While Democrats are engaged in an 1500 delegate ‘food fight’ in Sacramento, as the forces and minions of Phil Angelides and Steve Westly wrestle over which (if either) Democrat will end up with an official State Democratic endorsement for Governor, California’s Republican ticket for statewide office couldn’t have been more unified.
Last evening, I attended the Orange County Lincoln Club’s annual membership dinner banquet at the gorgeous Balboa Bay Club in Newport Beach. The guest of honor… EVERY REPUBLICAN CANDIDATE ON THE PRIMARY BALLOT! That’s right, while the top-billing for this ‘Lincoln-Club Members Only’ (and invited guests) event of over 400 people were Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger and his running mate, State Senator Tom McClintock, every other candidate vying for the Republican nomination for a statewide office was at the dinner, working the room, and meeting the influential members of Orange County’s most prestigious Republican organization.
When I say EVERY candidate, I mean every candidate. In addition to Schwarzenegger and McClintock, also there were Secretary of State Bruce McPherson, Treasurer candidates Claude Parrish and Assembyman Keith Richman, Controller candidates Tony Strickland and State Senator Abel Maldonado, Attorney General candidate State Senator Chuck Poochigian, Insurance Commissioner candidate Steve Poizner, and even Board of Equalization candidates Michelle Steel and Assemblyman Ray Haynes.
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