Conservatives lose fight (Mercury News) [View All]

[Up2Late]

(I hope this isn't too California related, but it's such a great headline, and I do love news of Republican dis-unity.)

Posted on Mon, Feb. 27, 2006

Conservatives lose fight

GOP CONVENTION DELEGATES REBUFF RESOLUTION CRITICIZING GOVERNOR
By Kate Folmar
Mercury News Sacramento Bureau

Delegates at the California Republican Party convention in San Jose on Sunday rejected a resolution pushed by conservatives that was considered a veiled criticism of Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger. Facing re-election this year, Schwarzenegger has been grappling with unrest in the GOP's right wing. Some activists are unhappy that he has a Democrat as his chief of staff, supports raising the minimum wage, and advocates $68 billion in borrowing as part of a $222 billion plan to improve the state's levees, schools and roads.

The discontent manifested itself as a resolution that the party yank its endorsement of Schwarzenegger. That measure died Saturday. The discontent also led to another measure that spoke against raising the minimum wage and in favor of balanced budgets and infrastructure spending that does not require borrowing that would be repaid from the state's general fund. That resolution reached the convention floor for a vote Sunday, even though a committee opposed it Saturday.

Depending on who spoke, the debate was either about holding fast to core Republican principles or ensuring party unity so Schwarzenegger and other statewide GOP candidates win in November. Schwarzenegger "is going to be gone someday," said delegate Mike Spence of West Covina, president of the conservative California Republican Assembly. "So this is about our future: Are we going to be the party of fiscal responsibility or not?"

But delegate Michael McSweeney of San Diego County, saw another motive. "This isn't about helping Republicans; it isn't about policy discussion," he said. "It's about how can we spank the governor and form the circular firing squad."

(more at link below)

<http://www.miami.com/mld/mercurynews/news/politics/13972252.htm?source=rss&channel=mercurynews_politics>