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Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin

(108,035 posts) Mon Jun 4, 2018, 12:48 PM Jun 2018

California's GOP is collapsing. Is that a sign for Republicans nationwide?

WASHINGTON — Republicans once dominated California. This year, GOP candidates are limping toward the finish line.

Last week, independents surpassed Republicans to become the second-largest bloc of registered voters in the state after Democrats. And after Tuesday's unusual "jungle" primary, the GOP might have missed its shot at the governor's mansion and a Senate seat — something experts say that should be a dire warning for the party nationwide.

California's primary system, implemented in 2012, means Republicans are no longer guaranteed a slot on the general election ballot and must compete with Democrats in the primary, where only the top two finishers advance to November, regardless of party. It's caused serious headaches for Democrats. But for Republicans, the problem is existential.

The state's most recent Republican governor, Arnold Schwarzenegger, reaches for cataclysmic language when describing the state of his party.

"Today, we are the Titanic after it hit the iceberg, but before the last bit of the ship submerged," he told a group of fellow Republicans this spring.

California's lurch toward a one-party state was not inevitable. However, it offers a test case into what happens when Republicans respond to a diversifying population by doubling-down on their white base, as President Donald Trump has done, instead of try to expand it, as the Republican National Committee called for in its "autopsy report" after the 2012 presidential election.

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/californias-gop-is-collapsing-is-that-a-sign-for-republicans-nationwide/ar-AAycKtX?li=BBnb7Kz

They continue to be "The Stupid Party".

9 replies

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California's GOP is collapsing. Is that a sign for Republicans nationwide? (Original Post) Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin Jun 2018 OP

Don't make J_William_Ryan Jun 2018 #1

Let's wait until this Wednesday, after the results come in. . . DinahMoeHum Jun 2018 #2

If GOPers want to be relevant in CA, they need to do what Manchin et al do on the Dem side RockRaven Jun 2018 #3

No doubt a lot of the new Independents are former Republicans Zorro Jun 2018 #4

Good point. awesomerwb1 Jun 2018 #6

No. Not a sign for republicans nationwide. awesomerwb1 Jun 2018 #5

Just curious - why is this big news? NewJeffCT Jun 2018 #7

The SF Chrinicle had an article today saying, "Top 2 primary could squelch Dem's dreams" kimbutgar Jun 2018 #8

I wouldn't put it past Putin trying to stir some shit here. Initech Jun 2018 #9

J_William_Ryan

(1,755 posts)

1. Don't make

Reply to Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin (Original post)

Mon Jun 4, 2018, 12:56 PM

Jun 2018

the mistake of underestimating the GOP.

DinahMoeHum

(21,794 posts)

2. Let's wait until this Wednesday, after the results come in. . .

Reply to Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin (Original post)

Mon Jun 4, 2018, 01:03 PM

Jun 2018

. . .before we do any kind of autopsy for the GOP.

There may be some unpleasant surprises in a few races.

Just sayin'.

RockRaven

(14,974 posts)

3. If GOPers want to be relevant in CA, they need to do what Manchin et al do on the Dem side

Reply to Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin (Original post)

Mon Jun 4, 2018, 01:06 PM

Jun 2018

and not always be in lockstep with the national party. Yes, bucking the party on some issues makes it tricky to win a primary (if you're not an incumbent), but them's the breaks.

Zorro

(15,740 posts)

4. No doubt a lot of the new Independents are former Republicans

Reply to Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin (Original post)

Mon Jun 4, 2018, 01:08 PM

Jun 2018

They don't want to be associated with the current Republican Party and its leader Trump, but they also can't abide by the thought of registering as a Democrat.

awesomerwb1

(4,268 posts)

6. Good point.

Reply to Zorro (Reply #4)

Mon Jun 4, 2018, 01:16 PM

Jun 2018

The younger generations may decide to register as independents but will probably lean left. I don't see kids becoming more conservative.

awesomerwb1

(4,268 posts)

5. No. Not a sign for republicans nationwide.

Reply to Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin (Original post)

Mon Jun 4, 2018, 01:11 PM

Jun 2018

Never underestimate republicans. Never trust them either. Most of them will morph into whatever is required to stay in power.

In 10 or 20 years the answer may be different.

NewJeffCT

(56,828 posts)

7. Just curious - why is this big news?

Reply to Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin (Original post)

Mon Jun 4, 2018, 01:21 PM

Jun 2018

Massachusetts - 4.5 million registered voters; 1.5 million Democrats, just under 500K Republicans, 2.4 million independents and the rest minor parties. Yet, Mass has had Republican governors for 20 of the last 28 years and Republican Baker is favored to win re-election.

https://www.sec.state.ma.us/ele/eleenr/enridx.htm

Connecticut - 2.3 million registered voters; 850k Democrats, 480k Republicans, 956k independents, the rest are minor parties. yet, Republicans have held the governorship for 20 of the last 28 years as well. Republicans may be favored to flip the governorship from blue to red in November as well.

http://portal.ct.gov/-/media/sots/ElectionServices/Registration_and_Enrollment_Stats/Nov17RPES.pdf?la=en

New York - 12.4 million registered voters; 6.2 million Democrats; 2.8 million Republicans; 3.1 million Ind/blank.

kimbutgar

(21,163 posts)

8. The SF Chrinicle had an article today saying, "Top 2 primary could squelch Dem's dreams"

Reply to Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin (Original post)

Mon Jun 4, 2018, 01:24 PM

Jun 2018

Because of California jungle primary the rethugs could win 1 and 2 places because there are so many Dem’s running. Orange County is one of those areas that could have turned Democratic but the rethugs could win 1 and 2.

I hate reading those articles they really take the enthusiasm out of voting.

https://www.sfchronicle.com/politics/article/California-Democrats-hope-to-stave-off-disaster-12964515.php

Sigh I hate politics, sometimes I wish I could return to wishful ignorance and not care. George Bush was the reason I started paying attention in 2000 to politics.

Initech

(100,081 posts)

9. I wouldn't put it past Putin trying to stir some shit here.

Reply to Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin (Original post)

Mon Jun 4, 2018, 01:25 PM

Jun 2018

Believe me, I live in California but my county is so fucking red you'd think we're living in rural Alabama here. Lots of the republicans I know are considering jumping ship because California is "too liberal". You think they might have bought the bullshit too heavily?

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