Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

Defeat for another House seat-Business as usual is the way to blow the 2010 opportunity
Washington Times ^ | 3-23-2010 | D. Patrick Mahoney

Posted on 03/23/2010 9:43:13 AM PDT by smoothsailing



March 23, 2010

Defeat for another House seat



Business as usual is the way to blow the 2010 opportunity



By D. Patrick Mahoney

Since President Obama was sworn in, the Republican Party has won surprise statewide victories in New Jersey, Virginia and Massachusetts. But in a big year for the party, Republicans lost all five special House races, including two in ruby-red districts because House special-election candidates are not chosen by rank-and-file Republicans in a primary but rather by a handful of party insiders in a back room.

Consider the special election to replace Senate appointee Kirsten Gillibrand last spring in upstate New York's 20th District. Behind closed doors, members of state and local Republican committees chose career politician Jim Tedisco, leader of the powerless Assembly minority, to be the party's standard-bearer though he didn't even live in the district. Mr. Tedisco lost to 38-year-old upstart Scott Murphy despite 70,000-more Republicans than Democrats in the district.

Republicans farther north in the Empire State's 23rd District didn't learn any lessons from the Tedisco disaster. Last fall, they nominated liberal Assembly Republican Dede Scozzafava and rejected Doug Hoffman even though he had far more support from actual Republican voters.

Republicans recoiled at Mrs. Scozzafava and backed Mr. Hoffman, who secured a third-party nomination from the state's influential Conservative Party. Mrs. Scozzafava ultimately dropped out of the race and endorsed the Democrat, who narrowly defeated Mr. Hoffman. The Republican establishment's self-inflicted wound handed the Democrats a seat that just 10 months earlier gave the Republican candidate 65 percent...

But these nightmare scenarios are nothing compared to what the Republican establishment did on March 11 in Pennsylvania's 12th District special election to replace the late Jack Murtha....

(Excerpt) Read more at washingtontimes.com ...


TOPICS: Constitution/Conservatism; Editorial; Politics/Elections; US: Pennsylvania
KEYWORDS:
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-2021-4041-6061-70 next last
To: Crichton

I have to call BullSh!T on this — so Burns, who is loosing in the polls is the candidate in the special election - unbelievable!


21 posted on 03/23/2010 11:14:17 AM PDT by PMAS
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 18 | View Replies]

To: WinOne4TheGipper

” It cites Neugebauer’s comment and asks if there is a decorum problem. “

Decorum should be outlawed in fact, make it illegal!!!


22 posted on 03/23/2010 11:18:46 AM PDT by dalereed
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 10 | View Replies]

To: dalereed

Hell yeah!:)


23 posted on 03/23/2010 11:19:34 AM PDT by WinOne4TheGipper (Truthers to the Left of me, Birthers (pretending to be) to the Right of me!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 22 | View Replies]

To: PMAS
so Burns, who is loosing in the polls is the candidate in the special election - unbelievable!

There was only one primary poll, and that was before Burns had even started advertising. A private businessman isn't going to outpoll a prior general election candidate before the campaign even starts.

There was one special election poll where Burns was trailing Critz by 5 with a big pool of undecideds. Doesn't mean much since neither candidate is well known yet. I have seen no polling matching Russell and Critz, so there's no indication that he's do better or worse.

24 posted on 03/23/2010 11:27:44 AM PDT by Crichton
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 21 | View Replies]

To: Cicero

our county leaders are clueless old people who have no clue about computers or internet. In 2008 one JUST bought a cell phone.

The level of incompetence is clueless.

The GOP has no infrastructure. Only RINO preserves.


25 posted on 03/23/2010 11:29:20 AM PDT by longtermmemmory (VOTE! http://www.senate.gov and http://www.house.gov)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 9 | View Replies]

To: smoothsailing
Actually, the article is quite accurate.

The author, Patrick Mahoney, suggests Burns may be elected in the special election and Russell win the primary. Fine by me, though the way Russell's going I think Burns will win the primary.

Russell, however, is refusing to support Burns against Critz.

Do you think that's a good idea?

Are you also refusing to vote for Burns in the special election against Critz?

Let's just be clear where everyone stands here.

26 posted on 03/23/2010 11:41:09 AM PDT by Crichton
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 20 | View Replies]

To: PMAS
I have to call BullSh!T on this — so Burns, who is loosing in the polls is the candidate in the special election - unbelievable!

I was there at the meeting March 11th when the special election candidate was SELECTED NOT ELECTED and it was obvious the fix was in.

The Republican conferees(all 132) were all up front closest to the speakers podium. These folks were supposedly representing the wishes of the 106,000 registered Republican voters in the district.

The rest of us (about 100 or so lowly citizens and voters) were at the back of the room segregated from the front by a 20 feet buffer zone and rope poles like you see in theaters (except the ropes were actually sturdy chains).

Rob Gleason, the PA GOP’s version of Tony Soprano, was gladhanding the conferees and ignoring we riffraff in the back of the room as he strutted around like a mother hen about to drop a golden egg.

When Burns spoke, ALL the applause came from the front of the room.

When Russell spoke, almost all of the applause came from the back of the room, and it was loud and sustained.

Afterwards Gleason proudly told the media he voted for Burns himself. He’s the PA GOP Chairman who oversees all the County Chairmen of the 9 counties in the district AND he’s also the Cambria County GOP Chairman. Cambria County had more conferees and more votes there than 7 of the other counties. Gleason’s relatives, cronies and fellow travelers are conferees in every county.

It wasn’t hard to figure out what went down.

27 posted on 03/23/2010 11:45:08 AM PDT by smoothsailing
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 21 | View Replies]

To: Crichton

I don’t vote for Democrats, that should tell you all you need to know.

As for Russell supporting Burns in the special, it’s a dumb idea. It makes about as much sense as Burns supporting Russell in the primary. Either one who did it would send a confusing signal to their own supporters.

The Burns campaign and the local GOP establishment should drop this silly attempt to gain Russell’s support. It makes them look weak and uncertain of their ability to defeat Critz on their own.


28 posted on 03/23/2010 11:55:53 AM PDT by smoothsailing
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 26 | View Replies]

To: smoothsailing
You do know that you can be involved in your local GOP, don't you?

If you don't like the local activists running the local county parties - and I've seen both good and bad where I've lived - you can organize and improve things.

Or you can bitch and moan and backstab a conservative Republican nominee because your guy doesn't get along with the local party organization and wasn't chosen.

29 posted on 03/23/2010 11:58:07 AM PDT by Crichton
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 27 | View Replies]

To: smoothsailing
I don’t vote for Democrats, that should tell you all you need to know.

No.

Will you vote for Burns over Critz?

Conservative Republican vs liberal Democrat?

It's not a hard question.

As for Russell supporting Burns in the special, it’s a dumb idea. It makes about as much sense as Burns supporting Russell in the primary.

No.

There are two choices in the special election: a conservative Republican and a liberal Democrat. It shouldn't be hard for Russell to pick one.

In the primary, there are two conservative Republicans running. It would not make sense for Burns or Russell to support the other in the primary, but they should pledge to support the winner in the general election.

30 posted on 03/23/2010 12:02:55 PM PDT by Crichton
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 28 | View Replies]

To: Crichton
You do know that you can be involved in your local GOP, don't you?

Of course, and do you know that I'm involved in the local GOP right here in Washington PA in the 12th Congressional District? And do you know that I know far more than you ever will about the local GOP than you ever will?

But by all means, support who you want, send some money to Burns! LOL! He'll laugh his ass off all the way to the bank.

31 posted on 03/23/2010 12:18:16 PM PDT by smoothsailing
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 29 | View Replies]

To: smoothsailing
Of course, and do you know that I'm involved in the local GOP right here in Washington PA in the 12th Congressional District?

So you helped pick the delegates who voted to nominate Burns for the special election.

Look, buddy, it's tough that you lost, but what's the point of refusing to support Burns against Critz?

32 posted on 03/23/2010 12:23:51 PM PDT by Crichton
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 31 | View Replies]

To: Crichton

I’m not your buddy.

Once May 18th is past us, I expect the Burns and Russell camps to unite around the Republican candidate for the November election.


33 posted on 03/23/2010 12:35:45 PM PDT by smoothsailing
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 32 | View Replies]

To: smoothsailing; alice_in_bubbaland; Allegra; ArmyTeach; billmor; FranklinsTower; freema; Fred; ...
Excellent article by Mahoney!

Russell header

HOME...|...BILL RUSSELL...|...VOLUNTEER...|...ISSUES...|...NEWS...|...EVENTS...|...DONATE

.

Contact me to be added to ping list.

34 posted on 03/23/2010 12:37:09 PM PDT by jazusamo (But there really is no free lunch, except in the world of political rhetoric,.: Thomas Sowell)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Crichton

If you happened to notice in the hit piece you posted Russell said “only half jokingly” that he would write himself in for the special election and then the author went on from there to crucify Russell.

Russell has already stated he’ll support Burns in the general election if Burns wins the primary and he has never said he would support Critz. You are being disingenulous implying that.


35 posted on 03/23/2010 12:50:26 PM PDT by jazusamo (But there really is no free lunch, except in the world of political rhetoric,.: Thomas Sowell)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 26 | View Replies]

To: smoothsailing
Once May 18th is past us, I expect the Burns and Russell camps to unite around the Republican candidate for the November election.

But you refuse to support Burns over Critz for the remaining portion of Murtha's term.

I’m not your buddy.

I'm not sure what you are, but you are certainly not an intelligent conservative if you refuse to support Burns over Critz.

36 posted on 03/23/2010 12:52:59 PM PDT by Crichton
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 33 | View Replies]

To: jazusamo
Hey Jaz!

Mahoney is Chairman of the Iraq Veterans for Congress PAC.

Including Col. Russell, they have endorsed an impressive group of Conservative Republican candidates...

CLICK

37 posted on 03/23/2010 1:01:07 PM PDT by smoothsailing
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 34 | View Replies]

To: jazusamo
Russell has already stated he’ll support Burns in the general election if Burns wins the primary and he has never said he would support Critz. You are being disingenulous implying that.

I never said that and have taken pains to distinguish between the special election, primary, and general. At some point one figures the reader will catch up.

Russell is refusing to support Burns in the special election over Critz.

Are you supporting Burns over Critz in the special election?

38 posted on 03/23/2010 1:01:57 PM PDT by Crichton
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 35 | View Replies]

To: Crichton

You’re really getting boring.


39 posted on 03/23/2010 1:04:40 PM PDT by smoothsailing
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 36 | View Replies]

To: smoothsailing

Am glad you posted and linked that. They are a fine group of candidates and exactly the kind of Conservatives we need in Congress.


40 posted on 03/23/2010 1:11:45 PM PDT by jazusamo (But there really is no free lunch, except in the world of political rhetoric,.: Thomas Sowell)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 37 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-2021-4041-6061-70 next last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson