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With their registrations sinking and their political clout withering, California Republicans have come out of the November election in danger of slipping into political irrelevance across much of the state.

“There’s been a broad repudiation of traditional conservative Republicans in California,” said Tony Quinn, a former GOP analyst and co-editor of the California Target Book, which focuses on political contests in the state. “There are almost no areas in the state that can be considered safely Republican anymore.”

But, Quinn does NOT mention Proposition 11 that barely passed and the changes the heavily Democrat gerrymandered districts. But, Flap digresses.

The GOP brand has been hurt by President Bush and the corrupt GOP establishment in Congress, no doubt.

But, there are opportunities and although down and out now, the upside is good for the GOP - but maybe not majority but relevant.

Here are the stats:

October 2004

• Total registered voters: 16.5 million
• Registered Democrats: 7.1 million (43 percent)
• Registered Republicans: 5.7 million (34.7 percent)
• Registration gap: Democrats ahead by 1.4 million

October 2008

• Total registered voters: 17.3 million
• Registered Democrats: 7.7 million (44 percent)
• Registered Republicans: 5.4 million (31.3 percent)
• Registration gap: Democrats ahead by 2.3 million

Counties that changed to majority Democrats since 2004

• Alpine
• San Bernardino
• San Joaquin
• Stanislaus
• Ventura

Counties nearing majority Democrats since 2004

• Del Norte (8 voters)
• San Diego (380 voters)
• Trinity (40 voters)

Source: California secretary of state

The rebuilding will begin by the end of the decade with new legislative districts and term limits throwing out the incumbent Democrats.

Flap doubts California voters will change the 2/3′rds vote requirement for passing the state budget or to raise taxes. But, do the Democrats really want to push the issue?

Voters now blame Republican Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger for the economic mess which he was first elected to fix when he was elected six years ago. If the Democrats in the legislature want accountablility Flap is positive the GOP will be glad to oblige.

Watch for new registration initiatives as well for the California GOP beginning by next summer.

Stay tuned…..

The California GOP will NEVER support/vote for this proposal.

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger called today for a temporary 1.5-cent increase in the state sales tax to help close an $11.2 billion deficit in the state budget, as well as new taxes on liquor and oil production.

Schwarzenegger also proposed one-day-a-month unpaid furloughs for state workers for the next 17 months, as well as rescinding two of the workers’ 13 paid holidays

In calling the Legislature into special session to deal with the deficit, Schwarzenegger said it was vital for legislators to act swiftly.

Flap has been harping on Schwarzenegger for years to cut the bloated California budget and time after time shortfalls come home to roost.

Other elements of the Governor’s plan:

• Cutting spending on programs in the current budget by $4.5 billion, $2.5 billion of it from elementary and high schools.

• Revamping the state’s cash-strapped unemployment insurance system by gradually increasing the rates charged to employers and lowering benefits while tightening eligibility requirements.

• Relaxing some state labor regulations dealing with meal and rest periods, overtime exemptions and work schedules.

• Speeding up public works projects, especially hospital construction, to inject life into the state economy. That would require modifying some environmental regulations.

The California GOP must resist all tax increases and force the Democrats to cut the budget and take responsibility for their profligate spending habits.

Think it will happen?

Nahhhh some spineless GOP legislator will sell out the Republican Caucus and Flap will be paying more and more in taxes.

Won’t help the very poor California economy much.

California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger will not be attending the Republican National Convention this week.

The Press Release:

Sacramento, CA – Governor Schwarzenegger today made the following statement regarding his attendance at the Republican National Convention:

“I am honored that Senator McCain invited me to speak at the Republican National Convention. He is an American hero, a great leader, and the right candidate to be our next president.

“However, California is always my number one priority, and there is no greater priority for our state right now than putting a responsible budget in place that fixes our broken system. Therefore — as I have said — I will not be attending the National Convention in order to focus on working toward a state budget agreement. It is totally unacceptable that 62 days past its deadline, the Legislature has not sent me a budget that I can sign. Just as they must do in our nation’s capital, Republicans and Democrats must compromise and do the work of the people.”

Arnold could fly in and out of Minneapolis quickly without a problem in his private jet but the REAL REASON Arnold is not attending is that because of Hurricane Gustav he won’t be delivering a prime time speech anyway.

So, why bother?

Arnold is such a good Republican.

Flap received this press release last week. If you wish to volunteer for the California Republican Party whether it be for a state or national campaign, click on the image for a larger view and give the folks a call.

GOP headquarters are spread throughout the state and they would love to have your participation.