State GOP hopes for momentum

SANTA CLARA -- California Republicans are hoping the political tide has finally turned in their favor after years of fractious infighting, lack of direction and a dwindling bank account that has hampered campaigns.AP in the Daily News.

Despite its minority status in California, the GOP is hoping to capitalize on what it views as a nationwide wave of opposition to taxes, big government and incumbent politicians. This weekend's spring convention in Santa Clara, which kicked off Friday and featured an evening speech by gubernatorial candidate Meg Whitman, is expected to be a high-energy affair.

Earlier in the day, Whitman spoke to reporters for nearly an hour, ending a bruising week in which she was criticized for failing to answer questions during a press event she had organized in Oakland. In a 30-minute interview with The Associated Press after her news conference, Whitman summed up the Oakland event as just a bad day on the campaign trail.