I just ran into former California Secretary of State Bill Jones here at the Ronald Reagan Library. I suggested to him that perhaps he was the second-place finisher in last night's Florida primary. He smiled and nodded in silent agreement.
How so? Well, eight years ago Jones rescinded his endorsement of George W. Bush and came out instead for John McCain in the 2000 GOP presidential primary. That decision later made him a pariah in the Bush camp. With political enemies in the White House, Jones' chance to win the Republican nomination for governor in 2002 were pretty much shot.
Now Jones finds himself as the most prominent California supporter of the Republican presidential front-runner. And, yes, he very much seemed to be enjoying the role.
You're right about Bill Jones becoming a pariah in the Republican Party after he endorsed McCain in 2000. And believe me, the Republicans were vicious about it. I thought about that too, when McCain won Florida, and became an immediate, strong front-runner in the California polls. Jones has been vindicated.