BUILDING A BENCH :

He proves the GOP is still California's party of optimism and growth (Lewis A. Fein, June 24, 2002, Jewish World Review)

[I]n a state where the Democratic Party is large and liberalism strong, Michael Wissot proves the ideological home of Ronald Reagan remains brilliantly alive.

Wissot proves the GOP is still California's party of optimism and growth because of an idea -- recited like an engraver's seal, before images of Reagan's heroic actions -- that motivates all voters: the idea that public schools must improve, taxes lower and independence thrive. These ideas are the same principles that will not only energize California's Republican Party, but inspire voters from other political persuasions.

One of the worst aspects for a political party of being completely out of power is that they don't get to develop a bench, a group of guys who are ready to move up and take on the big races. Thus, the GOP in CA has been trotting out canon fodder like Matt Fong against even so vulnerable an incumbent as Barbara Boxer. If Bill Simon manages to mount a serious candidacy for governor that's all well and good, but the party really needs to be rebuilt from the ground up--this guy looks like a decent start. Posted by Orrin Judd at June 24, 2002 1:43 PM