California’s largest partisan political organization, CRA
(California Republican Assembly) is approaching its 70th
birthday.
California’s largest partisan political organization, CRA (California Republican Assembly) is approaching its 70th birthday. Five members of their local chapter, Gilroy/Morgan Hill Republican Assembly, were delegates to a convention in Burbank on Aug. 7-10. They were Ben Gilmore, chapter President Pat Morrissey, CRA Senate District Director Mark Zappa, Jim Hallum and Dottie Stewart.
Half a dozen years ago, CRA inspired the formation of other state level Republican Assemblies (RAs). The association of these state-by-state clubs is chartered at the National Federation of Republican Assemblies (NFRA). NFRA holds national conventions every two years.
This network of political activists share the conservative philosophy of government that once prompted (then) President Reagan to call CRA “the conscience of the Republican Party.” NFRA’s usual focus in upon endorsement of presidential candidates. As expected, this year’s endorsement went to President Bush. It was not without several points of contention.
Among the resolutions passed by these political activists, each represent grassroots in their respective states, were calls for independence from the United Nations, defense of the 10th Amendment which called upon each state governor to remind those in Washington, D.C., that we are a union of sovereign states and are not to be considered as “agents” of the federal government. U.S. Senate leadership was taken to task for allowing a few members to block up or down votes on confirmation of judicial nominees. Another resolution was in support of Alabama Chief Justice Roy Moore who is refusing a federal court order to remove a 2 plus ton granite monument featuring the Ten Commandments from state property.
CRA held its own semi-annual state convention in conjunction with the NFRA function in Burbank. Thr CRA Executive Committee hosted Gerry Parsky, reputed to be “the president’s man” in California. His recent association with conservative Republicans in the state has been highly controversial.
Parsky said his involvement began in 1999 when then Gov. Bush asked him to chair his presidential campaign in California. He quoted Gov. Bush, “We need to change things in California to win.” According to Parsky, the California Republican Party (CRP) needs to solidify. He pointed out that there are 11.5 million more Democrats in California than Republicans. He said his concern about the Recall, (strongly supported by the delegates at the CRP state convention last spring) was that debate would focus on the process and not upon a failed governor.
There was an informal reception one night as delegates from various states became acquainted and discussed the state of their respective areas of influence. Thus far, grassroots Republicans in 42 of 50 states have formed RAs.
Chartered buses the following morning took delegates to a VIP luncheon at the beautiful Reagan Library in Simi Valley. Featuring a full-scale reproduction of the oval office and countless items of Reagan memorabilia (even the retired “Air Force 1” is being reassembled beside the library).
The speaker at the luncheon was John Gizzi, senior political correspondent for Human Events, the nation’s premier conservative weekly. Also sharing interesting stories was John Barletta who headed up the security team at the Reagan Ranch.
Friday evening the delegates honored Hollywood personalities who are Republican. Ted Baehr, editor of “Movie Guide” served as master of ceremonies.The bevy of personalities who took turns receiving plaques of appreciation and sharing comments with the delegates was headed up by Jane Russell, as beautiful at 82 as she was in her youth. Mel Gibson sent a message that he very much wanted to attend. With the message was a portion of his latest film, “Passion.”
Saturday was a day of work for the delegates. Their morning was spent in intensive political training sessions. They had a working lunch, which included a rousing address from state Sen. Tom McClintock about the state of affairs in California. He spoke of his jobless parents moving to California in 1965 and settling in a house they purchased for $35,000. His point: Were they to move to California today that house would be far too expensive for his parents at several hundred thousand dollars.
He offered a “Covenant with California””that if elected governor he would, “Use the same illegal authority Gov. Davis used to triple the car tax, and roll it back to where it was.” He continued, “The $42 billion overpriced electrical contracts were negotiated under clear conflict of interest and I will move to void them.”
His third point concerned revision of the workman’s compensation plan that is driving businesses and jobs out of our state.
After lunch there were more training sessions. Saturday evening featured addresses by Bill Federer, president of Amerisearch and best selling author. He shared the program with Bill Simon, another conservative candidate for governor.
Simon shared that we stand on the verge of making History in California by recalling the most corrupt governor in California’s history. He mentioned the problems with the workman’s compensation program saying, “If the legislature won’t cut it, I’ll put it on the ballot as an initiative.” He pointed out that we have the lowest credit rating and how that is costing every person in California. He made if very clear that he opposes abortion and adheres to traditional family values. He supports Ward Connerly’s fight against racial preferences. Regarding border control, he promised that as governor he would pressure the feds to do their job.
Actor Pat Boone demonstrated his knowledge of America’s Christian history in an exciting address during the Sunday morning prayer breakfast for delegates.Following that, the NFRA delegates voted to endorse President Bush for a second term. They discussed and passed resolutions, elected new officers and adjourned.
The delegates from CRA then opened their meeting for nominations for endorsement for governor. Arnold Schwarzenegger, Tom McClintock, and Bill Simon were nominated. The vote for McClintock was well over the two-thirds vote required for CRA endorsement. Next they endorsed Assemblyman Tony Strickland for U.S. Senate to replace Senator Barbara Boxer.
The CRA convention adjourned shortly after noon on Sunday.
Ben Gilmore is a Morgan Hill businessman. The Board of Contributors is comprised of local writers whose views appear on Tuesdays and Friday.
