CA lost 2 electoral votes and 2 seats in Congress last census.
The point is the Republicans are gaining in the areas of growth and prosperity.
Also, you were talking about local elections- the Republicans gained control of a majority of state legislatures for the first time since the Civil War. Despite losses, they still lead in Governorships. They control all 3 branches of the Federal Government and look to expand that advantage next election, by even Dem estimates- also, they performed a historical first when they picked up seats in an off-year elections in both Houses of Congress. It can only get batter. I'd hate to be a Dem in the coming decade, they are fighting a reactive battle to try to keep from losing power, and the big deficit will help contract government.
Everything further erodes the terrible burden FDR put on the average citizen with his disasterous New Deal- we are still dismantling it. GWB should have it pretty well reversed by 2008.
http://www.suntimes.com/output/roese...dt-roes30.html