California Republican Party Faces Debate Over Proposed Platform Changes
The national media spotlight is turning westward as former President Donald Trump and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis head to the California Republican Party’s fall convention. The focus of the debate is on proposed changes to the state party platform.
Critics argue that the draft platform, which shortens the current version from 14 pages to four, takes a softer stance on abortion and same-sex marriage, potentially diluting conservative values.
Party delegates will vote on the final platform at the convention in Anaheim from Sept. 29 to Oct. 1, where top Republican presidential candidates, including Trump and DeSantis, will also be speaking.
Trump is scheduled to speak at a luncheon on Sept. 29, while DeSantis will address attendees at an evening dinner on the same day. Other notable speakers include U.S. Sen. Tim Scott and entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy.
Trump Leads GOP Primaries, Skips Debate
According to recent polls, Trump is the clear front-runner ahead of the GOP primaries. He is not expected to participate in a debate with other Republican candidates at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library on Sept. 27. A Reuters/Ispos poll conducted from Sept. 8 to 14 shows Trump with a 37 percentage point lead over DeSantis, his closest rival.
Trump’s campaign has confirmed that he will skip the second GOP primary debate to give a competing speech in Detroit on the same night.
Republican presidential candidates (L-R), former Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson, former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, former Vice President Mike Pence, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, Vivek Ramaswamy, former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley, Sen. Tim Scott (R-S.C.), and North Dakota governor Doug Burgum participate in the first debate of the GOP primary season hosted by FOX News at the Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, Wis., on Aug. 23, 2023. (Win McNamee/Getty Images)
‘Soul of the California Republican Party’
The California Republican Assembly (CRA), representing the conservative wing of the party, strongly opposes the proposed platform changes. CRA President Carl Brickey believes that removing Republican principles such as the right to life would betray the party’s founding principles and abandon sound public policy.
Brickey argues that diluted policies on abortion and same-sex marriage won’t resonate with rank-and-file Republican voters, potentially causing further divisions within the party.
He warns that the California Republican Party could become an echo of the Democrats, leading to its irrelevance.
Brickey emphasizes the importance of maintaining a strong stance on abortion, especially since each state is now responsible for its own abortion laws following the Supreme Court’s decision on Roe v. Wade. He believes that the party’s current leadership is out of touch with the majority of pro-life Republican voters.
The draft platform’s “Right to Life” plank focuses on reducing the number of abortions and supporting adoption as an alternative. In contrast, the existing platform boldly declares the party’s belief that life begins at conception and condemns taxpayer-funded abortions and those performed without parental consent.
Pro-life demonstrators gather at the California state capitol building in Sacramento on April 19, 2022. (John Fredricks/The Epoch Times)
The drafting committee received numerous proposed platforms and amendments, but only one was selected as the base platform. Brickey believes that the draft platform falls short in protecting the right to life and fails to address the concerns of most Republicans.
Gina Gleason, executive director of Real Impact Ministry, warns that changing the party’s pro-life stance or removing language supporting traditional marriage will lead to an exodus of evangelical Christians, Catholics, and other people of faith from the Republican Party.
She criticizes the Democratic Party for its support of abortion and highlights the need for conservative Republicans to push back against the Democrat leadership.
Uniting the Party
Despite the debate over the platform changes, California Republican Party Chairwoman Jessica Millan Patterson believes that Republicans are united against the Democratic Party platform.
While acknowledging that Republicans may have differing views on certain issues, Patterson emphasizes the strength of the party’s coalition. In contrast, she argues that the Democratic Party does not tolerate dissenting opinions.
CA GOP Chairwoman Jessica Patterson (L) at the CA GOP 2023 convention in Sacramento, Calif., on March 11, 2023. (John Fredricks/The Epoch Times)
Patterson vows to lead the party by focusing on common ground and the core principles, ideals, and values that unite Republicans. She downplays any friction between Trump and DeSantis, stating that both have pledged to support the Republican nominee.
California, with the most delegates at stake, will play a crucial role in determining the next Republican nominee. Patterson believes that Gov. Gavin Newsom may be positioning himself for a presidential run, potentially challenging President Joe Biden.
While uncertainty remains about the 2024 election, Republicans in California are determined to stand united and support their nominee.
Biden or Newsom?
There are doubts about whether President Joe Biden will be on the ballot in 2024. Some believe that Newsom is running for president, as evidenced by his recent interviews and growing national profile.
However, the California Republican Party remains focused on supporting the Republican nominee, regardless of who ultimately runs on the Democratic side.
As the debate over the platform continues, the California Republican Party faces the challenge of balancing conservative values with the need for unity and broad appeal.
How does Ica Millan Patterson believe the Republican Party can unite behind its core principles and attract a broader base of voters?
Ica Millan Patterson is optimistic about the future of the party. She believes that the Republican Party can unite behind its core principles, while also embracing a more inclusive approach to attract a broader base of voters.
Patterson recognizes the importance of a strong stance on issues like abortion and traditional marriage, but also acknowledges the need to adapt to changing times and reach out to new demographics.
She points out that the proposed platform still emphasizes the importance of reducing the number of abortions and supporting adoption as an alternative. It may not be as strong in its language, but it still reflects Republican values and priorities.
Patterson believes that a more concise and focused platform will allow the party to better communicate its core message and attract a wider range of voters. She argues that it is more important to focus on promoting conservative principles and policies than to get caught up in the specifics of individual issues.
She also emphasizes the need for party unity. The Republican Party in California has been plagued by divisions in recent years, which has weakened its ability to compete in state elections. Patterson hopes that the fall convention will be an opportunity for party members to come together and work towards a common goal.
Ultimately, the debate over the proposed platform changes reflects broader debates within the Republican Party as a whole. There is a tension between maintaining traditional conservative values and adapting to changing societal norms. Finding a balance between these two extremes is crucial for the party’s future success.
The California Republican Party faces a significant challenge in finding a path forward that can unite its members and appeal to a diverse electorate. The outcome of the debate over the proposed platform changes will have far-reaching implications for the party’s ability to compete in future elections.
As Republican presidential candidates like Donald Trump and Ron DeSantis take the stage at the fall convention, they will have an opportunity to shape the party’s direction and signal to voters where they stand on key issues.
Only time will tell what impact the debate over the proposed platform changes will have on the California Republican Party. However, one thing is clear: the party must grapple with these challenges and find a way to adapt and evolve if it hopes to remain relevant in California’s political landscape.
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