Republicans are Astir

Conservative activists are preparing for the upcoming Republican Party convention in order to "air their greivances" with Gov. Schwarzenegger, who they see as leaning too far left as his failed special election last year. The OC Register has the story that there are five currently circulating resolutions denouncing various Schwarzenegger appointments and initiatives. They are: Demand that Schwarzenegger fire top aide Susan Kennedy, a former Gov. Gray Davis Cabinet member, from her post by March 15 or risk losing the Republican Party's endorsement for governor. Denounce the governor's budget, which the nonpartisan Legislative Analyst said spent $7billion more than last year and would increase the state's deficit by about $2billion. Criticize the governor for appointing more Democrat judges than Republicans. Attack his plan to increase the minimum wage by $1 to $7.75 by 2007. Criticize the governor's $222billion plan to borrow money and increase fees to build roads, water projects, levees and other public needs. The Register points out that, "This kind of rebuke is not unique to political parties, especially Republicans. In 1991, activists at the party convention tarred, feathered and hanged an effigy of then-Gov. Pete Wilson after he proposed a budget that would raise taxes by $7billion to patch a $14billion deficit." In any case, it is a sign that activists are astriring--and looking to be heard.