(Calif.) State GOP split as convention nears

[Newsjock]

Source: San Francisco Chronicle

The cash-strapped California Republican Party is facing deeply divisive political and financial problems in this critical election year - beginning with a $3 million loan from a furious contributor who was supposed to have been repaid on Friday.

The troubles of the GOP in the nation's most populous state - which backers of Sen. John McCain insist could be competitive in the fall presidential election - come at a crucial time. The California party convention is Feb. 22 in San Francisco, and conservatives and moderates will debate the platform and whether independent voters should be allowed to cast ballots in state GOP primaries.

But the most urgent concern for many Republicans is the appalling financial condition of the state party, which is now overdue on repaying a $3 million loan provided in 2005 by Larry Dodge, chief executive of the American Stirling Co. Although the party's finances have fluctuated in the past, such a large debt - combined with the robust fundraising of Democrats nationwide - has many California Republicans extremely concerned.

... "The registration gap (with Democrats) is widening, contributions are drying up, key posts have been left open for a year, staff is being laid off and there is a never-ending string of reports which is causing long-term damage to the image of the party," Dodge wrote in the letter. "Immediate comprehensive action is required. The stakes are too high, the problems too deep, to do otherwise."

Read more: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2008/02/15/MNS1V32BU.DTL&tsp=1

[mcctatas]

1. Time and time again the pukes prove they can't handle

money, but somehow democrats get painted with the spending money like a drunken sailor on shore leave brush! :wtf:

[LeftyMom]

2. The California pubs haven't had their shit together in a very long time.

It doesn't look like they're likely to, either.

[Bandit]

8. They had it together enough to throw out a sitting Governor

for fiscal malfeasance no less when the shape of California was no where near as bad as what Bush* has done to America, and they got a B grade actor to be sworn in as governor. A worse actor than even Reagan. One that glorifies violence and makes movies designed for the twelve year old mentality and he is their pick to run California...

[Frances]

9. I live in CA and I agree with your post

I have a nice neighbor who is a very fundamentalist Christian--and Republican. A few months ago I heard her say that she loves Arnold. I don't want to discuss politics with her because I think it would not change anything, but I do wonder how she squares her religious beliefs with Arnold's groping of women.

[LeftyMom]

10. They HATE arnold. Darryl Issa started the recall 'cause he thought he'd get to be Gov.

They started it, and the right wing radio folks were big in getting it going, but it got out of their control. They certainly didn't want a social liberal in the job. Which is probably why he gets more cooperation from the democratic legislators than the right side of the aisle.

[spag68]

3. good news

Here's hoping that a couple really asshat rethugs out there get the boot.

[opihimoimoi]

4. They have a FLAWED PHILOSOPHY.....They should Get Over It....Come, join the Surge to REASON

Vote BLUE

[Cobalt-60]

5. I do not believe they're broke. Not for an instant.

At least part of the Billions in cash stolen by Republican cronies in Iraq is
available for their use.
They're waiting for Democrats to get low on cash to bring it out.
They've been working play by play from the Nazi book so far.
And claiming they were poor and defenseless when they were not was a
standard Nazi tactic.

[acmavm]

6. What you say makes a lot of sense. That money went somewhere. And

funny things happen when republicans are involved. Hell, the entire vote tabulation for an election that they are losing can turn up on RNC computers (and end up in their favor).

Think about it, how many RICH corporate donors are there in California that are republican? Ask Grey Davis. Hell, ask Arnie.

These guys aren't broke. They just don't pay their bills.

[JDPriestly]

7. A lot of Silicon Valley money went to Ron Paul

Also, the Republicans depend on large donors with corporate ties for big donations -- and those guys are scared. As General Motors goes, so goes the nation.

[AndyTiedye]

11. 3 Million is Pocket Change to the Repiggies

They will have the money they need when they need it. They always do.

They get most of their airtime for free anyway, so money in the Repiglickin party bank account is not all that important.