This endangered smelt makes for a great hors d'ouvre, according to Cruz<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/gageskidmore/5440600706/in/photolist-hfnoMA-fmzuvA-9hLv3s-e4rLrw-BUqdjT-CPuUWb-CGgkFh-CRN9nc-bTRZU2-qacmJh-9hLvis-nG7paW-bEXejf-nFUvrD-CRNUW2-gUMZwB-BUinTs-fmze2A-9UrQV7-gac5oM-FwLarM-fmztg9-fmzhoo-o1byd4-g28jnV-nFUMsL-CPuHzo-CPuvu1-CGfF6w-g27WyN-gE2Jct-fmjJnc-G11MMb-p49dML-kMBJAc-e4maS2-gxfTci-fmz2Wy-bEWKuN-r7E5dN-h3gE3P-fmjUqz-bEXiYW-gmhrP8-kMDAuQ-av9aPL-rcjAzM-dcmRwn-sqttEQ-bEXiph">Gage Skidmore</a>/Flickr
With California’s unusually high-stakes primary just weeks away, the top contenders for the Republican presidential nomination have descended on their party’s state convention in Burlingame, a suburban enclave 16 miles south of San Francisco. This weekend’s convention will be a key opportunity for Donald Trump, Ted Cruz, and John Kasich: For the first time in at least a half century, the GOP presidential nomination will hinge on who Californians vote for in the state’s June 7 primary. This has empowered local GOP officials, some of whom have toiled in obscurity for years, running quixotic candidates against Nancy Pelosi or denouncing local climate-change laws in Santa Cruz. Suddenly, these GOP officials now possess valuable connections with potential volunteers and local voters.
I have a ticket to the convention and will be posting live updates here.
Perhaps the funniest part of the Cruz speech was when he claimed that “Carly terrifies Hillary Clinton.”
— Josh Harkinson (@JoshHarkinson) April 30, 2016
“Put up a disco ball, play some Barry White..& let nature take its course” — @TedCruz on how to deal w endangered species #cagop16
— Carla Marinucci (@cmarinucci) April 30, 2016
Cruz on CA water: H20 being wasted due to “a little 3 inch bait fish. In my experience 3-inch fish go great with cheese and crackers.”
— Josh Harkinson (@JoshHarkinson) April 30, 2016
Wilson on Cruz: “”He is not anti immigrant. He, as am I, is for legal immigration of the kind that has made this country great.”
— Josh Harkinson (@JoshHarkinson) April 30, 2016
In a surprise turn, former CA Gov. Pete Wilson introducing Cruz. While in office, he alienated Latino’s by backing anti-immigration measures
— Josh Harkinson (@JoshHarkinson) April 30, 2016
I’m back at the #CAGOPConvention convention today. Ted Cruz is about to speak.
— Josh Harkinson (@JoshHarkinson) April 30, 2016
17 protesters at #CAGOPConvention arrested Friday. A Trump supporter and a teenage Trump protester were injured. No visible protesters today
— Josh Harkinson (@JoshHarkinson) April 30, 2016
The California GOP in one photo pic.twitter.com/l6T2hN9KvY
— Josh Harkinson (@JoshHarkinson) April 30, 2016
Most protesters are gone but this little trail through the bushes is still the only way into #CAGOP16 pic.twitter.com/CaaMbfLQto
— Josh Harkinson (@JoshHarkinson) April 29, 2016
This is a pretty good one pic.twitter.com/AuwzIjO7Bd
— Josh Harkinson (@JoshHarkinson) April 29, 2016
I’m back outside now. pic.twitter.com/n6GaO7LuIP
— Josh Harkinson (@JoshHarkinson) April 29, 2016
A wall of cops: The view of the #cagop protests as delegates walk to their cars pic.twitter.com/rePJkXhiTL
— Josh Harkinson (@JoshHarkinson) April 29, 2016
Trump: “You have no idea the route they have planned to get out of here.” And he’s off! Should be interesting outside in a few.
— Josh Harkinson (@JoshHarkinson) April 29, 2016
“Is he the dumbest human being on Earth?” Trump asks of Karl Rove. I wonder what that would that make GW Bush.
— Josh Harkinson (@JoshHarkinson) April 29, 2016
Trump: “There has to be unity in our party, and if there is not…can I win without it? I think so. Because they are going to vote for me.”
— Josh Harkinson (@JoshHarkinson) April 29, 2016
#TrumpJump: Donald Trump forced to jump over wall to enter #CAGOPConvention. https://t.co/L1KLs8XO5J pic.twitter.com/buuLIpQZsT
— NBC Bay Area (@nbcbayarea) April 29, 2016
Trump on Carly: “I like Carly, but when she left she had no votes.”
— Josh Harkinson (@JoshHarkinson) April 29, 2016
Trump: “I am just coming through dirt and mud and under fences and…I’m shaking hands and taking pictures…That’s why he is a great leader
— Josh Harkinson (@JoshHarkinson) April 29, 2016
Trump claims that has already “gotten the most votes in the history of the Republican party.”
— Josh Harkinson (@JoshHarkinson) April 29, 2016
“That was not the easiest entrance I’ve ever made…we went under a fence, then through a fence. It felt like I was crossing the border”
— Josh Harkinson (@JoshHarkinson) April 29, 2016
Trump now taking the stage at CA GOP state convention.
— Josh Harkinson (@JoshHarkinson) April 29, 2016
Now in the press room, listening to what has to be the cheesiest Trump highlight reel ever. The music alone is priceless.
— Josh Harkinson (@JoshHarkinson) April 29, 2016
I’m now one of the few people inside the Hyatt. It’s like a ghost town in here compared to outside. It’s also a lot older and whiter.
— Josh Harkinson (@JoshHarkinson) April 29, 2016
GOP delegates stuck between protesters and cops. Some seemed very desperate before finally getting in. https://t.co/E2gAnbR7Lk
— Josh Harkinson (@JoshHarkinson) April 29, 2016
Standing outside the door with several GOP delegates. Cops won’t let them into hotel even tough they have tickets.
— Josh Harkinson (@JoshHarkinson) April 29, 2016
Protesters are in the thousands and growing. Haven’t seen any counter protesters yet. pic.twitter.com/0Q3R5aCS7R
— Josh Harkinson (@JoshHarkinson) April 29, 2016
Protesters face off against riot police in front of California GOP convention near SFO Hyatt pic.twitter.com/ngvH5fHBk2
— Josh Harkinson (@JoshHarkinson) April 29, 2016
The new stairs to the Hyatt, where Trump may or may not be speaking pic.twitter.com/HEUrujYeJC
— Josh Harkinson (@JoshHarkinson) April 29, 2016
Protesters have blocked all roads and sidewalks to Trump speech. “You can go through the hedge but not through here” pic.twitter.com/lTV8g8oOe8
— Josh Harkinson (@JoshHarkinson) April 29, 2016
Stop Hate banner drop inside #CAGOPConvention #DumpTrump pic.twitter.com/vt7a1Yfkl2
— Nancy Mancias (@nancymancias) April 29, 2016
I’m heading to the the Bay Area Trump blockade. He’s set to speak at 12 but protesters blocking hotel entrances. Does he have a helicopter?
— Josh Harkinson (@JoshHarkinson) April 29, 2016
Protesters chain themselves together to block street so @realDonaldTrump motorcade can’t pass. #WeWillNotBeTrumped pic.twitter.com/lXk4KUZMTR
— Occupy Oakland (@OccupyOakland) April 29, 2016
