The Other McCain

"One should either write ruthlessly what one believes to be the truth, or else shut up." — Arthur Koestler

Greetings From California!

Posted on | August 13, 2010 | 10 Comments

WOODLAND HILLS, Calif. — My host, Ladd Ehlinger Jr., tells me that this is known as the “Porn Capital of the World,” but that’s not why I’m here or why Ladd’s here. He’s doing political ads, trying to bring to California some of the viral video magic he patented in Alabama. (See: The greatest political ad ever.)

Among other things, the topic that interests me is the same question a lot of conservatives keep asking, “What the #$%* is wrong with the California Republican Party?” (Short answer: Everything.) Some of the stories I’ve heard about the incompetent bumbling of this state’s GOP . . . well, it’s sad and tragic. This is a year when there might be hope for Republicans in California, but if the state party can’t get its act together, opportunities will be lost.

California is not lost, but Republicans in this state have got to stop playing “me too” politics. To quote Jennifer Rubin: “The opposition party must oppose.”

We have scheduled a blogger meet-up Saturday in Santa Monica — Little Miss Atilla, Joe Fein and the Rhetorican have already RSVP’d — and my schedule today will include, among other things, watching Ladd audition actresses for parts in his upcoming commercials.

EXIT QUESTION: Should Republicans write off a congressional district that went 53?% for Arnold Schwarzenegger in 2006?

UPDATE: Da Tech Guy points out that “the establishment hasn’t actually led the charge in this cycle.”

UPDATE II: Dave Weigel examines the danger of dismissing “crazy” candidates.

Category: California, Congress

Comments

10 Responses to “Greetings From California!”

  1. Virginia Right! News Hound for 8/13/2010 | Virginia Right!
    August 13th, 2010 @ 5:59 am

    […] Greetings From California! […]

  2. Stacy Stacy Stacy… « Da Techguy's Blog
    August 13th, 2010 @ 8:32 am

    […] new media, republicans, sarah palin, tea party 0 You actually have to ask if we should write off Calif 36? Well I shouldn’t be surprised, after all the establishment hasn’t actually led the […]

  3. proof
    August 13th, 2010 @ 12:35 pm

    Santa Monica? Nice! Be sure you get out to the beach before you head home. Maybe stop by Reagan’s old digs.

    Should Republicans write off a congressional district that went 53?% for Arnold Schwarzenegger? No. As you say, everything is wrong out here. Sometimes you have to vote for the lesser of two evils. I think a lot of Arnie voters would vote for a real Republican, given the chance.

  4. proof
    August 13th, 2010 @ 8:35 am

    Santa Monica? Nice! Be sure you get out to the beach before you head home. Maybe stop by Reagan’s old digs.

    Should Republicans write off a congressional district that went 53?% for Arnold Schwarzenegger? No. As you say, everything is wrong out here. Sometimes you have to vote for the lesser of two evils. I think a lot of Arnie voters would vote for a real Republican, given the chance.

  5. Ric Locke
    August 13th, 2010 @ 9:54 pm

    I commend your efforts, but please, please do NOT save the California Republican Party, unless by that you mean taking down the logo, steam-cleaning the establishment, then re-erecting the sign over a completely new bunch.

    When I lived there, thirty years ago, the CRP (supply your own vowel) had already degenerated into a thoroughly disgusting gang of time-servers and time-wasters leavened with perverts, whose only real goal was to protect and preserve their graft under the twin banners of “Muggins’ turn” and “Us too, but we’re cheaper!” It hasn’t got better since.

    If you want to know why Hollywood is almost totally moonbat, look no farther than California Republicans. Their antics would force almost any decent person to go with the other guys, just to avoid the association.

    Regards,
    Ric

  6. Ric Locke
    August 13th, 2010 @ 5:54 pm

    I commend your efforts, but please, please do NOT save the California Republican Party, unless by that you mean taking down the logo, steam-cleaning the establishment, then re-erecting the sign over a completely new bunch.

    When I lived there, thirty years ago, the CRP (supply your own vowel) had already degenerated into a thoroughly disgusting gang of time-servers and time-wasters leavened with perverts, whose only real goal was to protect and preserve their graft under the twin banners of “Muggins’ turn” and “Us too, but we’re cheaper!” It hasn’t got better since.

    If you want to know why Hollywood is almost totally moonbat, look no farther than California Republicans. Their antics would force almost any decent person to go with the other guys, just to avoid the association.

    Regards,
    Ric

  7. California Reporter Nick Green Says He Is ‘Victim of an Andrew Breitbart Wannabe’ : The Other McCain
    August 13th, 2010 @ 11:21 pm

    […] as I had any interest in California politics, per se, it was to find an answer to the question, “What the #$%* is wrong with the California Republican Party?”What I’m trying to get across here is that I was utterly unaware of Nick Green’s […]

  8. Fear And Loathing: California Schemin’ « The Camp Of The Saints
    August 13th, 2010 @ 11:45 pm

    […] mystery deepens in his first dispatch from La-La-Land: why is he staying in Woodland Hills, The Porn Capital Of The […]

  9. Jeff C.
    August 14th, 2010 @ 4:49 am

    That map of the 36th is indicative of exactly what is wrong with the CRP. The Dems and Reps got together and gerrymandered safe districts for all the incumbents that ensure the GOP will never gain a majority. Republicans seemed more concerned about keeping their own seats safe than in making seats competitive.

    I live in the coastal area at the bottom of the map completely surrounded by the 36th (Palos Verdes). Since our area in heavily GOP, we are tethered via a thin strip across the harbor to Orange County. It would be nice to vote against Harmon, but instead we get to increase Dana Rohrabacher’s winning margin from 20% to 25%. He’s a good guy, but what a waste of votes.

  10. Jeff C.
    August 14th, 2010 @ 12:49 am

    That map of the 36th is indicative of exactly what is wrong with the CRP. The Dems and Reps got together and gerrymandered safe districts for all the incumbents that ensure the GOP will never gain a majority. Republicans seemed more concerned about keeping their own seats safe than in making seats competitive.

    I live in the coastal area at the bottom of the map completely surrounded by the 36th (Palos Verdes). Since our area in heavily GOP, we are tethered via a thin strip across the harbor to Orange County. It would be nice to vote against Harmon, but instead we get to increase Dana Rohrabacher’s winning margin from 20% to 25%. He’s a good guy, but what a waste of votes.