California Republican Party on the ropes
I blogged about this in December. The GOP is in trouble in California. A story in today's San Francisco Chronicle details angst within the California Republican Party organization as state's GOP convention nears.
"The registration gap (with Democrats) is widening, contributions are drying up, key posts have been left open for a year, staff is being laid off and there is a never-ending string of reports which is causing long-term damage to the image of the party," wrote Larry Dodge, a CEO whom the party owes $3 million, in a letter to GOP leaders last month.
The party can't pay Dodge, who lent the state GOP that amount in 2005 to help re-elect Gov. Arnold Schwartzenegger, and he's furious.
My brother works for the Republicans inside the Capitol , on the staff of state Sen. Sam Aanestad. The GOP is suffering from a serious split between moderates and the right-wing. The governor is the state GOP's single success story in recent years, but most conservatives consider him a RINO (Republican In Name Only). Increasingly, Arnie seems more aligned with the other side of the aisle.
I find it hard to believe that $3 million is a major obstacle for the state GOP. Rob Arkley probably has that much in his super saver personal checking account.
I do find it very telling that the Republicans can't keep up with the Democrats in fundraising. My, how the tables have turned. If major political donors are snubbing the Republican Party this election cycle, the schism in the party must be worse than I thought.
Comments
Andy: At least as far as Sam Aanestad is concerned, from my perspective as an editor in Sam Aanestad's home of Nevada County, if he is an example of the GOP in California, their problem is one of arrogance and elitism. In three years I could not get Dr. Aanestad to sit down with our Editorial Board to discuss policy issues. The only time I actually met him was when we ran into each other at a social event — and one of his handlers (not your brother; it was a woman) stepped between us to effect his escape. We actually had more contact with our assemblyman, who was from far-off Chico.
Posted by: Rich Somerville | February 17, 2008 01:51 PM
Rich,
Hopefully my brother has had some influence on matters of the media on Sam's staff. He hasn't been on his staff long, a few years maybe. Unlike a lot of legislative staffers, my brother isn't afraid of the media, being a former broadcast journalist and married to a Sac TV reporter. I wish more of our state legislators from rural districts would employ those with journalism experience on their staffs. Patty Berg doesn't have a full time press person, I don't believe, but her chief of staff, Will Shuck, is a former newspaperman.
Posted by: Andrew Bird | February 17, 2008 10:16 PM
I just don't see any connection between the word "success" and Arnold Schwarzenegger unless massive red ink is the measure.
Posted by: Robb Willis | March 6, 2008 09:20 AM