Way back in 1994, before I sadly left behind the Pacific Ocean for a grayer life on the Atlantic Coast, I lived in Los Angeles.  It seems hard to remember, but back then California had Republican governor Pete Wilson, memorialized in the Disposable Heroes cover of the classic Dead Kennedys song.

1992 had been the first year that California had gone Democratic since the 1964 Johnson landslide. Prior to that, it had been mostly a Republican state.  With the Republican dominance under threat, Wilson backed Proposition 187, an anti-immigrant political stunt that even the official state election guide described as a bad idea.  It won handily, as did Pete Wilson.

In doing so, though, the Republicans cemented their image as a reactionary and hateful party.  California flipped. It is now one of the safest Democratic states in the country.

The national Republicans seem like they are on the same course.  Cooler heads are trying to slow it down, but they still may pass an idiotic and cruel law.  At the very least, they are stepping up as the anti-immigrant party.  It may help them in the 2006 election.  Regardless, any law will almost certainly be ineffective, and the more vicious provisions will be struck down in the courts.  

If the Democrats play it right, which is always an iffy proposition, they have a chance to pull a California nationwide. With an anti-gay, anti-immigrant message, the Republicans place a whole number of close states at risk. Colorado, New Mexico, Florida, Ohio, and Nevada were battleground states in the 2004 election.  Have you been to these places?  Is bigotry really a good long-term strategy?

Keep your Alabamas, your Mississippis, your Idahos, and your Dakotas.  But watch out Texas, we’re coming for you.

Pete DeWan