◼ The dismal state of the Republican Party in the nation’s largest state is a subject that's beyond debate. But the question of who or what is responsible for the collapse of the California GOP remains a highly charged issue, as indicated by the response to Adam Nagourney’s New York Times report today. - Charles Mahtesian/Politico
◼ Nagourney writes that the state party is “caught in a cycle of relentless decline, and appears in danger of shrinking to the rank of a minor party.”
There is not a single Republican holding statewide office. Democrats overwhelmingly control the State Assembly and Senate. In interviews, Republicans were unable to come up with any names of credible candidates preparing to run for statewide office. By contrast, the Democratic bench is bustling with ambitious younger politicians who are waiting for their moment.
◼ Tom Del Beccaro responds on Facebook:
The New York Times piece is grossly inaccurate. It reads like someone who wrote it by doing minimal surface research and calling the usual suspects/detractors. At the start of this year, we were told that Republicans would lose seats in the Congress, Senate and Assembly - that Armageddon was around the corner. However, independent analysts without an ax to grind now see the Republicans holding serve in Congress, possibly picking up seats in Congress and holding on to their Senate seats. This November, Prop 32 could well pass bring reforms to our system including barring direct contributions from corporations and unions and paycheck protection. When that passes, California will have a more level playing field, Republicans will have a new day and be rather competitive statewide.
◼ Calif. GOP chair slams Times story - Charles Mahtesian/Politico
The chairman is correct that, aside from the presidential race, this could be a decent year for the state GOP — at the congressional level at least, the situation no longer looks as grim for the California GOP House delegation.
But even with the reforms Del Beccaro points to, it’s still a long road back to the days when Marin County was competitive, when Orange County could accurately be called “America’s Most Republican County,” and California regularly produced nominees for the national GOP ticket.
