As California Republicans gather in San Francisco this week, presumptive GOP presidential nominee John McCain is banking on the party organization getting its act together to help him in November.
Presidential candidates rely heavily on state party infrastructure to build campaigns, particularly in large states like California.
On Sunday, in an interview with ABC News’ George Stephanopoulos, Arizona Sen. John McCain said he planned to compete in California – complete with a none-too-subtle reference to popular Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger’s support.
Here’s the transcript:
Sen. John McCain:
But I mentioned to you earlier, we've got to reunite the party and we've got to re-energize the party. And I'm prepared to do that. We've got plenty of time. But I won't waste a day. And I'd like to mention one other thing, I'll compete all over America. We won't have - we'll be competing everywhere, including the state of California.
George Stephanopoulos:
Including California?
McCain:
Excuse me, Cal-lee-forn-yee-a, yes.
To support McCain, the state Republican Party would have to get its fiscal house in order first.
Jon Fleischman, the conservative blogger and a vice chairman of the Republican Party, extensively outlined the history of the party's $3 million debts earlier this week -- and implored the governor to help pay it off.
"I am sure that the last thing that Arnold would intend is for the deficit from the effort to re-elect him to now negatively impact Senator McCain's efforts to keep the presidency in Republican hands," Fleischman wrote.
Kevin Yamamura had more on the GOP's fiscal troubles in today's Bee.
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