Posted on 01/15/2006 7:42:52 PM PST by maui_hawaii
Freepers---
Since you guys are literally the cream of the crop of political analysis I thought I would ask your opinions about the whole DeLay situation.
For the record I don't live in DeLay's district and I haven't followed it that much at all. This post is for informational purposes only. If nothing else it will be a situational report for those interested in such a high profile race.
Several candidates have all thrown their hats into the ring...Three of DeLay's opponents — Campbell, Pat Baig and Mike Fjetland — are fellow Republicans. A fourth, Nick Lampson, is a conservative Democrat.
According to news reports:
While DeLay‘s campaign spokeswoman, Shannon Flaherty, has dismissed Fjetland and Baig with disparaging quips, she said DeLay welcomes Campbell to the race and to hearing his ideas.
From what I can gather DeLay takes Campbell seriously, and not to mention they are actually friends somewhat. Based on what I read on the net Campbell has been a long term GOP man etc etc. He's pretty conservative but he's not abrasive like DeLay is.
Having said that, another report says:
"Tom Campbell at least has Republican credentials," Fort Bend County GOP chairman Eric Thode said. "Having said that, it doesn‘t translate into one iota of support or money. He is 100 percent absolutely unknown in this county."
Here is a link to Campbell's web page. Under "platform" it gives a basis of what he's about, although its brief.
Since this is in the media all the time, here is what I got out of it thus far...
The media/left hate DeLay. At the same time his popularity isn't rampant in the really conservative district as many people believe.
With that said, the constituents will either A) vote for DeLay just to piss off the media/left or B) vote for another conservative candidate.
So, thus far Campbell seems to be viable.
Based on what little I have gathered, if DeLay goes down in the courts, who else is left?
Secondly, Campbell comes across as a 'humble conservative', not the brash and abrasive 'in your face' kind of politician that DeLay comes across as...
Any input is welcome on any and all of the candidates....
My other question would be, how many people have politically survived being the center of attention?
B)I know about less about these candidates than any of you guys do, but it doesn't matter since I can't vote for any of them.
C)I haven't followed why DeLay is in whatever he's in and for what...
See, here's the problem: You claim to know essentially nothing, you haven't followed it, and you can't even vote in his district. Yet you have devoted a thread and a whole lotta posts to try to "find out" what freepers think. Excuse me if I get a strange whiff from the whole thing. Good luck.
Regards,
LH
DeLay hasn't really been accused of anything unethical. The criminal indictments basically allege that he circumvented Texas campaign rules by masterminding the shuffling of money between accounts, but he isn't accused of actually writing the checks. And he isn't accused of lining his own pockets. The money went to Texas candidates running for office.
If he did anything wrong, and I don't think he did, it was on behalf of other GOP candidates. GOP voters are unlikely to punish him for that.
The other murky allegations involve the fact that he associated with a lobbyist who got into trouble. There is no allegation that DeLay did anything improper with him, but it's somehow assumed that he's guilty by association. At least as of now, there's nothing there at all. Something will have to materialize before the primary date for DeLay's supporters to cast him aside.
Tom Campbell may be a heck of a nice guy, but nobody knows him. Unless he can raise several hundred thousand dollars to mount a serious ad campaign, he won't stand a chance. The free publicity he's gotten on this thread isn't going to be nearly enough.
MD4Bush? Please.
OK, lets get it out there if thats the way you think...
You think I am some kind of Democrat mole? Please.
What do you want to know? My connection somehow with the Campbell race?
OK, here it is: First I don't live anywhere where I can vote for or against any of the parties involved.
Second, I met a guy that I have not seen for a year yesterday. He is working with the Campbell campaign. 90% of the time we are all in different states etc etc...
He asked me my opinions about things so I told him I didn't know what the heck is going on, but it did pique my curiosity about all the hub bub.
Nothing more, nothing less.
As many as the MSM decides they want, which is a big point that I am making to you.
I cite Bill and Hillary Clinton, Ted Kennedy, Patrick Leahey, Joe Biden, Harry Reid, Nancy Pelosi, and many others, all of whom have committed much more grievous sins that DeLay is accused of.
On the other side I point to Newt Gingrich, Bob Livingston, Robert Bork, Clarence Thomas, several court nominees whose names don't come to mind right now, and many others, who were totally innocent of corruption and were either quilty of personal sins, like running around on their wives, or were totally blameless.
This is not rocket science, which is another reason I question you.
Full disclosure there...
If someone thinks I am supporting someone left wing they are royally nuts.
In the midst of my conversation (20 minutes tops) with my friend who is briefly in town I got interested in knowing the story behind the story.
I don't volunteer nor work for Campbell, but my friend does.
How is that for disclosure?
On the flip side I have a family member who has volunteered for DeLay several times and continues to do so.
Question away.
Since I have 'vested interests' in both camps, hey, I decided to ask.
This is not rocket science, which is another reason I question you.
You are right on, this isn't rocket science. Which is why I posted it.
Based on your post, the lefties get away with murder... which I agree. Republicans get their hides nailed to the wall.
My question stands, because its not rocket science...what happens if DeLay becomes a Gingrich?
should have done that first.
What do you want to know? My connection somehow with the Campbell race?
.... Second, I met a guy that I have not seen for a year yesterday. He is working with the Campbell campaign. 90% of the time we are all in different states etc etc..
So, you are one step removed from the Campbell campaign and are doing opposition research, either for you friend/acquaintance or for yourself, which puts you right where I suspected from the start, as is well noted in my first post to you. Whether your purpose is nefarious or honorable I don't know and I don't care.
If you are truly interested, do as I said and read all previous threads on the subject. You are not going to learn what you want doing second hand research for DeLay's foes on this thread, intentional or not.
I am one step removed from the DeLay campaign as well. Actually I am about 1/4 step removed from his campaign, but realities are realities.
He was the speaker of the House...been in office 20 years... got Borked out of the House leadership... He will either be a Trent Lott or a Newt Gingrich...
Either way though, DeLay or Campbell either one is better than any Democrat one can throw into the pot.
In brief its like choosing between chocolate cake and cheesecake...
Both taste pretty good...
Let me throw my hat in the ring. I don't care for Eric Thode and I don't even live in Ft. Bend County!
Perjury is the crime for which I hold him accountable. See the Albo/Blankenship case.
What happens if the moon turns to cheese? We can play what if all day.
Another point I have attempted to make, to no avail obviously, is that you are suggesting, just by the fact of asking the question, that we throw DeLay under the bus just because the left has accused him. That way the left wins and their tactic of personal destruction is vendicated.
When they went after Reagan on Iran Contra it wasn't because there was any evidence of it but because of "the seriousness of the charge", laying aside the fact that they were the ones making the charge.
The whole DeLay and Abramoff deals are part of the furtherance of their "The Republicans are a Culture of Corruption" mantra leading up to the 2006 and 2008 elections. They will soon say, "The Republicans must be corrupt, look at all they have been charged with!", once again putting aside it is them doing the charging.
Based on your post, the lefties get away with murder... which I agree. Republicans get their hides nailed to the wall.
If you doubt this you have not been very observant.
Since I have 'vested interests' in both camps, hey, I decided to ask.
Finally, an admission! You guys aren't that hard to smoke out.
Take this back to the Campbell camp. Save your money and your time. Your only strategy would have to be to undermine Delay with your what if questions or to jump on the DeLay bashing bandwagon, thus helping the left and in the end failing anyway. For your effort, you will end up with a tarnished reputation within the party.
I can understand why someone outside of DeLay's district would be interested in the events surrounding DeLay, but why the heck would *anybody* oustide of Fort Bend County be interested in digging up stuff on the chairman of the Republican Party of Fort Bend County? And why would *that* be relevant to your curiosity of DeLay?
Some RNC members are openly supporting Tom Campbell in the primary.
I have no idea what the world you are talking about.
I posted #73 before I read your #69,70 posts. To which I add, either you are very naive and honest or very clumsy and deceptive. Take your pick but that is my opinion.
I started this thread to find out why thats so.
Umm. 'Cause he's a Class A Jerk?
I will go for the honest category. I am not here trying to decieve anyone. I am on my 5th year on FR....
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