According to state columnists Thomas Elias, the Republican Party is at risk
of becoming a distant and marginalized third party, in large part because of
the growing number of independents and "decline to state" voters.
Radio talk show host Michael Reagan is now labeling California a
"one-party state", akin to repressive regimes like North Korea and
Cuba. The economic damage devastating our business class and eroding tax
receipts has spelled out the obvious: state-sponsored liberalism is a morally
and philosophically bereft ideology, one which needs some healthy opposition if
the Golden State wishes to retain any of its luster.
According to the adopted son of native favorite Ronald Reagan, there are currently
too few Republicans in the legislature to stop the assembly-line nut house of
perverse and inconsequential laws cluttering up our state books and littering
our peace officers and public watchdogs with frivolous regulations.
What so few Democrats? The GOP has failed in selling its brand to growing
number if Hispanic voters, who have been conned into viewing the Republican Party
as a bastion of Ku Klux Klansmen who want to chase every Latino voter out of
the state. "No leadership. No heroes. Little money. No clear
message." Such is the string of indictments volleyed at the California
GOP. In my opinion, the jungle primary may be the start of a Republican
renaissance in California, offering moderate politicians the opportunity to
challenge some elements of primary ideology without compromising the message of
fiscal restraint.
In the 1960's, Governor Reagan did not make a fuss about abortion, and he
even raised taxes at one point. Like Governor Christie in New Jersey today,
Reagan made compromises where needed. He also commanded a greater deal of
respect from the Hispanic community in the state. To this day, his Simi Valley
Library showcases some of the Spanish-speaking poster from his first
gubernatorial campaign.
Some party operative ought to invest time and planning into how the GOP then
was able to corral the support of Hispanic voters, in the same manner that
Barry Goldwater invigorated a tiny following called "Negroes for
Goldwater" in 1964.
Minority voters on the whole are conservative, although they do not think of
themselves as Republican because of the liberal stigma attached to the term.