California Democrats Face Grim Post-Mortem

[chiburb]

The NY Times paints a pretty dark picture here. Surely there must be some ray of hope... Any California DUers want to weigh in?

Snip:
The state Democratic Party convention was conceived months ago as a victory celebration for a party that was dominating California's electoral politics as it had not since the late 19th century.

But when the convention opens here on Friday there will be considerably more gloom than glory, as Democrats from across the state meet for the first time since Arnold Schwarzenegger, a Republican, became governor two months ago.

Being a Democrat in Mr. Schwarzenegger's California is taking some getting used to, and there is growing consternation about how the party can distinguish itself in the celebrity glare of the new governor. A poll released Thursday by the nonpartisan Public Policy Institute of California showed Mr. Schwarzenegger with a 59 percent approval rating, while the Democratic-controlled Legislature received just 36 percent.

Democratic spirits have been further dampened by a Field poll released this week showing President Bush's popularity growing in California. Mr. Bush's 52 percent job approval rating was his best showing in the Field survey since shortly after Sept. 11, 2001.

http://www.nytimes.com/2004/01/16/national/16CALI.html

[Sandpiper]

1. I'll eat my shoes

If George W. Bush carries California. He lost here in 2000 by 1.3 million votes.

The only way the repukes were able to capture a statewide office in California was by running a celebrity that talked like a moderate. Southern style conservatism doesn't sell in Cali and the repubs know it.

Despite the NY Times attempt to bury the California Dem party, it remains alive and well. In the last real election, when Repukes were picking up seats nation wide, they lost every single statewide office that they contested in California.

The Repukes might have weaseled their way into the governor's mansion, but they know that in reality, there are 6% more registered dems in Cali than goopers.

The Dems hold a majority in the legislature and every state office besides governor, plus both US Senate seats. I think we're doing just fine here in the golden state.

[slackmaster]

2. I'll eat sandpiper's socks and hat if GWB carries Cali

Not a chance. Approval ratings do not historically translate directly to votes in this state.

W is making a terrible miscalculation by attempting to pander to the mythical Hispanic consensus through his immigration scheme, while pandering to the religious right on the gay marriage issue. Pandering does not cut the mustard here; it serves only to alienate the parties who perceive their own interests as contrary to the pandered-to parties.

[Bread and Roses]

3. California will go democratic in 2004

Please understand our former democratic governor was a pig. Put that together with a lot of people who forgot to vote No - Recall; Yes - Whomever and the Repukes really getting behind Ah-nold (forcing competitors to take a hike) and you get Governor Ah-nold. I am humiliated but Davis' broken promises and centrist 'governing' pissed everyone off.

So, I say again: California will go democratic in 2004. We will re-elect Boxer (DiFi is up in 2006) and we will vote dem for pres.

Believe me.