The problem is that the state is so gerrymandered that it's hard to change anything. If Arnold can throw out the gerrymander and turn the setting of district boundaries over to a non-partisan commission, he'd deserve to be President for that alone.

The President would be wise to spend a couple days in the Central Valley (Sactamento, Fresno, and Bakersfield, San Diego, and maybe Eastern Metro LA.

Orrin, you are too smart of a guy. Stop believing that California will go Republican this election. Arnold Schwarzenegger won because he is Arnold, not because he is a Republican; furthermore, Arnold is not a conservative like George W. Bush. The true conservative, Tom McClintock, won so few votes in the recall.

The California legislature is composed of a bunch of far-left radicals like John Burton, John Vasconcellos, Don Perata, Sheila Kuehl, Carole Migden, Mark Leno, Jackie Goldberg..., and the electorate seems to have no problem voting these loons in every time.

In this upcoming election, voters may approve a ballot initiative, which would severely weaken the 3-strikes law, probably the best law California has ever passed. That means arsonists, burglars, car thieves and intoxicated drivers who kill people could be considered non-violent, and a criminal would receive only one strike per prosecution not conviction. That means a serial murderer convicted of killing 25 people would simply receive one strike if he received only one trial. It is nuts, and the polls show it might just pass. Orrin, it is just too wacky out here. Believe me! This is not New Hampshire.

PapayaSf and Vince are right about the legislature. Getting rid of gerrymandered districts will take another voter initiative (in progress) next year. One trouble with our voters is that we don't like what 'the legislature' does, but keep voting for Democrats. Even the moderate Dems are pawns of the Left-liberal leadership (see Vince's list) once in office (if they want to stay in office).

Bush can't win California this year, but that's not to say conservatives aren't making headway. Schwarzenegger actually is helping the party even though he's no purist. If we pick up a few seats each in assembly and senate that's huge, considering the incumbency advantages. It'll take another election cycle or two to regain competitiveness.

Can't? Why would CA be different than the rest of the country?

PapayaSF:

Indeed. But note what happened in Texas - once the 'minority' party gets 51% of the legislature, it controls the next round of redistricting, and suddenly that 51-49 split becomes 70-30.

Because California is different than much of the country, Orrin. I am not saying that California can't go Republican some day, but this time--forget it.

Vince:

Not much different. Its only non-Republican governor in recent decades was chased from office.

Vince:

You forgot "One-Bill Gil" Garcetti in the CA legislature -- the only thing he ever does is introduce "Driver's Licenses for Illegals" bill every year, like clockwork.

And the ballot initiative gutting the three-strikes law is entirely the brainchild of one rich guy who is putting millions into it specifically to buy his widdle baby pwecious darwing son (jugged under Three Strikes for a mass-fatality drunk-driving crash) out of the slammer.