In a midterm election year when angry voters are turning on Democrats and turning out at Tea Party protests, California Republicans are talking up volatile issues that have historically resonated in hard times, including getting tough on environmental regulations and undocumented immigrants and their children.
But even in the overwhelmingly conservative venue of the state GOP convention in Santa Clara this weekend, some Republicans expressed concern that efforts by candidates to revive the thrust of Proposition 187, the anti-illegal immigration measure, and roll back California's landmark climate change legislation may hurt the party's long-term outreach to Latino and independent voters in the nation's most populous state.The attempt to find a rallying point for the widespread angst about the economy proved to be a tough balancing act for the GOP during Saturday's sessions, especially as it tries to expand its voter base. Only 31 percent of California voters are registered with the GOP, and no congressional district has a majority of Republicans.
California Insurance Commissioner Steve Poizner, who is challenging front-runner Meg Whitman for his party's gubernatorial nomination, was the most vivid example of the lengths to which candidates will stretch to win the party's right flank. He called for an end to all taxpayer-funded services to undocumented immigrants, including denying their children public education and health care.
"We're just out of money ... and one of the reasons the state's in trouble is because of illegal immigration," said Poizner, who argued California spends up to $10 billion annually on services for illegal immigrants.
"I'm going to be the truth teller in this campaign. As governor I'm going to stop illegal immigration once and for all," Poizner said to loud cheers from the audience Saturday
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