Infinite Monkeys

Well, it's certainly what killed the GOP in California. Thanks, Pete Wilson.

I go back and forth on whether Pistol Pete's aggressive policy on immigration hurt the GOP. I suppose that the reality of the demographics are such that Pete's approach was damaging in the long run. However, I recall in the subsequent election, the GOP ran away from any issue that could be played as "anti-immigrant", even though some of those issues (bilingual ed, drivers licenses) did have very broad popular support. I wonder what would have happened if Lungren had adopted Pete's positions on illegal immigration.

That being said, the California GOP probably has to look more like Arnold, and less like Reagan, to have any success in the future.

"That being said, the California GOP probably has to look more like Arnold, and less like Reagan, to have any success in the future."

Whether or not this is true, it seems a lot like saying "The national GOP probably has to look more like FDR, and less like Reagan, to have any success in the future."

At what point does it just become about winning and cease being about standing up for the right thing?

You have a point, RobbL. I think many in the GOP are too quick to abandon principle in order to win. The Arlen Spector-Pat Toomey race in Pennsylvania being a good example. (I would not vote Dem, but I would vote absoutely vote for a third party candidate in that race. Unless control of the Senate hinged on it, then I suppose I would sell out what little principle I have left.)

The flip side of that is sticking to principle to the point that it becomes a suicide pact. Losing badly in California year after year will only further marginalize the GOP. I do think there is a difference between selling out entirely and being realistic about the constituency you do or hope to represent.

I'll post something longer on this in the next day or so, but meantime let me just say that I have no doubt that John and Ken are serious. I also know the Hugh is nothing if not loyal to his friends. That's a virtue. I am not a friend of Dreier's. If I still lived in his district, I'd vote for the Democrat. She has no hope of winning, of course, and with the exception of immigration, her politics are entirely deplorable. But I want it to be close. I want Dreier to have a renewed fear of God.

I don't think voting for the Democrat necessarily puts the fear of God into Dreier. Any protest vote given to a liberal Democrat might well have the reverse effect of creeating the false impression that the GOP needs to move further left to capture those votes. Thus, the proper protest vote would be for one of the third party losers that most closely fits the issue you are protesting on.

But I might feel differently if I lived in Pennsylvania and had to vote for Arlen Spector. Is there a Commie on the ballot there?

"Any protest vote given to a liberal Democrat might well have the reverse effect of creeating the false impression that the GOP needs to move further left to capture those votes."

Ah, but that isn't what this campaign is about. There will be no confusion, believe me. I was just at my parents' house and you see the signs all over the main boulevard and beyond: "Fire Dreier." The issue is clear: immigration, immigration, immigration. Cynthia Matthews, the challenger, evidently lost the endorsement of the L.A. County Democratic Party and several prominent Dems, including the execrable Joe Baca, precisely because she is running to Dreier's right on the question.

I did not realize that the campaign for Dreier's seat had become about immigration. I am very surprised, but that changes things. I did not think any Democrats would have the nerve to try and run throught that big open hole in the (current) GOP's right on immigration. I always thought there was some room to the right for even a moderate approach to illegal immigration control and border security.

Of course, her campaign may be as sincere as Daschle's repeatedly running to the right in South Dakota, but if she stands no chance of winning, then I'd certaintly vote for her.

Still don't think I would if it were a close race. But I admit to being a party whore, to a degree.

Except for Arlen Spector.