As a fellow former Californian (I'm a native, living in Nevada since 1984) and recovered Reagan Democrat (I voted for him twice as a young and clueless college student and post-college striver), I think you're right on target. The Repubs might "hate" California, but it's a bellwether state for wide-angle political trends, and ground zero for big contributions. They ignore its recent history at their peril; the bell of irrelevance tolls for them.
As a fellow former Californian (I'm a native, living in Nevada since 1984) and recovered Reagan Democrat (I voted for him twice as a young and clueless college student and post-college striver), I think you're right on target. The Repubs might "hate" California, but it's a bellwether state for wide-angle political trends, and ground zero for big contributions. They ignore its recent history at their peril; the bell of irrelevance tolls for them.