Losing for the cause

Armed Liberal takes on an easy target, the California Republican Party. It is hard to imagine that this is the state that produced Ronald Reagan, the trends have all been towards the Democrats for some time, not due to any brilliance from the Democrats. The Republicans in this state are quite pleased to lose an election in order to remain ideologically pure. I put that question a while back to the party chairman and got that answer. They have long seen their mission to "represent conservatism" and not to "win elections." The truth is, being out-of-office is a comfortable gig. The big donors toss money your way, and you have little responsibility, you just oppose. Being in-office is hard work, especially in California, and tends to lead one into compromises and deals that upset the ideologues. "What's the point in winning", one said, "if you have to abandon your beliefs?" Why they cannot make deals in the legislature and still hold on to their beliefs I cannot say, but clearly the idea of making good policy that includes most but not all of your platform is not appealing to some folks.

The issue now is our current governor's willingness to work with people in the other party (you know, the one with the overwhelming majority.) Having blundered into victory they are eager to get back to their losing ways. Here's how Armed Liberal put it.

Here's the deal, Republicans. You've managed, in a historic accident, to elect a moderate to the governorship of California, a state where the money and concentration of votes are still in the deep blue Bay Area and core of Los Angeles. The likely candidates that will replace him are both liberals.

Either you share the Kossak's delusional belief that everyone secretly agrees with you, and that the masses, once led by your revolutionary ardor, will rise up!...or you just like getting your asses kicked.

I'm beginning to hope they do push Arnold out and he runs instead as an independent, or third party candidate. The Democrats would likely win a three-way, but Arnold could certainly out poll the loser these folks will run. Remember, this is the team that allowed Barbara Boxer into the Senate. A three-way could be nicely destabilizing. Make things interesting, that's for sure.

(And...speaking of delusional..how 'bout them House Republicans? They're going to abandon leadership and it isn't even about ideology! Just money and influence. Wow!

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