With the help of a good friend, I attend my first
California Republican Party Convention, and the bi-annual CA GOP meet-and-greet
in Anaheim, CA did not disappoint for this erstwhile inactive California
conservative. With Disneyland in the background, and tourists flocking from
everywhere, the happiest place on earth for me was with fellow Republicans
prepping for the next election-cycle victories.
California Republican Party Convention, and the bi-annual CA GOP meet-and-greet
in Anaheim, CA did not disappoint for this erstwhile inactive California
conservative. With Disneyland in the background, and tourists flocking from
everywhere, the happiest place on earth for me was with fellow Republicans
prepping for the next election-cycle victories.
Wow! Anyone who thinks that the CA GOP is a dead and
foregone afterthought should, well, start thinking. Republicans are retooling
for the real fights, the local races and electoral boards. Policy that turns
into purpose and destiny has often been a local affair. I got schooled on this
crucial yet unnecessarily missed set of opportunities. Taking advantage of our
strong stance on accountability, government transparency, and law enforcement,
Republicans dominate non-partisan offices throughout the state of California,
and Democrats are already scared.
foregone afterthought should, well, start thinking. Republicans are retooling
for the real fights, the local races and electoral boards. Policy that turns
into purpose and destiny has often been a local affair. I got schooled on this
crucial yet unnecessarily missed set of opportunities. Taking advantage of our
strong stance on accountability, government transparency, and law enforcement,
Republicans dominate non-partisan offices throughout the state of California,
and Democrats are already scared.
I saw Charles Munger (the physicist turned GOP donor
who helped a number of close campaigns in 2014), Chairman Jim Brulte (a
legislator-turned-executive who has seen it all and seeing to so much more),
and an assorted who’s-who in California conservative corridors (Jon Fleischman of
Flash Report and LA County Board
Supervisor Mike Antonovich. But more on that later!). California Republicans
have a lot to celebrate. For the first time in decades, Republicans unseat
Democratic incumbents up and down the state. In the assembly and the state
senate, Republican legislators locked hands and stopped increased taxes and
fees. They deserve our respect and were duly recognized in key dinner functions
on day one. Retiring assembly minority leader Kristen Olsen greeted me, as did
retired Congressman Ernie Konnyu (who as of now has ruled out running for US
Senate).
who helped a number of close campaigns in 2014), Chairman Jim Brulte (a
legislator-turned-executive who has seen it all and seeing to so much more),
and an assorted who’s-who in California conservative corridors (Jon Fleischman of
Flash Report and LA County Board
Supervisor Mike Antonovich. But more on that later!). California Republicans
have a lot to celebrate. For the first time in decades, Republicans unseat
Democratic incumbents up and down the state. In the assembly and the state
senate, Republican legislators locked hands and stopped increased taxes and
fees. They deserve our respect and were duly recognized in key dinner functions
on day one. Retiring assembly minority leader Kristen Olsen greeted me, as did
retired Congressman Ernie Konnyu (who as of now has ruled out running for US
Senate).
To my dismay, Presidential contender Wisconsin
Governor Scott Walker canceled his appearance at the Friday headline dinner,
but no worries. I want a President Walker rather than a Keynote speaker who
never sets foot in the White House. Former UN Ambassador John Bolton took his
place, and Presidential candidate Mike Huckabee turned out to headline the
Friday dinner.
Governor Scott Walker canceled his appearance at the Friday headline dinner,
but no worries. I want a President Walker rather than a Keynote speaker who
never sets foot in the White House. Former UN Ambassador John Bolton took his
place, and Presidential candidate Mike Huckabee turned out to headline the
Friday dinner.
The best part of the festivities included meeting so many minority Republicans,
including Chinese-Americans and Filipino conservatives. The Filipino caucus
even hosted a Hospitality reception. I met with movers and shakers within the
Asian-American community, and we all agreed that more outreach is necessary.
Naturally-born and traditionally inclined as conservatives, many Filipinos
still vote and identity as Democrats. Why? The Democratic Party has edged into
immigration centers and registers so many as Democrats from Day One. That has
to change.
including Chinese-Americans and Filipino conservatives. The Filipino caucus
even hosted a Hospitality reception. I met with movers and shakers within the
Asian-American community, and we all agreed that more outreach is necessary.
Naturally-born and traditionally inclined as conservatives, many Filipinos
still vote and identity as Democrats. Why? The Democratic Party has edged into
immigration centers and registers so many as Democrats from Day One. That has
to change.
By the way, the most Filipino city in California,
and the country? Right in my South Bay home, in Carson California, where
Democratic city councils and elected officials have all but turned this
otherwise wealthy and thriving community into a laughing-stock and “Banana
Republic.” A nice dose of Republican leadership at the helm of power can bring
necessary restoration and improvement to the city’s public image, but restore
the once-strong and stable influence of the Republican Party among
Asian-Americans in California and throughout Los Angeles County.
and the country? Right in my South Bay home, in Carson California, where
Democratic city councils and elected officials have all but turned this
otherwise wealthy and thriving community into a laughing-stock and “Banana
Republic.” A nice dose of Republican leadership at the helm of power can bring
necessary restoration and improvement to the city’s public image, but restore
the once-strong and stable influence of the Republican Party among
Asian-Americans in California and throughout Los Angeles County.
![]("http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-27A4G0nnYSg/Vf9TTe7UiqI/AAAAAAAABmM/tgwRwAdeCtw/s1600/California-Republican-Party.jpg")
One surprise? Meeting three of the five US Senate
candidates running to replace Barbara Boxer. My current favorite? Former CA GOP
Chairman Duf Sundheim, who helped with the 2003 recall to throw out Gray Davis.
An affable and friendly man who answered all my questions, he agreed with me
and stood with Kim Davis (“She should have been accommodated”). He supports
secure borders, E-verify. He recognizes this country’s frustrating battle ahead
over federal entitlements. Most importantly, he is listening. As for
Assemblyman Rocky Chavez, he has quite a record, and some of it bad: he
supported SB 4, expanding Medi-Cal to include illegal alien minors. I asked him
key questions on a lot of issues, and I did not like his answers. Tom Del
Beccaro? The former chairman who presided over a receding GOP and substantial
debt for the party? He is off my list for US Senate in 2016.
candidates running to replace Barbara Boxer. My current favorite? Former CA GOP
Chairman Duf Sundheim, who helped with the 2003 recall to throw out Gray Davis.
An affable and friendly man who answered all my questions, he agreed with me
and stood with Kim Davis (“She should have been accommodated”). He supports
secure borders, E-verify. He recognizes this country’s frustrating battle ahead
over federal entitlements. Most importantly, he is listening. As for
Assemblyman Rocky Chavez, he has quite a record, and some of it bad: he
supported SB 4, expanding Medi-Cal to include illegal alien minors. I asked him
key questions on a lot of issues, and I did not like his answers. Tom Del
Beccaro? The former chairman who presided over a receding GOP and substantial
debt for the party? He is off my list for US Senate in 2016.
My second surprise? Meeting the retiring (but hardly
shy) Mike Antonovich. He spear-headed investigations into welfare abuse in Los
Angeles County (especially among illegal aliens). He also voted against
granting taxpayer-funded health insurance to the same. Termed-out, but not
tuned out, he is running for state senate next year, and he has my full
support.
shy) Mike Antonovich. He spear-headed investigations into welfare abuse in Los
Angeles County (especially among illegal aliens). He also voted against
granting taxpayer-funded health insurance to the same. Termed-out, but not
tuned out, he is running for state senate next year, and he has my full
support.
My third surprise? Meeting the Fresno, CA dairy
farmer who drove a long-time Democratic incumbent crazy (and nearly replaced
him in the House last year): Johnny Tacherra. He is one telling example of the
new face of the California Republican Party: diverse and principled, conservative
and pragmatic, aware of the needs of everyday folks and not afraid of the long
fight ahead for Republicans entering this new bold century.
farmer who drove a long-time Democratic incumbent crazy (and nearly replaced
him in the House last year): Johnny Tacherra. He is one telling example of the
new face of the California Republican Party: diverse and principled, conservative
and pragmatic, aware of the needs of everyday folks and not afraid of the long
fight ahead for Republicans entering this new bold century.
What I learned there granted me perspective on what
concerned conservative activists must do to win again. The echo chamber is not
enough. Time to take the conservative message to the highways and byways. I met good friends, learned better ideas, and
all in all had a great time. Next year, I hope that Chairman Brulte brings next
year’s convention to Torrance, CA, and helps escalating more wins in Los
Angeles.
concerned conservative activists must do to win again. The echo chamber is not
enough. Time to take the conservative message to the highways and byways. I met good friends, learned better ideas, and
all in all had a great time. Next year, I hope that Chairman Brulte brings next
year’s convention to Torrance, CA, and helps escalating more wins in Los
Angeles.