The Republican party around here is not what it is in Texas. Certainly there are plenty of atavists. The key for local Republicans is to be pro-development in pretty much any circumstance. However, they tend to support strange combinations of “crunchy” and “development”.

To whit, the local GOP is urging people to go out tomorrow and vote for this:

The Republican Party of San Diego County urges all City of Carlsbad Republicans to vote Yes on Measure A in the February 23rd special election.

Among other things, Measure A supporters claim:

MEASURE A COMMITMENT: TO THE ENVIRONMENT LAGOON PRESERVATION

DOES MEASURE A MEET OR EXCEED ALL OF THE CITY’S AND STATE’S WATER QUALITY CODES AND IMPROVE WATER QUALITY IN THE LAGOON?

Yes. According to the City’s independent analysis, Measure A includes an array of steps to improve water quality and protect the lagoon; and Measure A must be approved by the California Coastal Commission and meet the State of California’s water quality control standards.

Measure A also fully funds water quality innovations that are specifically designed to protect the habitat and waters of the lagoon and to ensure runoff is clean and healthy for families, the area’s habitat, and the wildlife that lives there.

WATER CONSERVATION WILL MEASURE A CONSERVE WATER?

Yes. As the City’s independent analysis outlines, the plan will use less drinking water (potable water) than with “no project” because of water conservation efforts and the required utilization of recycled water throughout the plan area for all non-human consumption uses.

DOES MEASURE A ADDRESS ALL OTHER ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS?

Yes. According to California State law, California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), is not required, but as stated on the city’s website, the plan provided more than 4,000 pages of environmental analysis and in keeping with what would be included through CEQA in a full Environmental Impact Report (EIR) and includes comprehensive environmental protection measures to mitigate environmental impacts.

Which sounds nice… and perhaps it will be.

But Measure A is really about building a new mall, but trying to ensure it is an upscale mall, and not one for the riff-raff:

Yes on Measure A, supported unanimously by the Carlsbad Mayor and City Council, is a community-based plan for 203 acres of land between the on the south shore of the Agua Hedionda Lagoon and Cannon Road that enhances the Carlsbad way of life by preserving 176 acres of new open space with miles of hiking trails, sustaining strawberry farming for generations to come, and creating an open-air, pedestrian-friendly shopping and dining promenade with lagoon vistas, that will be anchored by Nordstrom.

To emphasize:

DOES MEASURE A PROHIBIT CERTAIN TYPES OF STORES?
Yes. Measure A prohibited uses include discount stores, outlets, gas stations, supercenters and automotive stores, to name a few.

So the whole thing is about presenting an upscale lifestyle, while making the aging yuppies feel good about preserving the lagoon and some strawberry fields.

Anyway, that’s what Republicanism is all about here in California.

Which is why Ted Cruz won’t do so well here.