Blognonymo.us

OK, setting aside the seemingly extreme views the actor-wannabe-president (Fred Thompson), one has to wonder if the GOP really ready to jump off a cliff in 2008? You'd think that with Bush's approval ratings in the terrible twenties, the field of contenders would play to the center in an attempt to woo moderates. In fact, in a speech to the California State GOP Convention, this was exactly the advice that Governor Schwarzenegger had for his party. He encouraged his fellow Republicans to tackle issues California's voters care about like health-care and global-warming, but the address got a decidedly chilly reception.

You know who California's Republicans do like? Bush's successor in Texas, the wingnut Rick Perry. He brought the convention to its feet with an address that derided moderation and attacked California's "bankrupt, liberal political philosophy".

Now it could be that Governor Perry has forgotten that Republicans haven't won California in a Presidential election since 1988, but I doubt it. Attempting to appeal to independents doesn't appear to be in his playbook--nor the GOP's for that matter, and no wonder. Perry comes from a state where gerrymandering has delivered a comfortable conservative majority. Here in California though, you don't get elected without at least paying lip service to social issues. Schwarzenegger knows this and knows that it will matter in 2008, even is his party doesn't.

Guess the GOP really is going to need to steal California's electors in order to get their man into the White House in 2008.

Tags: Schwarzenegger, GOP, elections
Categories: politics, GOP, elections