CRP Convention recap

Governor Arnold SchwarzeneggerLog Cabin Republicans steal the show!

Friday night at the California Republican Party (CRP) Convention, in Century City, was well-attended and there was an evening dinner with all the statewide candidates, except for Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger (pictured at right at a different event). Tony Strickland, the GOP candidate for Controller, mentioned he was well-funded – but all the funds were in people’s wallets.

There was a party hosted by an Asian American GOP group that featured guest speakers Bob Huff and Van Tran, both Assemblymen. The event was an ice cream social – and I am told that the coconut ice cream bars were to die for. Van Tran’s wife was there too – but she didn’t have much to say. A little pajarito reported a Bubba Gump Bustamante sighting on Friday too – but he was not seen on Saturday at the Hispanic Republican meeting.

Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger was the main speaker on Saturday, for lunch. Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney spoke at dinner and reports indicate that he gave a terrific – and presidential – speech.

Parties on Saturday were aplenty – with the Log Cabin Republicans starting things off with a tiki-style fest that featured their members decked out in Hawaiian shirts and leis. Everyone was drinking pina coladas. Those in attendance included, Dr. Alexandria Coronado, of the OC Board of Education; Assembly candidate Samantha Allen-Newman, who is running for Jackie Goldberg’s seat; Ralph Denney, who is running for the 76th Assembly District; Steve Scion, who is running for the Assembly seat in West Hollywood; and Ryan Gene Williams, the GOP candidate for the 69th Assembly District. According to Mike Lawson at the Liberal OC Blog, Williams said that he was attending the party in order to “whore himself to the Log Cabin Republicans.” Wow – way to take one for the team in Central OC! Actually, Williams was just trolling for money for his campaign.

The California College Republicans had a no-host bar – but methinks the quality gave way to quantity, as in lots of Miller Lite. There were perhaps fifty College Republicans there, particularly the groups from Fullerton, Irvine, USC, UCLA and San Francisco State.

The Governor’s staff had a party along with a bunch of Victory 2006 campaign staff – but it was mostly insiders.

Finally, Jon Fleischman, the consultant who used to work for OC Sheriff Mike Carona, was working the crowd all weekend as he is running for CRP Southern Vice Chair. God willing someone decent will oppose him. (Don’t get mad at me Jon – I just don’t like to see consultants in positions of leadership in our party – too much conflict of interest).

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"Admin" is just editors Vern Nelson, Greg Diamond, or Ryan Cantor sharing something that they mostly didn't write themselves, but think you should see. Before December 2010, "Admin" may have been former blog owner Art Pedroza.