California, Bit By Bit

"It's just as important to win a Democratic congressional district and get Republicans there, as it is to win a Republican congressional district." - Rudy Giuliani, speaking at the Fat Lady restaurant in Oakland on Friday, in the S.F. Chronicle.

Why is a Republican campaigning in one of the staunchest Democratic districts in California, the home of Rep. Barbara Lee? Why is he going there talking about avoiding timetables on the Iraq war?

In part because the California Republican Party is running its presidential primary district-by-district rather than winner-take-all statewide. Every California congressional district is worth three delegates to the national convention. Giuliani can spend far less money to capture three delegates from a small-GOP district than by focusing on a few major Republican districts worth just three delegates each as well. Is there a good diner in Sierra County?

(Photo: Dino Vournas / AP)