Poll: If the GOP 2012 U.S. Senate nomination were held today…
By Shaun Kenney | Thursday, December 2nd, 2010 | Catch-AllIt’s been an interesting two weeks for speculation about the 2012 U.S. Senate nomination, between the RPV State Central vote for a primary over a convention, all the way down to precisely who will (or will not) run for the nod against current Democratic Senator Jim Webb.
And so, without further ado… we give you this completely unscientific poll:
Sorry, there are no polls available at the moment.Of course, online polls are worthless. But they do sometimes show you the interest and willingness of certain people to promote one candidate over the other. Think of it as an online enthusiasm poll…
Tags:
Contribute for Conservatism!
Share this post
About the author
Shaun Kenney is the Chairman of the Fluvanna County Board of Supervisors, former Communications Director for the Republican Party of Virginia, and an active blogger since 2002. Shaun lives in Thomas Jefferson's backyard with his wife, six children, and a modest attempt at a farm in Kents Store, Virginia.
Comments
112 Responses to "Poll: If the GOP 2012 U.S. Senate nomination were held today…"
Shaun,
How about adding, “None of the above”?
I could do that — sure.
There you go, Roc. I even gave NOTA an extra vote just like the rest.
[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Shaun Kenney and Bearing Drift, Rick_Sincere. Rick_Sincere said: Poll: If the GOP 2012 U.S. Senate nomination were held today… http://t.co/o3h8nqj via @bearingdrift #vapolitics [...]
I think George Allen is too tainted by events of the past, and they would no doubt be rehashed, were he to run again. Shame too, because I like Allen. I think it might be best for him to bow out of national politics.
Ken Cuccinelli probably has a better chance than Bert Mizusawa. Cuccinelli is better known on a national level, what with his court battle over Obamacare. That gives him a bit of “street cred”.
Sadly, I didn’t learn about Mizusawa until closer to the elections, and even then I didn’t have a whole lot of information to go on. A few mailers just doesn’t cut it when you’re looking for votes. (shrug)
I supported Bob Marshall for U.S. Senate before (in 2008), and would again.
Well, we thought Mizusawa was good enough to be a Congressman, but his resume sure does read senatorial…
http://bearingdrift.com/2010/06/01/bearing-drift-endorsement-2nd-congressional-district-bert-mizusawa/
Cuccinelli needs to finish out his term as AG. He himself has said that Obamacare must be defeated or federalism is dead. I like Ken a lot, but I feel that his work as an AG is critical, and that no one can really do in that role what he is doing.
I would support Jaime Radtke. I’ve worked with Jamie since July 2009 on the Virginia Tea Party Patriot Federation. She’s very savvy, has an excellent command of the issues, and is a principled leader. She can fight hard on an issue, without being polarizing. She’s excellent at coalition building, an important skill in the Senate. She has a wide range of political experience from working on Capitol Hill, to working on George Allen’s staff, to grassroots activism.
Should Jamie choose to run, she will make a formidable candidate, and she would have strong tea party support.
JR, I felt the same way about Bert before the 2nd primary.. his resume certainly reads like that of a prospective senator and I would imagine he would fare considerably better with independents and a few dems as well rather than Allen.
Karen, if Jamie were to pull her name out of the hat would she throw her support behind Allen?
Tom Davis and Jim Gilmore not on the list? I wouldn’t be surprised if Eric Cantor also considered it
Who better to take on U.S. Naval Academy, decorated VietNam vet, former Secretary of Navy than … first-in-class West Point grad, Army Airbourne Ranger, Harvard law, Harvard MacArthur Fellow, Silver Star recipient, Senior Defense official, US Senate professional, Brigadier General Bert Mizusawa?
He’s “that guy” ~a rare candidate w/ keen intellect, lifetime of excellence & results, breadth & depth of private & public sector experience, and the guy that also tells it straight. With all due respect to the other names on this list, there are few (if any) candidates in the entire country that can match Bert’s qualifications, abilities, resume, and readiness to serve as Senator. I would like to see Bert run for the seat, with Jamie Radtke in his corner.
@ James – Shouldn’t the question be, if Jamie Radtke wins the primary, would George Allen support her?
If Republicans are smart, they’ll run away from George Allen. Too much progress has been made (specifically in Hampton Roads) with “diversifying” the Republican Party, thanks in part to McDonnell and Rigell, and Allen would just set that back.
Face it, no self respecting minority would ever support that man.
I don’t think The Cooch would run so I’m not going to comment on him.
I know nothing of this Radtke guy.
Mizusawa is likable enough, I suppose. He seems to be pretty smart, too.
If you’re going to nominate Bob Marshall you might as well just hand us the election. No way he could beat Webb or another Democrat.
Basically, the Republicans are screwed and that makes me happy.
The real question is whether anybody outside the Tea Party movement has any idea who Jamie Radtke is.
It’s a bit too early to start asking who will support who if they win. We first need to figure out who is running. Other than Bob Marshall, not a single person on this list has even publicly acknowledged that they will run.
@ Kristin- That “Radtke guy” is a woman. If elected, she would be the first woman senator from Virginia.
Turns out Jamie Radtke is a woman. My apologies.
Kristin, don’t count your chickens. Allen has learned a lot and has made amends for what he did.
If Webb doesn’t run, you guys are in deep trouble.
Brian,
I agree about Radtke. I had to Google her to find out who she is–and I’m a political junkie who pays attention to these things. Not only is she unknown outside of the TPM, but there is a good chance that the Tea Party will be about as relevant as the Reform Party in 2012, esp. if they keep rallying around the likes of Sarah Palin and Michele Bachmann.
Karen,
So what is your point? If our pet was elected, he would be the first cat senator from Virginia. But that ain’t gonna happen.
@Brian
If Webb doesn’t run and the whispers of Kaine or Perriello running turn out to be true, I think we’ll do just fine.
Besides, the electorate in 2012 will be VERY different than the ones we’ve seen these past two years.
Democrats will be fired up due to an Obstructionist Congress.
Not to mention it’s a Presidential Year. If the Republicans are going to come they have to come hard. The only thing I see saving you guys from a loss is a strong presidential candidate that excites the base and Independents.
Kristin,
Kaine or Perriello? Are you kidding me? My wife’s cat could beat either one of them and he’s not even a Republican.
Here’s another bright idea for the Democrats if Webb doesn’t run: Creigh Deeds.
@HisRoc
“Here’s another bright idea for the Democrats if Webb doesn’t run: Creigh Deeds.”
Bwhahahaha hahaha ha ha hrm hm I can no longer take you seriously.
Kristin,
BTW, rarely if ever does any candidate excite an Independent. We vote almost always for the lesser of two evils. We certainly don’t get a “tingle up the leg” over a Democrat or a Republican.
As for voters being “fired up” in 2012 by an Obstructionist Congress, where have you been the last four years? Do you really think that “Party of No” crap is going to wash with the voters in 2012 any better than it did in 2010? Good luck with that strategy, but then that explains why the Democratic lemmings in the House elected Pelosi as their Minority Leader.
Kristin,
That’s okay, sweetie. I never took you seriously in the first place.
Bob Marshall is a fantastic candidate! He was when he ran against Gilmore, and since Cuccinelli is already AG, we need someone who will work on the Federal level.
It would be unfortunate to underestimate Perriello (if he runs).
I wouldn’t sell Jaime Radtke too short. I, had to Google her, too; perhaps potential up the road? She would be valuable asset to any campaign but right now, she’s about as qualified as Karen Hurd for senator. Voters clearly ‘get it’ ~ grassroots activist (i.e. community organizer) doesn’t automatically beget good legislator.
Radtke isn’t qualified… Allen has macaca-mouth… Marshall is anti-birth control… Corey is simply not a factor… and Cuccinelli (along w/ Marshall) will have problems w/ Independents, a must-win block in 2012. I say again: Run Bert Run!
@HisRoc
Don’t get sensitive.
Kristin, the American people, contrary to the Presidents assertion, just emphatically voted for gridlock. If this Congress does nothing, it will be a refreshing change from the last one, who did everything…wrong.
Lets discuss the ideal qualifications for a senator.. What is a description of the job resume?
Here is a sample resume for McCain and Obama.. Would like to see the same for each candidate..
http://cdn.theladders.net/static/pdf/Senator_McCain_Resume.pdf
http://cdn.theladders.net/static/pdf/Senator_Obama_Resume.pdf
Lets see em candidates..
BERT 2012!
Solid point, Brian, even if I do disagree with the last sentence. However, like I said before, the electorate in 2012 is going to be very different than the one in 2010 and that is something that cannot be dismissed when choosing a nominee.
Jay D. because you said you had to Google Radtke and had the outright AUDACITY to claim someone isn’t qualified to run up the debt and do what the RNC tells them to then I’m going to assume you’re not a tea partier.
If you were a Tea Partier then you know saying Jamie Radtke is a grassroots activist like LeBron James is a Basketball Player.
As for the rest of the political geniuses who believe the Tea Party doesn’t matter, I would think you stop underestimating us by now.
P.S. You can Google me too.
P.P.S. I’d take Karen over most people on the list too.
Excuse the grammar I get excited when people talk down people I know.
I would vote for HisRoc’s cat over Webb, no problem.
I also hope Cuccinelli doesn’t run. We need him where he is. However, let’s talk about that question of independent support. Consider where Cuccinelli had to win before becoming AG and then consider that he slaughtered that Democrat AG candidate that he just totally outclassed. Add to that his efforts to save us from Obamacare. I think he would do outstandingly well if he did run. Hope he doesn’t though.
I guess the VA Tea Party got wind of this poll.
Interesting exercise but I am afraid the field has been cleared for George Allen to attempt to win his old seat back. I think that any chance Jamie Radtke had went down the drain with the disasterous campaigns of Tea Party darlings Christine O’Donnell and Sharron Angle.
@Nigel – I googled Radtke to explore her qualifications. While I’m a Bert supporter, he has not yet announced a run; I’m interested in all potential candidates. And from what I see, Radtke is an accomplished organizer with little else her resume to qualifiy for one of the top legislative jobs in the country. And “grassroots activist” is taken from her own bio:
http://rtfv.net/about/board/jamie-radtke-secretarytreasurer
http://biggovernment.com/author/jradtke/
Twitter Bio: “I’m a christian, homeschool mom of 3, conservative,Tea Party supporter. Pres.of Richmond Tea Party. Chair of #vtpp.”
If you know more, please do share.
FWIW, I subscribe to the basic tenants of the Tea Party, share Ron Paul’s appreciation for Mises, but find many TP leaders to be self-serving, inept, and obtuse. While Radtke is likely none of the above, TP Activist at top of resume doesn’t move me. Christine O’Donnell proved that qualifications DO matter to the electorate.
Show me the resume’s..
Jamie isn’t a politician so she hasn’t run around touting her achievements and taking credit. If Jamie decides to run then you’ll hear that she helped start the VTPP, which won her the 2010 Sam Adams award for best Tea Party, she was a major force behind the Virginia Healthcare freedom Act, the bill that Cuccinelli is using to stop the healthcare bill, she organized the largest Tea Party Convention in the nation.
All while being a christian, a homeschooling mom of 3 and Pres. of the Richmond Tea Party.
There is too much punditry going on these days. Everyone trying to handicap races instead of informing them selves about the candidates and then putting some skin in the game and working to inform others.
Actually, looking in aggregate at Jamie’s experience between those two sites, it indicates a history of political activism and leadership. You don’t attain leadership roles as she has without the ability to work with disparate personalites towards broader coalitions. As for “packed resumes”, I’m through with the false narrative that an impressive resume = qualified representation. Exactly how magnificently has Webb represented the commonwealth?
No, I’ll take someone new and fresh any day. There’s two years to vet Jamie’s “worthiness” for teh position…comparing her potential candidacy to that of Angle and O’Donnell isn’t valid. Both of those lackluster candidates had little time for scrutiny. Two years is a long time to get to know someone.
(with apologies to Nigel)
Seriously doubt Jamie could win a statewide election as a “Tea Party candidate” with Obama leading the Dem ticket. This isn’t ’09, and that sounds like a recipe for disaster.
Put me in BG Mizusawa’s corner out of these choices. It’s gonna take someone with a comparable background to Webb to seriously challenge him.
@EricM,
Christine O’Donnell ran in the 2006 Primary and was the Republican nominee in 2008 and 2010 for the US Senate seats in Delaware. That was over 6 years she was subject to scrutiny while running for one or the other Senate seats in Delaware.
Sharron Angle served as a member of the Nevada Assembly from 1999 – 2007, not exactly an unkown as she garnered attention statewide by suing the state and the Governor to require a 2/3 vote to pass a tax increase.
While not on the list, I think the Republican woman in Virginia with the most impressive resume and the greatest potential for high office is Delegate Barbara J. Comstock. She has interned in the US Senate and served as an aid in the US House and has served on the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Government Reform then worked on behalf of the 2000 presidential campaign of George W. Bush. Comstock later served as director of public affairs for the Justice Department and worked for the RNC.
Lacking only experience as a candidate and legislator Comstock successfully ran for the House of Delegates in 2009.
If you are looking for an off the radar, highly qualified candidate for US Senate one needs to look no further than Delegate Comstock.
I voted for GFA. And I agree with Nikki Sheridan above that to underestimate Tom Perriello would be foolish indeed.
Comstock is an interesting choice. And, if we’re going down that road, look at State Sen. Jeff McWaters too. His experience in healthcare and business is a significant selling point.
I’m not trying to talk down or dismiss Jamie Radtke. My point is simple: I don’t know her. I have met every single other person on the list, and the others mentioned in the comments. George Allen has 100% name I.D. across the Commonwealth. Radtke might be lucky if she has 5% name ID in the Richmond area alone. Raising one’s name ID costs money. I do not see any evidence of her being a major fundraiser or capable of raising the kind of money it would take to win a primary statewide.
Her experience as political director for the VA Conservative Action PAC is a plus. I will note that the PAC no longer seems to exist, and in its 2007 races – the last VPAP has them contributing – they lost their two biggest attempts to unseat Republican incumbents. From the listing of the people VACAPAC has given to, the majority are Republican primary challengers to Republican incumbents. As for her personally, neither the FEC or VPAP has any notations for her having given any money to any candidates for office, nor is she listed as a vendor for any campaigns, which she should be had she been paid by them for whatever consulting services she provided. The only VPAP vendor listing is for her work at VACAPAC.
I can’t find a website for Sovereign Consulting, her company. VPAP only shows one $2000 contribution from Sovereign to a candidate, and no money flowing from candidates to the company. So if she was serving as “Chief Strategist” as her bio http://rtfv.net/about/board/jamie-radtke-secretarytreasurer says, she either did it pro bono (which is laudable) or the campaigns didn’t do their campaign finance disclosures properly.
Organizing the Tea Party convention and her work as an activist is laudable, but I don’t consider them to be experiences that will be of a benefit to someone serving in the Senate.
None of her bios go into any detail as to what her position was on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee or in Governor Allen’s administration, what issues she worked on, or if she was in a policy capacity. That would be helpful to know.
What is her foreign policy experience? What is her policy experience? Has she ever run for elected office before? Is she active in local politics other than the Tea Party (she says 15 years of activist experience).
Like I said, other than the folks commenting here and the 100 or so Tea Party supporters who know her and found out about this poll to stack it (reminds me of Ron Paul’s straw poll wins) I don’t think anyone outside of the TPM knows who she is and I haven’t heard anything that makes me think she’d either be able to win, or is a more compelling choice than any of the others on this list or those mentioned in the comments.
Can any of her friends provide a little greater detail?
I think it’s interesting to note that most of the people in this poll don’t want George Allen. I have said that he is much weaker than the GOP establishment knows.
Bert Misuzawa does have an impressive resume. And lots of Hill connections. And his wife is one of the chief attorney’s at the Fed. In fact much of the money for his candidacy when he ran for Congress in the VA-2 primary came from northern VA. So if he ran, who would he represent? The State? Or his own industry?
We need someone with a broad base of experience,both in the private sector and the public sector, that can reach out to many people without changing their message to match the audience. We need someone who can stand for principle under pressure. We need someone who sees clearly what needs to be done to restore our liberties and lay the groundwork to move our country forward in genuine prosperity for all sectors of our society. We need someone who can effectively communicate the First Principles of our nation without the excess of some. That person is Jamie Radtke. But you all go on underestimating her (and the tea party movement). As of 7:59 AM on 12/3 she’s is leading this online poll.
Ditto JR, if McW runs for us senate he would be tough for Allen to beat if it were not for the fact that fund raising will be soft in this economy it’s a rich mans game.. and he can certainly self fund. I felt he should have run for congress though and my instincts told all along that he would have been a MUCH better fit there than Rigell or any other candidate.. not trashing Congressman Rigell, just thinking out loud. McW should have been in the running and I hope he makes a run there or for governor instead of the senate so I can support his race.
The senate presents a different set of skills regarding review of proposed laws and matters of foreign relations and homeland security that few candidates have let alone many existing senators. Bert was a poor choice for congress imo because it would have been a shame to waste his energy in that cesspool regadless of which party dominates. In the senate he would be a better fit having excelled in the field of law and foreign relations.. He just fits the description of someone Virginia needs with foreign relations experience voting and writing law better than any candidate since John Warner whose shoes will not be filled by Allen or Radtke or anyone else mentioned so far. Without him on key committees, we also stand to continue to witness the accelerated erosion of our military infrastructure in our state and the expansion of it in others with stonger leadership capacity.
BERT 2012
The idea that Ken Cuccinelli can’t net independent votes is absurd. He won several close elections in Fairfax county (of all places) largely due in part to the fact that independents broke for him every time. Then, he did it again statewide in the 2009 race for AG.
I’m not saying that Cuccinelli is the best choice at this time, but I am saying that he does have the proven track record of connecting with independents, despite his strong conservative credentials.
I’m pleased to see the good candidates actually outweigh the bad candidates in this particular poll.
The last thing I’d want to see is the purebred neoconservative, George Allen, reelected to the United States Senate. This country already has enough problems with debt, deficits, inflation, entitlement programs, regulations and infringements on civil liberties.
I tell ya what doug, lets help McDonnell get elected to potus and then hope Bob send Ken to replace Holder.. Until then we need him as our ag.
As I have said before, I will support JR’s choice. Bert Mizusawa is someone that I would want to be in public office. Perhaps Jaime Radtke in 2014.
Look at how Tea Party supported senate candidates did a month ago. Pretty bad as far as I am concerned. There seems to be a different dynamic with senate races. I would hope that Virginia Tea Party members would work with Virginia Republicans with the senate race for 2012. Virginia Republicans know how to win in 2012, let them.
Will the Tea Party even be relevant in 2012?? That is an excellent question.
The problem as I see it is that the Tea Party has already won. The entire politician discussion has been changed.
DO YOU HEAR US Yet ???
Yes they do.
More and more politicians say how they are for the principles of the Tea Party.
Who needs a Tea Party when all the politicians say that they believe in those principles.
So the the Tea Party protest movement may very well disappear.
The Tea Party was a genuine grass roots movement inspired by the one great political cause truly worth fighting and dying for: the cause of liberty.
Wait until a solid opposition researcher begins to mine Jamie’s material from her days with VCAP. That won’t be pretty…
Karen, no one is doubting that you guys aren’t good at organizing – that’s the Tea Party’s strength. If Jamie wasn’t leading this poll, I would be disappointed in all of you.
But you still haven’t answered my question. You seem to know Jamie better than the rest of us, so can you fill in the gaps from the online bios? What exactly did she do on Senate Foreign Relations? For Governor Allen? Whose campaigns has she worked on? Was she paid?
We know a lot about all of the other folks up there because they’ve all run for office before. Jamie hasn’t. Any help beyond fluffy rhetoric would be greatly appreciated.
I would also note that drawing any conclusions from a poll like this – one that includes at least one person who is definitely not running for Senate – is probably a bad idea.
If you think Allen’s support is overstated, you should have seen him at the RPV Advance, where his hospitality suite took up an entire restaurant and was the most well attended of all of them. Allen can still pack a room, regardless of whatever tarnish remains from 2006.
James,
“I would hope that Virginia Tea Party members would work with Virginia Republicans with the senate race for 2012. Virginia Republicans know how to win in 2012, let them.”
Sorry but the RPV didn’t get it done this year in VA the tea party did. Was it the RPV that knocked on 2000 doors here in the fifth district or was it the Tea Party? (that was rhetorical) We did that.
The RPV needs to work with us and not the other way around. Most people I’ve run into in the TP locally are willing to let the ship sink from here on out if we can’t get true citizen legislators. We are willing to accept honest choices. If Jamie doesn’t run or doesn’t win and it is someone other than GA then that person might get our support. However George ‘blasphemy macaca’ Allen is everything that is wrong with the Republican party.
In the interest of setting the record straight, Jamie Radtke did not approach me or ask me to introduce the Health Care Freedom Act challenging the Obama Administration’s Individual Health Care Insurance Purchase mandate.
Donna Holt of the Campaign for Liberty called me about the compulsory health insurance provisions of the Obama bill months before I introduced HB 10, and urged that I devote some time to studying it. While I was aware of this problem, Donna Holt was the individual who articulated her concerns and who spurred me on to make the issue a priority, which I did after researching it.
Further, it was Donna Holt, not Jamie Radtke, who gave me a draft of proposed legislation which I modified after doing my own research. I spoke at the Republican Advance meeting in Williamsburg in the Fall of 2009 and announced at my hospitality suite that I was planning to introduce the Health Care Freedom Act, which I pre-filed on December 7, 2009. Flyers were also given out at this meeting for the Richmond Tenth Amendment Rally to organize lobbying support for the measure.
Finally, I thank the many Tenth Amendment, Campaign for Liberty and Tea Party leaders and grass roots volunteers who ultimately succeeded in “encouraging” the legislature to pass this measure.
Delegate Bob Marshall
Dear Republicans,
We are your friends, but we can be your worst enemy. You have had plenty of chances to keep the faith with the American people. You have failed many times. If you choose to help us, we can change the country, for the better. If you choose to fight us, you can change your party name to the “Whig” party, and join them in history. We are the Tea Party, and the Party is just getting started.
I hope I didn’t give the impression that Jamie Radtke push the bill through all on her own. There were a lot of including Del. Marshall and Donna Holt who made it possible. But if you give credit to the Tea Party leaders then you are giving credit to Jamie, who got us all involved in it.
Where we held our quarterly meeting last Dec, I had never heard to the Healthcare Freedom Act and I never would have had Jamie not allowed Bob Marshall and Donna Holt to come speak to us about it. The leaders in that room took that message home to members and to their members of the General Assembly. That’s where the large scale public support came from and Jamie Radtke is whom I give credit for that.
Nice to see Tea Party threats in here now. If you guys don’t like hanging out with the rest of us, no one is keeping you here.
The credit for the Health Care Freedom Act belongs with Bob Marshall. I recall speaking with him about it at the Steve Hunt Firehouse Primary in the 37th last January.
This was before the Tea Party had even gotten off the ground as a major force. And most Republicans, even moderates like me, were behind it. This is one area where the Tea Party’s holding Republicans accountable was unnecessary. We were all united against Obamacare, regardless of what part of the center/right spectrum we came from.
Does no one know anything else about Jamie Radtke? There are a lot of people who are enthusiastic about her, but can’t answer basic questions I’ve asked. That’s not a good sign.
Watchdog, did the Tea Party make 68,000 phone calls into the 11th District? No? The Fairfax County Republican Committee did.
There’s a lot of credit to be given to a lot of people for our successes – there’s no need to try and grab more than is deserved.
MNRNM –
For the record, if there ever is a third party, I sincerely hope the Whigs resurrect themselves, as they were the last national party to embrace the principles of classical liberalism.
Brian –
Watchdog is correct regarding VA-05. The local tea parties did an amazing job. Without their help, Hurt would not have been elected.
Likewise, the FCRC did a great job as well. 68K touches is great for a local committee. In the 5th, they just aren’t used to that sort of organization… a bit of a culture shock, to be honest.
Brian, you can always take some credit for the victories that the Tea Party in conjuction with the Republican Party achieve. But you can take ALL the credit for the failures that the Republican Party has engaged in COMPLETELY APART from the Tea Party. Everytime you engage in “bipartisanship” with the Socialistas of the Democratic Party, YOU engage in failure and undermine the successes that we are achieving together. You morons that support the DREAM Act, the Food Modernization Act and opposing the Earmark Ban will lead to the losses in 2012 and further encroachments by the federal government.
“That was before the Tea Party had even…” Keep recalling the Days of Yor, pretty soon you will be there with the rest of your friends.
Shaun,
I fully agree, except for the fact that the establishment republicans would sooner join the democratic party than any party comprised of members of the Tea Party. They are quick to reach across the aisle to liberals, but they look on Tea Partiers with distain and disgust. They only work with us because we happen to (most of us) vote their ticket. The minute they take us for granted, they will regret it, for the Tea Party is proactive, not reactive like the establishment.
I would not assume that MNRNM is a member of the Tea Party, could be a scared to death democrat.
I see no way that a Tea Party candidate can win the senate race in 2012 and I want the current resident out. Therefore I must vote for the Republican candidate. It would seem reasonable for Republican and Tea Party conservatives to discuss their concerns with one another. If we want a new senator, it would be wise to work together.
I would assume that James Delingpole doesn’t know what the Tea Party is, let alone what a member of it would seem like. Who are you anyways, Delingpole or Hawkins?
Albert Einstein said “Insanity = doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.” Different, in this case would be for voters to critically assess if a candidate’s preparation and skill set levels adequately meet #1 job requirement: reviewing and writing proposed law for health, education, budget, transportation, foreign relations, and national defense.
America’s problem is not that we have an abundance of talented political thinkers in DC – it’s the reverse. As long as TV ads, likeability, name recognition, etc. determine our choices, we’ll get beaucoup boneheads (from both parties) producing bad legislation packed with unintended consequences producing off the chart debt.
FWIW: The TP was founded as a nonpartisan group of democrats, republicans and independents – a movement to keep both parties in line. It’s a shame Hurd (and others) abandoned founding principles to advocate for candidates, rather than voters. Personally, I prefer Pittsburg’s model to the HRTP recent endorsement debacles.
Actaully James Delingpole (Author of Obamaland) does know what the Tea Party is, and he is very supportive of it.
Karen,
If he did know the Tea Party, he would know that my sentiments are similar, if not identicle to the vast majority of Tea Partiers. Tea Partiers are not for the same old Republican agendas, they are for limited government, fiscal responsiblity, liberty and adhering to the constitution. NONE of those ideals are embraced by the establishment republicans and they have scorned the rise of the Tea Party sorely.
So, James’s idea that I am not a Tea Partier is typical of those that are blind to the Tea Party’s animosity towards the establishment republicans and shows that he has much to learn about the Tea Partier. I have read some of his articles and he has some good ideas, but he should think twice before making a statement as he did.
James Delingpole gives good advice to Tea Party. Long, but intellectually honest and entertaining.
Well I think my two word solution to America’s problems would probably be: Marco Rubio. But that’s just a gut reaction based on no real insight whatsoever, other than that he’s likeable, telegenic and a committed Tea Partier. I worry, though, slightly that he might be too good be true; and that if he really is that good he’ll probably get assassinated.
More generally, though, I’d suggest that the key lesson of yesterday’s mid-terms is this: it is simply not enough to stick a Tea Party label on any old candidate and hope that the US electorate’s growing antipathy towards Big Government will take care of the rest. Christine O’Donnell was more than proof enough of that. Not only did her candidacy allow the liberal MSM to tar the entire Tea Party movement as the natural home of anti-masturbation ex-witches and other fruit loops. But it demonstrated a worrying complacency and ignorance within the Tea Party movement about what it stands for and what it ought to stand for.
The Tea Party does not stand for: banning lesbian or sexually active single women from teaching at schools; discouraging onanism; banning abortion; keeping drugs illegal; God; organised religion generally; guns; or, indeed, Sarah Palin.
The Tea Party stands, very simply, for small government. So long as it understands this, a presidential victory in 2012 is guaranteed. If it forgets this – or doesn’t understand it in the first place – then hello, a second term for President Obama, and bye bye Western Civilisation.
Let me give one example of the kind of muddled thinking which could destroy the Tea Party. I noticed one or two commenters yesterday getting exercised by the issue of drugs legalisation, perhaps in relation to California’s sadly defeated Proposition 19. They seemed to imagine that it was perfectly OK to support the Tea Party’s aims, while simultaneously sound off as to why they thought drugs – even cannabis – should remain illegal. (For one of the best essays I’ve read as to why it shouldn’t read this blog at Ozboy’s)
There is no intellectual consistency here at all. If you are against Big Government, you are for liberty. If you are for liberty you are also for free citizens’ right to choose whether or not they get out of their trees on cannabis, or indeed whether or not they have the freedom to terminate unwanted pregnancies or never, ever, go to church and in fact worship Satan instead.
Liberty is not a pick and mix free-for-all in which you think government should ban the things you don’t like and encourage you things you do like: that’s how Libtards think. Libertarianism – and the Tea Party is nothing if its principles are not, at root, libertarian ones – is about recognising that having to put up with behaviour you don’t necessarily approve of is a far lesser evil than having the government messily and expensively intervene to regulate it.
And this isn’t an argument for anarchy. There are still plenty of ways society can make known its disapproval of certain “immoral” practices, such as through the traditional method of stigma. Libertarianism doesn’t mean doing what the hell you like and letting everyone else go hang themselves. It’s about doing whatever the hell you like so long as it doesn’t harm others. (Property rights, for example, would remain sacrosanct)……
That’s why in Britain, as in the rest of the free world, we so desperately need the Tea Party to continue the great work it began yesterday and sow the seeds of the intellectual revolution which will save us from our own culturally-imbued, Gramsci-fostered stupidity. It will only succeed if it remains a broad church, as welcoming to disaffected Democrats and Republicans as it is to Libertarians. And it certainly won’t achieve this is if it starts engaging in the kind of horse-trading we see among Democrats and Republicans of the old school: tariffs and tax-breaks for favoured corporate or agricultural interests, say; Pro-Life concessions for Catholics; or whatever. The moment it starts to behave like that, the Tea Party will have lost its raison d’etre and by extension its right to govern.
Taxed Enough Already. That’s what the Tea Party is about and what it should be about. Everything else is for the birds.
http://blogs.telegraph.co.uk/news/jamesdelingpole/100062211/tea-party-now-for-the-presidency/
-Radtke: has more baggage than Paris Hilton and no real world experience.
-Bert: is nice guy but way too green.
-Stewart: (Stuart?) Cant raise money and viewed by most as a single issue (immigration) candidate.
-Marshall:…single issue (abortion) and can’t raise money to save his life.
-Allen: tea party before tea party was cool. if you poll most of these “anti-allen” types, most of them came to VA in the last 10 years or so and are IGNORANT of the Allen record. If you want to know what kind of a Senator George Allen will be again, just look at his first term, one that I argue made him one of the most conservative senators there. Sponsored balanced budget ammendment, sponsored the bill to withhold Senator’s pay until they passed a budget, was one of only 13 Senators to buck Ted “Earmarks” Stevens, (chair of the Appropriations committee) and voted against his “bridge to nowhere” in Alaska. So to those of you folks who spend more time criticizing Allen than you do making volunteer phone calls, stuffing envelopes and actually getting conservatives elected, stop pretending that George Allen is Mike Castle or Charlie Crist; ’cause that’s just dumb.
—By the way, I’ve got news: If you ask the average person whether they think Allen is a racist or whether they think he said something dumb that he regrets and has learned from, most people, overwealmingly will tell you the later. So get real.
“latter” sorry.
JKM, no need to appologize. We are not the libtards that find one word you said mispelled and say, “Ah ha! Youre hole commeant was stoopid cuz you mispelted that werds, and I cought it!” Although, I tend to disagree with some of your perspectives…
“-Radtke: has more baggage than Paris Hilton and no real world experience”
Any REAL person is going to have baggage. We are not automatons that are bred, programmed and selected to run for Prez like Obama. The sooner the public accepts this, the sooner we can elect people based on their IDEALS and not their self proclaimed “cleanliness”.
“-Bert: is nice guy but way too green.”
How does anybody get to be “not green”… by being elected and fulfilling their duties. Besides, do we REALLY want people who are “not green”, I think most of congress has been run by those that are “not green” and we see where that has gotten us. Let’s let the “Pros” do it… let’s not.
As for single issue candidates… I am not sure anybody would seriously run on one issue, and if they do, they deserve your criticism.
As far as Allen goes, I would have to read up a little more on him.
Jay D – As I said, James Delingpole has some good thoughts and does some good writing… BUT, he does tend to write with a condescending tone towards Tea Partiers with a statesmen-like arrogance that supports the establishment, cookie-cutter, clean-cut, androgynous, media-acceptable(which is impossible), yellow, limp-wristed republican types.
This is why, once he senses any pushback opinion, he immediately writes someone off as a Democrat. Such person happens to be a very involved Tea Partier with very open and honest political oppinions. So, as it may be, his writing is pretty good… his assumptions are woefully errant.
What ultimately came out, if anything, about Jamie Radtke’s involvement in the Mark Tate trial?
JKM, been here since the early 60′s..
Once upon a time, George Allen was a good governor. The end.
MNRNM, Much obliged. Us hillbillys clearly are not smurt enuff fer in-tee-lek-chew-alls like all them RadKEE folks!
JKM: If by “green” you mean the General is more substance than style, I would agree. I like thoughtful and wonkish answers to policy questions but understand the most voters want 20 second sound bites. Bert must find his 20 second voice/style; I have no doubt he will, should he run.
Unfortunately, Senator Allen’s stupid comment leaves him very much in a Nixonian position. Nixon desegregated American schools, enacted Title IX, sent manned missions to the moon and opened up relations with China … but he’ll forever be known as the “I am not a crook” president.
Bill Redpath is looking really good right now.
Mr Kenney,
When you have decided to quit bashing the 5th and go out and find out the real information, maybe you will for once travel over here, all of about thirty miles, and find out that we surpassed the FCRC with phone touches thanks to a lot of hard work in a united effort by our women, our CR’s and the local units.
And although we appreciate what the TEA party did, the 2,000 doors was beaten by us many times over. Again we had a great team. Too bad you weren’t a part of it.
Which Tea Party in Virginia did Warner join?? He was on Fox this morning. Even the Fox guy said he sounded like a Tea Party member. All he needed was a yellow flag to wave. Could care less about what he says, its how he votes.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/picturegalleries/worldnews/8184713/Worst-floods-in-100-years-hit-Serbia-Bosnia-Albania-Greece-and-Montenegro.html
I guess the weather could be worse.
“Nikica, a 12-year-old, two-ton hippopotamus, wades through in a flooded yard at a village in Berislavci, Montenegro. The owner of a private zoo says he released the hippo from her cage because it was flooded and the animal was in danger. Nikola Pejovic says that the huge animal is harmless. The hippo also escaped last year when flooding allowed her to swim out of her cage.”
@From Albemarle,
So just to recap, Mr. Kenney says you guys did your part and the rest of the district fell down, and some weenie from Albemarle who can’t read allows their public school education to fail them once again?
You guys are about 10 pounds of crap in a 9 pound bag. Especially when your leadership starts bashing the Tea Party — smart move there. And probably a reason why Mr. Kenney is spot on in his analysis. Kenney is a builder, and you guys just keep on destroying your credibility.
…and why the HELL is the Albemarle GOP leadership attacking the Fairfax GOP? Does Chairman Mullins know who’s behind this???????
[...] Also From Albemarle: …and why the HELL is the Albemarle GOP leadership attacking the Fairfax GOP? Does Chairman… [...]
MRNMN, stop acting like you speak for all Tea Partiers. The RPV has been one of the few state parties that I’m familiar with that has been the most receptive to the TEA Party movement. Try coming up to my current state of Vermont, there you will see true Tea vs. GOP animosity. Back in my home of Virginia though, I’ve seen nothing but good will between us Tea folk and the establishment figures. If anything, some of the establishment folks here seem to have their heads on straighter than some of our Tea folk.
As a proud Tea Partier I can say with no reservations that the best candidate for the Tea Party and Virginia is Governor George Allen.
Dan, I think you may be refering to the GOPTea party groups. If not, take another toke of whatever you are smoking, it must be strong stuff.
C’mon, Let’s be real.. The RPV establishment fisted the Tea Party.. I guess that’s receptive.
@ Del. Marshall, thank you for addressing who approached you with what is now our Virginia HealthCare Freedom Act. I’ve been following you and the Bills you’ve sponsored. 2012 will be a unique election. I am supporting YOU for Senate and will do every thing I can to campaign on your behalf.
Tea Party – Explained
The Tea Party is a vehicle where people that disagree on a multitude of issues can form a coalition to affect real change where they DO agree.
People need to realize that the Tea Party is comprised of multiple niche political groups. They all agree on small government with regard to fiscal issues. When it comes to social issues or individual liberties in general, there will be disagreement. So, one should disregard assertions by Delingpole that there is intellectual inconsistency. The truth is, Tea Partier’s individual views on social issues can be diametrically in opposition. Partiers once locked in political combat at one time on social issues, march side by side at Tea Party events protesting Obamacare, Cap & Trade, and excessive spending. When it comes to primary candidate preference, there will be differences.
In the face of a possible crisis, Americans will be Americans and band together. Obviously, a very large group of people think something has gone terribly wrong. That has called upon the GOP elite to begin some serious soul searching. They know it is the Republican Party that should be the glue that binds these niche groups together. Their task is to figure out why that isn’t the case.
To many, that answer is quite clear. The GOP leadership has relinquished trust when it comes to fiscal responsibility. The people at the grass root level have taken it upon themselves to counter that which “leadership” pretends not to be a problem. Well, until recently.
Do your job – Or somebody will come along and do it for you.
On another thread, the question was raised as to organization. Specifically, if they are a “Grass Roots” type thing, why the need for chairmen etc. The Tea Party does need leadership and structure to a degree. For purposes of event coordination and information dissemination. Anything beyond that might be a little suspect, but that infrastructure can indeed be a threat of hostile take-over, should a certain political party refuse to pay attention.
If GA gets the nomination not only will a lot of TP folks stay home, but more than few GOP leaders will put in a half-hearted effort at best. After all he proved in ’06 he could not win.
Regardless of who thinks who can beat Allen in the primary, what is more important is who can prevail over Webb.
Bert Mizusawa ia a compelling candidate. If I had to guess, if any other candidate being mentioned so far wins then Webb will remain seated.
Donna Danziger,
I agree with your choice. Bob Marshall is the most appropriate for the times choice of the putative senatorial candidates. He is honorable, courageous, and staunchly independent, having stood up to the GOP elites time and again. And he has labored to advance the Tea Party causes, rather than, as some of the other “Tea Party candidates,” worked the Tea Parties to advance his agenda.
Britt Howard,
You said, “The Tea Party does need leadership and structure … [for]event coordination and information dissemination. Anything beyond that might be a little suspect … .” I agree. But how would you assess in this regard “the Virginia Tea Party Federation,” created by Jamie Radtke for the Virginia Tea Parties, but without their participation in the creation; with her in command and dictating the rules of joining; promising speedy elections for the top spot, but continuing in it for over six months, until she is ready to run for Senate?
I understand the “Federation” has instituted relatively rigid [party] rules; discourages free flow of ideas and dissention; and has expelled an organization for advocacy of the examination of Bob Marshall’s perspective on the so-called Repeal Amendment, into support for which the “Federation” had been indoctrinated by Jamie’s mentor and associate, Attorney Patrick McSweeney, with Jamie’s help.
This is an outright hijacking of the Tea Party Cause.
Jacob,
Where are you getting this info about the VTPP? All of it is completely untrue.
I remember Jamie gave me a call BEFORE the Federation had a name. She made it clear that the VTPP was not an organizzation that would become “the boss” of the smaller tea parties. She only ever meant for it to be a way for the groups to work together.
If you could tell me who is telling you these things we would really like to get this straight. You can reach me at:
Phone: (434)685-4563
email: nigelcoleman10@yahoo.com
Facebook: Nigel Coleman
Twitter: nachocoalmine
Jacob, Are you speaking from first hand knowlege? I really want to know where this is coming from and if there is even a shred of truth.. So far I cannot find any.
Nigel, James,
I have both first and second hand knowledge of the subject, which I would be happy to share here, but cannot do it properly in a paragraph or two. Let us have a frank and intelligent discussion. This is a type of conversation the Virginia Tea Parties badly need, as good causes in which the leaders avoid scrutiny never end well.
I am an extremely busy individual, and I neither can nor would attempt to argue with all of Jamie’s VTPP supporters at once. However, I would welcome a discussion format in which one or two of her supporters collect and then present in an orderly fashion the points and information from any other VTPP supporters.
If you agree to these conditions – obviously, at this time you can only speak for yourselves — I will be happy to proceed.
Jacob Roginsky
@Jacob…what is this? a hostage situation.
Hey, let me know how those middle class people are doing, since the Republicans have them hostage too.
If your looking for a negotiator on this site, you have another thing coming.
Nigel, James,
In the anticipation of our discussion, I would like to ask you a hypothetical question.
Suppose during the holding of the above poll Jamie’s associates in the Federation’s high places urged the followers, with Jamie’s knowledge, to cast a vote for Jamie in order to boost her numbers for the PR purposes? Would this be proper?
BTW, does the Federation has a policy regarding the endorsement by the organization of candidates for political office?
Thanks.
Jacob Roginsky
I just noticed John Jackson’s post.
With “the Republicans [holding the middle class] hostage, and the upper class being part of the ruling class, I am afraid Jamie may have trouble finding a defender of any class.
Jacob Roginsky
It would appear, unfortunately, that Nigel Coleman and James “turbo” Cohen are more interested in finding out the source of the information that has formed the basis of my low opinion of VTPP than in its truth. This is a reflection of an ominous threat faced by the Tea Party cause.
The “Federation” Jamie (& Co.) formed has been run by her and her fawners — by design, of course — as an affront to the ideals of the Tea Party Movment, yet so many true grassroots Virginia tea partiers have buried their heads in the sand on this truth, taking comfort in the fiat of the “Federation’s” great strides for the cause and Jamie’s inflated, ill-gotten celebrity status, unwilling to seek the truth of the situation. But, as inevitably happens when the ordinary people bury their heads in the sand on the reality, they leave their posteriors jutted up in the air with the bull’s eye painted across the entrance.
Before anyone accuses me of dishonesty and bias, I hasten to offer a small shred of evidence — one of many — as to the truth of my assertions. As the above poll was conducted, Jamie’s numbers apparently started off relatively low. Below is a copy of the correspondence generated at the time and then circulated in the “Federation” by Jamie’s associates, with Jamie’s apparent full knowledge (and possibly participation). As you may see the ostencible purpose of the activity was to raise Jamie’s numbers in the poll for PR purposes. It is now a matter of record htat Jamie finished “triumphantly.”
This influence peddling and a form of deceit occurred in spite of the wide knowledge in the Federation that many of its participants are on the fence as to whether to support Marshall or Radtke for Senate (and many are strong supporters of Bob Marshall). Furthermore, this happened while Radtke –that famous “fighter” for truth, ethics, and accountability in government — was still officially at the helm of the “Federation.” But have you heard any outcries of fowl play in the Federation? Has anyone in it openly charged Radtke and her sycophantic sidekicks with a breach of ethics?
From: bbetts@bettsit.com
To: karen@vateapartyalliance.org, pwcteaparty@aol.com, jamier@richmondteaparty.com, mklloydva@gmail.com, nancyschiffman@aol.com
Sent: 12/2/2010 6:59:56 P.M. Eastern Standard Time
Subj: RE: SPAM-LOW: Bearing Drift poll – for senate 2012
Wow! 12%. Ok can i post this to my folks? Lets get those numbers up!
Bonnie
From: Karen M. Hurd
Sent: Thursday, December 02, 2010 6:27 PM
To: pwcteaparty@aol.com; jamier@richmondteaparty.com; mklloydva@gmail.com; nancyschiffman@aol.com
Subject: SPAM-LOW: Bearing Drift poll – for senate 2012
Yes, yes, I know these are goofy.
But let’s start some good PR and surprise everyone.
http://bearingdrift.com/2010/12/02/poll-if-the-gop-2012-u-s-senate-nomination-were-held-today/
Yale and Nancy: can you get this out to the Federation?
Karen
Jacob –
I really hate to pop your bubble on this, but if you think for a moment that *any* of the mentioned candidates for public office just let this poll run by itself, you’re very much mistaken.
And Karen is right — these are goofy. I said as much at the announcement of this poll. But that doesn’t mean that it’s not a good sign of enthusiasm.
Beyond that, everything you say about Jamie just sounds like sour grapes to me. Most folks attached to the Tea Party are thrilled at the prospect of her running for public office. The only ones who have taken any kind of offense were the ones who thought of themselves as natural leaders… which says more about them than it does about Jamie (or those supporting her).
Regards,
Poor Jacob, time to up the meds bro.
Shaun,
You misrepresent my position. Whether the various anticipated candidates have or have alerted their supporters to the poll, and urged participation in it is not at issue. The point of my criticism regarding the poll was the use of the “Federation” by Jamie’s friends, possibly with her participation, to boost Jamie’s performance in the poll while she was still officially at the top. I explained that much.
Your propositions that for me the matter is one of merely sour grapes, and that “[t]he only ones who have taken any kind of offense [at Jamie's running for public office] were the ones who thought of themselves as natural leaders” is obviously silly and/or dishonest, even if it were otherwise correct. You have not talked to me on the subject, you have not seen my making my full case, you cannot know if you know every person who has objected to Jamie’s running, let alone their motives for the opposition. Based on this, I would have much better reasons to accuse you of having ulterior motives in defending Jamie. But I will not stoop to that level, as this could be in fact your genuine, even if misguided opinion, and you could be, as I am sure many others are, a genuine, even if misguided believer in Jamie.
My issues with Jamie and some of the people with whom she is surrounded are rooted in considerations of ethics and the good of the cause. If you wish to have a serious conversation about it, I am willing to participate. But if you are only in the game for the kind of superficial sniping you display above, I will not entertain you.
Jacob, who at this juncture do you feel is the most qualified to be our next senator?
James,
Of this poll’s choices, only four are familiar to me: Allen, Cuccinelli, Radtke, and Marshall. I would be satisfied with either Marshall or Cuccinelli based on the four principal criteria: a) ethics, b) Constitutional erudition, c) independence, and d) courage.
Based on my still limited knowledge of Bob Marshall, he would be my first choice, as apparently the most principled and least political of the four. I could not think of any other Virginians that I would prefer for Senate to Marshall and Cuccinelli, which surprised me, since I disagree with both on a number of positions that have come to define them politically.
I considered supporting Marshall early on and have a good deal of respect for some of his accomplishemnts but I do not envision him defeating Allen.. After the primary, who can defeat Webb is the question and I do not think Allen can do it either. Can Marshall raise 3-5 mil for the primary?
I wish to substitute the words “Constitutional erudition” in the preceding post with “Constitutional comprehension.” I see neither Marshall nor Cuccinelli as Constitutional scholars, but rather people of significantly stronger Constitutional comprehension than the majority of the state and federal legislators.
Both have also grown in their Constitutional perspective since the enactment of the Virginia Healthcare Freedom Act and the launching of the federal suit in its defense (with neither of which I agree). And in my opinion, Marshall’s recent peace in the Richmond Times Dispatch in opposition to the Repeal Amendment, entitled something like Why Meddle with the Constitution is excellently informed and otherwise brilliant.
Future Poll suggestion:
Is it possible to put up 2 polls? That way you can have a 1st and a 2nd pick? Maybe exclude Cuccinelli or people that are likely not to run. (I voted for Cuccinelli, just cuz I am such a big fan of his.)
Kinda like a run off or convention process, if you have a 1st and 2nd pick, you might get a better idea of where people are on the candidates.
Just a thought.
James,
Our problems are far more fundamental than any differences between Webb and Radtke. Jamie may be a good community organizer, but we know how little that buys us in these times of the crumbling foundations of this nation.
If Jamie can in fact raise 2-3 million dollars for the primary, as you seem to imply, where do you suppose she will get the money, and who will be ordering the music that she will be playing? This question is an important point of departure not only in understanding what kind of a servant the people would be buying in Jamie, but in how she may have managed to come to dominate the Tea Parties in Virginia.
As long as we allow ourselves to think that the only way for our candidates for major offices to win in an election is to collect as much money as the candidates whose campaigns are underwritten by the special interests, we surrender our government and our lives to the special interests.
I would advocate that the Virginia Tea Parties form a new association, one that promotes collaboration and independence; develops its own vision, strategies, and tactics, rather than waits for Jamie to deliver those from the offsite shops of McSweeney & Co.; an association in which constructive debates, criticism, and competition of ideas are welcomed and cronyism and conflicts of interest are banned; one that allows leadership talent to flourish and rise to the top; an organization dedicated in fact to the public good, rather than promotion of personalities, careers, and agendas of a few that are more equal than the rest.
Such an association could help to drastically reduce the impact of corporate money in the elections in Virginia. If the Tea Parties across America can’t do this, we may kiss the America of the Founders good buy, at least for now
@Britt –
That could be done, but it would be much more wild than the previous poll.
What it would probably tell you is who everyone’s #2 is… which, in a convention, would be powerful information to have, but in a primary is utterly worthless.
So for the folks who are still lingering… should we do another poll?
True. Worthless in a primary, but valuable way before it. If people know their first preference can’t win in a primary but, their 2nd could, the primary votes might not be split as much between best case wishes.
Run it Shaun.
@James –
Some would say that with six kiddos, I already do.
With George Allen seeming to have the problems of his senatorial record of supporting the Medicare prescription drug program, No Child Left Behind & the other big spending programs that led to the meltdown in ’06 and ’08, in addition to Macaca and credible allegations of racial slurs, other possible personal problems, and being perceived as part of the past rather than the future, and Jamie Radtke at this time being presented as the conservative alternative, I am very interested in people’s views of her strengths and weaknesses, particularly regarding Jacob Roginsky’s comment “My issues with Jamie and some of the people with whom she is surrounded are rooted in considerations of ethics and the good of the cause.”
Leave your response
The comments section is for meaningful discussion. Readers are reminded to post comments that are germane to the article and write in a common language that steers clear of personal attacks and/or vulgarities.
Please take a moment to review our comment policy.