HR Tea Party (Board) Embarrasses Self After Loss in VA-02
By D.J. Spiker | Wednesday, June 9th, 2010 | PoliticsTonight’s expected outcome in the 2nd District came just as predicted, Scott Rigell emerged victorious in a plurality victory over 5 other candidates, including Ben Loyola, the HR Tea Party (board) backed candidate. While the endorsement was ill-advised as an anti-establishment group acting exactly as the same establishment they claim to want to replace, the voters at the end of the day disagreed with their assessment. That in and of itself would have been fine, that’s what voters are for. Ben Loyola, Bert Mizusawa and Scott Taylor all graciously conceded to Rigell (not sure of Sandlin or Maulbeck) including public appearances with Rigell by Mizusawa and Loyola.
The Tea Party Chair on the other hand? A complete different story.
In the latest media blunder, the HR Tea Party Chair and driving force behind the anti-Scott Rigell movement, on the heels of her baffling ‘defeat the Republican machine in Hampton Roads’ quote provided to the Virginian-Pilot last month, provided another doozy in resounding defeat to the HR Tea Party board’s agenda tonight.
Karen Miner Hurd, founder and chairwoman of the Hampton Roads Tea Party, blamed Loyola’s loss on the large field of candidates. If the three bottom candidates had dropped out and coalesced behind Loyola, she said, he would have won.
“They were selfish,” she said.
Quotes like that are an embarrassment to the Tea Party. The Tea Party prides itself on having involved new people into the process, people who have no otherwise spoken up. It’s brought new blood, new life, and new focus to the nation, keeping our leaders in check and providing the chance for new candidates to throw their hats in the ring and run on their beliefs and principles.
Karen Hurd has the audacity to a) call anyone selfish for running for public office and b) assumes that the combined 16.5% of the three bottom candidates would automatically all go for Loyola? That defies political credibility while providing more embarrassment for the organization.
Additionally, those ‘selfish’ candidates she blasts considered themselves ‘Tea Party’ candidates, Maulbeck in particular said repeatedly he felt he had more in common with the Tea Party rather then the Republican Party. Taylor made dozens of appearances at Tea Party events and platforms. Not only does the Tea Party (board) not reward their efforts with their ill-advised endorsement, after their establishment candidate loses, they insult the other candidates who were reaching out to them! Great membership outreach for the HRTP, an organization with 825 individuals on facebook and 975 registered on their website. For a group desperately trying to grow, insulting like-minded indviduals while membership hovers at 1/2 percent of the population in Hampton Roads is a brilliant tactical move. Bravo.
What is selfish is using self-appointed positions as platforms for an agenda. Rather then blaming three individuals who had the audacity and courage to step forward and say I want the opportunity to represent my district, the Hampton Roads Tea Party (board) should point the fingers at themselves. In their ill-advised decision to endorse a candidate, the Hampton Roads Tea Party (board) positioned themselves for failure. In reacting to that failure, they continue their narcissistic naivety by condemning individuals who showed more courage then any one of their members, candidates who stepped forward, put in hundreds of hours of hard work and dedication for the opportunity to serve something larger then themselves.
That’s more then anyone can say for the Tea Party (board) in this election. Ultimately, the voters in the 2nd District agreed and rejected their selfish agenda. Karen Hurd owes Scott Taylor, Ed Maulbeck and Jessica Sandlin an apology, publicly, for her bone-headed and narcissistic comments. After doing so, the Tea Party can now focus it’s energy where it truly belongs, holding our leaders accountable for their irrational spending and getting back to basics.
Make no mistake, there are some selfish individuals licking their wounds tonight. However, they are not Taylor, Maulbeck or Sandlin.
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Clowns to the left of me, jokers to the right...entrenched on the right as a member of the Establishment, proudly tattooed member of the Republican Party, bartender by trade serving both sides the libations needed to continue the debate and discourse. College student, ten years late, majoring in Public Policy and Administration with an eye to serving the conservative and Republican movement in the public or private sector. ducit amor patriae You can find D.J.on facebook, Twitter, or contact via email at gosport.conservative@gmail.com. You can find D.J.on facebook, Twitter, or contact via email at gosport.conservative@gmail.com.
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126 Responses to "HR Tea Party (Board) Embarrasses Self After Loss in VA-02"
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DJ, You hit the nail on the head. I understand that there are other patriot/liberty groups in the Tidewater area and I suspect one or more of of them will fill the void as the HR Tea Party fades away as a result of their blunders.
DJ: This is perhaps one of the best articles I’ve ever read on Bearing Drift. The Tea Party should never become identified with one candidate but rather be seen as an anti-establishment group that is willing to hold elected officials feet to the fire.
Guess what– don’t criticize the GOP Establishment by endorsing in primaries……..by then endorsing in a primary yourself!
Ms. Hurd’s comment made my jaw drop.
Great points, DJ. It is probably time to look at a replacement for Karen Hurd. She has done a good job on most things, but this reflects poorly on the rest of the Virginia Tea Party movement. We are all associated with the HRTP remarks.
I know quite a few people in Tidewater, and own a business there, although I live in Richmond. HRTP board members may have been behind Loyola, but the members were split between all of the candidates.
They were all great candidates and an endorsement was ill advised in this race.
Im shocked I agree with DJ…… the HRTP may have been delt a “Coup de Gras” with there meddeling in the primary.
Or their meddling even!
I agree with DJ (great writing by the way, man). I have called out Hurd and the HRTP in previous posts. They exercised very little influence in this primary and should stick to their vision and mission – grassroots advocacy of resposible fiscal governance.
Of course the Tea Party is not a party, it is a movement. The fact that she stated the obvious and is attacked for those comments herein reveals that the stalwart republicans want to forget the nastiness of the primary and close ranks around their chosen candidate. Of course they want everyone to forget that Rigell only got 40% of the vote and is damaged goods, especially in view of the fact that many of the 60% will vote for Golden in protest.
Its time for this childish tea party movement to go away. Join the party of your choosing and work within the system to get things done and really get them done.
Karen Hurd is a sore loser and really out for her own agenda. These tea party folks want to have rallys and just raise hell. Thats nice. Don’t bring problems, bring solutions.
Mike, you are such a fool and your comments prove convincingly that you know absolutely nothing about campaign or party politics. The GOP base will absolutely rally behind Rigell. With your logic no one who survives a primary can possible win a general election. That’s just not true. Also, Golden has no money, no friends, no volunteers and no microphone. He is a nonfactor, much like yourself.
Well written article. I also have made posts on HRTP FB site with similar thoughts, have asked 4x who paid for their 21,000 robo calls and never got an answer.
My hope is #1) the HRTP unites it’s members. #2) learn the truth about what a fine canidate Scott Rigell is and endores him. They were very negative about him as was Loyola. #3)the HRTP members replace the board including Karen Hurd.
I like how yesterday the HRTP changed their facebook page so that user comments are not showing up by default. Ha
Anyway, great article DJ, you really out did yourself with this one.
The Tea Party movement is important, but severely misguided at this point. Look at the past 24 hours?
Karen Hurd claims this election will be within “hundreds of votes” and will be decided my absentee ballots?
Karen Hurd states that the Tea Party helped Loyola by 20 points. Congrats Ben, before they found you in the gutter, you had 6 all by yourself. Are you kidding me?
Karen Hurd completely disrespects Taylor, Sandlin and Maulbeck, and their staffs, by calling them SELFISH for running, and she also has the clairvoyance to know that every single one of their votes would have gone to Loyola had they dropped out.
Whats that saying? Even a broken clock is right twice a day?
So Karen right now is 2 steps below a broken clock.
BTW, she will be on Macrini on WNIS tomorrow, I for one will be emailing some questions, and trying to call in, if you guys have time, maybe do the same. She needs to go.
Karen’s comments might be clumsy, DJ, but I don’t think she’s wholly inaccurate.
The 16% or so of voters that voted for Taylor, Maulbeck and Sandlin probably would have divided itself amongst the top 3 candidates and not broken for one specific candidate.
The reality is that if Sandlin dropped out, she would have endorsed Mizusawa. Not sure what Maulbeck or Taylor would have done, but I wouldn’t be surprised if their voters would have split between the top 3, but a majority of those voters going to the one they endorsed.
Then, you have to account for the voters of those particular candidates staying home.
But is it possible that those voters might have coalesced behind one candidate? Maybe.
I’m not sure if the race would have turned out differently – but it probably would have been closer.
I don’t fault Karen’s logic though, just her rhetoric.
DJ criticizing someone for “bone-headed and narcissistic comments”
What’s next? A debate between a pot and kettle?
To the victors go the spoils… or 40% of the spoils, and victors deserve their “happy dance” on the graves of those they destroyed and buried. Sounds like a lot of bitter residual hot air being vented from the Primary and I hope that it passes quickly as Nye has $1.8M and he didn’t have to spend a dime on a Primary.
@Brian – literally laughed out loud at that one. Now on to the substance here. As much as I like Loyola (and I really do like him) the TEA Party would have been wise not to endorse in this race, particularly since a large part of its constituency did not support Loyola and were very unhappy with the “endorsement.” Many of them feel that it was made on the personal preference of Hurd rather than the true feelings/vote of the HR TEA Party itself. And DJ is right (I know amazing that I am agreeing with him) that Hurd owes Taylor, Maulbeck and Sandlin an apology.
In addition I would like to vent about endorsements in primaries in general – I think that there will be quite a few high ranking elected officials that feel some pain over their decision to follow the dollars and not stay out of this race completely. I would like to give a shout out to two very wise local elected leaders Cong. Rob Wittman and Cong. Randy Forbes who had the good sense to stay out of this and not alienate the individuals that have worked to get them elected (um, unlike the Gov, Lt. Gov, and multiple delegates).
I am not sure that the Governor will ever fully regain the trust of the 60% of voters (and the corallary number of campaign workers) that feel betrayed by his endorsement in this race.
Sounds a lot like Virginia’s 5th District.
@MJ – correct me if I am mistake, but didn’t Mcdonnell stay out of the 5th for the most part? Rahter than endorsing and sending out two emails trying to get people to the polls for said endorsed candidate? The latter of which said that “if you are an eligible voter you can vote in the primary” deliberately ignoring the fact that it was a REPUBLICAN primary?
Not meaning to highjack the thread – as for the TEA Party stuff, MJ, that is what I have heard from out there too, split support
Hurd is now claiming her quote was taken out of context:
I never said they were selfish for running. I said that they were selfish for staying in when it was clear that their campaigns were not gaining traction. Oh wait, the reporter did not print the entirety of my comments. What a surprise
See thats the problem with the tea party. Alot of the folks the come out are good people and seek the common ground with American principles held dear by the Republican party. However what has happened is that these well intentioned folks are highjacked by a few hucksters and charlantans like Hurd and Jamie Radkie and their clandestine leader Pat McSweeney into some psuedo 3rd party movement that really isnt about an American agenda but about the agenda of the Hurds, Radkies, and McSweeneys of the world.
To the well meaning folks come to the Republican party. We welcome you.
To the hucksters and charlatans like I mentioned above please go back to the pit of hell from whence you came.
Mike Barrett wrote:
===========================
Of course the Tea Party is not a party, it is a movement. The fact that she stated the obvious and is attacked for those comments herein reveals that the stalwart republicans [i.e., RINO's] want to forget the nastiness of the primary and close ranks around their chosen candidate [a RINO]. Of course, they want everyone to forget that Rigell only got 40% of the vote and is damaged goods, especially in view of the fact that many of the 60% will vote for Golden in protest.
===========================
Mike, you are correct. Conservatives will not vote for a RINO. They want to vote for a conservative candidate, even if that candidate has but little chance of winning. Conservatives have had enough.
Ron wrote:
===========================
Mike, you are such a fool and your comments prove convincingly that you know absolutely nothing about campaign or party politics. The GOP base will absolutely rally behind Rigell.
======================
Rally behind Rigell, who donated to Obama’s Presidential campaign? Not a chance. A true conservative would never do so.
Ron wrote:
===========================
Golden has no money, no friends, no volunteers and no microphone. He is a nonfactor, much like yourself.
===========================
You Republicans are vastly under-estimating the depth and breadth of conservative anger. Conservatives have had it with RINO’s. And that is why, come November, conservatives shan’t vote Republican — they shall vote for the TEA party candidate, even if that candidate has but little chance of winning.
Republicans, remember this: you cannot possibly win general elections without the conservative vote. No way in hell. *REMEMBER* that!!
– Paul D. Bain
paulbain@pobox.com
Paul,
14,000 conservatives voted for Rigell last night. Rigell also did not donate to Obama’s Presidential campaign. REMEMBER that.
Tea Party did a bang up job last night in the 1st, 2nd and 5th didn’t they? Oh wait…
Conservatives across the state rejected the agendas of the Tea Party. Tea Party can now get back to basics, holding our leaders accountable.
Thats a big ol goose egg, zero if you have trouble counting there Paul…
Thank you Bearing Drift for having some courage and allowing us this place for some degree of a voice of truth and/or opinion, unlike our fine local mainstream media sources who apparently felt none of this really mattered. Well, they are in the tank for me after all, LOL.
Earlier today I thanked Gary Byler for his help. Now, I would like to extend my hearfelt thank you to the supposed head of the so-called Hampton Roads Tea Party. Ms. Karen Hurd.
Karen, thank you so much for backing a candidate at the last minute. This tactic accomplished exactly what we needed it to do. Voters saw it as an even more desperate and transparent move than our Governor endorsing Scotty. By the way, you looked just marvelous on the front page of the Pilot. It was just to die. Also, this last minute tactic served to galvanize the vote against your pick, all across the candidates. In fact, right back at you, and thank you for your endorsement, which helped ensure the six candidates in the race remained in the race until the bitter end.
Thank you for your bravery in ignoring the wishes of many of the hard working and well intentioned members of your group. Dear Leader, how many would have the courage to do such a thing for fifteen minutes of fame? You are just the best and the brightest for sure. The way you have embarrassed them and made a mockery out of your “Tea Party” is priceless.
Way to pick a candidate who brings his own baggage to the game.
Thank you for the subterfuge. Well done. Well done. I couldn’t do it without you.
Welcome to the machine my esteemed ally Karen.
The Tea Party’s mistake was in not backing Mizusawa.
According to the VSBE results, Rigell got 39.44% of the vote. Loyola + Mizusawa got 44.2%.
Seems to me that the Rigell camp would bury the hatchet and be on both Loyola’s and Mizusawa’s doorsteps lobbying at least one of them to join their campaign stable to shore up Rigell’s weak numbers.
39.44% won’t be enough to win the General, and with Kenny in the mix, there could be real problems with votes that were committed to Loyola and Misusawa. If either of Loyola or Misusawa can lobby their supporters to Rigell, then the situation will look better. But both will probably be busy trying to recover from the financial and personal strain this campaign has put on them and their families.
Tim J-
If you listened to Rigell’s podcast, that effort is well underway. Also, Bert Mizusawa and Ben Loyola appeared to “bury the hatchet” last night, with both Ben and Bert conceding the race in person.
Shame Karen Hurd doesnt have the same amount of class.
Kudos to Bert and Ben for being gentlemen.
Both Ben and Bert came by and personally shook Rigell’s hand, as well as posing for photos with Rigell. Additionally Taylor called Rigell with what I was told was a gracious phone call.
At the end of the day, 64% give or take voted for Bob McDonnell in the 2nd District. While obviously not all of those will likely follow suit this November, given the right message and candidate the like-minded voters are there. What you call Rigell’s weak numbers I call a spread out field with strong candidates top to bottom.
Since Rigell did not respond in kind to many of the mailings/radio ads, something numerous people touched on last night, Rigell is well positioned to draw supporters from all the candidates. The Tea Party board who openly and repeatedly attacked Rigell on the other hand has serious ground to make up. Rigell will continue his outreach to them, but the burden is on the Tea Party board, not the candidate. They’re the ones who dug themselves in the hole in the first place.
People have been saying a lot about the Tea Party. About how we are fading away, how we are “astroturf” etc. etc… They’ve been saying it since day 1.
We are still here! The Tea Party is here to stay.
We will not be silent. We are the independent voters. We are the independent thinkers. We will not “toe-the-line” for any party (Dems or Repubs). We are learning. We are growing. We are getting stronger every day.
Endorsement ill advised? If one were a Republican establishment insider I could see how it would throw a wrench in all their plans.
“the TEA Party would have been wise not to endorse in this race, particularly since a large part of its constituency did not support Loyola and were very unhappy with the “endorsement.”
Facts:
Support for the HRTP has grown by 25% in the last two weeks since the endorsement.
Those who disagreed with the endorsement were few. Of those who disagreed, most seemed to be affiliated with the Rigell campaign.
According to Rigell’s poll, Loyola had 6% prior to endorsement. Last night’s results: 26%. HRTP brought 20 points to the table.
—-
The fact of the matter now is that yesterday is history.
Rigell won the primary.
In the general election the Dems are going to throw every piece of trash they can find at him and they are confident of a win.
Perhaps we’d all be better served by turning our guns on Nye.
Thom,
The Tea Party membership ‘growing’ by 25% means when your membership is less then .5% of the population is not exactly impressive. Nor did the Tea Party bring it to the table. Ben Loyola brought those points to the table. Thank the candidate, not your self-serving board. How much phone-banking and door-to-door outreach did the Tea Party do? A robocall to 3.5% of the district does not count. You brought nothing to the table but a hollow endorsement ridiculed by many, and rightfully so. Claims like we brought 20% to the table makes you a laughingstock. At the end of the day, it’s the candidate that gets votes. I didn’t see the ‘Tea Party’ on the ballot…anyone else?
And your endorsement was ill-advised because you’re supposed to be the ANTI-ESTABLISHMENT! For God’s sakes, why would you pick sides in a race with six candidates, three or four of whom counted Tea Party members as their closest supporters?! That makes you Establishment, the same thing you collectively claim to reject.
Do not pat yourself on the back, you have not earned the right. With the exception of the Tea Party board and a handful of members, I have seen little rejoicing over Ben Loyola’s endorsement, on your website, on your facebook, on your forums, in person. Your much-publicized event in Town Center last week drew 75 people, at best.
No one is claiming the Tea Party is fading, or astro-turfing, or going away. We want you to be involved! Get involved where you’re qualified and relevant, holding our leaders accountable, protesting, speaking up with one voice and saying we are watching and we will hold you accountable!
The Hampton Roads Tea Party is not qualified to make endorsements based on personal and self-serving agendas. They are not qualified to ridicule other candidates for not kow-towing to their endorsement. They are not qualified to take credit for a candidate’s hard work and dedication for eleven months with a endorsement given two weeks before an election.
Your last statement is correct however, it is time to point our fingers at Glenn Nye. Hopefully you’ll be able to convince your board of the same, as Karen Hurd has already begun publicly musing about backing Kenny Golden over Scott Rigell. The HRTP has plenty of ground to make up, as I said before. Glad to see some sort of an olive branch coming.
Thank you Bearing Drift for having some courage and allowing us this place for some degree of a voice of truth and/or opinion, unlike our fine local mainstream media sources who apparently felt none of this really mattered. Well, they are in the tank for me after all, LOL.
Earlier today I thanked Gary Byler for his help. Now, I would like to extend my hearfelt thank you to the supposed head of the so-called Hampton Roads Tea Party, Ms. Karen Hurd.
Karen, thank you so much for backing a candidate at the last minute. This tactic accomplished exactly what we needed it to do. Voters saw it as an even more desperate and transparent move than our Governor endorsing Scotty. By the way, you looked just marvelous on the front page of the Pilot. It was just to die. Also, this last minute tactic served to galvanize the vote against your pick, all across the candidates. In fact, right back at you, and thank you for your endorsement, which
helped ensure the six candidates in the race remained in the race until the bitter end.
Thank you for your bravery in ignoring the wishes of many of the hard working and well intentioned members of your group. Dear Leader, how many would have the courage to do such a thing for fifteen minutes of fame? You are just the best and the brightest for sure. The way you have embarrassed them and made a mockery out of your “Tea Party”, The Hampton Roads Tea Party, is priceless.
Way to pick a candidate who brings his own baggage to the game.
Thank you for the subterfuge. Well done. Well done. I couldn’t do it without you.
Welcome to the machine my esteemed ally Karen.
@Govgirl
Just to clarify, my comment regarding the 5th pertained to the main article, and not any of the posts. The Tea Party support was fairly split, but was leaning more toward McKelvey at the end. Throughout, the Tea Party (particularly down in Lynchburg) expressed frustration about candidates who should have dropped out, but were too selfish.
The final outcome in the 5th was more decisive than the 2nd, as Hurt cleared almost 50%, meaning Hurt may very well have won even in a head-to-head matchup.
i for one was disapointed Ben didnt win and
even more upset with the Gov. endorsement of Scott. As a hrtp follower i for one will go where Ben goes , Ben is a man with class and it shown brightly last night.
Ben had ammo for dirt throwing yet he didnt, I know cuz i gave it to him..
A wise man he is.
God Bless You Ben.
jeff
DJ takes yet another swipe at the Tea Party. Surprise! Surprise! Couldn’t let that opportunity go, eh?
I don’t so much mind the Tea party endorsement. After all, the water is already tainted by establishment endorsements. Candidacy is about more than just donor records and paybacks to people you might barely even know personally. (That isn’t meant as a criticism of Rigell, but of the status quo.) It gets to the point of asking why even bother having a primary at all. Just have the powers that be, appoint the “chosen one”.
So, now people are indignant over the Tea Party board fighting fire with fire. I hear the suggggestion that Tea Partiers should “join the GOP and work from within”, but consider why there even is a Tea Party or conservative third parties. Also consider that many Republicans that ARE “working from the inside” AND are Tea Party members. Consider Coby Dillard being told he has to choose between being in the Tea Party or being a Republican. Just why is it that you have to convince some of those people that did actually leave to COME BACK? Obviously, they found reason to leave in the first place. And if they DID come back, but supported someone other than YOUR guy, do you then call them names like “Paultard” as many did to the Ron Paul people? Do you call them Tea Baggers if they don’t jump to support your moderate guy over a conservative? Do you laugh at social conservatives for stating that they don’t believe in Darwinism, because they don’t support your moderates over conservative rivals?
DJ, when you send the message that you don’t personally count because the establishment will appoint anyway, you alienate people that campaign for you and donate money. You exacerbate that by the continually appointing of RINOs and every year insist the conservative “take one for the team”…….again. *Meant in general terms – Not a comment on Rigell, he just now became a “politician”*
I suspect Mizusawa and Loyola hurt each other’s chances. I was personally torn between the two. I hope the rumors of Mizusawa pursuing the senate at some point are true. We would be lucky to have someone of his credentials. Likewise, anyone one willing to make a public committment like Loyola did, makes an impact with me, as did the HR Tea Party endorsement.
The Tea Party gave Loyola a boost, but not enough. Although significant and damaging to Mizusawa’s chances, I agree that Hurd’s assessment of that boost may be overstated. Not all Tea Partiers towed the board’s line, either. Fact is, there were many great candidates to choose from. It does however, send a message that that boost could translate to enough damage in a general race if RINOs are force fed every year. Something to consider as you seek to figuratively stick your finger in Karen Hurd’s eye.
I like Karen Hurd and appreciate all that she has done locally to help local voters voice their disapproval. I don’t mind the endorsement or even an assessment, but knowing how hard people work to run for office and invest themselves into it, I don’t like the word “selfish” being used here. It serves to alienate, just as does GOP annointing. On that point, I do agree a little with DJ. It was counter productive. I wish Karen’s statements weren’t made in a public arena and that she just moved on to the next item on the Tea Party agenda.
But there is evidence that what DJ is doing right now, harms every bit if not more that Karen’s comments.
Exhibit A-
Mike Barrett’s reply DEFENDING Hurd. Do you REALLY think Mike is a Tea Party fan? No, he likes them about as little as DJ likes them. What Mike B. sees is potential for division and back biting between RPV and the Tea Party and that’s good for the Democrats.
So, DJ, maybe Hurd’s comments were better off unsaid. However, when you end up opening a door for Mike Barrett to jump in and encourage acrimony between both conservative groups, you might be the one that needs to re-evaluate.
Britt,
My swipes are not at the Tea Party, but at their board. You’ve agreed with most of what I’ve said. I like the Tea Party. What I don’t like is the Tea Party overstepping their role. Their endorsement wasn’t needed. Their board felt it was, since everyone else was endorsing, why not us? Then when it doesn’t work out to their agenda, they decry the bottom candidates as selfish, and then try taking credit for Ben Loyola’s hard work and campaign that he’d be running for eleven months?
I will not tolerate that Britt, from the Tea Party board or anyone else. Ben is a friend, and it’s an insult to he and his campaign team for the work that they did when individuals try claiming credit for a hollow endorsement made from six/seven individuals.
The Tea Party is great, and now that the primary is passed and the board tried experimenting with an agenda and were resoundingly defeated, they can get back on message and go back to holding our leaders accountable.
No one pays Mike any attention, especially the voters in the 2nd District who determine these things. The 2nd, 3rd and 4th place finishers have already surrounded and closed ranks around Rigell, as Mike hopes will not happen. The fact remains that the Tea Party board now has significant ground to make up with Scott Rigell, and it is they, not he, who needs to extend the olive branch. Rigell has repeatedly, including last night reached out to the Tea Party to be smacked away. Karen Hurd is already musing supporting Kenny Golden.
As for my re-evaluation, the support for this stance and article has been overwhelmingly positive, including individuals who do not normally agree with me.
Looks like the Tea Party board is the ones who need to re-evaluate (if it wasn’t obvious enough after last night)
Hmm… What a great article I don’t know where to start. I attended every tea party event I could make it to but I never formally joined because something was fishy about the “board” of a grass roots movement. It sort of seemed to me to be quite the opposite of what they were supposedly standing for.
“We the People” very much became “We the Board” and I personally did not like the endorsement of Ben Loyola — the candidate I ultimately voted for.
One thing is for sure, I cannot with good conscience cast a vote for E. Scott Rigell with his complete lack of creativity or policy insight and his incredibly misguided donation history. I guess that leaves Kenny Golden.
I wonder how many people will defect from the Tea Party… and the Republican Party.
Wow, the arrogance of money and power on display for all to see. Makes not one with of difference if the candidates endorse on another; it is the voters who count. Your display of disdain may not effect anyone’s view, so why keep posting in defense of a divisive article?
DJ, it is hard to take you seriously when you say things like “the Tea Party is great”. Why? Because by far, the threads critical of the Tea Party or contributor replys, have come from you. This isn’t your first article with the Tea Party as a main focus.
Just because I agree that things weren’t done perfectly, doesn’t mean I agree with your over all assesment or context. I just acknowledge that mistakes were made.
And don’t you think giving too much attention to one’s “musings” is a little premature? When you invest yourself in a campaign and fight along side large numbers of “actives”, you get a sick come down after a loss that colors your perspective in a negative way.
I don’t see how your highlighting her comments in this context or pointing out “embarrassments” helps to mend fences. So, you think piling on with comments like,”hollow endorsement “, “resoundingly defeated”, will serve to bring the Tea Partiers in? Sounds to me that you are just interested in going negative on the Tea Party….again. As for “over stepping their role”, I hardly think anyone in the Tea Party will allow YOU to determine what their role is. Kinda hypocritical when you decry Hurd for putting her influence on the role the local Tea Party will play. At least she is part of the group.
You can think that Rigell or any other candidate doesn’t need to extend olive branches all you want. Just because YOU think the Tea Party can’t exist without making nice with whomever, doesn’t make it so. And for that matter, how is your commentary here going to encourage this mutual acceptance?
Mike Barrett must be chortling right now. Your assesment of his credibility or not, he’s getting what he wanted.
Ben showing up at Rigell’s victory party last night as a 2nd place loser spoke volumes about him as a person and his core values and principles. Jeff McWaters even took to the stage and praised Ben for having the fortitude and graciousness to show up. Almost all of the folks there, including Gary Byler, were shaking Ben’s hand, smiling and making him feel welcome. I talked to Ben who said later that there were no unkind words spoken and he was congratulated by many in the Rigell camp on his campaign.
Out of all of this, outside of whatever the Tea Party Board and others are bandying around, Ben has emerged as a Statesman who will give credibility to whatever office he runs for or to whomever he supports. The Tea Party selected him, but didn’t know who or what they had until it this was all over.
Mike,
Pretty sure you meant whiff of difference, and affect.
Britt,
There’s a common theme in everything I say about the Tea Party. Hold our leaders accountable. Every time. Not some of the time. When the Tea Party begins trying to divide the Republican party, or anointing who’s conservative and who isn’t, I’ll call them to the mat. That’s not their job, or their role, nor, obviously, are they any good at it. While you may not like that, that’s not a criticism of the Tea Party as a whole, nor should it be construed as one. At the end of the day the voters chose, and they chose Scott Rigell, Robert Hurt and Rob Whitman last night. The tea party went 0-3. That’s not a coincidence, or a surprise. Then instead of congratulations, they TP Board blasts the other candidates, and tries hogging credit for Loyola’s hard work? Indefensible.
And while you may or may not agree, there’s a reason by and large everyone is in agreement. It was a blunder that highlights continued blunders. As far as mending fences goes, this is a reminder of the place the Tea Party should be, and where they fail. Make no mistake, they failed last night. When they focus their energy in the right direction, they succeed. That’s not a coincidence.
I find your attempted defense of her ‘musings’ amusing. Especially since a) her original musings turned into the ill-fated endorsement in the first place and b) there was no investment into the campaign by anyone until two weeks to go. Even then it was a robocall to 3.5% of the district and poorly organized event.
Hard to be discouraged after you didn’t contribute anything to a campaign.
The commentary here is designed to serve as wake-up call and harsh reminder that the board is in desperate need of. Judging by the comments and feedback on facebook, twitter and on here, it’s correct.
However, as Thom rightfully said, it’s time to focus that energy at Glenn Nye and get Scott Rigell elected.
I think it’s “bit of a difference”. Reads better:)
Tim J,
I fail to see how Loyola endorsing Rigell speaks volumes about his character, unless it speaks to the fact that he has no integrity.
In all reality Loyola is a political prostitute. How can a person say all those things about Rigell not being conservative, run those negative ads, take the support of the Tea Party who hates Rigell, and then turn right around and say Rigell is the best guy and endorse him? It’s like Ben just took a piss on the entire Tea Party, VBTA, and everyone else who supported him because he was the most viable candidate to beat Rigell.
He didn’t even wait a day, he just went back on everything he said about Rigell not being the right guy for the job. That is disgraceful. If he had core values, he could not have made such a quick turnaround.
Thankfully Kenny Golden saw all of this coming a mile away and decided to run as an independent to give the voters a real choice.
I remember the 1650AM debate with all the candidates that Rigell didn’t attend. Joel Rubin made the comment that the 800lb gorilla wasn’t in the room, referring to Scott Rigell.
Lets all face the facts people. The only 800lb gorilla is Kenny Golden’s resume. All he needs is a few bananas and Rigell and Nye will both be toast.
They can try and avoid him in debates, but how will it look to exclude the only Navy guy in the race? The only one with combat experience, whose between himself, his wife, and his daughter have 67 years of Naval service to this country.
I bet right now, just with the mood of the country, a generic independent in the 2nd would be polling close to 20%. With the Navy vote, dissaffected Republicans, and DEMS pissed at Nye but attracted by Kenny’s socially moderate views and progressive ideas about turning Hampton Roads into an education, manufacturing, and R&D Mecca, Kenny will have no problem getting the 34% he will likely need to win.
Nye and Rigell will spend millions destroying each other because neither has much of a record to run on/against.
Kenny has the resume, the intellect, and the volunteers to run a campaign with a small fraction of the money that Nye and Rigell needs.
You all think Kenny doesn’t have friends? I stopped by his new HQ today to try and meet the man and there were people coming in and out, dropping off checks, getting bumper stickers and yard signs, and pledging their support to the man who is clearly the best candidate.
Wavy10 was walking in right as I was walking out, so it seems there will be a TV story on him sometime tonight as well.
Good luck Rigell and Nye, you all will need it.
“Musings” was pointed to your reference to Kenny Golden, not the previous endorsement of Loyola.
Maybe she didn’t give Ben enough credit, but you’re not giving her enough credit for her effort. She put credibility on the line and has had to endure your attacks. A robo call DOES count. You just go around shopping that idea. When somebody pays for a robocall for YOUR guy, you be sure to remind them of how little that counts. How much do you know anyway about her effort to sollicit Tea Party votes that were split between several good candidates?
Yes, your commentary is a “harsh reminder”, your words, and you certainly do claim to know what the purpose of the Tea Party is. I agree that there is a common theme to your posts, but that theme is attach negatives to the words “Tea Party”.
So, as Kenny Golden attempts to siphon off votes, you go right ahead and keep up those “harsh reminders”.
Anyone that thinks voting for Commodore Golden isn’t a vote for Congressman Glenn Nye is kidding themselves.
The Navy vote is never a sure thing. At one time that could have been a true statement but the homogenous nature of today’s Navy makes this an unsure bet.
We, as Republicans and concerned Americans need to ensure our vote counts where it matters and support our candidate: Scott Rigell.
Wow James, that peyote must be pretty good.
34%…
Divide it by 10.
Welcome to electoral reality.
DJ, after the Tea Party did their last robo-call, Bert confused the faithful by doing a robo–call featuring the ex VP of the Tea Party Express. Karen and the Board spent most of Monday with E-mails and Facebook trying to inform their lists that “they” were the real deal and to ignore the call.
It was a brilliant last minute tactic that demonstrated how a fractured movement with many pieces can be exploited by a candidate who can buy or get an endorsement from any one organization and claim they are the “endorsed” Tea Party candidate in another race.
You’re right about that Chris. Indeed, a vote for Kenny Golden would be a vote for Glenn Nye.
If you actually vote for Glenn Nye, that would be two votes for Glenn Nye.
So, DJ, please, more Tea Party bashing and telling other people what their place is. Glenn Nye will thank you for it in November.
Amen Britt Howard
Hm… I guess my lack of concern for this issue is tailored to the indistinguishability of the majority of Republicans and Democrats.
In the past decade, members of the two prominent political parties have generally voted in line with one another.
Republicans and Democrats alike have both supported:
- Socialized medicine in some fashion.
- Aggressive foreign intervention (Iraq, Yemen, Pakistan, etc.)
- Bailouts of insurance, financial, automotive and other industries.
- Keynesian stimulus plans of various standards and proportions.
I suppose I’m not entirely convinced that we will correct our mistakes if we switch political party majority in the legislative or executive branch.
I say this mainly due to the fact that Glenn Nye has represented what most Republican legislators stood for through most of the Bush administration; some healthcare socialism, foreign interventionism, stimulus packages and bailouts.
How do can we be confident that any non-incumbent Republican will truly change this?
Personally, I’m a member of the Republican party. However, I just don’t see why there is so much of a fuss between who wins the elections this year…
Promises are made and are rarely ever kept.
Scott Rigell has proven himself to be a legitimate and competent individual in the private sector. Perhaps he can prove me (and most of the American electorate) wrong and stand for Constitutional government.
Earlier today I thanked Gary Byler for his help. Now, I would like to extend my hearfelt thank you to the supposed head of the so-called Hampton Roads Tea Party, Ms. Karen Hurd.
Karen, thank you so much for backing a candidate at the last minute. This tactic accomplished exactly what we needed it to do. Voters saw it as an even more desperate and transparent move than our Governor endorsing Scotty. By the way, you looked just marvelous on the front page of the Pilot. It was just to die. Also, this last minute tactic served to galvanize the vote against your pick, all across the candidates. In fact, right back at you, and thank you for your endorsement, which
helped ensure the six candidates in the race remained in the race until the bitter end.
Thank you for your bravery in ignoring the wishes of many of the hard working and well intentioned members of your group. Dear Leader, how many would have the courage to do such a thing for fifteen minutes of fame? You are just the best and the brightest for sure. The way you have embarrassed them and made a mockery out of your “Tea Party”, The Hampton Roads Tea Party, is priceless.
Way to pick a candidate who brings his own baggage to the game.
Thank you for the subterfuge. Well done. Well done. I couldn’t do it without you. I am looking forward to my second term as your congressman.
Welcome to the machine my esteemed ally Karen.
Hm… I guess my lack of concern for this issue is tailored to the indistinguishability of the majority of Republicans and Democrats.
In the past decade, members of the two prominent political parties have generally voted in line with one another.
Republicans and Democrats alike have both supported:
- Socialized medicine in some fashion.
- Aggressive foreign intervention (Iraq, Yemen, Pakistan, etc.)
- Bailouts of insurance, financial, automotive and other industries.
- Keynesian stimulus plans of various standards and proportions.
I suppose I’m not entirely convinced that we will correct our mistakes if we switch political party majority in the legislative or executive branch.
I say this mainly due to the fact that Glenn Nye has represented what most Republican legislators stood for through most of the Bush administration; some healthcare socialism, foreign interventionism, stimulus packages and bailouts.
How do can we be confident that any non-incumbent Republican will truly change this?
Personally, I’m a member of the Republican party. However, I just don’t see why there is so much of a fuss between who wins the elections this year…
Promises are made and are rarely ever kept.
Scott Rigell has proven himself to be a legitimate and competent individual in the private sector. Perhaps he can prove me (and most of the American electorate) wrong and stand for Constitutional government…
[...] Wow, quite a ruthless opinion by this D.J. Spiker in Bearing Drift. According to him, running for public office is by definition selfless, but creating and helping [...]
James, “It’s like Ben just took a piss on the entire Tea Party, VBTA, and everyone else who supported him because he was the most viable candidate to beat Rigell.” Hello?? the election is over… Ben lost… game over. He ran as a conservative Republican, got endorsed by “Tea Party Board”…. not the “Tea Party” members, signed an oath to the voters, and was soundly rejected by the voters. Ben is still a Republican and according to the Republican Party Plan, Republicans support the nominated candidate, and Ben has done that.
So a gracious transition from being a candidate to being a statesman is almost an act of “treason”. Well, guess what?? Ben’s gone, Kenny’s not a Republican anymore, Rigell is, and they are competing for the same Congressional seat, and are in a tug of war for the same votes. Oh, did I mention that Ben’s not running anymore, especially against Kenny?
Also, lesson learned…. Bert touted up his military record – didn’t work. Ben touted his military record and even had lots of signs showing pictures of him in uniform – didn’t work. Kenny had better be mortgaging the family inheritance and hire Jessica Sandlin and Kinky Friedman to run his campaign because with the big money coming in to both Rigell and Nye from the NRCC and the DNCC, a small fraction of either campaign budget can be used to attack and wound Kenny so badly as to take him out.
By the way, is Kenny by chance passing out free “Kinky Freidman” cigars at his campaign headquarters?
Look at the bright side. The 1st District has purged itself of these disorganized, lunatic, anarchists who call themselves the “Tea Party.”
These people have no organization, no platform, no ideas except to rant and rave, no concept of how to govern, but only field candidates in the GOP primaries and then go nuts when they don’t win. Catherine Crabhill was the penultimate example of the Crazies-Get-Creamed. Just how stupid do these people think sensible conservatives are?
P.S. Rob Wittman was the largest vote getter of any GOP candidate for Congress in Virginia in this primary (28,957 votes). Wouldn’t it behoove us all to follow his example of being a caring, go-to guy who takes care of business and votes the right way?
Sure, we here in the 1st could have just stayed home, yawned, and not taken Crabhill seriously. But the truth is, we did not do either. We did not stay home and we did take her as a serious threat. There was a great deal of fear that a low-turnout election would seriously give her an edge.
Rob never missed a beat. He campaigned like his life depended on it. He smashed her into the ground as a result.
Perhaps the lesson here is that there is nothing new about politics. Get your message out, and your voters out, and run for your life.
I was proud to play a small part in it.
I wonder if Rob has any future in statewide politics? I really don’t know if he has any interest in it. But I wonder if we ought not to be looking to him for a run for U.S. Senate.
I wonder if the First is even a good launching pad? It does cover an interesting part of Virginia, but….could that even translate into a state-wide campaign?
What do you Party pro’s think about it? Do we have any better, more well-prepared candidates (i.e., Eric Cantor)?
Tim J,
What you are basically saying about Loyola is that nothing he said about Rigell reflected his true beliefs. So by your logic, Loyola is a complete liar. No matter what way you look at it he is a liar. Either he doesn’t really mean the endorsement or he never meant all the nasty things he said about Rigell throughout the campaign. It CANNOT be both.
Further, you are basically saying that party means more than the truth, the country, and the American people. If you can think someone is a horrible candidate and not a true conservative one day and then say he is the best man the next, then you have no business saying you have integrity.
The party plan says you support the nominee, so basically the party plan says you sell your soul and your country down the river for your own personal gain. Political parties when operated like this are bad for the country, so is this type of behavior.
That’s right Tea Party, get back in your place and do what the GOBs tell you. When are you going to see the picture?
You tried to voice your opinion inside the party, elected some ‘screwball’ as leader. The adults took back over in a coup. So then you go outside the party, expecting the GOP to change their ways. What you get are more establishment candidates, and once again you are getting kicked to the curb in a public forum.
Forget it! Send a message that is clear and straight to the point. Vote for that other guy, Nye. Whether it’s a boycott, protest, or simply because he isn’t that bad, this time vote for the incumbent. Blow Rigell away and start over.
Why are you trying to stay with a party that not only doesn’t want you except on their terms, they hate your guts. The war for the soul of Republicanism hasn’t even started yet. Don’t let yourself be used.
Seems like the Tea Party movements did very good throughout the Country except in the Hampton Roads area! I thought the Tea Party movement first mission was “issues” and then came bringing down policticans who voted for the Obama Big government and Rinos! And that is cool but seems the Tea Party movement in Hampton roads wanted to brink down the Republican Party and that seems to be why they are one of the few Tea Parties that have been ineffective. The Tea Parties have been effective becaues they believe in issues, smaller government, alot less debt, etc. but the movement here had their own agenda which did not work here. They need to get some real leadership and focus on the issues and/or the Rinos and then they can be effective like the other Tea Parties. Hampton Roads Tea party seems to of had a agenda to get the Republican party well it was the other party that has put our country on the brink why didn’t they go after them wonder if the Tea Party here was infiltrated by that other party?
Thank you to Karen Hurd.
Karen, thank you so much for backing a candidate at the last minute. This tactic accomplished exactly what we needed it to do. Voters deemed it as an even more desperate and transparent move than our Governor endorsing Scotty. By the way, you looked just marvelous on the front page of the Pilot. It was just to die. Also, this last minute tactic served to galvanize the vote against your pick, all across the candidates. In fact, right back at you, and thank you for your endorsement, which
helped ensure the six candidates in the race remained in the race until the bitter end.
Thank you for your bravery in ignoring the wishes of many of the hard working and well intentioned members of your group. Dear Leader, how many would have the courage to do such a thing for fifteen minutes of fame? You are just the best and the brightest for sure. The way you have embarrassed them and made a mockery out of your “Tea Party”, The Hampton Roads Tea Party, is priceless.
Way to pick a candidate who brings his own baggage to the game.
Thank you for the subterfuge. Well done. Well done. I couldn’t do it without you. I am looking forward to my second term as your congressman.
Welcome to the machine my esteemed ally Karen.
I am proud of any American who would believe they could run for office based upon the call to serve their country, especially Taylor, Maulbeck or Sandlin. God Bless America!!!! Many of those that fought, died, and gave everything for us so that we may have a free country did it out of heart. Nothing else.
“What I don’t like is the Tea Party overstepping their role.”
DJ, who are you to tell the Tea Party what their role is? It is exactly this type of arrogance that is turning moderates away from the GOP.
The GOP has once again shot themselves in the foot when it comes to Rigell. He is not fiscally conservative enough for the hardcore GOPers. He stands no chance in the general election. He carries enough baggage, and no record, to not excite the hardcore conservatives, who will then stay home. The moderates in VA-02 like, or at least tolerate Nye who has been much better than Drake ever was.
Lets face it, it’s the moderates who are going to decide this election and I don’t see Rigell winning them over.
So Rigell can’t excite conservatives, who will stay home….or win over moderates.
He must have just paid 14,000 people to vote for him yesterday. Or maybe they were all Democrats.
You clearly don’t live in the district, know anyone in the district, or apparently have ever set foot in the district. Or read a newspaper article. Or paid attention at all to the past six months.
And apparently the Tea Party board doesn’t have any idea what their role is anymore, so someone needs to remind them, I’m happy to do so
I appreciate DJ’s analysis of the impact the board of the HRTP had on the VA02 GOP primary. It is important for all to understand the distinction between the actions of the board, and the Tea Party as a whole. I think a valid point has been made, and it is patently unfair to demonize a movement based upon the unilateral decision making of the self annointed board. To impute blame to thousands of good Americans whose only ambition is to affect positive change during this time of crisis in our country; is folly. The ambition is limited to but a few who have co-opted the numbers and energy of noble and patriotic citizens. The irony exists only in that the Tea Party owes much of its credibility to “keeping the party honest” and finding truth in obscurity, and yet it was their own leadership who tricked them with dishonesty and all of the mud and muck normally associated with “establishment” party politics.
Does the average Tea Party member who takes a day of vacation to support a rally know that he has essentially joined a union? Does he know he has is being manipulated and exploited by a select few with entrenched political agendas and who have a rich history of personal resentments? Does he know the VTPF board is comprised of re-tred republicans who did nothing more than see opportunity for themselves in the passion and determination in the movement? I doubt it.
I believe it is true most of the Tea Party members have not been active in party politics or they would know these board members very well. They have been on Virgnia ballots in our two party system…and they have been bloodied, beaten, and kicked to the curb. Just as they were last night. Worse and unbeknownst to the rank and file Tea Party is that this board is known for party cannabilism. That they eat their own to feed themselves is no surprise to those who have known them for years.
So, let’s lighten up on the Tea Party, and instead place the brunt of the burden of blame where it belongs..on the board. I sincerely hope the movement will continue to be strong and that the individuals will find a place suited for their time and talents as we all work together to save our democracy.
Many people with their endorsements got involved in this election out of friendship, money, or both. It is what is is. The finals have come in and it is done. Where do we go from here? We will either come together as a party or split and give Nye the next election. It is up to us.
Chris the only logic you possess is a do-loop which always ends up in the same place. Ben lost, his campaign doesn’t exist, the voters didn’t buy what he was selling, so he conceded to the better candidate. Keep beating Loyola’s dead horse and afterwards when you look up, Nye will be “nigh”. The Tea Party has learned a lesson and won’t endorse anyone, and the Dems have started thumping Rigell. http://hrblogs.typepad.com/the_shad_plank/
“Watching his primary campaign, Scott Rigell changed positions so often that voters in Hampton Roads weren’t sure he was trying to sell himself or sell them a used car,” said David Mills, Executive Director of the Virginia Democratic Party. “The only thing voters can be sure of is Rigell’s economic agenda was written for Wall Street and pushed by Washington special interests. He’s not in touch with the challenges facing middle class families of Hampton Roads. Each moment that goes by, Scott Rigell re-invents himself and tries to distance himself from his record of supporting higher taxes. No doubt he’ll continue that over the next 5 months, but just like when Hampton Roads families know they’re being sold a lemon, this won’t fool them either. Washington Republicans got their man with Rigell’s nomination, but Hampton Roads voters want an independent minded voice for middle class families not a millionaire used car salesman who can buy a nomination.”
Sound familiar??… and the three-way debates with Kenny, Rigell and Glennwill be even better.
It’s worth noting that it looks like the HRTP board learned something after all.
The Pilot is reporting tonight that the Tea Party board will likely not be endorsing anyone in the November election.
Learning from one’s mistakes is the first step to recovery. Kudos.
Now we’re just waiting on the apology to Taylor, Maulbeck and Sandlin.
This was never ever about Rigell or Loyola. It was about the will of Karen Hurd to be right. Karen Hurd, the president of the HRTP wears several hats. Look at her affiliation with the Virginia Tea Party Patriots Federation and the National Tea Party Federation. Please notice who the president and board members are..do you see Karen Hurd speaks the mind of Jamie Radtke when she wears the federation’s public relations director hat? Well, the larger truth is that Karen Hurd speaks Jamie Radtke’s mind regardless of the hat she is wearing.
Please visit the HRTP facebook page and notice the questions brought to the president, Karen Hurd, by her own members inquiring as to the source of the funding for the robo calls placed by the HRTP on behalf of Ben Loyola. These questions have gone unanswered. Has the HRTP ever filed a financial report? Do the HRTP members have any idea what is done with their hard earned money? I doubt it.
DJ..I am not sure I agree that the HRTP board has learned a lesson because they are not endorsing any candidate in the November election. It wreaks to me of the obstinate and stubborn nature of this board to pout, drop their toys and go home when they do not get their way.
I suppose the silence of this non-endorsement is an implied nod for Nye.
HRTP is trying to get money and control the conservative vote of disenfranchised Republicans.
Thought the Tea Party didn’t have a leader.
Ratke runs the Richmond Tea Party and Restore the Founders Vision. What’s the vision? A pile of money
The “vision” is the ambition of two people..Ms. Radtke and Mr. McSweeney..the two who want to restore their defunct credibility. Bottom feeding opportunists posing as a constitutional scholar and a populist spokeswoman.
I was frankly surprised to read the announcement of the National Tea Party Federation which on first blush seemed to be a third party effort. I saw who the board members are…the same as the Virginia Tea Party Federation which are the same as the presidents of many of the local Virginia Tea Party groups. A top secret security clearance is easier to obtain than membership into these federations, and frankly, I am not signing any non-disclosure agreement ( no matter how well Mr. McSweeney wrote the legalsleeze in it) so that Jamie Radtke can be my spokesman. I do not understand why anyone does sign these agreements. Can you imagine the collective Tea Party scream should they attempt to join a GOP unit and find they were required to sign a gag order first?
Hypocrits.
Tim J,
What you say is true only if you concede that political rhetoric, especially Loyola’s, means absolutely nothing.
You have obviously conceded that point and so I will agree with you. Loyola’s campaign is dead, it means nothing and therefore it meant nothing.
Hat tip to DJ for the reality check on the HRTP. The HRTP needs to have serious pow-wow about its objectives and tactics. (Recommend resignation of Hurd – doubt the organization has evolved to have a democratic process to remove her).
The contest in VA02 was a contest amongst a field of honorable candidates who each honored and respected the Tea Party Movement. Hurd did not vet the candidates, she played to her favorite just as the establishment plays to theirs.
The “Tea Party” brand that has earned enormous credibility nationwide for its organic results was exploited by Hurd, gifting 10pts +/- to whichever candidate carried the banner. She picked Loyola because he was pro-life (as I recall in her statement).
Anyone want to start a tea party? You can pay dues and then I’ll pick who I want to spend the money on with crappy robo calls.
Realistically, this was not a disaster, not a surprise, not even a victory. It was a given when the race started and when it finished. Fact is some people prefer government taking their money and giving it back to them in some smaller amount. Or maybe they just don’t think.
Charles Cooper
No kidding? Does the Tea Party raise money? I thought the Tea Party was a group who did rallies and protested congress. Why do they need money? Don’t they just sell tee shirts and books? Whats up with this?
D.J., thank you for a thoughtful article; good to know you “get” the full significance of the Hurd statements and actions. But Stoney D is correct that today’s HRTP Board decision regarding November does not—in and of itself—indicate a lesson learned. Your suggested apologies would be perhaps a start. They are certainly owed!
Who did pay for those crappy robo calls?
“So Rigell can’t excite conservatives, who will stay home….or win over moderates.”
That’s the least of his problems. There’s all those precincts where the poll workers outnumbered primary voters. It won’t be that way in November.
Chris, in addition to your “do loop”, you are also becoming a character in your own “Twilight Zone” episode. I hope Kenny works out for ya.
How about a real headline from today from a radio station I picked up on the way to Montross, from DC?
“Repubican Rob Wittman Easily dismissed his Tea Party opponent” –they did not even give the 88% to 12% numbers, or even mention her name (and why bother?)
This, by the way, was not NPR. They were more interested in DC politics, GOP style. Ms. Crabhill and Mr. Wittman were mere footnotes to the story.
The real headline of DJ’s blog is the point here…the co-opting of the Tea Party by the board…specifically Karen Hurd
And
Where is the money coming from and how was the decision made to spend it on robo calls for Ben Loyola. Did the members get to vote or did the union bosses Jamie and Karen make that decision? Possibly McSweeney’s legalsleeze articles of federation give them consent to do this? Who knows?
And
How come the Tea Party has allowed itself to be exploited by Jamie Radtke..the wanna be Fox news blonde…?
Stoney, is she good looking?
DJ, regarding your comment above, 14,000 total (approx.) votes for Rigell makes him a strong candidate or a threat to Nye? Are you serious? Nye beat Drake by over 13,000 votes (141,857 to 128,486). Typical VB politics to put up an uninspiring rich candidate against a candidate, though not much more inspiring, but at least closer to the demographic age group of the district, and not a car salesman that makes a chunk of his money from increasing bank buy rates and inflating interest rates on loans that mean his customers pay higher interest rates than the bank approved them for … geeesh. How is that not taking the peoples money?
It was in response to the absurd comment that Rigell doesn’t appeal to conservatives…or moderates.
Somehow he received 40% of the vote, 14,500 approximately. So who voted, if not conservatives or moderates?
This was a primary. Comparing to a general November election is apples to oranges.
Radar is going bebeep.. bebeep.. bebeep..beep.. beeeeeeep. Lockon, Roger.. Ivan on my 6.
DJ, You are attacking Karen because you are too much of a wuss to come out and slam Kenny Golden. This is all about you doing your part to go on the offensive for your hero Rigell in hopes of defeating the native Virginian in this race. This is not about Karen is it.. Can you handle the truth DJ?
Tim J, great idea Bubba, the Kinky Kristo is a great cigar and despite the cancer three years ago I had two!!!! I’m calling Kinky today and get a couple of cases. Come on by the HQ, a good afternoon would be a Kinky Kristo and a Koors!!! oops Coors. r Kenny
Kristos and Koors? Aren’t you running for congress? Reminds me of the guy who farts at a funeral…comic relief at a painful time.
Look, nobody is going to rally behind anyone with this mess going on started by the Karen Hurd.
Karen was on WNIS today (as was Kenny) and to her credit, she apologized for her quote in the pilot about Taylor, Sandlin and Maulbeck being “Selfish”.
But I thought she was misquoted, ehh whatever, good gesture.
Either way, no matter how NICE Karen is, or how her heart is into freedom, and her posters in her locker of Thomas Jefferson, her PUBLIC persona completely sucks as of right now.
Her attitude on the air this morning of the “Thankless Warrior” and the “Oh woe is me” is proof of just how incapable this person is of being the figurehead of a political group.
The mistakes she made in the past 2 months are mistakes a high school JR in his first week of political science would have already learned not to make.
A great example is that quote in the pilot, she commented when she was very emotional, and made a stupid mistake. The Tea Party has a bad enough reputation for things they haven’t done, you can’t give the press this kind of ammo.
The hrtp is a joke. it reminds me of citizens against jet noise – where are those jokers now? Faded away into oblivion. The Pilot always give voices to these goofballs because they make Republicans look bad and they empower or amplify the importance of these gadflies to distract the electorate. 10 people calling themselves a party is just laughable. Ignore this dingaling, move on and go get Scott the votes he needs to win.
Stoney, a good Cigar and a cold beer transcends our personal differences and puts perspective on everything worldly including politics, Tea Parties and Karen Hurd.
In addition to Mike Barrett, it appears some new poster in parody form, (G.D.Nie) has gotten into the act. True, GDN is mocking Karen Hurd, but he’s also mocking Scott Rigell, Gary Byler, and Bob McDonnell’s endorsement of Rigell (some in another thread). It is hard for me to believe this is a Republican. Seems like someone that dislikes both the GOP and the Tea Party.
Oh, sure. You guys(Republicans) are beating up on Karen without mercy even though the nomination race is………over. The Democrats smell that blood in the water as you refuse to let the primary wounds and acrimony between Republicans and the Tea Party heal.
Well, Democrat operatives, you might as well go home. No need to expend your energy on this blog. The Republicans are doing your work for you in making sure they don’t get Tea Party votes for Rigell.
Just go back to your Dem bosses and gloat about the few extra percentage points Nye no longer has to worry about.
Now that the primary is over and the battle between conservatives is over, you would think Republicans would shift their focus to the CURRENT opposition rather than continue to pummel the already defeated. You would think they might value their support, and wish to have it on election day. Yeah, you would think that. Apparently not.
I’m NOT on the board. I’m not on any of their committees. I just attend some of the events that Karen and others work so hard to put on. The last one in Norfolk was fantastic.
So much for working from within. Darrell must be right. Just like the Ron Paul people, and those publicly admitting they don’t believe in Darwinism due to their religion, you guys don’t want Tea Partiers either.
Thanks for the advice Britt, but I am just a business man who wants candidates anchored in the real world, not the ideological world. Regretfully, the extremists herein focus entirely on dogma, not on the real conditions necessary for business to thrive and for our citizens to prosper. Trying to find a republican these days who does not pander to Mr. No, Eric Cantor, and to the tea party is like looking for needle in a haystack, except I don’t think there are any left. Yet the extremism of the anti tax, anti government mantra that supposed intelligent candidates must adopt is at variance with what we as a nation must do which is to adopt pragmatic reform to curb corporate power and greed, to restore the environment, and to invest in education, transportation, and science and technology to set our companies free to perform for their stockholders and for us. Sadly, your candidate will take the low road, and if elected, will just say No. Sorry, that is just not good enough.
So I got an apology to the candidates, and no endorsement in November.
Power of the internet my friends.
I could do without Bartel’s editorializing, with the ‘Rather then Back Rigell…’ headline but still, all in all it’s a good day.
Yeah, it was all you, DJ.
Thanks B
Always there 4 ya
Way to set the record straight guys. If Karen Hurd had a clue,she would be uniting grass roots. She showed her true colors by jumping down the throats of the 3rd district and its capable nominee,Chuck Smith. Hurd is misinformed , misguided and looking for a way to make money on the backs of those of the principled and devoted to liberty grass roots individuals. She should resign and allow an established grass roots leader do the job. News Flash- you are successfully detracting the message of our folks to end the reign of socialsim in DC today. Karen get out now!! get out and find a rock to hide under.
She’s a pretty good “rock”… I wouldn’t want to be scissors or paper.
Mike, Rigell Won! fair and square so now its time to smear and marginalize HRTP by proxy via Mrs Hurd so it appears. Man up and bring the gop winner to the next event, no wait, they will schedule one just for your guy and he can preach to the 75 or more members
This will not be a spectator sport but someone bring a popcorn machine just in case, ok. Let Scott the reliable conservative state his case to the small gathering. Would Town Center be a useful venue or is does your guy have other plans until nov 4th?
Wow … the GOP picks the WRONG GUY to run for Congress in the 2nd Congressional district and they want to attack the TEA Party for rallying behind a Republican?!
Folks … I cannot vote for a guy that gave $10,000 to the currupt YES campaign – the YES Campaign that our good friend (and Democratic Party operative) Mike Barrett was sooooo much in bed with.
Great job GOP leadership – you had all those terrific choices and you had to pick the car salesman that bought his nomination?!
Folks … it is behavior like this from the GOP leadership – and the rank and file with the Republican Party that blindly follow the GOP machine that may well cause Glenn Nye to become reelected.
It didn’t have to be that way … I am a Libertarian and a member of the TEA Party – I was happy to support Republican Ben Loyola. Now … of well.
@ Craig – while it is true that the media billed Mrs. Crabill as the TEA Party candidate, it is somewhat misleading to think that Wittman crushed her WITHOUT Tea Party support. Rob has been very active with Tea Party groups himself, answering their questions and responding to their concerns. I know for a fact that he spoke with at least two such groups the end of last week leading into the primary. While Mrs. Crabill may have enjoyed the support of her local Tea Party group, I assure you that the majority of Tea Partiers in the southern end of the district (and it is a sizable group) went with Congressman Wittman. I think that the Tea Party can support serious, down the line conservatives and have a major impact (just look at the races across the country they have affected). But what they cannot do is run individuals who simply rant and rave and make lunatic statements just because they say they love the Constitution.
Oh, and as for Rob and a Senate run – I think he would be an amazing Senate candidate, and I think his demeanor and personable nature would immediately endear him to every region of the state except NOVA. He also is a VT grad, which means he has done his time in the western part of the state. However, when pushed on this topic, at least at the moment, he just laughs it off. I think that you will not see Rob say anything until George Allen decides what he is going to do, because the rumors are strong that he is considering a run in 2012.
I have to agree with Govgirl. I don’t recall Wittman doing anything to support the Obama/Reid/Pelosi agenda. If you do a decent job, you should be re-elected. That said, I’m more familiar with the 2nd district, and even in the 2nd, not every Tea Partier voted for Loyola.
@ Britt – you are correct, not every Tea Partier supported Loyola, and in fact it is the split amongst the members that is causing some of the angst. Many HRTP members believe that Hurd went rogue endorsing Loyola over their objections, and rather than letting it come to a vote within the organization. The rumor is that this is because the vote would have gone to Taylor, and she doesn’t like Taylor, so she endorsed unilaterally for ALL Tea Party members.
Rob is not just a conservative in his voting record, but also in his political decision-making. I well recall having lunch with him one day in Kilmarnock when the state senate seat opened up. He explained to me that he was going to take a pass on that opportunity because he didn’t think he could win the fire house primary. As it turns out, he probably would have. Little did anyone know that Joann Davis would die shortly afterwards, and that was a sad event. But, we ended up with whom I consider to be the best Congressman in the United States. I’m not just talking about his voting record, but his attention to all of his constituencies, and those are quite varied. For example, he created a special ad hoc citizens committee devoted to historic preservation issues, and had two separate meetings in the district. I am on it.
As for George Allen, I hadn’t heard the rumors. Rob is not the sort to stir up trouble within the ranks. Among his many other duties, being a Party leader is one of them.
Frankly, I’d like to see some new blood and see Rob in that job but this is not a decision for me to make.
@ Govgirl:
I don’t really mind the endorsement. It was pretty clearly stated that it was an endorsement by the board only and that the board was not talking AT the local Tea Party mmebers, but WITH them in making that endorsement. It was meant to show preference of the board, not to command others to follow suit.
While, I in no way think all the Tea Party votes would have otherwise gone to Taylor as to the rumor you reported, I’m sure some would have and some still did vote for him. I am sure some were going to vote for Bert Mizusawa. I’m sure he got Tea Party votes despite the board endorsement. Further, let’s consider how late in the game the endorsement was. If a Kenny Golden, Taylor, or an Ed Maulbeck said all the right things and managed to get you on their teams, are you just going to jump ship because there was a board endorsement near the end? I don’t think so. When you make a committment, it would take a serious negative to get you to rethink your position.
Where I think the endorsement was the most effective was with people that had somewhat of a preference, but were not active on a campaign. These would be people that saw many candidates in the pool with pretty darn good credentials all saying pretty much the right things. They would see Ben Loyola as a good pick, but just not their first inclination. My first preference was for Bert.
The tricky part would be determining who the 2nd pick would be. If it were down to Rigell and an alternative, would the votes go to Rigell or the alternative? In a crowded field, I think a primary would favor an establishment candidate even with percieved negatives, due to a watering down of opposition voting among other candidates. An establishment candidate with negatives might be more vulnerable in a convention. An endorsement would have been interesting in a convention given that all voters would be card carrying Republicans(excluding Democrats and only including Tea Party people that also were members of the GOP.
Govgirl, My name is Jim, you got one? Your posts are too interesting for you to remain anonymous.
Do you think you could verify where the HRTP said they were speaking for their members? If memory serves me right, the board spoke to the members, not for them. To their credit, their candidate was the only one who embraced their values and pledged to uphold himself to his promise to represent Us..
Not that it matters but now he embraces Them, i.e., Scott & establishment, out of neccesity and I don’t fault him for that.. I fully expect him to run again for public office in the future and he has undeniable creds the party cannot ignore.
Ben Loyola, with his Marine Engineering degree and his extensive experience with alternative renewable energy, would be a great resource to Gov. McDonnell in helping guide and focus Virginia’s participation in the Offshore Wind Energy Consortium.
@Britt – I didn’t say that all Tea Party primary votes would have gone to Taylor, what I said was rumor is that they did not bring it to a vote of the Tea Party members, because this would not have gone Loyola’s way. It is important to note that Hurd endorsed Loyola independently about a week before the tea party endorsement came out. I am also not contending that it would have made any difference in the final outcome of this race, but that is not the topic of discussion here.
@ Jim – I do have a name, but for the time being it will remain unknown on this forum. Now that said – what candidate are you referencing when you say “their candidate” Loyola or someone else? When the Tea Party board endorses, a candidate the assumption (as with all endorsements) is that this is the person the Tea Party wants to see win, even though this might not universally be true I have heard a good bit of angst about it in the past few weeks, more than I should have been.
@Craig – I agree that Rob will not stir up trouble, nor will he put the party through a nasty primary to run against George Allen, it is just not worth it, thus the reason he will say nothing until Allen decides what he is doing. I also agree that I would prefer new blood in that seat and I think that Rob has the perfect temperment for the Senate. He is a rock solid conservative on the issues, but he is a nice guy, that people like and are willing to work with. Those two things would make him a phenomenal Senator.
Wasent Ben Loyola the same guy that sad we should build more carriers we dont need to stimulate the economy? That sure is in line with the tea partys message isant it?
@GovGirl. Running for U.S. Senate is a serious, serious decision. Life-changing in fact. As it stands now, Rob has at least a half-way normal life (underline half-way). Running for Senate in would be a very tough election battle is bad enough. But actually serving in the U.S. Senate is beyond heady and time-consuming. I’m not really sure he’s up for this on a personal level.
I was quite sad when he left the House of Delegates and I told him to his face, “I guess this means we won’t be seeing you around anymore.” He said he still be the same old Rob Wittman he had always been, and for the most part this is true. Sure don’t see him as much as I used to. Have somehow been purged from his donor and yard-sign list (but I find the signs anyway)….but what can you expect? A congressman only has so many hours in the day.
I guess the worst thing about his leaving the House of Delegates was that it created you-know-who.
So, if he left the U.S. House, what would we be left with? And Rob would be even a bit more removed from the public by necessity.
On the other hand…..this is out there, I admit….what if eventually he became President?
It’s sad, Taylor was the Tea Party candidate, with his grass roots campaign & door knocking, actually getting out there and talking to the people. So, unfortunately, a lot of votes did go to Loyola because of the endorsment w/the whole Tea Party movement. Aside from that, I don’t think the Tea Party should have endorsed at all. Just like the Gov should not have. They are always saying bring the party together, all this did was tear them up. Both should have just supported all and let the people decide w/out their personal influence.
Tyler, how would you “stimulate” the local economy… have the government continue extending unemployment benefits and send out more welfare checks? Loyola’s proposal for two new carriers was well thought out and was consistent with resourcing the National Maritime Strategy missions… a much better solution than going to war with Florida over a Carrier, and would maintain our industrial capacity to build these kind of ships. Augmenting our Nation’s defense by decreasing the burden on our sailors and airmen and giving people jobs to build these things would be a hell of a lot better “investment” in our country than TARP and the Bailout have been. Oh… I didn’t mention that the only place in the world they build CVNs is in Newport News, VA.
@Craig – I agree with you that Senate is a HUGE jump, and that he would be missed as the 1st district Representative. However, you also have to remember that the district is pretty large and there are lots of good Republicans out there that could move into that spot. Just because Rob moves on does not mean we end up with you know who types. What do you think about Governor?
Tim J, you are exactly wrong. The answer is to fund the 12 carrier Battlegroups which was law several years ago and not waste the $1.1 Billion sending a CVN away from it’s industrial base. Ben was wrong in his solution. We would eventually build two more CVN’s if we supported the 12 CVBG’s and the NMS but not with this administration. Next QDR will take us to 10 or below and moving any of them to Mayport will be a disaster for Hampton Roads. r Kenny Golden
GovGirl, so, you seem to know a lot about the HRTP. Do you think the HRTP should support Scott Rigell?
Kenny, obviously Ben was wrong because he was defeated, but how does what you propose fit with the Unified Maritime Strategy competencies as well as the Fleet Response Plan? I was at a luncheon with a 2nd Flt. Admiral who said unofficially that he and his management supported Ben’s plan. Oh, by the way they are not “Battle Groups” any more, they are “Strike Groups” which is the new “Joint” language. Air Force has moved several CONUS bomber bases bases i.e. Whiteman, Minot, Barksdale, Offut from Air Combat Command to “Global Strike Command” which is Joint.
@Govgirl. Re: Rob Wittman for Governor. Boy, I have very mixed feelings on that idea. It’s a one time deal. I’m from Missouri and at least the Gov gets to run for re-election in that state. There is no doubt that the Gov of VA has a lot more authority, but is it really worth oiling up an entire political machine?
If there is only one thing I would ever criticize Rob for it is leaving such a vacuum in the wake of his vacating his State House seat and leaving us to the calumny of Mrs. Bullet Box. What a total embarassment that was.
I remain hopeful that wiser heads than mine will prevail in the eventual transfer of positions within the Party–and what we all hope will also be the transfer of power.
I think I’d prefer to see Rob stay at the national level, where he will have more staying power and can probably do far much better good for the Commonwealth.
To all: I just re-read my message. While it is true I am from Missouri, I assure all and sundry I am now a proud resident and voter of Lancaster County, VA. You know the place: the only county that turned out 20% of the electorate in the primary. We are quite proud of our above-average voter participation, by the way. Not big numbers, but at least we try to pay attention.
Tim J, Strike Groups are Battlegroups and of course there is the ESG of which I’ve had a very vital part in. In fact we proposed the movement to the ESG and CSG movements before I reported to US Joint Forces Command. Admiral John Harvey is Fleet Forces Command and he must support the NMS and Maritime Strategy when it comes from Washington or resign and so must 2nd Fleet. You and I don’t have that problem. As a candidate with intimate knowledge of the Fleet Response Plan, 12 Carrier Groups is crucial and will allow us the flexibility to maintain our commitments without driving the readiness numbers into the ground which is currently happening. Deferred maintenance is a disaster waiting to happen and even Ben was pointing out the current readiness numbers going south. A commitment to 12 Carrier Groups, and the airwings required to man them will allow us to keep up our treaty needs and will allow us to “Flex” as the FRP states. Less will not.
On Ben, he wasn’t defeated because of the carrier issue, he at least understood it wasn’t a strategic issue to move them to Mayport. Scott Rigell is still trying to decide. All the best. r Kenny
Scott Rigell did not win. He bought his seat.
He used his employees to put out his signs.
He was created and packaged by the GOP. Just
look at Obama, and Hollywood. Sadly, people
will follow the signs, and pay little attention
to the people behind those colorful signs. How
many politicians, have ever kept their promises?
Nye lost, because Obama & his majority of Democrats,
abused their power. Just as, our VB City leaders,
abuse their power. We can scream and shout, til
doom’s day, but unless the process is fair, we will
continue to see puppets, and wealthy fat cats. Fat cats, who continue to buy power for themselves, and their friends.
I don’t care how qualified a candidate might be, if
he isn’t a man of his word, then he doesn’t deserve
to be elected. (i.e. Wally Erb & Kenny Golden) If you
say you will step aside, and don’t, then you lied in
the first place, or you memory isn’t as good, as that
of most Elephants.
I am really late at this, so, who the hell is “Rob”? By the way, Karen is right about the egos of some of those running, perfect example is Golden. Thanks, Ray
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