California Republican Party (CRP) delegates, 1465 in number, are
to meet in statewide convention twice each year. Such was the case
two weekends ago at the LAX Marriott near Long Beach. It has been
my privilege to be a delegate to these conventions for most of the
past 20 years.
California Republican Party (CRP) delegates, 1465 in number, are to meet in statewide convention twice each year. Such was the case two weekends ago at the LAX Marriott near Long Beach. It has been my privilege to be a delegate to these conventions for most of the past 20 years.
For the number crunchers: 220 members were not able to attend. They were represented by individuals to whom they assigned their proxies. There were 744 members were on hand. Almost 66 percent of the CRP members were represented. One-third of those eligible to vote stayed away. Not an impressive showing in my opinion.
On the other hand, this convention logged record breaking attendance figures. There were well over 200 requests for press credentials. The luncheon featuring Arnold Schwartzenegger as a candidate for governor was sold out, as was nearly so, the overflow room with giant video screen.
Hardly anyone wearing a delegate’s badge in the hallways, failed to be interviewed at least twice by news persons seeking a new angle. There were the usual how-to training seminars, standing committee meetings (resolutions, rules, agriculture, Republican veterans, etc.). Other major events at such conventions are the (what used to be smoke-filled) strategy sessions in invitation-only back rooms, hospitality suites where candidates and issues groups schmooze and build networks with new supporters, pep rallies and late nights over coffee or cold ones, just hanging with old friends, swapping political war stories.
If you would like to experience such an event mark down next Feb. 20-22 in Burlingame. Anyone can walk in off the street, look halfway important and cruise the hospitality suites chatting with the folks you read about on the news pages. If you’d rather go first class go by registration and get a guest credential. It gets you into a few more events.
Overshadowing all that activity was what I see as a classic political false argument: Unless Tom McClintock drops out, he and Arnold will split the Republican vote and Cruz Boost-your-taxes will be governor.
In a press conference, McClintock’s opening statement to a group limited to reporters, “If any of you can give me a more succinct way of saying, ‘No, I will not drop out,’ please share it with me!”
He submitted to their questioning for most of an hour. As he was leaving the room, one of the most critical reporters said to me, “McClintock did a good job. He’s for real!”
A large block of convention delegates, supplemented by guests, drawn by star power, attempted to create the image that Arnold was the runaway leader over McClintock. The image was further supplemented by endorsements from leading conservative Republican congressmen and state legislators.
I’ll stake four decades of political experience and insight against theirs, and say, “It is not so, and you have embarrassed yourselves and the CRP.” On Oct. 8 lots of conservatives who supported Arnold because McClintock couldn’t win are going to have egg on their face.
Let us reason together.
Regarding the press telling Republicans who is their best candidate – When did the press last have Republican success as their goal?
Regarding Gov. Davis defeating the recall o n Oct. 7 – Well over one-third of those signing the recall petition were registered Democrats.
Regarding Lt. Gov. Bustamante – Duf Sundheim made this point. Is there anyone on the planet, who believes he is going to vote no on recall?
Regarding Arnold Schwartzenegger – Is there anyone who can make a case, based upon sound reason, that he understands principles of American government, has the political backbone and strength of character to pull this state out of the mess it is in?
Regarding Tom McClintock – Even his opponents admit that he is the most qualified for the task facing our next governor. What they ignore is that his campaign is the only campaign gaining strength while Cruz Boost-your-taxes and Arnold Schwartz-his-name appear to have peaked out.
Consider: Perhaps half the Republicans supporting Arnold are conservative. Their reasoning is that it would be better to support Arnold than risk losing to the Democrat.
As conservative candidate McClintock’s campaign continues to gain strength, their preference will shift. Remember, McC entered the race with the largest, most loyal voter base. He lost the statewide controller’s race by half a vote per precinct and drew over a hundred thousand more votes for controller than Simon drew for governor while being undercut by RINOs in his own party.
Remember too, this is not a political movement. This is a populist movement. A populist movement often lacks a clear leader. Such movements are internally fueled and gather strength from within.
Such, I believe is California’s recall activity. The McClintock phenomenon, will continue to increase as more people hear him speak, as neighbor tells neighbor, e-mail and talk radio overwhelms spin with reason, lies with truth, apathy with action. Evidence of this is found in the relative insignificance of leading conservative Republican opposition upon the rise of McClintock’s strength.
We the people are on the verge of a righteous revolution. We are involved in something grand. We have discovered that we can make a difference. Should politicized judges or Democrats wearing Republican name tags throw speed bumps in our path, it will only add strength and momentum to what is happening at the grassroots level.
We are focused. We are about to take back our state. We may never have a more qualified candidate for the task at hand with the mechanics more in our favor.
Ben Gilmore is a Morgan Hill businessman. The Board of Contributors is comprised of local writers whose views appear on Tuesdays and Friday.
