After the disastrous (for Republicans) 2006 elections that overturned GOP control of both the Senate and House, it seems that state Republican parties are in piss-poor condition financially.

This could very well prove problematic for McCain, who will be facing a super-energized and cash-flush Democratic opponent… or maybe even Hillary Clinton. (Ha ha… Just kidding. It won't be Clinton.)

For example, take a look at the situation in California…

According to figures compiled by the California secretary of state�s office, the number of registered Republicans there has dropped by roughly 207,000 since October 2006. At the end of January, California�s Republican party was in the red, with $3.2 million cash on hand but more than $3.4 million in debts. California Democrats, by contrast, had $5.5 million in the bank and just $83,000 in debts.

Republican California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger explained the situation in the only terminology he truly understands.

"We are dying at the box office," Schwarzenegger said. "We are not filling the seats."

Oh, now I understand the direness of the situation. Thanks, Arnold.

By the way, either "not playing in Peoria" or "co-starring Madonna, Sandra Bullock and Stephen Dorff from a screenplay by Kevin Smith" would also have been acceptable.