California Republican Party turns on itself, risks losses in midterms

[one...two...tree 2,762]

Carla Marinucci, Chronicle Political Writer

The California Republican Party has been pummeled by some tough body blows in recent years - and results at the ballot box have been just part of the pain.

Now, at a time when the national GOP is trying to find its voice and cultivate new candidates, California GOP activists have begun engaging in a new pastime: issuing "fatwas" to punish state Republican legislators deemed too moderate on tax issues.

This circular firing squad was on display last week at a "Tax Revolt" rally that drew 8,000 people to a Fullerton parking lot. It was organized by popular conservative talk show hosts John and Ken - John Kobylt and Ken Chiampou of radio station KFI in Los Angeles.

The raucous California tea party featured such dramatics as the spearing of a likeness of Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's head, and the sledge-hammering of a pile of Schwarzenegger dolls, videos and movie memorabilia - even an action hero lunch box.

The radio hosts' "fatwas" target a handful of moderate GOP legislators who sided with Democrats to end the state budget impasse. Their calls to recall those lawmakers have reverberated throughout the Republican grassroots.

"It's becoming the fatwa party ... the Jon and Ken party," said Hoover Institution media fellow and GOP consultant Bill Whalen.

But while much of the activity is political fun and games, many in the nation's largest GOP organization say the political challenges are no laughing matter. With just a year to go before the 2010 midterm elections, when the California governor's seat and a U.S. Senate seat will be up for grabs, critics say the state party is nearly broke and its leadership is under the gun. Its problems and infighting, they say, threaten to divert attention and focus from winning elections.

Dominated by older social and religious conservatives, the California GOP has so far failed to broaden its appeal in the nation's most diverse state. An entrenched party system, California's gerrymandered legislative districts and closed primaries that protect incumbents have continued to favor the status quo: a GOP establishment that is older, whiter and male. Those reasons are driving women and Latinos, still rarities among GOP elected officials, from the party ranks.

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http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?.../MN9T16DDOA.DTL

[Niels Bohr 72]

Dammit. Those dam DEMs made those REP life hell for giving out bailouts. I was 100% up there with Arnold and agreed with him on hold tax returns. Dammit, now the party is broken down. I can't let have the DEMs have it!! No way! I'm going to get my gun before the DEMs take it away!

[rclouse 0]

Just when I thought the GOP couldn't become less relevant...

[one...two...tree 2,762]

Just when I thought the GOP couldn't become less relevant...

The hardliners of the party think that moderation is code for left wing conspiracy.

[DEDixon 39]

CA needs to get rid of the 2/3 majority so in the future they can and will be the majority in CA.... yeah, believe it or not, if 2/3s get trashed, the GOP will be a majority in CA*... now that will surprise people.

*you know, after the dems raise taxes to the point of no return, the GOP will have to return to repeal a lot of taxes.... like what happens in Washington.

[one...two...tree 2,762]

CA needs to get rid of the 2/3 majority so in the future they can and will be the majority in CA.... yeah, believe it or not, if 2/3s get trashed, the GOP will be a majority in CA*... now that will surprise people.

*you know, after the dems raise taxes to the point of no return, the GOP will have to return to repeal a lot of taxes.... like what happens in Washington.

DE, I know it gets repeated over and over by Repubs that Dems love to tax and spend, but really, isn't it time to recognize that GOP is not the darling child of fiscal responsibility that they so wish to be remembered as? Fiscal responsibility should be something both parties aspire to. It's just a question of where and when to spend money.

Edited March 17, 2009 by Mister Fancypants

[DEDixon 39]

CA needs to get rid of the 2/3 majority so in the future they can and will be the majority in CA.... yeah, believe it or not, if 2/3s get trashed, the GOP will be a majority in CA*... now that will surprise people.

*you know, after the dems raise taxes to the point of no return, the GOP will have to return to repeal a lot of taxes.... like what happens in Washington.

DE, I know it gets repeated over and over by Repubs that Dems love to tax and spend, but really, isn't it time to recognize that GOP is not the darling child of fiscal responsibility that they so wish to be remembered as? Fiscal responsibility should be something both parties aspire to. It's just a question of where and when to spend money.

There is a tiny difference. The repubs are fiscally responsibility when they aren't the majority, but when they are the majority they are about as bad as the dems except that they spend on different things. The dems are willing to spend when in and out of the majority. The dems spend on social things whereas the repubs have a different list so when each get to the majority they have to make up for when they were not the majority (hope that makes sense).

Also, the dems aren't really tax cutters at all, for the most part only in dire times, but the repubs are always ready to cut taxes when the dems get out of the way.

I really hope 2/3s requirement gets trashed for it will bring about more turnover among elected officials and a repub majority some of the time (long enough to repeal some taxes).

Edited March 17, 2009 by DEDixon

[rclouse 0]

"Tax and spend" is preferable to "Borrow and spend".

[EasyRider 3]

"Tax and spend" is preferable to "Borrow and spend".

And infinitely better than "Lie and Steal," which is part of the Republican's greatest hits playlist.