Trump's California

By Douglas V. Gibbs
Author, Speaker, Instructor, Radio Host

In 2020, California's electoral votes may go to Donald J. Trump.  The President received more votes in 2016 when he lost California to Hillary Clinton than Governor Jerry Brown did in 2014 in his gubernatorial win (Jerry Brown: 2,354,769 ... Donald J. Trump: 3,916,209.  More Trump apparel is bought in California than any other State.  And my good friend, Malcom McGough, who led the Trump effort in California, said that more phone calls for Trump went out into the battleground States than from any other State during the presidential election.  "California," McGough quipped, "won the election for Trump."

Even the San Francisco Chronicle is willing to admit that Trump is more popular than Democrats are willing to admit.

So what happens if the Trump voters come out in 2018 in California, and the Democrats, disgusted with things like the gas tax in the Golden State, don't?

Better yet, is it possible that more low-hanging fruit have escaped the Democrat Plantation, and are ready to vote Republican, than people realize?

In the Governor's race Gavin Newsom's lead is down to single digits.  Republican John Cox is within striking distance.  Statewide races for Secretary of State (Mark Meuser), Attorney General (Steven Bailey) and Controller (Konstantinos Roditis) by Republicans are also closer than the Democrats would like to admit.

I also believe it is possible that Democrats may actually lose seats in Congress thanks to the groundswell of support for Republicans in California.  Kimberlin Brown-Pelzer is polling about six points ahead of incumbent Dr. Raul Ruiz in the 36th District.  Despite the attacks against him, which includes allegations that he used campaign funds for personal expenses (of which he has denied), Duncan Hunter has a comfortable lead against his challenger, 29-year-old Democrat Ammar Campa-Najjar.  Aja Smith in Riverside has Mark Takano sweating bullets.  Antonio Sabato, Jr., actor turned politician, is beginning to get within striking district of arrogant (and believes she's safe) Julia Brownley in the 26th Congressional District.  In fact, around the country the blue wave is beginning to look like a red trickle.  While news outlets like CNBC claims the Democrats still have an edge, we have to remember these are the same people who said Hillary Clinton was a shoe-in to win in 2016.

Could it be that California, not because the Republicans have been so good at messaging, but because Democrats have literally gone off the rails, and Donald Trump's economy is grabbing so many headlines, is headed back in a direction away from the edge of the cliff created by Democrats?  Could it be that Trump's popularity may save California from becoming Venezuela with seconds left on the countdown?

I'm not going to hold my breath, but I do believe it is possible.

-- Political Pistachio Conservative News and Commentary