McCain Fighting for California

John McCain opened his California campaign headquarters in Torrance on Wednesday, sending a first signal that he does not intend to concede the traditionally Democratic-leaning state.

McCain's California campaign chair, Bill Jones, addressed a crowd of about 50 volunteers and elected officials to drive home that message. "It is important to understand that California is clearly winnable, and Sen. McCain is committed not just to run in California but to win the state."

Although no Republican presidential candidate has carried California in 20 years, since the first Bush in 1988, McCain is launching an aggressive statewide campaign. The campaign will have opened 70 headquarters across the state by the end of the month. California campaign manager Andrea Jones-Rivera said that the campaign has signed up 1,500 volunteers in the state over the last two weeks through the McCain website.

Jones reminded the crowd that California has elected Republican governors over the past two decades "with the exception of two years, and that was a mistake."

Jones told the crowd of supporters that former California governors George Deukmejian and Pete Wilson have thrown their support behind the senator. "They asked me to ask you to help and to go find your friends to help. And to make sure that we have all the volunteers necessary because that's how they won."

The key to a victory in California for McCain is winning over independent voters. Independents are the fastest-growing political constituency in the state, making up two of every ten voters.

"This is a state that elects candidates. It doesn't necessarily elect parties. There's 20 percent of the people in this state that are independent now," said Jones. "Sen. McCain does very well with them."

Charles Kim was one of the supporters in attendance Wednesday night. He said it was the first political event he has ever attended and that the nation's current climate has gotten him more engaged in this election.

"This election, I think it's really, really going to set the tone for the country... I was a John McCain supporter in 2000. He should have been president in 2000 quite honestly, and I'm doing my part to make sure he's president this time around," Kim said.

Though the event was packed, the crowd was noticeably older and less diverse than the crowds that flock to McCain's opponent's events. Ian Coyne, a 27-year-old McCain supporter, disputed the notion that Barack Obama has a larger youth following than McCain.

"I think that a lot of it's perception. People believe that Obama has more youth because they're a bit more visible, but if you really take a look at this event in particular, we have 14 youth here right now and if you look they're out there and there's more coming."

Coyne is the Southern District Chair for the Future Leaders for McCain and has supported the Arizona senator since McCain's first run at the presidency. "I love his brashness and his ability to cross the aisle and he appeals to such a wide range in a polarized political landscape," he said.

Mei Lien Chang, the vice-president of Trade Union International, passed out flyers for an upcoming event hosted by the California Asian American Coalition for McCain. She said that many Asian-Americans support the Republican philosophy.

"We want small government, we want to create more jobs, we run our businesses," said Chang. "We want to preserve family value, that is very, very important. The most important thing is education, and I think all of these things are in line with Republican values."

Comments

[JJeff88]

I couldn't help but be struck by the way Republicans campaign contrast with the way Democrats campaign.

The photos you see of most GOP gatherings seem be dominated by 3 or 4 well-heeled country club types with drinks in hand posing in front of an American flag. Lots of American symbolism - you expect to see in ensuing photos - a lemon-aid stand or a parade down Main St.

The photos you see of Democratic events tend to be less staged more candid - with small groups of somewhat shaggier people talking earnestly in corners of the room. Ethnic diversity invariably is the rule rather than the exception.

Neither way is the perfect way. (Mom's Apple Pie has worked for Republicans in small town America for years. And the image of gritty wonkishnesshas worked for Democrats in many places as well).

It all boils down to Doris Day vs. Jimi Hendrix, and I'd rather boogie with Democrats every time.

[brighterside]

"The most important thing is education, and I think all of these things are in line with Republican values."

I nearly choked on my coffee when I read that. When it comes to education there is no party worst than the republicans. They would rather give money to evil drug lords before any of those funds go into education.

[TyTy121]

There is no way John MCcain will win California. He has no shot, too many liberal in California.

[mamamay]

This is strange that JMcC is setting up camp in Torrence? This doen't appear to be a Rep town. Is it th at he still believes someone will agree to his off shore drilling after accusing folks of whining? Is he now pandering trying to get close to Gov Swarz? I don't think he will win Ca. infact He isn't doing to well in Az. for many reasons. It appear that He just cant seem to keep his str talk,str regarding issues of both of these states. Anyway,These calzonians dont appear ready for 4more yrs of JMcsame.

[TyTy121]

You're right, he will not win Ca. Too many liberals. Plus the straight talk expess keep loosing wheels. Every time JMcc flip-flopps it looks bad on him. Even Gov Swarz doesn't agree with his change proposal for lifting the moritorum on off-shore drilling.

[JennyJay]

Charles Kim - - - choosing to vote for another thoroughly DUMB president? Are you simply nuts?
Do you really love this $5.00 gas??? And this trillion dollar war? ?? And all our jobs now in China and India?
You, poor misguided Republicans. You all need new glasses to see what is going on around you.

[S1m0n]

I doubt anyone in the McCain camp thinks they'll win California, which means the the likeliest reason for their presence is fundraising.

[Kwaayesnama]

John McCain should concentrate on trying to win Arizona.

I live in his home state and see more Obama lawn signs then McCain.

The reason I will not be voting for him is his bragging about his not bringing any money home to Arizona. I'm sorry there are many areas in his state that could desperately use some of that PORK. All of Arizona is not Scottsdale and Sedona. We have Indian reservations that have unemployment around 60%. A call center in Indian country would be more of a blessing then one in INDIA.

[shela88]

I have nothing against Torrance, California. I bought my Siamese cat from a breeder in Torrance and while it is a pleasant, quiet rural community, it is very hard to find and is hardly a hotbed of political activism. McCain is not spending much money in California and probably less time because he is even more unpopular here than George W Bush.

PS..My cat was happy to leave Torrance and relocate in West Hollywood...

[Thron]

Last year I lived in Redondo beach, it the same kind of quiet, mostly white, a little bet old, and growing Asian type of community, mmmm boring.

[Peteyman]

I live in Torrance, and I happened to see a McCain shop at Wilson Park.

No business

[Lindy222]

I live in Torrance too, and it's hardly rural. There's the Madrona marsh, I suppose, and if you peer through the cyclone fence in the right direction, or at least cast your eyes downward, you might miss the telephone wires. Plus you should probably plug your ears to muffle the traffic sounds.

Anyhow! Must locate this McCain stronghold and parade back and forth in front of them with my Obama T-shirt, hat and buttons.

Wilson Park, you say, eh?

[Thron]

I don't know if this is news by itself, but...ok. Even though I respect the man, he is not my favorite cup of tea, I guess he does what he got to do and I couldn't care less. The only big thing I care about is, this uncomfortable feeling that comes out of his political entourage or supporters and therefore him. They do not represent my generation, my dreams, my hopes, my immediate concerns. It is almost exclusively an old white conservative type of audience, living in a past, quite unsustainable in our morphing present an future. This world of his is only plausible if you literally eliminate from the equation a large chunk of the American landscape. So just like a mathematician can add the numbers and collect the result it is obvious that, what I see, what we saw, what he says, what he told us, who are his advisers, which friends are no longer in his entourage, will equal a non positive factor. I imagine or foresee that...Mmm the bush 7 years might certainly be felt like the happy days in Disney land.

[Kwaayesnama]

Ok!
Lets think about this?
Do you really think when push comes to shove the American people will vote for McBush?
McCain is the man who voted to send our bravest to die looking for weapons of mass destruction that did not exist.
McCain is the man who does not know that 9-11 was caused by Osama Bin Laden not Sedam Hussein.
McCain is the man who does not know if the Sunnis or Sheits are our enemies!
McCain is the man who put our government on the China, Saudi Arabia credit card.
McCain is the man has adopted virtually the entire Bush agenda, often reversing long held positions and compromising supposed core principles. From Iraq, tax cuts for the wealthy, broken promises on the deficit to opposition to SCHIP, tax credits for health care, overturning Roe v. Wade and a right-wing Supreme Court, without question John McCain represents a third Bush term.
Get real!
Our only hope is Obama.

[Sportswoman]

Family values, jobs and education...yeah, they certainly picked the right guy, all right...

[CTmom13]

go for it, spend yuour money McSame LOL LOL LOL

But first you may need to spend some money in AZ since the new polls show he is losing his home state now

[Tamburlaine]

Sure, McCain has many young supporters as Obama does, education is a Republican value, and California isn't going Democratic this year. Sure. And history will redeem Bush too!

[Thron]

And the bad economy is just a psychological mental whining thing. We shloudn't leave our ineptitude to read our Gramm-ar limited us, because all is great.
Can you feel me?