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More Parsky Watch Parsky Watch - The Magazine Take the Parsky Watch IQ Test Visit the Parsky Watch Store	Back to Parsky Watch archives Opposing opposes the Recall Parsky Watch #48 June 11, 2003 RECALLING WHY PARSKY IS TOTALLY UNFIT TO LEAD THE CRP "I certainly can understand why some people would be interested in the recall, but that’s not our priority," said Gerry Parsky, President Bush’s top California adviser. "Our priorities are the re-election of the president and strengthening the party, and having adequate financial resources to do both." -- Gerry Parsky on why he doesn’t support the recall, California Desert Sun, May 7, 2003. “I understand why people might be upset about the financial condition of California. However, my priorities are the re-election of the president and financially strengthening the state party." -- Gerry Parsky on why he doesn’t support the recall, Associated Press, June 4, 2003 You have to hand it to Gerry – he sticks to his talking points with the rigidity of a deer transfixed by on rushing headlights. You need to read his quotes a few times over to truly savor the pungent blend of elitist contempt, political tunnel vision, the gift for understatement – the sheer robotic thinking. It’s emblematic of the whiny defeatism that has taken hold of liberal dollar leadership of the state GOP. Parsky’s comment doesn’t stack up to some other leading GOP money men in terms of fearful pessimism. For example, one Orange County-based, multi-millionaire Parskyite with a less-than-stellar track record of backing winners recently commented, "I don't think running around trying to recall the governor is in the best interest of either the party or the president at this point in time." [We’ve withheld his name to spare him further embarrassment]. Parsky’s quote, repeated in almost identical fashion a month apart, is revealing of his mentality and why he is so manifestly unfit to run the California Republican Party. He still possesses no comprehension of the grass roots, speaking of them “some people” and analyzing their motivations with the disinterest of an anthropologist discussing the tribal rituals of pygmies. Let’s see, Gerry: you run the California Republican Party, the massively unpopular governor is a Democrat, and the historic recall effort against him is now likely to qualify despite the cowardice of liberal GOP plutocrats content to stand on the shore and watch the recall effort drown – until Darrell Issa threw it a lifeline in a singular show of nerve. Tell us again how seizing this historic opportunity to elect a Republican governor is not a priority for the California Republican party? Parsky’s assertion that the re-election of President Bush and strengthening the state party are bigger priorities than recalling Gray Davis leads us to wonder why does he views them as incompatible? Let’s look again at Parsky’s miserable track record of strengthening the CRP: it is in debt to the tune of $600,000, and has barely enough operating cash to limp along from month to month even as Parsky directs newly raised campaign dollars into his personal political slush fund. Parsky’s reforms have rendered the CRP operationally dysfunctional. Instead of a “professionalized,” permanent party apparatus able to apply its accumulated savvy and knowledge from election to election, we have the spectacle of our first “professionalized” executive director leaving in January after less than two years on the job, leaving the party rudderless while the interminable search for a new E.D. grinds on. And it is only a matter of time before the lucky person who wins the job is pulling his or her hair out trying to figure out if they work for the unelected head of the Operations Committee or the elected Party Chairman. The recall is clearly energizing rank-and-file Republicans like nothing has in years. It is a very, very good thing when the grass roots are excited and previously non-political people get drawn into the process, because party building involves more than dollar signs. Then again, since Parsky has a hard time seeing the grass roots from his Learjet, his inability to grasp that obvious truth isn’t surprising. Now, common sense and experience dictate it is easier to strengthen the state party with a Republican Governor. Having a Republican President is great, and we’re happy President Bush is coming out this month to raise $6 million – although it is an open question what Parsky will do with that moolah. But it is no substitute for a GOP Governor leveraging the power of his office to build the party. Earth to Gerry: in case you haven’t noticed, there isn’t a single Republican statewide elected official. If taking advantage of this incredible opportunity to change that situation at the top isn’t a priority, we don’t know what is. Common sense and experience also dictate that if California had a Republican Governor, it would improve President Bush’s odds of winning the state’s electoral votes? Certainly improve them more than Gerry Parsky could ever hope to – which may partly explain Parsky’s refusal to support the recall.