Moderate Republicans have declared war on the conservative leadership of the California state party and especially the core of that leadership represented by the Orange County Central Committee. While it has been simmering for a long time, this war never will be ended in our lifetime. All the split can do is weaken the GOP in the next election.
To begin with, a train can't do without its engine. The party needs its conservative engine. The party can, however, find a new driver to help steer it in a new direction. Each side must come together quickly and heal this rift if they have any hope of electing the next president, holding control of Congress or ever wresting control of California from the Democrats.
The moderates in the "New Majority Committee," made up of business interests and political wannabes, have each election become more and more frustrated. Those who ran for office or who wanted to run, especially women, couldn't win or were dissuaded from even trying. They blame it on the fact they won't agree to the conservative litmus test on abortion.
The business leaders among these moderates say they are tired of losing. They see their party portrayed by Democrats and the media as bigoted and racist, captured by conservatives and the religious right. In addition, many in this group are very pragmatic when it comes to politics. They are heavily regulated and taxed by government at all levels. They need relief to survive and prosper.
They found that the Republicans they elected were so conservative that they will not or cannot respond to their special-interest needs. They also believe that the GOP under that leadership can't win, and if it did win, couldn't govern. These businessmen have two choices: They can support Democrats, as some have already done, or they can help change their party leadership into one that is more pragmatic and less ideological. More business-friendly.
Their frustration began back in the mid-'80s when Chairman Tom Fuentes, along with a small group of conservative politicians and Lincoln Club leaders, took over the county Central Committee. Later they were joined by a group of wealthy men of the religious right. By 1987 they had both the power and the money.
The politicians became known as "the cavemen," and the entire group became "The Orange County Political Machine." They took control of the party out of frustration with its do-nothing leadership of the late '70s. They pledged to build the party to majority status with tough conservative leaders. They began as good men with laudable goals.
