I just read that former California Republican Party Chairman Bob Naylor, who had endorsed Steve Poizner at some point, has now pulled that, and instead endorsed Meg Whitman. I admit that I wasn’t impressed to see Naylor on Poizner’s endorsement list, nor will I be to see it on Whitman’s. Naylor is a controversial figure in GOP circles because he always seems to side with the special interests that he represents as a lobbyist over the interests of the Republican Party he once lead.
An extremely affable guy, this former Assembly Republican Leader is definitely NOT in the "mainstream" of Republican thought. Naylor was one of the only, if not the only former CRP Chairman to endorse the controversial Proposition 1A, which if passed would have smacked California taxpayers with over $16 billion in higher sales, income and car taxes. Just this summer Naylor penned a long missive in CalBuzz attacking voter-approved term limits (which I rebutted). And in recent days it was reported that he is one of three leaders (along with Democrat ex-legislators Dario Frommer and John Laird) of a formal campaign to try and defeat efforts for a part-time legislature. One of Sacramento’s most powerful lobbyists (see his firm’s long list of current clients here), Bob represented the interests of the California Teachers Association for many years (I know that from time to time he has spoken with me, lobbying to have the CTA’s "unwelcome" status with the CRP undone). I recall how frustrated I was when Naylor’s firm was part of the massive (and successful) effort to kill real eminent domain reform embodied in Proposition 90 a few years back — but given that Naylor is the lobbiest for so many city and county governments, I should have expected it.
I guess my point is that Naylor is the consummate California "insider" — so while you may now see his endorsement on Whitman’s website, I wouldn’t count on seeing him "rolled out" for too many press conferences. The always pleasant Naylor long ago became part of the special-interest establishment that has bloated the size of state government. I am not saying that Naylor is not a good guy — but I am saying that for his part, he made a choice after leaving the legislature to become part of the Sacramento establishment. It appears that has worked out very well for him.
September 29th, 2009 at 12:00 am
Jon,
Your comments about Bob Naylor are way off base.
Mr. Naylor was a very effective Chairman for the CRP. Most of his lobbying clients are businesses who are seeking relief from burdensome government regulators.
I wish you would spend more time attacking Sacramento Democrats and less time cannibalizing Republicans!
September 29th, 2009 at 12:00 am
Like it or not, in the primary season I tend to focus a lot more on intra-party politics. It’s the nature of the beast.
That said, I think that credibility for our party is ESSENTIAL if we are going to become a majority party again in Washington, and become on in Sacramento.
When the party opposes higher taxes, supports eminent domain reform, and other key policy positions, it is damaging to have party leaders take the opposite position. It makes our party sound hypocritical.
September 29th, 2009 at 12:00 am
Jon,
Bingo to above.
Now if your party’d do the same thing for gun rights – that is, not only talk a good game, but have a variety of members start carrying passable incremental legislation, that’d earn some credibility with gunnies. I’m sure the NRA & CRPA legislative liaisons would be glad to help.
Bill Wiese
San Jose CA