One of the reasons the CAGOP (California Republican Party) is doing so poorly is Bill Simon. Or, more accurately, the fact that the CAGOP ran Simon...
Being both fiscally and (more importantly) morally conservative, Simon was everything that Californians tend to think of as the enemy. California was willing to elect just about anyone who wasn’t Davis, until we met Simon. Simon was supposed to have been our savior from Davis, but it turned out that Davis was our protection from Simon. And the CAGOP was the entity that made the choice. If there seems to be a lot of skepticism about the CAGOP, it can be laid at that one decision...
So, Rice as the 2006 nominee? It would show that the CAGOP takes us seriously. We are quite looking forward to the novelty of having Arnold Schwarzenegger be the second "predator" Governor, but Rice brings more gravitas to the position. Hell, if the Republican Party wants to win California in 2008, having Rice as Gov. in 2006 would be a good place to start...
Having Condi Rice as governor of California will certainly boost the CAGOP quite a bit. I just hope she can win. The real reason that Republicans are doing so poorly in California is the Christian Coalition. They have gotten control of the state party and have just about ruined it. The WSJ featured a story in 1996 with a headline saying “Social Conservatives Would Rather Lose Out of Principle Than Compromise and Win.” It was a story featuring the man permanently in a wheelchair who eventually received the nomination for the congressional district around Santa Barbara formerly held by Louis Capps. He lost in a big way to Capp’s wife Lois.
The Republicans passed over a stronger candidate named Firestone who could have won. Remember Ronald Reagan lives around Santa Barbara. This remains a Republican congressional district that is represented by a Democrat to this day. The man who won featured abortion as his flagship issue. If the CAGOP can get past this, then I believe they actually have a chance.
Some analysts note that Bill Simon did surprisingly well, despite making some major boneheaded political rookie mistakes. They also noted that Richard Riordan gave Republicans no reason to support him, since he stood for nothing they cared about at all.
Some suspect that Simon may well have a future in California politics. I suppose we'll see.
Schwartzenegger would be an interesting choice for governor, but Rice would be a healthy thing for a number of bigger and more important reasons. Too bad she has to wait until 2006.
I think Condi as Gov of CA is important for more global reasons. Governors have done well in presidential bids over the last 20 years. Reagan, Carter, Clinton, and Bush 43 were all Govs. The public seems to view the position more and more as a Farm League for presidents.
Giving Condi the Gov experience would set her up nicely to run for Pres in 08' against Hillary. The brilliant GOP strategy would completely level Clinton's advantage with women voters and african american. Plus, condi rice is as qualified for president as anyone...I vote for here without a second's hesitation.
Hopefully my job will transfer me to California so I can vote for her (HA..HA, HA). While I am a Democrat, I feel that considering the circumstances, she is doing an excellent job.
There are many in the africa-american community that consider her an "Uncle Tom." I feel that this is being said mainly because she is in a position of authority under a presidency that receives little or no respect from many blacks in politics and in the media. While I have mixed feelings about the administration, I have the highest respect for Ms. Rice. If Hillary can be elected to the Senate without much hesitation, why not Coni for governor?
I wish that she would consider run for the presidency in 04 and throw Al Sharpton off gaurd!
As I think you just alluded to, Dean, there could easily be a new Governor of California well before 2006, given the quite credible chances the recall petition has. What's interesting about this scenario is that: 1) a plurality, no matter how small, gets the job; and 2) the Dems' arguable frontrunners to succeed Davis, Lt. Governor Cruz Bustamante and AG Bill Lockyer, would almost certainly not be on there, given their fear of what Davis would do to them if he survived. Both these factors make a GOP victory more likely. Of course, they'd also then be cohabiting with a Dem Lt. Governor, who'd invariably run amok as Acting Governor if they ever set foot outside the state.
I think Condi's chances in such a race would be very good, but given the national security situation right now I doubt she'd leave so early. 2006 is still a ways off.
One of the reasons the CAGOP (California Republican Party) is doing so poorly is Bill Simon. Or, more accurately, the fact that the CAGOP ran Simon...
Being both fiscally and (more importantly) morally conservative, Simon was everything that Californians tend to think of as the enemy. California was willing to elect just about anyone who wasn’t Davis, until we met Simon. Simon was supposed to have been our savior from Davis, but it turned out that Davis was our protection from Simon. And the CAGOP was the entity that made the choice. If there seems to be a lot of skepticism about the CAGOP, it can be laid at that one decision...
So, Rice as the 2006 nominee? It would show that the CAGOP takes us seriously. We are quite looking forward to the novelty of having Arnold Schwarzenegger be the second "predator" Governor, but Rice brings more gravitas to the position. Hell, if the Republican Party wants to win California in 2008, having Rice as Gov. in 2006 would be a good place to start...
Having Condi Rice as governor of California will certainly boost the CAGOP quite a bit. I just hope she can win. The real reason that Republicans are doing so poorly in California is the Christian Coalition. They have gotten control of the state party and have just about ruined it. The WSJ featured a story in 1996 with a headline saying “Social Conservatives Would Rather Lose Out of Principle Than Compromise and Win.” It was a story featuring the man permanently in a wheelchair who eventually received the nomination for the congressional district around Santa Barbara formerly held by Louis Capps. He lost in a big way to Capp’s wife Lois.
The Republicans passed over a stronger candidate named Firestone who could have won. Remember Ronald Reagan lives around Santa Barbara. This remains a Republican congressional district that is represented by a Democrat to this day. The man who won featured abortion as his flagship issue. If the CAGOP can get past this, then I believe they actually have a chance.
Yes, we should be that lucky. We really, really should be.
Some analysts note that Bill Simon did surprisingly well, despite making some major boneheaded political rookie mistakes. They also noted that Richard Riordan gave Republicans no reason to support him, since he stood for nothing they cared about at all.
Some suspect that Simon may well have a future in California politics. I suppose we'll see.
Schwartzenegger would be an interesting choice for governor, but Rice would be a healthy thing for a number of bigger and more important reasons. Too bad she has to wait until 2006.
Or will she, Justene?
I think Condi as Gov of CA is important for more global reasons. Governors have done well in presidential bids over the last 20 years. Reagan, Carter, Clinton, and Bush 43 were all Govs. The public seems to view the position more and more as a Farm League for presidents.
Giving Condi the Gov experience would set her up nicely to run for Pres in 08' against Hillary. The brilliant GOP strategy would completely level Clinton's advantage with women voters and african american. Plus, condi rice is as qualified for president as anyone...I vote for here without a second's hesitation.
Hopefully my job will transfer me to California so I can vote for her (HA..HA, HA). While I am a Democrat, I feel that considering the circumstances, she is doing an excellent job.
There are many in the africa-american community that consider her an "Uncle Tom." I feel that this is being said mainly because she is in a position of authority under a presidency that receives little or no respect from many blacks in politics and in the media. While I have mixed feelings about the administration, I have the highest respect for Ms. Rice. If Hillary can be elected to the Senate without much hesitation, why not Coni for governor?
I wish that she would consider run for the presidency in 04 and throw Al Sharpton off gaurd!
As I think you just alluded to, Dean, there could easily be a new Governor of California well before 2006, given the quite credible chances the recall petition has. What's interesting about this scenario is that: 1) a plurality, no matter how small, gets the job; and 2) the Dems' arguable frontrunners to succeed Davis, Lt. Governor Cruz Bustamante and AG Bill Lockyer, would almost certainly not be on there, given their fear of what Davis would do to them if he survived. Both these factors make a GOP victory more likely. Of course, they'd also then be cohabiting with a Dem Lt. Governor, who'd invariably run amok as Acting Governor if they ever set foot outside the state.
I think Condi's chances in such a race would be very good, but given the national security situation right now I doubt she'd leave so early. 2006 is still a ways off.