How Important Is California?

How much does Bob Dole need California? Dole might look to President James A. Garfield. The Ohio native, our 20th president, was the last Republican to win the presidency without also winning California. That was in 1880. California Republicans make a point of recalling such history when they explain why Dole and Jack Kemp must make a serious run at winning the state and its 54 electoral votes.

The Protest Area

San Diego is intent on keeping protests as orderly as possible. Anyone who feels a need to express 1st Amendment rights has been asked to keep it within the “designated protest zone.” The zone, within sight of the convention center, is enclosed by cyclone fences. So far, 65 groups have protest permits, 13 per day. The Police Department allows 55 minutes to each group, with 15-minute breaks between demonstrations.

George Schultz in Delegation

One of the most visible California delegates is former Secretary of State George Shultz, who is known for his cabinet service during the Reagan Administration, but worked for presidents back as far as Dwight D. Eisenhower. Shultz, a fellow at California’s Hoover Institute, traveled to San Diego Saturday aboard the train rented by Republicans, spending the full 16 hours on the Victory Express.