There have been a lot of conversations about how do deal with the fact that so many of faithful GOP volunteers and donors are in the doldrums. Trying to address this issue requires trying to understand why these traditionally motivated folks are finding other things to do with their time instead of political activism.
Let me start with a startling fact – until the recent bond proposal, the single largest subject on which
I had received feedback was the indictment of House Majority Leader Tom Delay. But the notes weren’t words of outrage. The overwhelming sentiment was, "With DeLay out, is this an opportunity to replace him with a conservative?"
The point here, given the conservatism of Tom DeLay, is that the machinations that take place behind closed doors, but which do not result in votes and hardline public stances by Republicans, leave grassroots activists feeling like their hard work is for naught. Especially when in Washington, Republicans supposedly "control" the government, but spending is up.
We do not have a majority in Sacramento, so we will not see conservative policies enacted by this legislature. The Chief Executive in California has decided to embrace spending on infrastructure as his main vehicle towards reelection.
This now brings the lack-of-motivation issue from the Beltway to Sacramento. And the challenge to our Republican elected officials in Sacramento, including the Governor, GOP Senators and GOP Assemblymembers is to figure out how not to "pile on" to reasons for volunteers to stay home.
Being the party of spending in the minds of volunteers will suppress GOP volunteerism and turnout in June and in November. This is important food for thought as we dive into the election year…