Despite the efforts of a couple of Republican-activist bloggers, elected GOP officials say they don't expect a movement to bar decline-to-state voters from participating in California Republican primaries to go very far when it comes up at this month's state GOP convention.
Sen. Tony Strickland told me last week he is strongly opposed to the idea and intends to be at the convention (he never misses one), where he will work to defeat the proposed policy change. He notes a mathematical fact of life: Since registered Republicans make up only 31 percent of state voters, and Democrats only 45 percent, no major party candidate can command a majority in a general election without the support of independents.
Strickland said that, although relatively few decline-to-state voters participate in primaries, it is important that candidates be able to start reaching out to them early. As early as 2007 -- long before last year's razor-thin victory in the Senate campaign -- Strickland begin sending mailers to independent voters in Santa Barbara and Ventura counties, introducing himself to them on his terms.
That sort of logic is unpersuasive to some true-blue conservatives such as Simi Valley blogger Steve Frank. Here's some of what he recently wrote: "Would Wal-Mart allow a Sears official to make policy decisions? Does Ford ask GM to decide what models to produce?... Political parties are voluntary associations. If you do not volunteer, why do you get the benefit? ... This is an issue about principle."
Democrats in Sacramento would like nothing better than for a majority of GOP convention delegates to subscribe to Frank's view. They'd very much like for Republicans to think of themselves as an exclusive, all-volunteer organization that includes less than a third of California voters.
Strickland says he is certain that more strategic thinking will carry the day at the convention.
Frank makes a living pretending he speaks for conservative Republicans. He gets quoted in stories and then sells his "connections" to candidates as a spokesperson for the right wing.
Rudy Giuliani and Steve Poizner have both paid for his services even though Frank disagrees with them on fundamental issues. He is a mercenary and nothing more.
But as a mercenary he doesn't bring with him an army. He doesn't raise money. He isn't well known. His "blog" is blatant theft of news from other sites that he cuts and pastes in their entirety in violation of intellectual property rights.
Frank makes Strickland look like a moderate and that is saying something!
Smoke, truer words about Frank were never spoken!! He was a detriment to Rudy's efforts in California.
With Strickland, words are cheap and not very believable. Let's see some action. I challenge you to walk your talk - so far your actions in Sacramento have been disgraceful.
Who is the common denominator for both of these guys? Tom McClintock. He's the gift that keeps on giving - at several levels.
Finally - someone has exposed Frank for the mercenary that he is. Some full disclosure relative from those who would dictate party policy as to whose payroll they are on..Frank? Fleishman? any others?
Steve Frank - The Emperor ahs no clothes - a Complete fraud and an empty suit. Not to mention a bad dandruff filled toupe.
I believe Tony Strickland. He has the best interests of his constituents at heart, and he is trying to help grow the Republican Party in California, something it really needs to do. I realize some bloggers would prefer to meet in a phone booth and pretend they are pure, but that doesn't get much positive done in Sacramento.
I have tremendous respect and love for both Tony Strickland and Steve Frank, both are great Americans, decent and patriots, having said that I have no problem with Independents or Decline to state to vote in the general elections for a Republican Candidate, however in the Primary elections I don't want somebody else to dictate who should represent my district and my party, other than a register Republican.
Is the quality not the quantity that counts.
I challenge the DTS to come up with a platform so we know what they believe and where they are going. We know Democrats love big government, more taxes, pro-choice except for education and all kinds of regulations to control our actions. The Republicans prefer less government, less taxes, pro-life, pro-choice in education and fewer regulations plus a strong defense defending both our 1st amendment rights and our 2nd amendment in our right to bear arms. How do we know what or whom these DTS voters will vote for in the Primary!? As a former CRP delegate (now an associate) for Senator Tom McClintock (now Congressman), I knew exactly where he stood. I agreed and supported him in our local, state, and national policies. DTS voters simply need to re-register 30 days or so before an election and become a Democrat or Republican to vote in the Primary. Pick your best team but don't have us compromise our principles!
Arrgh...as righteous a commentary on events politic lately sez I!
Clearly. Franks be after the Uber-Republican..the purest of the pure. Me thinks we've had that line of bilge before matey!
Ay, them Frank ways be pullin hard to starboard arrgh!
Shrinkage at the polls, Party counts ebb, less booty and plunder from lobbyists plump for the takn' by opportunist Red Flag freebooters such as Cap'n Franks...you savvy?
Down with the ship? Sure says I, Cap'n Franks rests soon with ol' Bushie hisself an' the rest o' his scurvy scoundrels deep in said locker!
Arrgh, the Stricky's, be I a follow'n this right, said duo be willin' to court thems what declinations bespoke said affiliations. Crafty be they!
No fan be I, but given said Strickland Consortium their just dues fer a thrust an' a growing said range of operations...arrgh, perhaps past the Gold Coast methinks, to the Empire that lies Inland and beyond.
Sure I am, that the dastardly' leader of them all, the Wandering McClintock..arrghh...sure I am that he be a-smilin and all in his cups!
Plucky lad and lass be they, more for the flash than the thunder I be thinkin', but sly ones they be...so be wary sez I!
Thar be many tales to be told, to chill a churchman's bones I be sure!
....aye, be more to this tale this poor soul be think'n
**SEPTEMBER 19th..INTERNATIONAL TALK LIKE A PIRATE DAY IS NIGH UPON US MATEY!**
Good pirate talk! And you pegged it on McClintock - he is the leader of them all. arghhhh!
That's the funny thing about Frank. He says he is a conservative and he has a reputation for being very conservative but he will promote moderate Republicans if they hire him.
He took money to support Giuliani and Poizner. Say what you will of the two but they are not far right Republicans on many issues.
Taking money does not mean that a good job is guaranteed.
AhaaRRrgGGh!
So, now the tellin' be that "swabbie" Franks be a takin' Letters o' Marque from powers beyond his realm...a Mayor of yon fine city, and a plump with wealth Merchantman!
Aye,..so seems the "swabbie" be a man fer hire now, willin' to step below even hisself, a sword for treasure of the politic sort, a mercenary I be a thinkin'?
Switchin' sides lookin' for the gold..arrh...me thinks a man to keep in yer sights in yon dark alley with yer powder dry and blade handy!
Cap'n knows...be the hard way tis true, but that those be a servin' the cause, or those be a servin' the treasure..arrhh...so marks the mate in questions character methinks and presupposes said scoundrels predilections!
....and so Capn' says..keep yer shifty eyes on them that be shifty an' particular attention you be a payin' to them what's only loves the treasure! They be the tricky, crafty sort, let them be the most on yer mind!
aaAAHARrGGHHHGgg!
Hell just froze over. I never thought I would see the day I agreed with Tony Strickland.
Giving Independents the voice they have been denied can only moderate the Republican Party from the fanatical fringe group it has become.
On every blog, there you are taking swipes at the Stricklands. You even drag them into the finger biting incident. Give it a rest.
The Stricklands and their poor decisions drag themselves into the mix - Audra should have fired her chiff of Staff, Joel Angeles, long ago for publically assualting an old man. Intead, taxpayer money is being wasted on him as he goes to trial (and postpones the trial). I hear the prosecution has 20 or so witnesses willing to testify against him.
It isn't OK for a state paid employee to beat up on a senior citizen. He didn't even punch Joel like the guy in TO did.
DTS (independent) Profile:
Fiscal conservative, willing to accept fewer government services in order to pay less taxes, mostly male, wants the border enforced, social moderate, concerned about the environment, electronically savvy, growing in numbers of minorities, more younger than older.
Why would the Republican Party want any of them?
"I have tremendous respect and love for both Tony Strickland and Steve Frank, both are great Americans, decent and patriots,
Strickland and especially Frank are two of the nuttiest crazed right wing nutjob nutballs around. LOL.