Sitting Down With John Ensign (NRSC Chairman on U.S. Senate races)

Real Clear Politics ^ | January 25, 2008 | Reid Wilson

[Clintonfatigued]

I'll leave them off the table for now, but if we get a couple of candidates that we're recruiting right now in a couple of states, we won't say who they are, who we're recruiting, but I'll mention the states: South Dakota and Iowa. South Dakota and Iowa, these two candidates, if we're able to sign them, they will be absolutely heavyweight - they are heavyweight candidates and if we can get them on board, they will be absolutely national races that people will pay attention to right away. They're great candidates, both of them, and they can run effective campaigns very easily.

[Clintonfatigued]

This sounds promising. I know who I HOPE runs in South Dakota and Iowa!

[gidget7]

No idea who they might be. What I do know, is there is a fine man running against Kerry this time. He is a Conservative, ran a very close race against a female Congresswoman here, and decided to give this race all he has. His name is Oganowski, he is the brother of one of the pilots killed by the terrorist on 9/11. I BELIEVE, no sure, one of the pilots of one of the planes that went into the towers. Mr. Oganowski is also a veteran. Not sure of the rest of his credentials, bu they will come out as time goes on. Congressman races are pretty much described in the district, and that wasn’t my district therefore I know very little about him. But Senate is state wide.

[upchuck]

Hey John, whatcha gonna do about scumbag Grahamnesty in South Carolina?

[MplsSteve]

Nothing. They’ll do nothing.

The NRSC has a set policy of supporting the incumbent in a primary election.

In ‘04, they backed Arlen Specter over Pat Toomey and in ‘06, they backed Lincoln Chaffee over Steve Laffey.

[Flintlock]

Be very careful to see that your $ DOES NOT go to any more RINOs.
I would think long and hard before giving any to a National Committee.

[MassachusettsGOP]

That being said, don't be afraid to give to the candidates you like.

NRSC's liberal policies aside, I think people should try and give directly to the candidates anyway, more of your money actually gets used for the races than it does getting hung up in the party apparatus in Washington.

[AuH2ORepublican]

“This sounds promising. I know who I HOPE runs in South Dakota and Iowa!”

---

May I assume you mean Gov. Mike Rounds and Rep. Steve King?

[Clintonfatigued]

“May I assume you mean Gov. Mike Rounds and Rep. Steve King?”

You assume correctly.