SEPTEMBER 28, 2009: POLITICAL CALAMITY IN INDIAN WELLS-CRP’S FALL CONVENTION

California’s 2010 gubernatorial candidates jockey for position, Fred Barnes relaxing poolside for breakfast, Andrew Breitbart at the bar, a chicken on the loose,   This past weekend was a conservative utopia in Indian Wells for the California Republican Party Fall Convention.

One can learn a lot about the candidates running for our states highest office just by observing them when few are watching….not to mention their convention table set up.  Tom Campbell spent a decent amount of time at his table with very little fan fare.  His set up was crisp and looked like a candidate running for office.  Meg Whitman was like a whirlwind with a thick entourage in dark business suits.  When she walked in you knew someone important had arrived.  She briefly stopped at her 2 tables to shake hands and pose for a photo op, then with a confident stride was off as quickly as she came.  Whitman’s table set up was clearly the most interesting.  Her 2 tables were loaded with vases and bowls filled to the brim with orange and green candies and a mega-store that only a former Ebay CEO could put out.  Every Meg item imaginable was for sale.  As for any indication on where she stands on issues, there was a really pretty glossy brochure.  The set up was heavy on branding and light on substance.    Steve Poizner in comparison looked relaxed and walked the floor with only a handful of handlers.  His table was lackluster with literature in stacks.  Quite indicative of an Insurance Commissioner running for Governor.

Ok…now on to the most exciting kibbles and bits, the dirty politics.  A table set up across the room from the  Mega-Meg tables showed a looped video clip of Whitman expressing what a “huge fan” she is of Van Jones, the Presidents former Green Jobs Czar and self avowed communist.  The most entertaining was a person in a chicken suit running around with a sign proclaiming Whitman was to chicken to debate as it’s handler briskly handed out paper fans with Meg’s picture on it with the slogan “I’m a huge fan of Van Jones”.  The strangest was a guy in a rubber president mask and a mock secret service agent.  That had something to do with Steve Poizner and former Vice President Al Gore.  Still trying to figure that one out.

If this early stage of the 2010 race is any indication, it will only get more interesting from here on out.  The CRP Spring convention in Santa Clara will take place in March, only a few short months before the state primary in June.  That one should prove to be worth the price of admission.

From talking to folks at the convention one thing is clear, very few have committed to a candidate yet.  It’s any one’s race.