DRIVING THE DAY: This morning we’re keeping an eye on Gov. Gavin Newsom, who is in Los Angeles and expected to sign legislation that will “boost wages and support workers.” Expect some major news around 10 a.m. THE BUZZ — California Republicans are heading into a critical weekend already divided. The state party gets a chance to recalibrate its mission every four years. This year, with five House seats on the line, moderates are proposing to gut the platform — abandoning what some see as pillars of conservatism, including the opposition to abortion and same-sex marriage. It is not going over well with the more conservative base of the party. “Instead of converting people by our superior positions, we’re simply trying to make ourselves look more like the other side,” California RNC National Committeewoman Harmeet Dhillon said in an interview.“I don’t spend my days and nights and weekends working for this party in order to be a Democrat-light.” Delegates will have a chance to weigh in on the subject this weekend, when they gather in Anaheim for their fall convention. Proponents of the draft platform, including Log Cabin Republicans leader Charles Moran, say the party needs to show its flexibility in order to recruit independent voters and disaffected Democrats. It’s a sign that some in the party are feeling hamstrung by national GOP talking points — which don’t play in many parts of California and, in the worst-case scenarios, could hurt candidates in competitive districts. "This is a tremendously diverse state in terms of political positioning,” said Timothy O’Reilly, chair of the Los Angeles County Republican Party and head of the platform drafting committee. Issues that play well in parts of Northern California “don't really sell very well when you get into downtown San Francisco, and vice-versa,” he added. Both sides agree that voters rarely read the party platform, and changing it will have little bearing how an individual fills out their ballot. But Dhillon argues that a moderate platform will alienate the most passionate and conservative members of the party who are often the ones knocking on doors, collecting ballots and working to register voters. “It was a well-intentioned effort to gain a bigger market share,” Dhillon said of the draft platform. “But it is the wrong way to do that, and it will backfire.” HAPPY THURSDAY. Thanks for waking up with Playbook. We know you were all up late watching the GOP debate in Simi Valley. More on that below. PLAYBOOK TIP LINE — What other bills do you expect Newsom to sign? Or veto? Give us a ring or drop us a line. Now you can text us at 916-562-0685 — save it as “CA Playbook” in your contacts now. Or drop us a line at lkorte@politico.com and dgardiner@politico.com, or on Twitter —@DustinGardiner and @Lara_Korte WHERE’S GAVIN? In L.A to sign labor-related bills.
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