Poizner gives enthusiastic speech to dinner crowd at CRP

ANAHEIM - California Insurance Commissioner Steve Poizner, the early frontrunner for the 2010 Republican gubernatorial nomination, gave a fervent speech to the friendly dinner crowd at the California Republican Party Convention in Anaheim Saturday night.

Poizner recieved a standing ovation as he took the stage after a full day of convention activities, including a party fundraiser and meetings with various groups and coalitions.

Poizner began by saying that "the most dysfunctional place on the planet other than Washington, D.C. is Sacramento."

After lauding praise on his party's presidential nominee, John McCain, Poizner told the crowd a story about how he acquired a black belt in karate, a grueling journey that, he says, prepared him well for the rough and tumble nature of politics.

"I've been trained in combat," said Poizner, "and that's been very helpful in Sacramento."

While Poizner refrained from directly addressing his gubernatorial campaign, he did emphasize his committment to electing Republicans, both nationally and in the state of California.

"Nothing is going to stop me from working with you all," said Poizner. "Together we can and we will win elections in 2008 and 2010."

For all of PolitickerCA.com's CRP Convention coverage, click here.