High Desert Perspective

Posted By Ron Nehring on May 22, 2009

SACRAMENTO – I just returned from the Republican National Committee’s State Chairmen’s meeting in Washington, D.C.

Remarkably, this week marked the official transition from focusing on the past to focusing on the future for our party nationally, and in California.

Nationally, RNC Chairman Michael Steele set exactly the right tone in a powerful speech he delivered to the RNC on Tuesday.  The speech was heavily covered by the media and I ask that you take a moment to watch the speech online.   It signifies our party’s national shift from looking backward to a new focus on providing a positive, alternative vision to the Democrats and going on offense.

Here in California, our victory in Tuesday’s special election provides the same turning point for our party, as we now build Republican unity and go on offense against our liberal opponents and focus on our mission to win the 2010 election in California.

We have very good cause for optimism.

Data gathered during the special election reveals that two thirds of California voters share the Republican view of solving the state’s budget crisis mostly through spending cuts, not tax increases.  The vast majority of voters are with us on the most important issue of the day, not with the Democrats who are constantly looking for new ways to make government more expensive and more annoying.

With the special election behind us, now is the time for Republicans in California to come together in support of an agenda that has as its centerpiece bringing the size of state government in line with reality.  Republican unity is essential to solving the state’s budget problems.

Republican unity also means our candidates supporting each other as we go into 2010.  Eight years as a party chairman has shown me that our candidates have a much greater opportunity to win when they support one another through a united ticket than when they each go off on their own and pull volunteers and resources in different directions.

Unity also means the Republican Party supports the entire ticket.  Certainly the top of the ticket in 2010 will have the most impact on messaging and turnout, yet we are determined to achieve much more than a lonely victory.  Our campaign will focus on supporting Republicans up and down the ballot, including candidates for local government offices endorsed by their county Republican committee.

The latest leading political indicators show a remarkably stronger position for our party today than in the 2006 or 2008 election cycles. Throughout each, the generic Congressional ballot test heavily favored Democrats.  Now, Republicans are in the lead in this key indicator.  We’re not out of the woods yet, but we’re growing in strength, determination and performance.

Thank you for your leadership in putting Republican ideas into action in your part of California.

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