Dear Editors of California Newspapers:
Many local and regional newspapers will be endorsing in Republican primary elections in the coming days. This is just a little advice that you can clearly take or leave. In the end it’s your newspaper and you will print what you want.
Republican primaries are closed under current law. This means that conservatives often make up the majority of primary voters. Thus, when you decide to support someone in your editorial — trying to write something that actually works with the Republican primary voter would be helpful.
Take this editorial from the San Luis Obispo Tribune. They endorse this local County Supervisor and then go on to tell their readers the reason is that he is more moderate than his opponents and won’t sign the tax pledge. Way to help a brother out.
Come on. I think if i was a Republican candidate in the primary that had the "honor" of earning this endorsement I would have encouraged them to support someone else.
You want to help a Republican in a primary then tell your Republican readers (the ones that can vote for the candidate) the candidate is a conservative that is going to help bring jobs to the area. That is what the readers want to hear to consider voting for him.
As a political consultant I’m looking for editorials that actually help with the winning message. In looking over the candidate’s website I don’t see a single mention of the word "moderate" or a refusal to sign the tax pledge. Why? Because these are losing messages. Notice that the issues on his website are about job creation and fiscal accountability. Notice lawn signs as you drive to work …none of them say "Moderate for Assembly".
Some of you might be screaming right now about how this is wrong and biased and whatever. I am not saying it is right. I am just saying what is.
Sincerely,
Matt Rexroad
P.S. Anyone wanting to endorse in SD 16 is encouraged to let Republican voters know you are supporting Phil Wyman because he worked side by side in the State Assembly with Tom Hayden for many years.