http://www.freerepublic.com/tag/ca-gop/ en-us Tue, 29 Dec 2009 20:44:50 GMT Focus Forum 15 http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-gop/2417151/posts Central Valley Republican Rep. George Radanovich is expected to announce this morning that he will not seek reelection. . . . Randanovich, who lives in Mariposa, was first elected to the 19th Congressional District seat in 1994. SacBee: Capitol Alert http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-gop/2417151/posts#comment Tue, 29 Dec 2009 20:44:50 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-gop/2416490/posts 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... Sacramento Bee http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-gop/2416490/posts#comment Mon, 28 Dec 2009 20:25:10 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-gop/2415767/posts In another political here-we-go-again, state Sen. Roy Ashburn has reversed course and said he's thinking about challenging Democrat Jim Costa for Congress. Ashburn, R-Bakersfield, said his outlook has changed since October, when he denied rumors he was interested in seeking the 20th District seat again. He said Costa is vulnerable because he voted for a health-care reform bill with a public option, hasn't acted on his district's soaring unemployment rate and has shown no leadership representing "ground zero in the California water crisis." "It's very clear he is in lock-step with (House Speaker) Nancy Pelosi, (Senate Majority Leader) Harry Reid... The Bakersfield Californian http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-gop/2415767/posts#comment Sun, 27 Dec 2009 16:29:56 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-gop/2402047/posts SACRAMENTO — Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's choice of Sen. Abel Maldonado for lieutenant governor was essentially a political challenge to his fellow Republicans: Expand the party, or continue to wither on the vine of ideological purity. Maldonado's confirmation is largely in the hands of legislative Democrats, who must decide by mid-February if they will accept his nomination. The Santa Maria Republican's long-term prospects, however, could be decided by GOP activists who have held him in disdain since he voted earlier this year for a tax hike — but may need him if they are to win in a statewide race. "He... Contra Costa Times http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-gop/2402047/posts#comment Mon, 7 Dec 2009 15:58:39 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-gop/2398143/posts Supporters collecting signatures in an effort to recall Republican Sen. Bob Huff fell short today... by about 65,535 names. Recall proponents had until Nov. 16 to turn in the 65,535 valid voter signatures from the 29th Senate District needed to spark a recall election. But, according to counts confirmed today by election officials in Los Angeles, Orange and San Bernardino counties, they turned in zero signatures SacBee: Capitol Alert http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-gop/2398143/posts#comment Wed, 2 Dec 2009 03:13:01 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-gop/2395961/posts Thanksgiving produced many conversation, one surrounding the riches of eMeg, and if she is buying the governor's race for the GOP. There seems to be a new mantra that says, “Republicans are making a mistake in supporting wealthy candidates like Meg Whitman in the gubernatorial primary race; she is just too wealthy to be supported as a candidate.” After reading the bottom-line in the LA Times Wednesday, it seems that GOP voters are beside themselves. How can we vote for a woman who has, and spends, so much of her own money? More at the link... Hogue News http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-gop/2395961/posts#comment Sat, 28 Nov 2009 19:30:58 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-gop/2395478/posts The Placer County Republican Central Committee is making waves with accusations that some GOP officeholders in the party stronghold are not a deep enough shade of red. Committee members have indicated they will target fellow Republicans they view as not conservative enough and in some cases will back rival candidates in primaries and even in nonpartisan races. "You get a Republican candidate and if they are not Republican enough, they go after them," said Placer County Supervisor Jim Holmes. The latest flap has been roiling since August when five registered Republicans on Rocklin's City Council supported an extension of a... Sacramento Bee http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-gop/2395478/posts#comment Fri, 27 Nov 2009 18:38:34 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-gop/2391530/posts An anti-tax recall movement against Assemblyman Anthony Adams, R-Hesperia, has failed to gather enough valid signatures to go to the ballot, the California secretary of state's office announced Friday. "I'm elated. I'm euphoric," Adams said Friday. "People generally don't like recalls," he said. "I'm up for re-election in June, in the primary. Voters will have their say then." The recall effort was launched after Adams provided one of three GOP votes needed in the Assembly to pass temporary income tax increases last February. Tim Whitacre, who is active in Orange County GOP circles and managed the recall campaign, could not... Sacramento Bee http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-gop/2391530/posts#comment Sat, 21 Nov 2009 16:45:49 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-gop/2390812/posts Former Marine Nick Popaditch, aka the Cigar Marine, is running for the Republican nomination to challange the incumbent Democrat in the California 51st Congressional race for 2010. He needs your support. The district is heavily Democratic and he faces an uphill struggle but this Marine is one tough opponent. This man is a true war hero, not some "Swift Boat" wannabe. His slogan, "A Marines word is his bond", says it all. He gained national popularity when he was photographed atop his tank turret smoking a cigar at the fall of Baghdad. Later in the war he was seriously wounded... The Edisto Joe Outlook http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-gop/2390812/posts#comment Fri, 20 Nov 2009 16:50:08 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-gop/2381011/posts In the strange world of politics, where up is down and down is up, Republicans tout as a victory David Harmer's 10-point loss to Democrat John Garamendi in Tuesday's special congressional race. With an 18-point party registration advantage, off-the-charts name identification and double the cash of his opponent, Republicans say Garamendi should have won with a far bigger margin. "Harmer winning 43 percent of the vote in an overwhelmingly Democratic district in the Bay Area does not speak well for the Democrats," California GOP Chairman Ron Nehring said the morning after Tuesday's election. Yes, this is largely spin. Harmer outperformed... Contra Costa Times http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-gop/2381011/posts#comment Sat, 7 Nov 2009 18:22:49 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-gop/2372246/posts Despite election countdown fervor from pro-GOP David Harmer forces, the National Republican Congressional Committee does not yet view him as a “contender” in his bid against Democratic Lt. Gov. John Garamendi in the 10th congressional district special election on Tuesday. A Roll Call story today reports that the committee elevated nine candidates in its Young Guns program — its targeted candidate initiative — from “On the Radar” to “Contender.”Harmer was not among the nine selected for the second tier. No candidate has yet achieved the highest ranking of “Young Gun.” NRCC spokeswoman Joanna Burgos insists Harmer’s status does not reflect... CoCoTimes: Political Blotter http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-gop/2372246/posts#comment Tue, 27 Oct 2009 20:02:46 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-gop/2372232/posts All we know for sure is that Carly Fiorina has a busy schedule on tap. Fiorina, the former Hewlett Packard CEO, has been exploring a bid for the U.S. Senate, and the buzz is that she will officially announce her candidacy next week to challenge Assemblyman Chuck DeVore in the Republican primary. The Contra Costa Times reported last week that Fiorina is headed to Pleasanton on Friday, Nov. 6 to make a "very important" announcement to the Tri-Valley Business Council. Indeed, Council President and CEO Tobias Brink said yesterday that it "would be my assumption" that Fiorina is planning an... SacBee: Capitol Alert http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-gop/2372232/posts#comment Tue, 27 Oct 2009 19:44:11 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-gop/2371064/posts One candidate in next year's gubernatorial race contributed thousands of dollars to Democratic Sens. Barbara Boxer and John Kerry. Another wrote $21,000 in checks to Democratic presidential candidate Al Gore and the Democratic National Committee in 2000. A third was a registered Democrat in the early 1970s and has acknowledged supporting George McGovern as the party's presidential candidate in 1972. All three – Meg Whitman, Steve Poizner and Tom Campbell – are vying to become California's next governor, but not as Democrats. They constitute the entire GOP gubernatorial field, a fact that has some Republicans wondering where their candidates' loyalties... Sacramento Bee http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-gop/2371064/posts#comment Mon, 26 Oct 2009 14:46:16 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-gop/2365723/posts California Republicans are seeing political gold in California's water problems, hoping to steal the issue from Democrats and win support from one of that party's key constituencies - Latinos. GOP leaders have put water atop their agenda for next year's statewide campaigns. They are expanding voter-registration efforts in the drought-stricken Central Valley, where unemployment is high and food banks are busy, and encouraging candidates to reach out to Latino voters hit hard by the recession. The strategy was distilled on a 5-foot-high banner at the Republican voter registration table in front of a Walmart store in Dinuba (Tulare County) in... San Francisco Chronicle http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-gop/2365723/posts#comment Mon, 19 Oct 2009 14:51:30 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-gop/2358370/posts Democratic Sen. Barbara Boxer holds a strong edge over possible Republican challengers seeking to unseat her in the 2010 election, according to a new Field Poll of registered voters. The poll, conducted via telephone between Sept. 18 and Oct. 6, showed Boxer holding a double-digit lead over two GOP hopefuls, declared candidate Assemblyman Chuck DeVore, R-Irvine, and former Hewlett Packard executive Carly Fiorina, who has not declared her candidacy but has formed an exploratory committee. Boxer beat Fiorina 49 percent to 35 percent, and DeVore 50 percent to 33 percent. The poll indicated that much of Boxer's lead could stem... SacBee: Capitol Alert http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-gop/2358370/posts#comment Fri, 9 Oct 2009 14:50:48 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-gop/2352102/posts After last weekend's California Republican Party convention, a spokeswoman for potential Senate candidate Carly Fiorina dissed the results of rival Chuck DeVore's self-commissioned straw poll, telling CNN's Peter Hamby: "Let me get this straight, you want me to comment on a Chuck DeVore straw poll that was conducted in the DeVore hospitality suite on Saturday night with a bunch of college Republicans and a lot of free beer flowing?" Beer and college students may go together like Republicans and no-tax pledges, but can candidates really capture conservative students' support with an abundance of ale? Not so easily, according to Michael... SacBee: Capitol Alert http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-gop/2352102/posts#comment Thu, 1 Oct 2009 01:22:16 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-gop/2349821/posts Indian Wells, California Republicans begin the 2010 campaign season with something many considered unthinkable just a few months ago - hope that they can win a major statewide race. They realize the odds are still steep. Only 31 percent of California voters are registered Republicans and no Congressional or legislative district has a majority of GOP voters. And demographically, former state Republican leader and current political analyst Allan Hoffenblum said the GOP has become an "old white guy" party in a state that is rapidly diversifying.Yet coming out of their three-day state convention that ended today, party activists say they... San Francisco Chronicle http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-gop/2349821/posts#comment Mon, 28 Sep 2009 03:51:57 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-gop/2348946/posts Indian Wells, CA -- Greetings from the California Republican Convention, where we've already made a tactical error: We forgot to eat before the speeches. Do you know what the sound of 900 Republicans chewing sounds like? For all intents and purposes, this weekend is the kickoff for the 2010 campaign season and all the major statewide candidates are here. (Save for US Senate hopeful Carly Fiorina, who is undergoing her final two weeks of radiation therapy to treat breast cancer.) The next 40 hours are all about kissing up to the hardcore activists here. But before the smooches were planted,... SFGate: Politics Blog http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-gop/2348946/posts#comment Sat, 26 Sep 2009 18:22:49 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-gop/2335701/posts Marcos Breton: Latino Republican Amador wants seat in Congress Sep. 9, 2009 The former U.S. marshal wants to be a U.S. congressman. He's a leader in Sacramento's Latino community, and he's Republican. He could be retiring after 40 years of presidential appointments and posts under California governors. But at 65, he's diving into the caldron of national politics. Tony Amador may or may not get his wish to strengthen the weakened hand of the GOP in Washington, D.C., but his candidacy is illuminating. Amador aspires to the corridors of power after being a child of the powerless. He was one... Sacramento Bee http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-gop/2335701/posts#comment Wed, 9 Sep 2009 19:56:38 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-gop/2328612/posts A Republican running for a Fresno-area Assembly seat next year is offering a Delta delicacy of sorts at an upcoming fundraiser. An invitation from Brandon Shoemaker, at right, for an Oct. 3 feed promises Delta smelt appetizers with a robust meal featuring barbecued beef. Sacramento Bee http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-gop/2328612/posts#comment Mon, 31 Aug 2009 16:03:32 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-gop/2325281/posts ke Berryhill, a Turlock Irrigation District director and a member of a prominent political family, announced Monday that he is running for Dennis Cardoza's congressional seat. Cardoza, D-Merced, is up for re-election in 2010. Cardoza's district includes part of Stanislaus County. Berryhill is a former Ceres Unified School District trustee and has served on the TID board since 1983. His term expires this year and he is not running for re-election. Berryhill, 62, is a Ceres rancher and a Republican. "Someone needs to step up to the plate and take on Dennis Cardoza," Berryhill said. "He's really had a free... The Modesto Bee http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-gop/2325281/posts#comment Thu, 27 Aug 2009 00:01:16 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-gop/2325034/posts A small but vocal group of local Republicans is accusing county party leaders of conspiring to rig Central Committee elections and abusing office powers. They allege the local party and state party’s chair of dodging campaign finance violation fines, using party resources for personal gain, ignoring party bylaws and State Election Code and harassing and intimidating other party members. (READ REST OF ARTICLE AT LINK ABOVE) SanDiegoNewsNetwork.com http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-gop/2325034/posts#comment Wed, 26 Aug 2009 18:30:07 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-gop/2322156/posts California Republican Party leaders, in a move that could reshape state primary-election politics, are preparing a move to bar decline-to-state voters - now 20 percent of the electorate - from casting a GOP ballot in statewide and legislative primaries. The proposed bylaw to the state Republican platform, which delegates will decide at the party convention next month in Indian Wells (Riverside County), has riled some business leaders and Republicans. They say it could be disastrous for the party's future and could relegate Republicans in the state to "permanent minority" status by keeping independent voters from supporting Republicans in primary elections.... San Francisco Chronicle http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-gop/2322156/posts#comment Sat, 22 Aug 2009 18:45:50 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-gop/2321838/posts We'll give the young Republican crowd some points for, uh, creativity -- but we just hope they get their fun in the right order when they hold that big Bay Area Young Republicans' "Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms Fundraiser" this weekend. Say, whaaaa? No kidding. In a move that says that the Wild West is alive and well in California politics (or that maybe there's no adult advisor involved here), the San Francisco, San Mateo and Silicon Valley Young Republicans are planning an official smokin', drinkin', shoot-em-up fundraiser -- literally. It's even listed on the California Republican Party events website. SFGate: Politics Blog http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-gop/2321838/posts#comment Sat, 22 Aug 2009 06:47:21 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-gop/2311360/posts Meg Whitman, an early front-runner in the race for the 2010 Republican nomination for California governor, told a lunchtime crowd Friday in Ventura that she can be the candidate to rescue the California Republican Party from irrelevance and the state itself from near bankruptcy. “In business terms, we would say the Republican Party is losing share at an alarming rate,” said Whitman, a veteran executive who was CEO of eBay for 10 years. Republicans make up just 31 percent of the state’s registered voters, trailing Democrats by 14 percentage points, she said. “We’re going to have to include groups that... The Ventura County Star http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-gop/2311360/posts#comment Sat, 8 Aug 2009 15:23:10 GMT