argument seems less than motivating. It didn't work for the Anybody But Bush/vote Kerry crowd, and it won't work for us.
We need to give people a positive reason to vote for someone, instead of just insulting people.
"I will not vote for a liberal, regardless of party. Rudy and all his RINO pals and all their money will never change that."
Perhaps you didn't understand the first time....
if Rudy get's the nomination, ANY conservative or Republican who endorses and votes for a third party candidate is a traitor scumbag and will have cast a vote for Hillary, SURRENDER AND DEFEAT.
Do I make myself clear this time?
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