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| California Republican Party |
The California Republican Party brand has slumped for the
past decade. Conservatives remain strong in the Central Valley and the Eastern
parts of the state, but statewide numbers have collapsed to beneath 30%.
While the National Republican Party has vastly improved image
and influence, the California branch has made incremental gains. Putting aside
the expensive disappointments of 2010 (Governor Moonbeam Brown returned to
Sacramento, and US Senator Moonbat Barbara Boxer beat down former
Hewlett-Packard CEO Carly Fiorina), and the graver upsets of 2012, (as Dems
attained a supermajority in Sacramento, and flipped four House seats), bad
times are getting better. CA GOP Chairman Jim Brulte outlined three goals in
2014: maintain the House Majority, end the Democratic supermajority in
Sacramento, and build a stronger party structure. Mission Accomplished.
and influence, the California branch has made incremental gains. Putting aside
the expensive disappointments of 2010 (Governor Moonbeam Brown returned to
Sacramento, and US Senator Moonbat Barbara Boxer beat down former
Hewlett-Packard CEO Carly Fiorina), and the graver upsets of 2012, (as Dems
attained a supermajority in Sacramento, and flipped four House seats), bad
times are getting better. CA GOP Chairman Jim Brulte outlined three goals in
2014: maintain the House Majority, end the Democratic supermajority in
Sacramento, and build a stronger party structure. Mission Accomplished.
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| Boxer is retiring |
Now, with Boxer’s retirement, California Republicans can
profit from 2014 successes, rebuild from the prior failures, and assemble a
statewide victory for 2016. Puzzling over who would run, another party rep
reminded me that Republicans do face a long-shot bid. Why would anyone spend
$50 million to run for a seat likely to lose? Money alone hasn’t make the
difference (Meg and Carly).
profit from 2014 successes, rebuild from the prior failures, and assemble a
statewide victory for 2016. Puzzling over who would run, another party rep
reminded me that Republicans do face a long-shot bid. Why would anyone spend
$50 million to run for a seat likely to lose? Money alone hasn’t make the
difference (Meg and Carly).
Is a Republican representing California in the US Senate
really a lost cause?
really a lost cause?
If CA GOP leaders can find the right candidate, good. But is
there a party infrastructure in place that a candidate could thrive in? When
raising a harvest, farmers follow weather conditions, till the soil, plant the
proper seeds, then nurture the crop to fruition. The same is true for
campaigning. I know of one successful example, whose model I would like to see
expanded to the fifty-two counties, which could unify the CA GOP’s disparate
county seats while building momentum behind one or two candidates for the top
office in 2016.
there a party infrastructure in place that a candidate could thrive in? When
raising a harvest, farmers follow weather conditions, till the soil, plant the
proper seeds, then nurture the crop to fruition. The same is true for
campaigning. I know of one successful example, whose model I would like to see
expanded to the fifty-two counties, which could unify the CA GOP’s disparate
county seats while building momentum behind one or two candidates for the top
office in 2016.
Assemblyman
David Hadley (R-Torrance) assembled local leaders and activists to create
the South Bay One Hundred, serving as an endorsement body as well as
fundraising operation. Members contributed a set amount toward promoting a
candidate for the 66th Assembly District in the South Bay, the #1
legislative target in 2014. With the outstanding support of the South Bay 100,
Hadley pushed away a divisive primary, then launched a comprehensive,
grassroots efforts with diligent volunteers. Letting his own business die in
order to revive his party as well as this state’s future, Hadley combined
strong consulting with the right political climate, followed by vigorous
financing from Independent Expenditures, to defeat an incumbent Democrat.
David Hadley (R-Torrance) assembled local leaders and activists to create
the South Bay One Hundred, serving as an endorsement body as well as
fundraising operation. Members contributed a set amount toward promoting a
candidate for the 66th Assembly District in the South Bay, the #1
legislative target in 2014. With the outstanding support of the South Bay 100,
Hadley pushed away a divisive primary, then launched a comprehensive,
grassroots efforts with diligent volunteers. Letting his own business die in
order to revive his party as well as this state’s future, Hadley combined
strong consulting with the right political climate, followed by vigorous
financing from Independent Expenditures, to defeat an incumbent Democrat.
Would it be possible for California Republican party leaders
to replicate a similar model, connect with Central Committee Chairs and members
to form their own endorsement body? Call it the CA GOP Senate PAC, or the
California 1000. This organization would coalesce the diverse groups throughout
the state, channel the political knowledge and connections into vetting,
promoting, and then endorsing a US Senate candidate.
to replicate a similar model, connect with Central Committee Chairs and members
to form their own endorsement body? Call it the CA GOP Senate PAC, or the
California 1000. This organization would coalesce the diverse groups throughout
the state, channel the political knowledge and connections into vetting,
promoting, and then endorsing a US Senate candidate.
With this coalition of California GOP activists, plus a
large reserve of campaign funding, state party leaders could approach
interested (or interesting) US Senate prospects. Beyond asking them to run, the
CA GOP Senate PAC would provide an endorsement package, a connected base of
operations, and a reliable funding stream. Bringing in different teams would
prevent divisive primaries, and embittered partisans, too.
large reserve of campaign funding, state party leaders could approach
interested (or interesting) US Senate prospects. Beyond asking them to run, the
CA GOP Senate PAC would provide an endorsement package, a connected base of
operations, and a reliable funding stream. Bringing in different teams would
prevent divisive primaries, and embittered partisans, too.
![""]("http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/65/Condoleezza_Rice.jpg/640px-Condoleezza_Rice.jpg") |
| Prof. Condoleezza Rice declined to run |
Along with right conditions, proper ground game,
well-connected operations, the
CA GOP needs a good candidate. Former Secretary of State and Stanford Poli
Sci Professor Condoleezza Rice topped my list, among many. A close friend sent
my request to the stateswoman, but she politely demurred.
“I know we'll have a good candidate …. and please thank Mr. Schaper for me
and tell him that I'm honored by his appeal. Political office isn't for
me….”
and tell him that I'm honored by his appeal. Political office isn't for
me….”
Congressman Darrell Issa? The richest man in Congress also
commands national celebrity, following his contentious yet spectacular
Oversight Committee hearings. He has already said no. San Diego mayor Kevin
Faulconer? Great campaign operator, but focusing on his own 2016 reelection
bid. Perhaps another Congressman (Nunes, Rohrabacher, Valadao?) will consider a
bid.
commands national celebrity, following his contentious yet spectacular
Oversight Committee hearings. He has already said no. San Diego mayor Kevin
Faulconer? Great campaign operator, but focusing on his own 2016 reelection
bid. Perhaps another Congressman (Nunes, Rohrabacher, Valadao?) will consider a
bid.
Carly? Looking back, she
carried the same baggage that burdened GOP Presidential contender Mitt
Romney: former CEO with massive layoffs and a severance from dissatisfied stock
holders. Besides, she’s running for President (and she’s a deadbeat, according
to Debby Saunders).
carried the same baggage that burdened GOP Presidential contender Mitt
Romney: former CEO with massive layoffs and a severance from dissatisfied stock
holders. Besides, she’s running for President (and she’s a deadbeat, according
to Debby Saunders).
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| Tom Del Beccaro |
Former CA GOP Chairman Tom Del Beccaro has recently
indicated interest. Prior CA GOP Chairman with strong connections, and
syndicated columnist, he inspires confidence, but also reticence. Can he
fundraise? Can he translate his backroom smarts into a front-porch campaign?
In comes Charles Munger, Jr. the wealthy physicist and
Republican activist. He has invested time, money, talent, and credibility to a
number of winning contests. His “Spirit of Democracy” PAC has helped revive GOP
prospects in the state. He relates to politics front and back. But would he run
for US Senate?
Republican activist. He has invested time, money, talent, and credibility to a
number of winning contests. His “Spirit of Democracy” PAC has helped revive GOP
prospects in the state. He relates to politics front and back. But would he run
for US Senate?
Before finding the ideal candidate, the state party needs to
assemble a network connecting focused party leaders and activists with selected
benefits (electing a Republican to the US Senate). With this strengthened unity
combined with the battaille royale
among ambitious Democrats, Republicans would have more than “California
Dreamin’”, but becoming a reality of replacing Boxer in the US Senate.
assemble a network connecting focused party leaders and activists with selected
benefits (electing a Republican to the US Senate). With this strengthened unity
combined with the battaille royale
among ambitious Democrats, Republicans would have more than “California
Dreamin’”, but becoming a reality of replacing Boxer in the US Senate.