Radtke Looking For Game Changing Debate With Allen
By Shaun Kenney | Tuesday, July 12th, 2011 | Politics
U.S. Senate candidate Jamie Radtke is sending signals that her election efforts will rise and fall on one spectacular moment: debating George Allen. From NBC 12′s Decision Virginia:
Most of those hopes are far fetched and lack specificity. Jamie Radtke is much more direct. She knows what could turn her campaign from long shot to legitimate.
“The true game changer would be a debate between myself and George Allen,” said Radtke.
Radtke said she welcomes all the other challengers as well, but feels confident that given the opportunity, voters would find that she is the refreshing alternative to Allen.
“The question is, will George Allen do a debate?’ she said.
Allen supporters might question whether or not Radtke has earned the right to a debate. Thus far, Timothy Donner and Bishop E.W. Jackson have proven to be formidable candidates of their own accord, tearing away parts of the fiscal conservative faction in northern Virginia and the social conservative wing of the conservative movement respectively. Meanwhile, challenger David McCormick seems to have captured the running-from-my-living-room flair that truly grassroots campaigns tend to embrace.
Radtke makes the case for herself, and the other candidates should they choose to participate, below:
With every professional poll showing Radtke et al. in the basement against George Allen, whose numbers remain in the 60% range, it’s hard to make the case that any of the GOP challengers has really established themselves as a credible alternative to the former Governor.
Moreover, it is entirely unclear that Radtke is the leader of this pack. Donner posted a respectable $206K in the last quarter of fundraising, while the other candidates have been very mum about their totals thus far. Allen continues to post seven-figure fundraising totals in preparation for a general election contest with former governor/DNC Chairman Tim Kaine, who is still staring down a challenge from his left from Rep. Bobby Scott.
Other conservatives are questioning whether or not the “challengers” should debate amongst themselves as to who is best suited to challenge Allen for the GOP nomination, noting that the opposition is split 4 to 1.
That debate between Radtke, Donner, Jackson, and McCormick would be one worth watching. Whether Virginia conservative organizations would be willing to anoint the winner of such a debate with their endorsements would end the contest between who can credibly challenge Allen in a contest of ideas.
Whether such an event would ever happen — as the contests in VA-02 and VA-05 illustrated in 2010 — is questionable at best. So long as it is questionable as to whether or not there really is an alternative candidate for the GOP 2012 U.S. Senate nod, then it is doubtful that Allen’s campaign will take any offer for debate seriously — nor will most of the Republican faithful.
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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.
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26 Responses to "Radtke Looking For Game Changing Debate With Allen"
Radtke is a sinking ship.She is just trying to grab hold to something that will save her.This is Allen’s race all the way.
Since there don’t appear to be any crack smokers in the Allen high command, I sincerely doubt he’ll be debating any of the other candidates.
What does he possibly have to gain?
A debate would be great for any of the other candidates, simply from the perspective of raising their name recognition. And then, of course, there’s the chance that you can get Allen to say something stupid. (Not likely, I’ve seen him debate before, he’s disciplined and stays on message in that format. It’s off-the-cuff moments, like “Macaca,’ that pose a test for Allen.)
Since there’s no debate upside for Allen and the folks running his campaign aren’t stupid, there won’t be a debate.
How about this? All the also rans engage in a debate and the winner is allowed to engage in a one-on-one debate with Allen?
Personally, I believe any such opportunity to expose just how far to the right Allen is willing to lean is a good thing. He already exposed himself with his aborted presidential explorations in days past but a refresher course of instructions could be, well, refreshing.
Personally, I like the principled positions of Radtke and Donner. And while George Allen is largely conservative, he also bears “old guard” establishment Republican credentials; some of which I find troubling.
However, when considering all this, I find myself leaning on Bill Buckley’s rule…..support the most conservative candidate who can actually win.
I can think of little more important, right now, then feeding the momentum of 2010 by defeating Tim Kaine as our contribution to re-taking the senate. It’s my sense that George Allen holds that best opportunity.
I am not impressed with any of the also rans. I have now seen them all in person or on video and none of them can last the 18 monthes needed to beat Kaine. Allen is a lot better than the selective memory of these 4 dwarfs. Where were they when Allen was getting parol abolition through a democratic legislature. Where were they when Parental notification was killed for 10 straight years in the Va Senate. Allen signed it into law. Where were they when conceal carry was being debated in Virginia. Again Allen signed it into law.These 4 probably couldn’t get nominated for the State Senate so they run for the US Senate. Whats with these characters?
Arthur: Nicely stated point. I’ve been wondering when the U.S. Senate became an entry-level position in politics myself.
IMHO, Ms. Radtke and the others who are ahead of her in challenging George Allen would do well not to focus on attacking Governor Allen, but to help the Republicans retake the State Senate this fall. There’s plenty of time for the primary after November.
George Allen seems to understand this. The others would do well to follow his lead.
Stand tall Jamie Radtke.. your base of support keeps growing among sensible conservatives who cannot deny that you are a breath of fresh air compared to GA. Calling her and the rest of the GOP primary challengers out is not good for Allen who is walking on eggshells right now in spite of huge name ID and corporate megabucks in the bank.
Where were they when Allen backed president Bush’s proposals to increase spending (much to the disappointment of fiscal conservatives)?
Where were they when Allen recieved money from Freddie Mac while at the same time refusing to agree with conservative senators who were pushing for GSE reform?
Where is he on the Ryan medicare plan?
WHERE IS ALLEN COMMITTING TO PARTICIPATION OF THE VETTING PROCESS FOR THE PEOPLE WHO WANT HIM TO DEBATE THE 4 DWARFS?
Where is he on homosexual adoption? I am sure this is a sensitive topic for his chief of staff for over 15 years who has lived with a man and they adopted a child together.
Where is Allen on his opposition to the abortion pill while at the same time owning or owned stock in the abortion pill manufacturer?
WHERE IS PROGRESSIVE REPUBLICAN SENATOR ALLEN HIDING?
You’ve got spirit Turbo, I’ll give you that. But Radtke? Can’t get there from here. Can’t be done. Allen is treating his opponents for the nomination just as he should, he’s ignoring them. As is most of Virginia.
A month ago Haley Barbour reminded conservatives that “Perfection is the enemy of victory. In politics, purity is a loser. In this business, it is unity that wins elections”. He recalled Ronald Reagan telling him, “A fella who agrees with you 80 percent of the time is a friend and ally; he’s not a 20 percent traitor.”
There is plenty of time for Radtke and Donner and others to build both their name ID and their conservative political bona fides for future campaigns. Tim Kaine has to be put out to pasture to teach somewhere or write books nobody will read.
Shaun failed to mention in full disclosure that Bearing Drift is already scheduled to sponsor a U.S. Senate debate the first weekend of March 2012. All candidates have agreed in principle to participate.
Shaun did fail to mention that.
Allen has also failed to mention that..
I bet the dems favorite honky will get a reminder at some point to debate his opponents since Kaine’s opponent has not been chosen yet.. oops, I leaked non news.
I think this latest move by Radtke was a mistake. It isn’t gonna happen. Allen has no reason to agree to a meaningful debate with meaningful coverage. I agree with Steve there. Allen is doing what he should be doing.
I disagree with the idea, “you can’t get there from here”. I still see a path. I just don’t see this debate talk at this point as being a part of that path. Not that she shouldn’t accept a debate with Allen. She just shouldn’t expend any effort at all to TRY to secure a debate that won’t happen.
The only good asking for a debate now would be to use Allen declining it as an excuse to hammer him for not wanting to face his horrible record in a debate forum. Not wanting to answer the hypocrisey and his waffling.
Poor Allen.. I would distance myself from McConnell after this latest post on http://www.radtkeforsenate.com
“My husband loves a good McDonald’s McFlurry. It certainly can hit the spot on a hot and steamy day. His favorite is M&M. You might just want to pick one up tomorrow, because the heat will be suffocating.
Speaking of suffocating hot air, that is what is coming out of Washington DC right now. The Congress of the United States has its lowest approval ratings in history because of shenanigans like Senator Mitch McConnell’s ‘Debt Ceiling Deal.’
What Senator McConnell is up to is pure politics: A first rate example of how Establishment politicians “talk the talk” outside the beltway, but once they get back to Capitol Hill the pretending ends and the deal making begins. We can now start calling it the McConnell McFlurry.
Senator McConnell’s plan is simple: He’s out to get the Republican politicians ‘off the hook’ by giving President Obama the ‘green light’ to raise the debt ceiling through the back door.
Here’s how it all works: President Obama would submit a proposal to raise the debt limit. Congress would say No. The President would then veto the ‘No.’ And, then, Obama would be free to raise the debt ceiling.
Senators and Congressmen will then tell their constituents they voted AGAINST a debt limit increase – while, in fact, they gave Obama a ‘wink and a nod’ and said, Sure, go ahead.
It’s pure Establishment politics. Even worse, it turns over Congressional authority to the president. Can we please not shred our Constitution during this process?
Worst of all, these debt limit increases – which McConnell and the Establishment will swear they voted against – would occur without a single cut in federal spending. Not one penny. As Erick Erickson wrote on RedState, “So much for accusing Barack Obama of smoke and mirrors.”
Former Florida Republican Congressman Joe Scarborough said of the McConnell plan, “They are giving Barack Obama complete power . . . this is a complete betrayal of the Tea Party, of everything Republicans talked about during the 2010 campaign….The Cato Institute’s Director of Tax Policy Studies, Chris Edwards, described the McConnell plan as an “an epic cave-in.”
We should be deeply concerned when you read the headlines in the Washington Post today and it states, “Democrats praise McConnell debt-limit plan.” Hello? And McConnell is a big supporter of my opponent, George Allen.
When I opposed the establishment’s first ‘Budget Deal’ last March, my opponent George Allen refused to take a stand. When I supported Congressman Paul Ryan’s budget, George Allen refused to take a stand. Last month, on June 20th, Senator McConnell hosted a fundraiser to elect George Allen. Will Senator Allen join me in opposing Senator McConnell’s ‘Raise the Debt Ceiling Deal,’ AKA the McConnell McFlurry.
Where do you stand, George?”
The Radtke camp has one thing that none of the other campaigns have, and that is that the people who are behind Radtke are the kind of people who are going to write her name on the ballet if they have to. These aren’t people who are going to get behind whoever wins a Republican primary just because it is the Republican, these are folks who seem to have decided what they want and that’s just the end of it. I think there are a lot of TEA party folks out there especially who are have become unwilling to settle.
That is correct Temporary. The people who support limited government, balancing the budget, fiscal conservatism and honoring our constitution have nowhere else to go. Many of us fired Allen for the progressive overspending that created this mess we are in. Thank him and about 15 key RINOS for the creation of the Tea Party Movement. Without Allen’s direct involvement in our debt crisis, his persistent abuse of power and his dereliction of duty, there would be no Tea Party.. Thanks George.. Macaca is the least of your problems.
Looking at the elephant in the room we have the benefit of seeing a prior voting record of her main opponent that was so disapointing the usual GOP voters either stayed home or protest voted for Webb.. who by the way voted Nay for debt limit increases as promised after Allen voted over and over for massive debt limit increases. I can’t make this stuff up..
107th Congress http://www.govtrack.us/congress/vote.xpd?vote=s2002-148
108th Congress http://www.govtrack.us/congress/vote.xpd?vote=s2003-202
109th Congress http://www.govtrack.us/congress/vote.xpd?vote=s2006-54
Take note of this 109th.. The Illinois senator voted Nay back then.
And finally, the 110th Congress http://www.govtrack.us/congress/vote.xpd?vote=s2007-354
Take note.. The new Virginia senator voted Nay as he promised he would. This is a BIG reason why GOP voters FIRED Allen.. Most of us have not forgotten.
Senators Mike Lee (R-UT), Rand Paul (R-KY), and Ron Johnson (R-WI) had not been in elected office before running and winning U.S. Senate seats in 2010. They ALL beat establishment incumbents.
Allen’s numbers are at 60%?? Where, in Disneyland? Apparently his high approval rating is why there are so many challengers.
I have serious concerns about Allen’s ability to defeat Kaine!!
The last poll showed him down a couple of points to the most pathetic liberal politician I know. And this after a 20 year career in civil government. Every one knows him and he is still down to Kaine, many people think he is a bully and many believe he is a racist after he chose to apologize to the Indian, liberal Democrat with the Mowhawk hair cut. Rather than tell the truth that he singled him out because he was the only liberal Democrat at the gathering. Very poor judgement.
Jamie is a fresh face, articulate, principled, she has national exposure among activists, she is passionate and she has ideas to address our current problems. She has time and she is in the hunt, the public will not engage for some time so she is following the right plan in traveling the state to introduce herself to the activists.
The real indicator of strength will be who Democrats show up to vote for in the Republican primary.
Allen blew it from 2000-2006 but he was not alone.. the GOP blew the greatest historic opportunity to rein in unconstitutional government from 1994-2006 putting personal gain ahead of principle. Ronald Reagan is dead.
Yes, George Allen has name recognition. He polls very well against Tim Kaine. No surprise there. He also has political baggage. (and not just the gaffe tendency.) It is my contention that George Allen’s biggest liability, other than his political “experience” is his inability to connect with people outside the beltway. I will stop short of assigning him status as a bonafide phony.
Regardless of what establishment Republicans will tell you, Tim Kaine is not this invincible giant of the Democrat Party that *no one* but George Allen can defeat. I would opine that the campaign manager for a village idiot need only have his or her candidate say “DNC Chairman Kaine” in the same sentence with the “Obama Administration” half a dozen times a day from now until next November to assure a strong showing. Imagine what a candidate with not only fresh ideas, but one void of the entrenchment mentality prevalent in Washington could do with a statist minion like Tim Kaine!
Could Jamie Radtke beat Kaine? Absolutely, so could just about anyone else in the field, but it will take the GOP to recognize Allens faults and get over this silly elitist notion that he’s the only one who can win.
Edward is right on the money. Political pundits keep taelling us that likely voters will suddenly just stay home if George Allen doesn’t grace us with presence. I am hearing the same thing from local pundits about the upcoming state races. Ever stop to think some of that “advise” is an attemtp to keep new people and ideas out of the political ring so the status quo people like Allen can stay in it?
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