So you want to win a California GOP Primary?

June is almost here and I get asked a lot about what it takes to win a GOP Primary. I tell people it takes two things.
1.       A Conservative Message
2.       Enough money to get it out. You don’t need the most money, but a basic minimum level to be competitive

So what should the message be? Some will tell you that this cycle it is jobs, health care, the economy, anti-establishment, being the most conservative etc…

Here is a secret on communicating all that to GOP voters whether you are running for Governor or Assembly. Ready.

Attack the Governor.

That’s right not President Obama, but Arnold.

The last few months I have opened many presentations to GOP oriented groups (not just the hard core one) with something this like. “Governor Schwarzenegger is a failure.”

Guaranteed applause every time. 

Of course it is a fact. His poll ratings are in the 20’s. He broke promise after promise and worse kept a couple. Arnold raised taxes, cost jobs with AB 32, grew government, signed nanny state legislation, and opposed Prop. 8, appointed bad judges, doubled the bond debt, released prisoners early, and on and on and on. My wife says I shouldn’t tell people I told you so, so I won’t.

Distinguishing yourself from the worst GOP Governor in California’s history does several things.

1. It defines you as a conservative.

2. It shows you got the moxie to take on the powerful big government interests.

3. People are talking about you not your opponent.

4. It shows you aren’t an R by the name kind of candidate. You mean what you say. Principle and people over the party.

The last point can’t be understated. People are mad at Democrats AND Republicans. Too many GOP officials pass on criticizing bad ideas if a Republican says them.

Think the strategy doesn’t work? Ask governor Crist how his Senate race is faring?

This entry was posted on Tuesday, April 6th, 2010 at 12:00 am and is filed under Blog Posts.