When I read stories like this and see Republicans reasons why they aren't worried, I can't decide whether they are delusional or just putting on a brave face. Also, I would like media outlets to stop putting forth the notion that just because Trump a district that it is a fait au complet that a Republican candidate still has a shot. In the AL special senatorial race this past December, Trump won the state by these large margins and yet he went from a high 60%/70-something approval to a split of 48 to 48. In local OK and WI, the Republicans in those elections lost by double digits even though he beat Clinton by 20+ pts.
Also, stop giving Trump credit for the state of the economy. I’d normally so no president deserves blame or praise for the economy but in this case, given where the nation (if not the world) was at in 2007 I’m willing to give Obama some credit. Apparently more people agree with me, according Io a recent Quinnipiac poll 49% gave Obama credit vs. 40% for Trump. This articles doesn’t mention it but many polls do, Democrats are particularly motivated nationwide, and it isn’t just national races, it seems be going down to very local races.I
3
“If the economy continues to go well, this could change this whole discussion,” he said. “But it could also change on a tweet, as we all know.”
My money is on the tweet...
2
California Republicans betrayed their state and their constituents by voting for the Republican tax plan that explicitly punished their own people. In addition to items such as the deductability of state and local taxes. The tax bill had provisions that preserved tax breaks for those who suffer flooding and hurricane damage (read Gulf Coast and midwest) but removes those breaks for damages caused by wildfires and earthquakes. California and New York State Republicans went along with this. They deserve to loose their jobs!
5
There seem to be two big problems here.
1) Republicans are not on the same page but appear to be afraid of showing any differences with the president. They seem to believe that have different opinions on some issues is a sign of weakness. Groupthink is a sign of weakness. Thinking for yourself is not.
2) California is entirely controlled by Democrats, and would you look at the result. Oroville dam threatened to wipe out an entire town but what about the billions of dollars extracted from taxpayers every year to pay for things like infrastructure? Redirected to fund housing, food, clothing, education, and the legal defenses of those who enter the country illegally. In 40 years, we have gone from the richest state to the one with the highest poverty level. The state government's response? A bill to make California a sanctuary state. Really.
I started out my voting career as a moderate California Republican, but as I watched the party hitch it’s wagon to conservative Christians, exclusionary immigration and business policies, and a focus on legislating issues where people should have free choice I decided to get out. California is far from perfect, but it is a state where you are forced to work, learn, and worship with people different than you. Ironically, Governor Brown has probably been the most “Republican” of governors with a focus on fiscal prudence and infrastructure development.
6
I never heard people say that Trump is destroying the Republican Party. Rather they describe him as a symptom.
Never mind just California. Why anyone who works hard for a living yet has not had both a substantial tax break and income increase votes for any Republican has got me scratching my head and wondering: what in heaven's name are you thinking? This past year, Trump and Congress, both Houses controlled by Republicans, have given the working class bupkis, nada, zilch, zero. Now they who believe in shrinking government small enough to strangle it are attempting to blame the Dems, who Republicans constantly complain that Dems believe all problems can be solved with more government. I don't know how this sordid story eventually will pan out, but with such a complete incompetent sitting in the Oval Office I can't see how this ends well. If Trump and Republicans are not blamed then there just ain't no justice in this world.
DD
Manhattan
2
Population of California: 39.5 million
Population of Wyoming: 573,000
Each state has 2 U.S. Senators. Something is wrong with this picture.
1
Issa said he would not run in the 49th district. He did not say anything about the 50th district..... Never trust Issa....
1
I'm sure he'll be tweeting a lot. Should be some interesting headlines as the fall elections near.
1
The ONLY thing that helps against Trump is to GO VOTE.
Nothing else.
But ... I am kind of done with my fellow progressives here. Simple math tells us only about HALF of eligible voters vote, in any US election. This means there's a gold mine of votes to be had, even if it is on either side.
Progressives are REFUSING to vote in higher numbers. So they get Voter ID'd, and bullied out of State Houses, State Senate Chambers EVERYWHERE.
On their heads be this misery. It's not rocket science. GO VOTE. Or don't complain about Trump:
-raising taxes on YOU, the middle class, giving tax cuts to himself and other rich people.
-stuffing the courts with conservative lunatics
-scrapping Roe v Wade in a couple of years
-deporting all Dreamers
-closing/sabotaging Planned Parenthood
Trump is turning America into a nightmarish state, and yo, meu all shrug and think: "This won't happen to me-me-me-me"
The ONLY thing that helps against Trump is to GO VOTE.
Nothing else.
So, donate heavily to ALL groups that fight Voter ID laws and other vote suppressing tactics.
1
The GOP owns POTUS, and he owns them. The only acceptable solution for those of us in CA is the death of the GOP. Of course we also need to reform the Democratic Party and get rid of the corporate shills like Pelosi and Schumer.
California, rise up and reclaim your state from the liberals who will turn your state into a THIRD WORLD COUNTRY. In the name and honor of Reagan, VOTE REPUBLICAN!
There are plenty of red states in our country that resemble Russia and adore a president who loves Russia. CA is not one of them. Rest assured that the water contracts are, shall we dare say, watertight.
1
Odd, why is the WH lying all the time.
As a constitute of Issa's I have attended at least one town hall meeting and many protests in front of his office. He refused to hold a Town Hall in person because he said it cost too much. Finally, he relented when protesters outside his office demanded he listen to them. At the Town Hall a Republican spoke and said he felt Issa was unelectable because of his support for Trump. He has voted 100 percent with Trump on everything. He told one woman that he didn't need to listen to her because she was a Democrat. Issa has voted to defund Planned Parenthood consistently yet when speaking with protesters he says he supported it. He lies about his positions depending on who he talks too. His main problem as a candidate is not noticing the changing demographics in his district. It is younger and less white than 16 years ago. Even the wealthy Republicans with homes on the coast don't want offshore drilling which Issa supports. I remember he said Obama committed impeachable offences but never stated what they were. Finally, he is a car thief and an arsonist. How did he ever get elected?
5
California you MUST get the vote out and help take back control of Congress from the Trump & his abettors. The nation`s future is literally in your hands. If you fail in replacing the vile Republican Congress men the best option left is to secede from the union.
10
The best news so far is that Issa is stepping down. I only have to hope that the Californians will lead us out of this Administration. Go California!
14
Getting rid of all the republicans might slow down the separatist movement in CA. My daughter and most of her friends want out of the US. Kicking out the republicans might give them the feeling of being separate without the civil war.
7
Good riddance to all of them. The are just holding us back from building a civilized society. Hopefully we can get rid of all repubs ASAP and take our country back.
15
I sent a New Year's letter to all the vulnerable republicans in the California congressional delegation, 13 in all. I told them I disapproved of the recently approved tax bill (a betrayal of residents of California); their attempts to repeal the Affordable Care Act without any responsible replacement plan; the Department of the Interior's plan to promote oil drilling off the California coast; and their complete disregard for the Dreamers. And, as if that isn't enough, their support for a president whose "rude language and behavior, attacks on the institutions of our democracy, and sexual predation of women is utterly unacceptable."
Anyone who has tried to contact members of congress outside their district knows that all emails are filtered by zip code (if you're not in the district you can't send them a message) and phone calls are directed to an answering machine. It's as if their votes don't affect all of us.
Because of this arm's-length approach I told the republicans in California that I may not be in their voting district but I can provide financial support to their democratic challengers.
This I intend to do.
38
And this is why I don't email them. I call or send postcards.
The Democrats if they are to be successful in the mid-year elections need to understand what got Trump elected in the first place and while he's not the right candidate, it's the themes he's tapped into that matter.
Specifically, the middle class feel that they have been left behind by BOTH parties. They feel promises are made at election time only to be abandoned in favor of their donor class post election.
For the GOP that means big tax breaks for the rich and business and for the DNC that means more social programs, all of which are ultimately funded by the middle class.
Americans on both sides recognize that we cant have open boarders, that there is a rule of law that needs to be followed. They also understand and are sympathetic to the plight of the Dreamers and the fact that we're not going to start stooping people at random on the streets because of the way they look and ask for their papers. There is a workable solution that all but the most hardened on both sides can agree wit and support.
Tax policies should focus on the concept that a rising tide will lift all boats. Meaning, put more money in the hands of the middle class and they will spend it which creates business growth, jobs and higher wages.
The net/net is that the DNC needs a different plan and different candidate, both of which will challenge the current platform. It's time for a change.
5
"...Democrats if they are to be successful in the mid-year elections need to understand what got Trump elected in the first place."
Answer: Russian influence and the Electoral College. Next question?
Remember, Trump LOST by 3 Million Votes. He is NOT 'the choice of the voters."
16
Travis Allen is delusional if he thinks California owes its prosperity in any way to Donald Trump. It'll be a pleasure to tell him so, assuming his campaign for Governor lasts long enough for him to get a phone number.
22
Issa retiring is great news. Now if we can just get McCarthy out of office.
20
It would be more satisfying if another, less predictably progressive state went decisively blue - Georgia anyone? - but I'll take all the Dem gains I can get.
11
We Californians are working hard to make a difference in the House and our state come November. From Eureka to San Diego, from the coast to the Sierras, we are on a mission. That is to rid ourselves of these self-serving and in several cases corrupt Congressmen. And people need to know that it is not about pure ideology. On the contrary, we are aghast at how this group under the leadership of a most unethical and amoral president are relentless in destroying our environment and natural resources, our health, as in the ACA, and our diversity. We are proud of our Latino neighbors, our LGBT community, our Middle Eastern and, yes, Muslim immigrants, as well as our Asian ones. In every city, you will find leaders or hard-working people made up of those above just mentioned. We want to make a difference for our people here. And we are determined to do just that.
29
"“As a 34-year resident of Irvine in Orange County and as someone who has long been active at a variety of levels in political and policy debates, I am also reluctant to conclude that Democrats in a midterm election will be able to turnout a sufficient number of voters to overcome the current advantages Republicans still have in the districts,” said Mark P. Petracca, a professor of political science at the University of California, Irvine."
Way to know your neighbors, Mark. As an Irvine resident, I'm heartened by how upset my neighbors are. Lets get all these liars out later this year.
20
The major older urban centers are blue while the newer suburbs and rural areas are red, in California. That means the same as everywhere else in this country, just opposing Trump is not going to win seats for Democrats in the Congress where the majority of voters are Republicans and right of center independents. The Democratic Party remains a club for specific minority group interests who will not allow Democrats to compromise with their favored policies nor to tolerate anyone who opposes them. Until the Democrats decide to represent all the people, they will remain as parochial and undemocratic a party as are the Republicans.
3
Sorry, "Casual Observer" but your claims don't stand up to scrutiny. A simple web search will demonstrate the the Democrats gained more aggregate votes for Congress in the 2016 elections nationwide. Only egregious gerrymandering allows the Republicans to hold on to the "majority" in Congress.
Suburbs now lean slightly Democratic in almost every major metro area and rural areas are losing population every year.
Your claims that the "majority of voters are Republican" is simply untrue. And, did you also conveniently forget that Trump LOST the last election by Three Million Votes? And that was prior to what we're learning about him through the Russia investigations, his payoffs to a porn star/prostitute and what we'll undoubtedly learn when he is finally forced to reveal his taxes. Can you imagine how much corruption must be hidden away in THOSE documents? (Why do you think Trump is so adamant about NEVER releasing them?)
I have never volunteered or donated money in politics but all of that is changing this year. I live in California and I will do everything in my power to make sure that the California delegation of House members is all Democrats.
We have always felt like Californians don't have much of a say because our primaries came so late. This year we will have plenty to say.
26
Even though California is a solid blue state, it has more Republican House members than Alabama, Utah, Kansas, and Wyoming combined - hopefully this will change dramatically a year from now.
47
David, California was great when it was red, Republican and Reagan.
The republican partisan impulse to punish blue states will not turn them red. On the contrary, those states will turn a deeper shade of blue and will defend themselves - especially rooting out those internal enemies who betray the interests of their citizens.
30
Hasta-la-bye-bye Republican representatives in California.
California Republicans effectively handed in their resignation when they voted for Trump's tax cut for the rich. And we voters will gladly help them pack their bags.
The new caps on mortgage interest, property taxes and state and local taxes, have left hundreds of thousands of Californians shocked. California voters will remember this in November.
Adding insult to injury, Trump seeks to destroy our beautiful coast line with oil rigs. And what demented mind would issue an order to REDUCE safety drilling regulations? Is Trump rooting for another deep water horizon disaster to destroy our coast? Republicans, we will not forget this in November.
Nary a word, and certainly not a visit, by Trump about the worst fires in US history, devastating the lives of tens of thousands of in our state...many Republicans. Californians will remember this at midterms.
49
" California's economy was booming before Trump". That statement is partially true but overlooks the facts.
Most growth occurred in Silicon valley. Small and medium size manufacturing businesses have left the state in droves.
We pay $.20 per kw/hr for power.
Installing a new roof costs at least $10,000 using a (legal) contractor, $4,000 or less using illegal labor. The honest contractor,farmer, business person doesn't have a chance.
Having your house burglarized or car stolen is a misdemeanor ow and likely will not result in a police visit.
Rewarding illegal behaviour and punishing the honest in quest of political power is what destroyed the Venezuelan economy.
Legal immigrants tend to vote Republican. illegal immigrants,Democrat and need a lot more government services involving a army of unionized civil service who donate handsome amounts to the Democrat party.
2
"...illegal immigrants [vote] Democrat..." Just another made up fake "fact". Undocumented residents simply don't vote. And, documented legal immigrants that I know vote and register as Democrats.
8
Legal immigrants cannot vote. Undocumented immigrants are not eligible for the safety net programs.
1
Let the state of California with its droughts, fires, earthquakes, far left judiciary, and illegal immigrants fend for themselves and secede from the union. It's what they want, so let it happen. Their outright defiance against any legislation coming out of the Republican Congress and White House is no better than the defiance of the southern states prior to the Civil War. So let them go. We'll see how long they last without Colorado River water, and without federal funds to bail them out after the next natural disaster.
Always a pleasure to hear the input of the bitter easterners inviting California to leave the Union. If we stay, the rest of the nation will follow our best practices on energy, water management, immigration, etc. If we leave, then people like paul here can apply for a visa and hope to visit sometime while their home states apply to California for economic assistance.
15
That would be beneficial to us. Federal funds to bail us out? Ha! We pay more than we get back in Federal taxes, we fund red states. Get some facts before you make comments.
9
"Let the state of California with its droughts, fires, earthquakes, far left judiciary, and illegal immigrants fend for themselves and secede from the union. It's what they want, so let it happen. "
Better hope they don't. Far from getting federal tax dollars back, all the red states depend on tax flow from California to them, and that will only increase with the corrupt trumpublian war on California tax deductions - California will be sending even more money to poor red state trumpublicans. Please use it wisely - ie, educate yourself please.
BTW, whatevery happened to the right wing dogman that all taxes should be local - ie, people tax themselves for what they want. California voters have taxed themselves to make their live better - unlike the red states who don't tax themselves and have lousy services. The right wingers hate that California has what they have and they want to punish them for it and make them more like the lousy red states, so they try this thing double taxation on Californians. That pretty much shows the right wingers are only in it for power, not solving problems or making lives better.
15
Hopefully our state will lead the country of out this ugly downward spiral of democracy and bring about more balance in Washington. Government always produces good policy when there is healthy debate and compromise, it's hard work, but everyone, not just the wealthy, benefit.
I'm personally supporting every non-Republican running against these gangsters in the next election. As for those dropping out, good riddance and take your cronies with you!
20
Kevin McCarthy, king of Starburst flattery and soon-to-be Mar-a-Lago parking valet, must go. That will send Republicans as big a message from the left as was the ouster of Eric Cantor from the far right a few years ago. Gee guys, why is sensible America always found somewhere in the middle? California's demographics are a fast-forward 10-15 years ahead of the rest of the country, so that famous Republican 2012 autopsy might be right after all.
34
Here in the San Joaquin Valley, the great truck garden to the world, we have the worst air and water in the country. Ignorance and reaction are Republican bonafides. Discrimination against immigrants and those of Mexican heritage is endemic. Issa embodies a fossilized backward drag on this otherwise progressive, democratic state. Once his term is up, we will say adios to a Trump minions day begin healing the Valley.
18
We've got to get McCarthy out of there. He's the worst of the worst.
31
What does McCarthy do for California now that presidential babysitting is taking up all of his time and energy?
2
I vote for Nunez as the worst of the worst. Does anyone know if he is being challenged?
6
any CA rep that voted for the tax fiasco has to go.
7
One can't just be against Trump, you have to come up with something of your own to lead people. Otherwise we just remain in the cycle. Have a plan, a strategy, what do you stand for besides fruits, nuts and pot?
2
What Brulte says about peoole voting for the individual, not the party, used to be correct. Nowadays, with the extreme left vs right polarization, I'm not so sure. Add to that the fact the GOP has recently been supporting serial sexual predators for elected office while the #MeToo / #TimesUp movement continues to gain momentum and I can't believe that won't have some effect on the GOP as a whole.
7
What Mr. Chávez doesn’t seem to understand is that it is not the economy. Not many give this President any credit for a continuing good economy delivered by President Obama. Has he looked at how well China and Europe are doing? Surpassing us in many ways and pushing the world economy. No Mr. Chávez, it is the sexual predator named Trump that will be the reason for a coming change. This albatross around Republicans necks is not going away soon. You are foolish to not recognize this.
14
As repulsive and revolting as Trump is, he will probably go down in history as blowing up the Republican Party and waking up and energizing Democrats.
There’s a huge opportunity to turn things around as long as voters show up and vote the bums out.
17
The Republican Party is dead in California after Trump.
9
Republicans have no one to blame but themselves.
Did any of these Republicans oppose the enormously harmful tax plan?
Do they fully grasp what limiting state and local tax deductions to $10,000 does in a high income, high property value state like California?
No they do not. They will be punished in November.
18
And to make the situation even better, Trump has pledged to spend more time out of the White House to campaign with republican congressmen. In the first instance, it's a win for the country. In the second, it's a win for democrats.
9
I'm sure the President, as well as many of us in the red states, could care less what goes on in California, and the left coast in general, when it comes to their politics. The fact of the matter is that the electoral votes are counted from east to west and by the time it comes to counting theirs, the 270 votes have already been reached. But thanks for your tax dollars just the same!
2
You are welcome, Kurt. We Californians are a generous lot by nature. And I am sorry you do not care what goes on here because we are a large, diverse and wonderful state. Come visit us sometime if you can. You will enjoy yourself.
9
Proud to be from California, a state that is far less dependent on federal funding than a welfare state like Tennessee! TN is in the top ten of states relying on federal dollars to stay afloat. The deeper the blue the greater willingness to shoulder a responsibility toward others. You're welcome, Kurt!
8
To Kurt: I am just curious as to what causes you such views towards Californians. Have you ever even been here to California? Are you afraid of diversity of landscape, people and ways of living? Have you traveled the world to compare places? Do your words hide the fear that change is inevitable and that a place like California will lead towards new ways of communication, energy, and mindsets? Will you hide in your mind or open up to new challenges? Trump represents old structures and unfairness towards the majority. He is for the rich. Are you rich and of a certain class? Just curious.
2
Those concerned about whether CA Democrats will come out and vote in the CA 2018 midterm elections are, I think, underestimating the passion and dedication most Democrats here in CA feel about that election. We will be willing to make phone calls, donate, give rides, whatever it takes. Add in the recent fires and mudslides with not a sign of care, a visit or even a tweet from Trump. Include tax season with warnings from tax preparers about the tax changes for 2018 (we just got a summary from ours-most unfavorable for CA). Include the actions by ICE and the DACA threats, ruining the livelihoods ofour workers and the lives of our students (and damaging parts of our economy). Include the federal government ‘s stance on the marijuana business, approved by the voters of the state and slated to bring in a solid amount of tax money for California. And then to fear people will not come out and vote? I would be surprised if anyone stayed home.
27
Thank you Sue. I could not agree more!!!
6
Look to Pennsylvania in March. If the Democrats succeed in flipping that seat, anything these pundits have to say is no more than whistling in the dark and they will lose five or more of the remaining R seats.
6
California has always been 8-12 years ahead of the rest of the nation in social and political trends. It suffered crippling state budget deficits under rules that empowered the Republican minority a virtual veto of state budgets and tax increases. California elected a grown-up for Governor, Jerry Brown, and rid itself of the restrictive, nativist, racist Republican minority. Instead of desending into fiscal chaos, as Republicans shrieked, the state now has a budget surplus, education is being fully funded, business booming.
We understood the mistake of having a celebrity as governor, just as America is understanding the tragic mistake of having one as President. With the Republicans now demonstrating for the nation their inherent racism, their subservience to the 1%, their abject inability to productively govern, they will go the way of Republicans in California — a severe minority party, relevant only in the Deep South. Here in CD4, a rural district, Tom McClintock, a Republican do nothing Congressman, wholly owned by the oil/gas/extraction industries is facing the race for his political life against 2 novice, female, Democratic Congressional candidates. Our district is under the radar, not noticed by the national media and not mentioned in this article; but it stands an excellent chance of being flipped, despite the advantage of Republican registration in the district.
The nation will follow CA’s lead as more regular citizens, especially women, take the lead.
26
We elected and re-elected two celebrity governors -- Reagan and Schwarzenegger. And our finances boom and bust with the economy because Sacramento won't enact a sensible tax plan. Otherwise, I agree with your comments!
Californian Representatives have a responsibility to support this State and fight for its interests.
Trump , the GOP are conducting a vicious attack on this state, proposing drilling off shore which will impact our tourist industry and put our coastline at risk Trying to destroy employment , home values by taking away our ability to deduct property and State tax. This is despite the fact we are a donor State to the Fed in effect subsidizing other States who then use the subsidy to attract people and industry from here.
Trump suddenly wants to hit our fledgling marijuana industry. Reversing CAFE is next up.
So it goes on. The only way we can fight back is with first class candidates who articulate a clear agenda for a better America and fairness to this state and we all get out and vote in November
6
Essentially what Republicans are learning with California and it's non-gerrymandered electoral map is that their majority long ago vanished and the only way they can stay in power is by cheating; keeping their un-deserved red states red by any means necessary.
Hence the @GOP's supreme court decision is crucial to retaining federal power. The @GOP court OK'd the NC map even after a non-partisan appellate judge labeled it precisely designed to target and disadvantage black and Democratic districts..
9
California is fueling the economy. California can have humanitarian values and fuel the economy. Let's get rid of Republicans that do not support the average American person. Perhaps that means a third peoples party if the Democrats can't figure out how to get good candidates and run good campaigns.
27
What makes you think Dems can't find or haven't found good candidates? Have you read about any of them recently elected nationwide?
6
There are record number of Democrats running in these districts. The top two in the open primary go on to the November election, regardless of party affiliation, even if they each have 10% of the primary vote. If the Democrats split the primary vote too many ways then two Republicans can go to the November election in every one of these districts. Do not under-estimate the ability of Democrats to seize defeat from the jaws of victory.
30
True. Now the Republicans need two strong candidates in the vacant or incumbent districts to finish 1 and 2 in the primary crowd out the Democrats from the General Election
2
I firmly believe that most of the Republicans in congress got all they really wanted when the tax cut went through, most of them are wealthy and will make a fortune. They are fully aware that they face a hard slog no matter the State, and if the economy has a setback, then they might as well not even run. Its not even the November election that they dread but more so the campaigning, when they have to face the public and the music.
19
I live in California's 8th District where Trump-clone Paul Cook rubber stamps every awful GOP idea opposed by Californians like me who are outraged anew about the prospect of offshore drilling.
I just learned that nurse Marge Doyle has decided to run for this seat. She's green and a supporter of the LGBT community and will stand up to the rest of the morally bankrupt GOP members of Congress who hurt us with their vote for a regressive tax package that penalized homeowners here to give a huge, unpopular tax break to the wealthiest.
Now Cook and his cronies are eager to kick out young Dreamers while holding healthcare for children hostage to their cruel agenda. I can't wait to see this district go blue in 2018.
55
"What do you do?" he said. "You can't walk away from him."
Actually, you can and should not just walk, but actively speak against the president's racist agenda and the GOPs efforts to disenfranchise voters and punish democratically-strong states. If the GOP retains it's congressional majority, medicare, social security, and all programs that benefit people will be cut. Regulations to keep us safe, to protect the environment, will be rescinded. Education will be an afterthought. Only the needs of the corporations and the ultra-rich will be considered. They'll use immigration, Nazis, the NRA, the KKK, alt-right, and Russian money as the tools to stay in power. Sounds like a bad movie, right? Well it's a documentary, not fiction.
I know California republicans would like to make a difference and be electable, but you need to stand for things that are are right, not alt-right.
87
You mentioned education. California has the worst high school graduation rate in the US. Lower than Mississippi. California has successfully gutted the greatest public university system in the world. Explain that.
You mentioned corporations and the ultra-rich. Apple has shafted the State of California, just like it shafted the US, with its tax policies. Progressives dismiss Apple's greed as smart corporate policy. Explain that.
You mentioned the environment. Would that be your clogged freeways that serve as parking lots twice a day? The urban sprawl that has lead to daily hundred mile commutes? Spewing out billions of tons of carbon every year.
California is a symptom of the failure of "progressive" policies to produce a sustainable socio-economic society. No thanks.
Proud to live in California....home to the two best public universities in the world! Go UC Berkeley and UCLA!
7
Let CA democrats obliterate their heathen GOP brethren. Trump certainly enhances Democratic chances.
43
Register and vote, Californians, and throw Republican representatives out of office and replace them with moderate Democratic representatives.
Trump and the GOP are happy to risk oil spills on your coastline, their tax bill just increased taxes for many Californians, they want your environment deregulated for the benefit of oil, gas, coal and industrial polluters, and they have zero interest is healthcare.
Register, vote and make progress, not regress.
111
Sorry Socrates, we're going to vote for progressive Democrats. Not nearly enough of them to go around! Middle of the road dems vs hard core republicans didn't work with Clinton, didn't work with Obama and won't work now.
4
The article states: "Last year, Californians voted to legalize recreational marijuana by a hefty margin of 57 percent to 42 percent[.]" The vote was not last year. Proposition 64 was passed by California voters on November 8, 2016.
11
We will turn the San Joaquin and Sacramento Valleys blue. Kevin McCarthy can then go back to running his sandwich shop in Bakersfield.
125
"Californians are waking up to one of the best economies..."
"Trump effect on the economy"
Do they really believe that this 'improvement' can be attributed to any one president after just one year in office? Especially considering he has achieved such little output in that time.
56
Trump is giving the Democrats a gift. The question is whether the Democrats have the wisdom to use that gift to craft a policy that will help all Americans not just the far left progressives. If they do, I believe they can take back the House and possibly the Senate in 2018. If they behave like Republicans, abandon consensus and pander to the extreme portion of their party, they will once again snatch defeat from the jaws of victory.
The first step in this program is to find a way of keeping the government running. Failure to do so will have severe repercussions in November.
14
One little oil accident of any sort will sink the Republican party in any state that has pristine coastlines.
The failure of major GOP players to visit devastated California areas does not bode well for their chances.
48
So long as Trump’s priority is to appeal to his so-called base, he alienates everyone else.
That said, Democrats need to be more than anti-Trump. They must devise clear contrasts in policy terms, and then articulate that message clearly and consistently.
Finally, they then have to get people to the polls. A solid ground game is critical. Don’t let apathy “win”. Every vote matters.
41
Absolutely true...I've written to each of our California Senators and Minority Leader Schumer as well asking them - "Where are your ideas for moving us forward?" Resistance alone is not a plan.
4
"Californians are waking up to one of the best economies we have seen in decades, since Ronald Reagan was president.” Travis Allen, our economy has been booming for decades. The current President has nothing to do with our singular, consistent success. In fact, the President's regressive policies (Hooray for coal and offshore drilling! Let's ship more tax dollars from California to Alabama!) only stand to damage our economy.
99
David, your comment speaks truth. California's economy was booming long before Trump, and so far, his policies (proposed oil drilling, immigration crackdown/deportations, removal of the SALT deductions in corporate tax cut legislation, etc.) only hurt California.
34
The problem Republicans have is that they vote as a bloc. Kevin McCarthy supports and enables this block voting, the California Republican House members do too. Many of them voted for the "enrich the rich" tax bill, even though it is not in California's interest. Even if the Republican House members sometimes don't vote with the block, there's no point in electing a Republican who can't achieve anything California wants and needs from the Federal government because the Republican block is firmly in place. The only way to get California interests supported is to elect Democrats.
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California the one party state not unlike the Soviet Union, except for the rural and northern areas which believe it or not, will eventual ask for and escape Sacramento / SF and LA. Let's see where LA gets water then.
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Don’t you mean like the one party states of Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas, Mississippi etc?
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Have you forgotten your man-god emperor, Arnold. He was Trump 1.0. The first release in the beclowning of America that the oligarchs have driven since Reagan.
You want to see one party rule look to the south where the slavers still control all power as they always have. No those reactionaries have taken over the GOP and will cause it’s slow death outside of the south and the states that absorbed southerners after the civil war diaspora.
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Come on, now, wingate. There are many states with "one party" systems, California just happens to be the one that is blue. All the rumblings about a State of Jefferson, etc. have been bandied about for decades, but will never happen. Get real.
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Yet...the web-site Politico took a different take on the same subject, opining that the Democratic path to victory in Republican held districts may be more difficult than at first perceived. That is due to the fact that the top two finishers in a primary face off against one another in the final election as opposed to separate Democratic- Republican primary winners vying for the seat in a final election. The view is that if many Democrats run in a primary, the vote will be split small enough amongst them to enable perhaps a sole Republican to sneak into the final election, or even enable two Republicans to face off against one another if the Democratic split is spread enough. It's something to keep in mind.
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And in fact, that has happened previously. The DPC is organizationally weak, i.e., unable to enforce party discipline, and 8 good candidates vying for the same seat just means fratricide. "Jungle primaries" are great...in theory.
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Jerry Brown, with his technocratic skill, even tempered disposition, and long-term outlook, stands in stark contrast to the incompetent, ignorant, racist so-called president*, and California will hold the latter accountable. The story is not so much that California will vote in favor of sane government, but instead why other states and regions are not doing the same.
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How is Moon Beam's $200 Billion +++ bullet train from downtown LaLa to downtown Frisco coming along? I hope he gets Oroville repaired before it floods the bullet tracks. And, I support his plan to turn all those freeways into community truck farms where Californians can grow their own spinach and weed. Getting rid of the daily carbon-commute will go a long way in his partnership with China to save the world from AGW. Jerry for President. Of Californiana, that is.