So if you are a conservative in the California legislature, and you decide you want to seek higher (or lower) office – you can expect a few questions to come your way. As important as the no taxes 
pledge has rightfully become in GOP primaries because government at every level has expanded well beyond a sustainable level, the next big question will be – “How did you vote on the confirmation of Abel Maldonado as Lt. Governor?”
If you are a conservative in the state legislature, public policy positions taken by an official that you would place one-heartbeat (a very strong heartbeat, Governor) away from the state’s top job matter – in fact they matter a lot.
Who occupies this position also matters a lot for the messaging of our party. We already have the Governor who dismisses routinely GOP legislators in the Capitol – and with Maldonado we will have another “media darling” who will use his bully pulpit to attack conservatives.
**There is more – click the link**
February 3rd, 2010 at 12:00 am
So, Jon, you would rather have a Democrat in the office instead of a moderate Republican. Interesting. Reminds me of those far right wing nut Republicans who say “We are sending a message to the voters” and when they field a wing nut candidate who lost the race say “the voters deserve the Democrat because they don’t listen to our message.” Way to go, Jon. Lose the seat because Mr. Maldonado doesn’t agree with you 100 percent of the time. As Ronald Reagan said: “The Republican Party, both in this state and nationally, is a broad party. There is room in our tent for many views; indeed, the divergence of views is one of our strengths. Let no one, however, interpret this to mean compromise of basic philosophy or that we will be all things to all people for political expediency.
Within our tent, there will be many arguments and divisions over approach and method and even those we choose to implement our philosophy. Seldom, if ever, will we raise a cheer signifying unanimous approval of the decisions reached.
And here is the challenge to you. It is the duty and responsibility of the volunteer Republican organizations, not to further divide, but to lead the way to unity. It is not your duty, responsibility of privilege to tear down, or attempt to destroy, others in the tent.”
February 3rd, 2010 at 12:00 am
It is not Abel’s position or ideology that got him in trouble with conservatives. It was his actions. The democrats had no one in their camp who could have caused more damage to the citizens of this State. Leadership in the party is not leadership unless it stands for something.
The Assembly is going to soon have an official RINO Hunter courtesy of the fighting 59th.
February 3rd, 2010 at 12:00 am
Jon,
Using your logic, then moderates should never vote for conservatives either. How then does the Republican Party ever achieve unity?
February 3rd, 2010 at 12:00 am
From reading Jon’s editorials over the past years, it is my opinion that Jon is not interested in winning elections. Jon, in my opinion, is interested in pushing his far right wing ideas. And if a candidate does not toe the far right wing line that Jon is pushing, they are denigrated, with the hope the candidate will lose the election even if that means a Democrat wins. Jon sometimes proclaims that he is an acolyte of Ronald Reagan, but he has never met a moderate Republican he hasn’t tried his best to marginalize and defeat.
February 3rd, 2010 at 12:00 am
Bob,
What part of “Let no one, however, interpret this to mean compromise of basic philosophy” don’t you understand. Low taxes and a lean government that lead to prosperity are the essence of our basic philosophy.
In addition, Maldonado’s top two primary will destroy the Republican Party in California. See http://www.flashreport.org/featured-columns-library0b.php?faID=2010011500455877
February 3rd, 2010 at 12:00 am
The Reagan quote is from his speech to the Republican Assembly in 1968, defending his signing legislation that was the “largest tax increase in the history of the state.” The so called no new tax pledge, which was thought up by the one man band of Grover Nosetwist, the leader of the “Americans for Tax Reform” organization, is, in my opinion, a very bad idea. This hamstrings our representatives because if they “break” this silly pledge, they are labeled as “lier’s” and RINOS by the far right wing nuts. Sometimes a temporary tax increase is required to balance the books. That is what Abel voted to do and in my opinion was the right thing to do given the situation faced by this state at that time.