California's GOP: Toast on the Coast?

For several years, California Republicans have been living in a mortuary, producing their own dysfunctional version of the cable-TV series Six Feet Under. In last week's episode, the party bought a coffin and climbed in to try it on for size. Between now and November, California voters will decide whether to slam the lid and let Democrats nail it shut.

President Bush and White House political chief Karl Rove have been playing comic supporting roles. Star of the season so far, oddly, has been a Democratic strategist.

The story to date: In the nation's most populous state, Republicans hold only one statewide office, and that lone ranger, Secretary of State Bill Jones, was unable to raise enough money to mount a television ad campaign and ran third in the gubernatorial primary Tuesday.