Matt Fong

Former California state Treasurer Matt Fong said the delegation to the Republican National Convention will easily adjust to the change of events this week because of Hurricane Gustav in the Gulf Coast.

"In California, we deal with earthquakes that give no notice," said Fong, a state delegate from Southern California to this week's convention. "We'll adjust and do fine."

Every six years, Republicans begin to display some confidence in their ability to beat Barbara Boxer in a race for the United States Senate. They only came close once, back in 1992 when Boxer was running statewide for the first time; she defeated conservative commentator Bruce Herschensohn by 48%-43% margin. The GOP had high hopes in 1998 when they ran State Treasurer Matt Fong, but he lost 53%-43%. They were less optimistic in 2004 despite the candidacy of Bill Jones, who had won two statewide elections as Secretary of State; Boxer won that race 58%-39%.

Every six years, Republicans begin to display some confidence in their ability to beat Barbara Boxer in a race for the United States Senate. They only came close once, back in 1992 when Boxer was running statewide for the first time; she defeated conservative commentator Bruce Herschensohn by 48%-43% margin. The GOP had high hopes in 1998 when they ran State Treasurer Matt Fong, but he lost 53%-43%. They were less optimistic in 2004 despite the candidacy of Bill Jones, who had won two statewide elections as Secretary of State; Boxer won that race 58%-39%.

If John McCain does win the presidency, look for California’s Bill Jones to wind up in a prominent role in the new administration, maybe as a member of McCain’s cabinet. Jones is one of McCain’s most loyal supporters here, serving as his state campaign chairman in 2000 and 2008.