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California GOP Angst: The Problem With Carly Fiorina and Meg Whitman
Former e-Bay CEO Meg Whitman and California GOP governor candidate and former Hewlett-Packard CEO Carly Fiorina and undeclared GOP candidate for U.S. Senate
The Problem?
They could NOT be bothered TO VOTE.- Carly Fiorina – Voted in 5 of 18 elections, 2000-08
- Meg Whitman – Voted in 6 of 13 elections, 2002-07
This failure to vote is a big deal for Flap and WILL be a vote breaker for Flap in a California GOP Primary election. Luckily, the GOP has other candidates in each race:
Steve Poizner who is the GOP California Insurance Commissioner and
Chuck DeVore who is a GOP California Assemblyman
Now, will Poizner and Devore be able to exploit this vulnerability?
Stay tuned…..
Technorati Tags: Carly Fiorina, Meg Whitman, Steve Poizner, Chuck DeVore
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The Obligatory Will Arnold Schwarzenegger Run for the U.S. Senate in 2010? Post
U.S. President Barack Obama (L) meets with California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger at the White House in Washington, March 20, 2009
The stories are out again suggesting that the Governator will run against incumbent United States Senator Barabara Boxer in 2010.The Chronicle points out that the Terminator turned governor has been tactful in his political allegiances. He campaigned for Sen. John McCain during the 2008 campaign and showed up last week with President Obama at a White House meeting on infrastructure.
The article points out his ambitious campaigning across the state for his new budget plan and notes that lately the governor has softened his tone on a political future.
“I have my hands full with all the stuff I’m doing now,” Schwarzenegger said earlier this month. “I’m concentrating on that and not what I’m going to do next,” he told the Chronicle reporter.
“You know,” he apparently added, “I’m not a politician. I’m a public servant.”
He and wife Maria Shriver are not strangers to Washington’s power circles.
Saturday night, Schwarzenegger brought down the house during his Republican “response†at Washington Gridiron Dinner. He laughed at the journalists’ apparent dumping by the president, who declined the invitationt to attend.
“You did such lovely work for [Obama],” the governor told Washington’s media elite. “You put your lives on hold to put him in the White House. Now you get all dressed up, the champagne’s on ice, and you find out he’s just not that into you,†he joked, according to the Washington Post.
But, Arnold is warring with the California GOP, has poor approval ratings as Governor in the latest polls and would have to run against a long-time incumbent U.S. Senator Barbara Boxer, who has plenty of campaign cash.
Don’t look for Arnold to involve himself with a partisan primary election in which he will face another self-funded millionaire, Carly Fiorina and/or California Assemblyman Chuck DeVore who has gained the endorsements of most all of the elected members of the California GOP. More likely, Arnold will be appointed to some Obama Administration position or simply go back to Hollywood and make some movies.
Previous:
RINO California Governor Schwarzenegger Snubs California GOP Convention in Sacramento This Weekend
Chuck DeVore Preempts Arnold Schwarzenegger By Announcing California GOP Endorsements
Technorati Tags: Arnold Schwarzenegger, Barbara Boxer, Carly Fiorina, Chuck DeVore
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California GOP Assemblyman Chuck DeVore’s Solution to California Budget Woes: Drill Baby Drill
California GOP Assemblyman Chuck DeVore speaking on the floor of the California Assembly, February 14, 2009Today, California GOP Assemblyman and U.S. Senate candidate Chuck DeVore addressed a group of energy lawyers in San Francisco. His prescription for increasing California tax revenues: Drill Baby Drill.
Besides slicing and dicing Boxer during a red-meat speech to the California Republican Party convention last weekend, the state senator from Irvine let it be known that he will push a plan to get dollars flowing into California’s coffers without soaking average state taxpayers.
His plan: Drill, baby, drill.
DeVore says there are 9 billion barrels of oil waiting to be had beneath California’s coastal waters. He calls for an aggressive off-shore oil exploitation program, using slant drilling technology. He says tax revenues produced by increased oil operations may well grease the way to balanced state budgets.
“Those are state waters,” he says. “That’s our oil.”
This solution is almost too simple. But, the “Save the Whale” types in Santa Barbara and Monterey will continue to block drilling – even the slant drilling type because they fear oil spill and the despoiling of animal habitats.
Now, new technology may alleviate the concerns for any oil spill mishaps but it will be a hard sell to these environmental zealots.
Technorati Tags: Chuck DeVore, Oil
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Chuck DeVore Preempts Arnold Schwarzenegger By Announcing California GOP Endorsements
California GOP Assemblyman and U.S. Senate candidate Chuck Devore’s Web Ad: Barbara Boxer and her tax and spend colleagues in Washington just spent $620 million dollars on a brand new Capitol Hill Visitors center that was $360 million over budget and three years late.If California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger wishes to run for Barbara Boxer’s California U.S. Senate seat he will have to get a move on it. Yesterday, Assemblyman Chuck DeVore announced a plethora of Republican elected backers, including 26 of the the current 29 GOP members of the California Assembly.
The Assembly and Senate endorsers:
Assembly (not including DeVore himself)
- Mike Villines
- Anthony Adams
- Joel Anderson
- Bill Berryhill
- Tom Berryhill
- Sam Blakeslee
- Connie Conway
- Paul Cook
- Mike Duvall
- Bill Emmerson
- Jean Fuller
- Ted Gaines
- Martin Garrick
- Danny Gilmore
- Curt Hagman
- Diane Harkey
- Kevin Jeffries
- Stephen Knight
- Jeff Miller
- Dan Logue
- Brian Nestande
- Jim Nielsen
- Cameron Smyth
- Audra Strickland
- Van Tran
Senate (6)- Jeff Denham
- Bob Dutton
- Bob Huff
- George Runner
- Mimi Walters
- Mark Wyland
Of course Arnold can spend unlimited amounts of his own money on media and raise tons more as California Governor but DeVore is pushing the California budget embattled Governor to either fish or cut bait in this race.
Will Arnold show his hand soon?
How about new California resident Mitt Romney or Meg Whitman?
Stay tuned…
Technorati Tags: Chuck DeVore, Barbara Boxer, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Mitt Romney, Meg Whitman
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California Assemblyman Chuck DeVore Releases Web-Ad Attacking Senator Barbara Boxer
Barbara Boxer and her tax and spend colleagues in Washington just spent $620 million dollars on a brand new Capitol Hill Visitors center that was $360 million over budget and three years late.As an opening salvo against the 69 year old incumbent Democrat Senator Barbara Boxer this ad is NOT bad – at least somebody from the California GOP is questioning the far left leaning Boxer.
Assemblyman Chuck DeVore said, “Barbara Boxer and Harry Reid may think it’s worth $621 million to protect their delicate noses from the American public, but I think this over budget and late building project is symbolic of the greater waste we’ll be seeing with more than a trillion dollars in bailouts.California can’t afford Barbara Boxer.â€DeVore has opposed all the federal bailouts, suggesting that the free market needs both failure and success to operate properly.
Of course, Chuck DeVore, a California Republican Assemblyman, who is in his third term wants her job in the United States Senate and has announced his candidacy.
DeVore for California announced additional endorsements today, picking up the support of three veteran lawmakers, Senators George Runner and Mark Wyland, as well as Assemblyman Martin Garrick.Newly elected Republican Assemblymembers Diane Harkey and Dan Logue also joined the effort.Last week, DeVore’s U.S. Senate campaign announced the support of newly elected Congressman Tom McClintock and ten other lawmakers.
Devore will have an uphill battle against the long time incumbent Democrat Senator Barbara Boxer, particularly if the rumors about California Governor Arnold Swarzenegger and former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney bear some fruit. Both Arnold and Mitt could self-fund a GOP primary race in the expensive California media market.
But, undeterred by the rumors, DeVore is utilizing a new social media strategy to spread the early word about his candidacy. The website is here.
Stay tuned…….
Technorati Tags: Chuck DeVore, Barbara Boxer, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Mitt Romney
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President 2008 Watch: California Conservatives Move to Thwart Early California Presidential Primary – The Response Part 3
California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger and GOP Assemblyman Chuck DeVore
FlashReport: CRP Spends Money AGAINST CRP Members
The CRP maynot have a bounty program, they may be in $4.6 million of debt, but they have a little cash and staff time to turn on it’s own members.
Assemblyman Chuck DeVore has a proposal to change the way delegates are selected.
Today a letter arrived from Duf Sundheim, Ron Nehring and Tim Morgan opposing the change. Who paid for this mailing??? No doubt the CRP. As well an offical email and press release from CRP staff attacked the proposal.
Put a fork into Chuck Devore’s proposal – IT’S DONE!
It makes NO difference who paid for the mailing. The Chairman and soon to be Chairman of the California Republican Party OPPOSE this proposal to place GOP delegate selection back into “smoke-filled” rooms and out of the voters reach.
The Devore proposal is precipitous and WRONG.
It deserves DEFEAT.
Previous:
President 2008 Watch: California Conservatives Move to Thwart Early California Presidential Primary
Giuliani Notes: California Dreamin’ Part 2
Giuliani Notes: California Dreaming and Fund-Raising Today
Giuliani Notes: Rudy Coming to Orange County, California
Rudy Giuliani Watch: California LIKELY To Move Presidential Primary to February 5
Technorati Tags: ArnoldSchwarzenegger, ChuckDeVore, President2008
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President 2008 Watch: California Conservatives Move to Thwart Early California Presidential Primary – The Response Part Two
California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger and GOP Assemblyman Chuck DeVore
California Republican Assemblyman responds to Flap’s post: President 2008 Watch: California Conservatives Move to Thwart Early California Presidential Primary
And Assemblyman DeVore responds to the second post: President 2008 Watch: California Conservatives Move to Thwart Early California Presidential Primary – The Response
Dear FullosseousFlap:
The following statement of yours reveals a delightful naïveté:
“Now, the Assemblyman mentions the cost of the election – $90 million. Why not move the entire primary election from June until February. This would entail NO additional cost to Californians.â€
To “…move the entire primary election from June until February,†as you suggest would defeat the whole purpose of this exercise as the leadership in the Assembly and the Senate could NOT FILE FOR REELECTION as they are termed out! Therefore, they would never approve such a money-saving plan.
Thus, we are back to my original suggestion as a way to have an early influence and not cost the taxpayers one penny: have a convention select 53 of the 165 delegates.
All the best,
Chuck DeVore
State Assemblyman, 70th District
www.ChuckDeVore.comComment by Chuck DeVore — February 2, 2007 @ 8:11 pm
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Yes, I agree that it would be naive for anyone to think the Democrat leaders would do anything that would not be in their own political self-interest.
But, to change the California GOP rules may change more than just the number of delegates from a direct primary.
Steve Frank has the following from his blog: Change In Presidential Delegate Selection Process?
I think Steve has a point about opening up the CRP rule making process and the possibility of going back to pre-1998 rules of “Winner Take All.” And Assemblyman DeVore’s proposal appears to be a rush to change for certain candidates and party leader manipulation.
So, where does that leave us?
Bipartisan agreement with term limit and redistrictiing change proposals on a February 2008 ballot with an increase of expenditure of $90 million, Assemblyman Devore’s proposal (if adopted by a 2/3 vote at next weekend’s California Republican Party Convention) or the status quo – June 2008 primary election.
Frankly, I think it will be difficult to obtain the necessary votes from the GOP in the legislature unless concessions are made by the Democrats on redistricting. Redistricting may be the deal maker or killer.
The term limit proposal may be a tough sell as well. But, I don’t think it will kill the deal.
However, Hillary may need an early California primary and deals may be cut. Maybe Nunez and Perata will like Washington D.C.?
And where is the Governator? He likes Los Angeles Mayor AV but maybe he enjoys being California’s Governor and would like a shot at another term.
Stay tuned……..
Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, left, and California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger appear at a news conference to announce their support for the city’s bid to host the 2016 Summer Olympics. Both favor moving the California Presidential primary election to Super Tuesday, February 5, 2008.
Previous:
President 2008 Watch: California Conservatives Move to Thwart Early California Presidential Primary
Giuliani Notes: California Dreamin’ Part 2
Giuliani Notes: California Dreaming and Fund-Raising Today
Giuliani Notes: Rudy Coming to Orange County, California
Rudy Giuliani Watch: California LIKELY To Move Presidential Primary to February 5
Technorati Tags: ArnoldSchwarzenegger, ChuckDeVore, President2008, RobertSalladay
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President 2008 Watch: California Conservatives Move to Thwart Early California Presidential Primary – The Response
California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger and GOP Assemblyman Chuck DeVore
California Republican Assemblyman responds to Flap’s post: President 2008 Watch: California Conservatives Move to Thwart Early California Presidential Primary
Dear FullosseousFlap:
The February primary is not a sure thing. It will cost $90 million to hold, as it is a stand-alone affair. Further, the real reason for it is to extend term limits. There are enough Democrats who covet a leadership position that there may not be the two-thirds vote to place the term limits extension on the ballot. No term limits extension and — poof — the rationale for the election goes away. If no election, then how does California have a voice? I suggest awarding 53 of the 165 delegates at a convention in February 2008. It will cost the taxpayers nothing and it will make the candidates pay attention to California.
Oh, and before you dismiss the use of conventions in our representative democracy, please allow me to observe that it was a convention that nominated Abraham Lincoln in 1860…
All the best,
Chuck DeVore
State Assemblyman, 70th District
www.ChuckDeVore.comComment by Chuck DeVore — February 2, 2007 @ 1:55 pm
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Thank you Asesemblyman DeVore for the comment.
Now, let’s look at your argument.
The Governor and Democrat Leaders of the California Legislature all support the move of the California Primary election from June 3 to February 5, 2008. The rationale to change the election is (Flap quotes the Governor):
“I mean, right now, think about it: We are the No. 1 state in the union, we’re the No. 1 place in the world, and yet we are kind of an afterthought when it comes to presidential campaigns…”
Granted the bipartisan nature of the agreement to move the primary has an ulterior motive: to change California term limit law to allow California Democrat Speaker Nunez and California Senate Pro Tem Don Perata to serve longer in their respective offices. The governor has a horse in this race as well since he could run for re-election from which he is now barred.
Therefore, the ticket of moving the California Primary election to February may be allowing the people to vote on a change of the term limit law.
Flap thinks the price of the ticket is not too high and allowing California voters have an early say on who will be their next President is worth the price of admission.
Now, the Assemblyman mentions the cost of the election – $90 million. Why not move the entire primary election from June until February. This would entail NO additional cost to Californians.
Granted this would piss off the special interests who wish more elections (with lower voter turnouts, too) to pass initiatives. And granted the existing members of the legislature would have to campaign longer in a general election race.
But, hell, the legislative and Congressional districts are gerrymandered anyway.
Again, a small price to pay for having a say in the Presidential race early.
The idea of changing the time honored California primary election system from direct election to part-election and part-caucus disenfranchises voters. Isn’t one of the goals of the parties to increase participation of voters in the electoral process?
Voter participation is already at all time lows and when GOP voters discover their vote only selects a portion of the GOP Presidential Convention delegates, how many do you think will stay home?
Answer: MANY
Lastly, you use the example of Abraham Lincoln. In 1860 there were already differences from today’s elections:
Women couldn’t vote
United States Senators were not directly elected.
In California, there were no initiative, referendum or recall.
So, Mr. Assemblyman times have changed and I will submit voters want to vote and “smoke-filled room” choice of delegates is best left in the past.
Previous:
President 2008 Watch: California Conservatives Move to Thwart Early California Presidential Primary
Giuliani Notes: California Dreamin’ Part 2
Giuliani Notes: California Dreaming and Fund-Raising Today
Giuliani Notes: Rudy Coming to Orange County, California
Rudy Giuliani Watch: California LIKELY To Move Presidential Primary to February 5
Technorati Tags: ArnoldSchwarzenegger, ChuckDeVore, President2008, RobertSalladay