On Monday evening the OC Young Republicans (Full Disclosure: I serve on the board) hosted an event featuring State Insurance Commissioner, and Gubernatorial Candidate, Steve Poizner.   With the assistance of OC GOP Chairman Emeritus Tom Fuentes the event was well attended, and was of course held at the always accommodating Balboa Bay Club. According to the invitation the evening promised nothing more than conservative conversation, a complimentary cigar and the opportunity to see Steve Poizner speak. According to Facebook and email RSVPs, the event was expected to have a turnout between 75-100 people. However once smoke had cleared and everyone had filed in, there were over 250 OCYR members, elected officials, party leaders, guests and curious political observers in attendance.

After a short welcome from OCYR President Lauryn Picciano, an invocation from South OC Community College District President Don Wagner, the pledge led by State GOP Secretary Steve Baric and introductions of Poizner by Villa Park Councilwoman Deb Pauly and long time Young Republican activist Adam Abrams it was all Poizner’s program. He spoke for about twenty minutes about education, the hostile business climate in California, the state legislature and his plans to reform the state. Once his comments had concluded Poizner entertained questions from the crowd. Perhaps the most impressive part of his appearance was that he stuck around to talk with attendees for another hour and a half, until most everyone had left.

Many grassroots organizations have yet to endorse a candidate for Governor, and Poizner clearly recognized that.  When I had a moment to talk to him he asked me how many members the Orange County Young Republicans had, I informed him that it is actually hard to give him an accurate number because the organization has grown rapidly since the election of Barack Obama. Upon hearing that news Poizner replied “That’s great, and I’m not surprised. It’s all about the grassroots.” It seems this event was part of a long strategy by both Poizner and GOP rival Meg Whitman to appeal to grassroots organizations to display their conservative credentials.  

Although the Orange County Young Republicans have yet to endorse a Gubernatorial Candidate, but Poizner certainly made some fans on Monday night.   One individual approached me immediately after Poizner was finished speaking and told me he was a member of the Libertarian Party but wanted to do whatever he could to help Poizner’s campaign because he was so impressed. I immediately told the gentleman that the first thing he needs to do is to re-register as a Republican. So if nothing else resulted from the evening, the Republican Party is now at least one member stronger.