"Neel Kashkari speech in 'hangover slot' at state GOP convention"

Always wonderful to speak with Carla Marinucci.

"That's the hangover slot," said Jessica Levinson, a law school professor who teaches political ethics at Loyola University of Los Angeles.

The prime speaking slots, which traditionally garner the most media coverage, are going to a pair of nationally prominent Republicans. Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul, a possible presidential candidate in 2016, will star at the Saturday luncheon, and newly named House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy of Bakersfield will headline the Saturday evening dinner.

Kashkari, on the other hand, is being grouped in the Sunday post-breakfast general assembly with other candidates for statewide office.

With polls showing Kashkari 21 points behind Gov. Jerry Brown and running on fumes against the Democrat's $22 million bankroll, it may be no mystery why he isn't getting star billing or more robust grassroots backing, Levinson said.

"I do think he's trying to move the party toward the center," she said. "But a candidate who will lose badly and is not being embraced by the party is not revolutionizing."

Levinson said that among activist Republicans, there's more excitement for other statewide candidates like Fresno Mayor Ashley Swearengin, running for state controller - who will speak at a Friday night event highlighting GOP women - and secretary of state candidate Pete Peterson, because both are within comfortable distance of their Democratic opponents.