The Spectacle Blog
Going into this weekend’s California GOP convention in San Diego, the San Francisco Chronicle reports that conservative Republicans are at odds with gubernatorial candidate Meg Whitman’s moderate stances on illegal immigration and environmental regulation. The article also notes that Whitman is doing nothing to change the widespread perception of her as regally aloof:
Whitman plans a public event Friday outside the convention, but after an address to delegates that evening she has no plans to stay through the weekend to schmooze with ardent party supporters at hospitality suites, caucuses, seminars and meet-and-greet sessions.
In a report Monday, I noted that some California Republicans “harbor deep doubts” about Whitman. One activist told me that Whitman’s arms-length relationship with the GOP grassroots is “a repeat of Schwarzenegger all over again,” referring to the current Republican governor’s disinterest in party-building activities.
The Los Angeles Times reports that Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger will skip the state convention, and has only attended one of the past four semiannual Republican gatherings. Schwarzenegger “doesn’t give a damn about the local parties” and “doesn’t show up” for GOP fund-raisers or campaign events, the activist said — at least not since the state party helped Schwarzenegger pay off more than $2 million in debts for his 2006 re-election campaign.
A Los Angeles-area Republican said local party officials were promised that Whitman (who has spent upwards of $100 million of her own money on her gubernatorial campaign against Jerry Brown) would pay to set up GOP offices in each assembly district by July. “Now it’s mid-August, and no checks,” the Republican said. “Instead, Whitman has opened offices for her own campaign, and expects local activists to provide quid pro quo support for her campaign.”
While trying to take “total control of the state party,” the Republican said, “Whitman is looking out for herself and herself only.”
Several Republicans I spoke to in California are worried that friction — or, more accurately, a disconnect — between the Whitman campaign and local party activists could undermine prospects for GOP candidates in several potentially competive congressional races in the state.
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W.L. Barton| 8.19.10 @ 4:34PM
Are the wittle babies whining because the 'C" Whitman is not marching in lock Goose step, with the rest of you NAZI fascist.
Eric Cartman| 8.19.10 @ 5:38PM
This coming from a Commie Pinko Fag.
W'L' Barton| 8.20.10 @ 4:47PM
Tolstoyhad punk armchair warriors like you down pat.
The difference between Commies and fag Fascist like you, is comprable to the difference between dog and cat shit.
Now go get the dog offf your ugly Mama's stinkhole, sissy boy.
Shut up already, whiners| 8.19.10 @ 4:51PM
And of course the best way for the idiots that make up the California Republican Party to regain control of their party is to tell everyone how horrible of a candidate Whitman is, thus ensuring that Jerry Brown is elected governor. The petulance of these people and their Tea Party equivalents is doing incalculable damage to the chances of winning as many seats and governorship as possible.
WL| 8.20.10 @ 9:44AM
Hey There,
I have always been like you up until the last couple of elections. I was always interested in "the best horse in the race." Why? Because like you I know the damage that Democrats can do. However, I have changed my tune somewhat. While I don't think there is a totally correct answer to the ageless question of "Do I go with the flow and suck it up for the Party? VS. Do I withhold support and call foul on a candidate?, I think that both are important and correct, given the context. In this situation, I am in support of the opposition to Mrs. Whitman...(AT LEAST VOICING WHAT they fear may be a SWARTZZYY redux)
First Reason....The governer, while important, has NOT and will NOT sway the national power structure (directly at least). In senate and house races I feel just like you do.
Second reason, California has been stuck in the liberal trap for years now...wollowing in mud up to their face. THIS IS THE FIRST YEAR...that some glimmers of light are coming out of that state (election-wise) at least. It would be better to lose that election, than have ANOTHER reason for Californians to turn right back into the liberal vomit they are trying to clean off of themselves.
Now, overall, the reason I have changed my thinking as of late: I do not agree with the Bash Bush crowd, in that I don't think all that "holier than thou" crap is good for us and overall he wasn't NEARLY as flawed as people tend to think as the Swallow the Groupthink. HOWEVER....His adminstration was notoriously BAD at keeping their message and defenses up. They fell for the age-old LIE of not defending themselves, and/or trying to work with and cooperate with liberals, spenders, etc etc etc...and Sir....please look around you...take a look at the President...take a look at Reid's agenda....take a look at Pelosi's "achievements"...take a look at all of it....health care....race-baiting....mosque dustup...weakness....bowing....bitterness...reasonable predictions of America possibly having seen it's best days...and horrible depression is ahead...etc etc.....and ask yourself....Even though President Bush did NOT cause it....
HIS FAILURES LET IN SOMEONE WHO DID.
That's why reasonable purging is not always bad.
W. L. Barton| 8.20.10 @ 4:51PM
More proof Lee Atwater's mentor was right, who by the way is a current resident of hell, was right.
Projection Debate will lead sheep, like the scum in this cesspool of right wing wackos, right to the slaughter.
Eric Cartman| 8.19.10 @ 5:37PM
Let California sink into the abyss of debt, Liberal idiocy and illegal alien filth. Its beyond help and should pay heavily for its Liberal Shamanism. Let it go Third World.
W.L. Barton| 8.22.10 @ 1:39PM
Thanks you Ronnie "Iran contra" reagan for giving the illegals amnesty, so your rich donors could hire them at a dollar a day.
And then Shrub let them in by the droves, so his rich donors could build all the houses, for the bubble to burst. Shrub, and his cronies at Goldman Sachs laughed all the way to the bank.
Thanks for causing another Great Depression Shrub, you fullfilled Ray-Gun's legacy.
Stan Marsh| 8.19.10 @ 6:14PM
Sadly, Eric, we are well on our way already. Never seen so much immature, selfish, shortsighted thinking in my life.
Jeff| 8.19.10 @ 7:35PM
It is no secret in California that our choices for governor are dreadful. Yes, Jerry Brown is a proven failure, but Whitman is no savior. She failed to even vote until recently and is a viable candidate only because of the amount of her personal wealth which she is willing to spend on her campaign. Her platform is generally superficial and she was very quick to go negative in the primary, even though it wasn't necessary. I doubt that she has any strong political beliefs or values which she wants to promote. She just wants to be the governor. Unfortunately, California very much needs strong leadership and reform. It is unlikely to come from either Whitman or Brown.
Martin Owens| 8.20.10 @ 7:55AM
All too horribly true.
I suggest changing California's state seal from Athena looking over a bright future, to " The Raft of the Medusa".
martin j smith| 8.20.10 @ 7:56AM
This year ( even more so than other years ) WINNING -- get it ? So bear that in mind when you get angry at people who you disagree with in your part or at least against the LEFT. That doesn't mean you shut up. But it does mean be civil and don't get bent out of shape.
W.L. Barton| 8.20.10 @ 11:56AM
The only subject that matters to me is gay marriage and trans-gender surgery being paid for by the state.
james wilson| 8.20.10 @ 12:00PM
Anyone who thinks California has hit bottom is badly mistaken. The clearest evidence for that is the choice in candidates. No doubt you will choose Arnold in a dress, but Brown is better for the cure.
kingsmill| 8.20.10 @ 1:10PM
A female Romney. No substance.
former New Jerseyan| 8.20.10 @ 2:16PM
ALWAYS be susipicious of female GOP gubernatorial candidates named Whitman.
ONTIME| 8.20.10 @ 7:25PM
Whitman is a new animal and she has real world hands on experience, more than on can say about RINO Ahhhhhnoooold, that doesn't mean she gets a free pass. It will be to her best interest to be upfront and EARN the vote she wants, because I'll be damned if she is going to get it from me any other way.....How many of you out there want to have OL'Flakey back in office again, any fruit flies got anything to say??
TeaPartyPatriot| 8.21.10 @ 6:18PM
Lunatic-left d-crat socialist slugs, slackers, deadbeats, losers, liars, cheats, illegals and hollywood degenerates: THIS IS THE OVERWHELMING MAJORITY IN CALIFORNIA - not the relatively few responsible citizens in the San Joaquin Valley and Orange County. With this majority the d-crat socialists in the CA legislature have had total freedom to morally, ethically, socially, politically AND economically bankrupt the state. It won't change anytime soon, even if a lying rino like fiorina is elected senator or even if whitman (Arnie the 2nd) buys the governor job. They will cater to the same low-life that the socialists do - because that's all there is!
Benito| 8.23.10 @ 5:38PM
The Republicans are so funny, when the economy is good you say let’s all celebrate “Cinco de Mayo, my brothers” but when the economy is down “it’s all your fault, you damn immigrant”. When most Americans (with Latin America roots) go to the polls this November we will remember that the GOP has gone on a nationwide rant in proposing and passing several anti-immigration legislation and have continue to blame us for the flat economy or worse. We will remember who stands with us and who stands against us, so trying to stop it now is somewhat funny, but go ahead, you will not change our minds. Your hate made you do it, in November; you will reap what you have sown.
T. H. Huxley| 8.23.10 @ 11:07PM
Meg Whitman, Agriculture, and Illegal Immigrants
The California Farm Bureau endorses Meg Whitman. What a surprise. Meg Whitman proposes a tax credit for the agriculture industry, “to encourage investments in water-conservation technology . . . .” I don’t understand. What ever happened to the free market? Sell the water to the highest bidders. That’s supposed to maximize revenue and minimize waste. According to right wingers, tax credits encourage waste. It’s not like agribusiness can take the land and go to another state. If some farms are inefficient and go out of business, someone else will step in and fill the void. Isn’t that how it works? For that matter, the free market may dictate that the land is best used for some other purpose.
According to an NPR piece, about 70% of California farm workers are uninsured. So California tax payers are expected to give agribusiness tax credits and pay the healthcare costs for their employees? The free market at work again?
Everyone knows that a significant number of farm workers, and other unskilled labor, are illegal aliens. Meg Whitman’s solution to illegal immigration is to build a border fence. How large would you make the fence? I’ve worked in construction, so don’t hand me a line of BS on this one. If the wall extends 10 feet underground, you can easily tunnel under it; if it extends 20 feet above ground, all you need is a ladder; and if it’s 3 feet thick, it’s easy to go through it. If you look at a map, the border between the U.S. and Mexico is almost 2000 miles. That’s a massive undertaking!!! The truth is that Illegal immigration would come to a screeching halt if employers had to confirm an employee’s immigration status. This could easily be done using the Social Security Administration. Fine employers who don’t comply! Meg Whitman thinks Californians are a bunch of morons. In fact, virtually no politician in either party wants to do anything about it. This topic is brought up election after election, but nothing meaningful is ever done. They want the cheap labor!!! Illegal immigrants drive down the wages of all unskilled labor. All these politicians are happy to waste your tax dollars on ineffective measures, as long as they can make it look like they’re doing something.
Oh yeah, last year Meg Whitman wanted to prosecute illegal aliens; this year it’s a fence. What’s it going to be next year?
Benito| 8.26.10 @ 11:32PM
THH: The most outrageous racial profile law was AZ SB1070, the one that failed in our US Courts that the proponents claimed was Constitutional. Considering that all the numbers of crime are down (even ex-governor Janet Napolitano agrees).
So we have Brewer signing a bill (that she probably did not even read), lying about the crime rates in AZ, and now we find out that she is in the pockets of PRIVATE PRISONS who stand to benefit with the increase Federal jailing.
So quit lying, with your pathelic rhetoric, stand up and be men, no, no I am sorry your leaders are now just Birthers, Baggers and Blowhards and will contine to take the GOP towards obscurity because they are no longer a party of ideas, just of empty suits. Good bye, fawell....
T. H. Huxley| 8.30.10 @ 11:40PM
Benito: I agree with you on AZ SB1070. I believe it violates the fourth amendment, which prohibits unreasonable searches and seizures. The right wingers like to quote the founding fathers, so I’ll quote Ben Franklin:
"Those who would give up Essential Liberty to purchase a little Temporary Safety deserve neither Liberty nor Safety"
My point was that illegal immigration is a policy that’s tacitly endorsed by both Democrats and Repulicans, but only Republicans are morally bankrupt enough to take both sides of the issue. On November 17, 2008, both Johm McCain (R) and Lindsey Graham (R) met with Obama (D) to discuss a path to citizenship for illegal immigrants. Now, in an election year, both McCain and Graham have done a complete reversal. Now they want troops at the border, border fences, etc. People like McCain and Graham don’t give a damn about what rank and file right wingers think, when it’s not an election year. Both are in debt to corporations, and, in the end, they’ll make sure the corporations’ll get their low-wage labor. And, I agree with you about prisons. Privately owned prisons are now big corporate interests. Like other corporations, I’m sure they lobby to increase their revenue, which means incarcerating as many people as possible without regard to justice. I think it’s ridiculous that so many low-level marijuana users are incarcerated, when the National Pedophile Registry shows that a majority of people have one or more convicted sex offenders within a few blocks of their homes. Any sane parent would rather live next door to a pot head than a pedophile.
Benito| 9.8.10 @ 12:22AM
In the last four months Jan Brewer has been caught lying, three times and counting.
The comments made on June 16, 2010, and June 27, 2010, clearly indicates that the Brewer says that immigrants are beheading people in the United States desert. She first ran away from the question and the press when confronted with the question. She finally when to FOX/ FAKE News to recant her lie.
When Brewer was confronted with the fact the two of her top Advisors (Paul Senseman, Chuck Coughlin) are lobbyist for “Private Prisons” giant CCA she first ran away from the question and the press.
In an attempt to gain sympathy, she first said her father had died in Germany fighting the Nazi in World War II (which ended 1945) but of course we find out the truth that her father was never in Germany and died in California in 1955. Do you see a trend here?
Brewer signed into law SB 1070 Bill (Did she even read it?), lied about the crime rates in AZ (even Janet Napolitano knows that all crimes rates went down), and now we find out that she is in the pockets of PRIVATE PRISONS who stand to benefit with the increase Federal jailing, and thus they will pay her back, I wonder if it has to do anything about the fact that her son was transferred to a brand new prison, he was convicted for rape and sexual assault, I guess the fruit does not fall far the tree.
“AZ Crime Rates”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0eb4mMk6XgQ
“Father Lie”
http://vodpod.com/watch/377159.....ing-in-ww2
Pedro | 10.10.10 @ 10:37PM
Benito, Benito, Benito are you here legally, ese? You don't soun' like no stinkin' citizen to me.
T H Huxley| 10.14.10 @ 11:01PM
Pedro: I don't know anything about Benito's immigration status, but his information is factual. He even gives references. You right wingers always resort to ad hominem attacks, which just shows you don't have the intellect or the facts to refute the points he made.