California is Too Democratic. He claims the Democrats have California locked up so tight that national Republicans should just give up on it and fight elsewhere. He seems to have a point. Despite sporting a first name that aptly describes his personality, Gray Davis reclaimed the 1998 California governor's mansion for the Democrats by 20 points. So, rotsa ruck to Republican Congressional and legislative candidates in California from 2002 through 2010.
Barnes offers a frank answer.
Underpinning the drift to Democrats are dramatic demographic changes, notably the doubling of the Latino electorate since 1994. Latinos are now roughly 14 percent of the voting population. Barnes also contends that California is no longer a forerunner of national trends outside of politics. The state itself has deteriorated. Its economy has recovered from the early 1990s recession, but the quality of life hasn't.