Poll: Who should face Allen head-to-head?
By JR Hoeft | Friday, November 18th, 2011 | PoliticsI wrote earlier today to subscribers:
If you know anything about the Tea Party, you’ll know that you know nothing about the Tea Party.
This fiercely independent group of voters has no standard organization – and if one is claimed, there will be someone who just as quickly says they’re “Tea Party” to reject the assertion.
Yet, from my interaction with this group (can I even say that, if they are all individuals?), I can say that they are fed up with politics as usual, feel that the government is out of control, that taxes are too high, and that individual liberties have been infringed upon enough.
I can dig it.
But where will these independents go in the 2012 U.S. Senate campaign?
Some Tea Party members think Jamie Radtke is the answer.
The former Virginia Tea Party Patriots chair is a longstanding conservative activist within the Republican Party. Yet, her fight for the GOP nomination has been a struggle for nearly a year, and she has yet to break away from single digits in polling against the 60% front-runnner, George Allen. Her campaign is also floundering in debt.
But she still has fight left in her.
Her latest salvo was to say that the Republican Party is going about things “wrong” and that the Tea Party is “refreshing.” Again, I know that the Tea Party is made up of individual activists and a VERY loose confederation of organizations, but it is also clear that Radtke is making a direct appeal to this group to vote in the GOP primary for her. She is making no excuses in campaigning against the GOP itself and Allen’s status as “establishment.”
But is Radtke the answer for the average Tea Party member? Ask that question publicly and you’ll get a resounding, “no”, because she has plenty of detractors within that circle. So, would other Tea Party activists potentially support any of the other candidates in the race, like Tim Donner, Earl Jackson, and David McCormick?
Well, sure, potentially.
But here’s the problem with the Tea Party: they’re too loose of a confederation and not really a collective organization. There’s a reason that Virginia’s own Patrick Henry stated that “united we stand, divided we fall.” He knew that in a bi-polar political world, those that stuck together had a better chance of victory than those who would completely seek an all-or-nothing approach.
Until a vast majority of Tea Party activists can agree to unite behind the “anti-Allen,” the former governor wins the Republican nomination in a walk. The sooner that Tea Party activists, and Allen detractors, realize this, the sooner we can have a true primary campaign. But if they remain divided, there’s no sense in going through the charade of a nomination fight when Allen is going to be the obvious conservative nominee.
So, this leads us to today’s completely unscientific poll:
[poll id="52"]
Poll ends Wednesday, November 23.
Tags:
Contribute for Conservatism!
Share this post
About the author
Conservative to the core; liberal with his opinion! J.R. has been involved in politics for over a decade and has worked on several campaigns in Hampton Roads. He has served on the Executive Committee of the Republican Party of Chesapeake and the Central Committee of the Republican Party of Virginia. He is also the director of “Blogs United” in Virginia. E-mail J.R.. Follow J.R. on Twitter.
We're 75% there! Thank you to everyone who has so far contributed! Just $2000 to go!
Comments
99 Responses to "Poll: Who should face Allen head-to-head?"
I would love to see Bishop Jackson in ANY debate!
Going with “none of the above”..how about Del. Bob Marshal or Rep. Rob Wittman?
The “division” in the tea party movement is grossly exaggerated, usually by those who seek to benefit from such an exaggeration. How many Bearing Drift polls does Jamie Radtke have to win before y’all get it?
How many real polls does Ms. Radtke need to finish in single digits in before her supporters grasp that she’s got no shot at winning the nomination?
I’m sure she’a nice lady, but you can’t get there from here.
Tim Kaine. George Allen is already the de facto GOP nominee, just as Kaine is the de facto Dem nominee. It’s time for the Republicans to stop being distracted by a bunch of low-single-digit challengers and get to work helping Allen to defeat Kaine.
JR, Curious … why limit Radtke’s potential support base exclusively to TP movement supporters and members?
I’m not. Where did I say she was limited? I only said she was actively seeking their support. If you interpreted that from what I wrote, then that’s definitely not what I meant. I apologize if it came off that way.
As a matter of fact, you kinda have telegraphed my next post on this race – endorsements.
What are we supposed to “get?” That Radtke isn’t Allen?
I think that’s pretty well established.
Meanwhile, no one really seems to know WHY we should vote for Radtke.
With Allen we get a lot of experience..
Why are people perpetuating the canard that they don’t know what Jamie is FOR? It’s become the parroting narrative…”she’s only AGAINST things”.
FALSE.
Here’s a partial list from MONTHS ago, and she’s only done MORE.
Reduce the Size of Government:
• Abolish Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac
• Eliminate the Department of Education
• Eliminate the Department of Energy after moving necessary responsibilities of the Office of the Under Secretary for National Security (as well as any other programs dealing with nuclear energy) to the Department of Defense
• Abolish MWAA and give Virginia the option to run Dulles and Reagan airports, the Dulles Airport Access Highway, Dulles Metrorail Project and Dulles Toll Road.
• Reform the wasteful federal HUD Section 8 Housing Voucher Program
Fiscal Policy:
• Do not support the Mitch McConnell-Reid-Pelosi “Cut, Run & Hide Plan” to allow President Obama to raise the debt ceiling.
• Pass “Cut, Cap & Balance.”
• Cut trillions, not billions. The GOP plan to roll spending “all the way back” to 2008 spending levels is not courageous leadership.
• Do not raise the debt ceiling. We’re in a $14 trillion hole – stop digging!:
• Support the Ryan Plan for Prosperity, including Medicare approach, but accelerate spending cuts
• Reform entitlements
• Lower corporate taxes and create a simpler, fairer tax system
• Cut taxes for job creators: corporations
• Do not support the “Washington Budget Deal”
• Do not support bailouts for Amtrak
Defending the Family:
• Do not use taxpayer funds to subsidize elective abortion
• Oppose abortion, stem-cell research and euthanasia
• Vigorously uphold the Defense of Marriage Act, and if the Obama administration won’t carry out its Constitutional duties, Congress should hire its own legal team to defend the act and reduce the Department of Justice budget by the amount of money needed to provide the defense
Defend the Constitution and the Rule of Law:
• Repeal and defund the 2010 health care legislation
• Support the Repeal Amendment (Woman Behind Repeal Amendment Running for Senate)
• Congress must take forceful action to reestablish its Constitutional Authority on Libya
• Audit theFed
• Eliminate unfunded and unconstitutional mandates on states
• Overhaul TSA Screening Procedures to more closely resemble Israeli system.
• Do not support judges who make outcome-based decisions – instead support judges who will apply the law as written, including our paramount law, the Constitution
• Ensure Civil Liberties are respected in the Patriot Act
• Defend Second Amendment Rights
• Stop MWAA’s wasting of Virginians’ money and making the MWAA more accountable to the citizens and governments of the region
• Fight illegal immigration by securing the border, enforcing immigration laws, opposing amnesty and clarifying the 14th Amendment
Foreign Policy:
• The United States has no business intervening in Libya
• Support Israel, including its territorial integrity
• Do not support President Obama’s START Treaty
Energy Policy:
• Pass the SECURE Act (H.R. 840), which would allow more than thirty previously approved drilling projects to begin producing oil immediately
• Ethanol subsidies must be ended immediately
• No Climate Tax
• Permanently kill cap-and-trade legislation
Want a slice of video? Here’s just one cut: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ky0KLrbbywE
I didn’t say she was against “things,” only Allen.
You’re to be commended, VA Patriot….you are among a select few that’s made a case for Radtke without using the words “George,” “Allen,” or “establishment.” Seriously.
She’s not distinguishing herself; not talking about the things you’ve outlined.
Tim Kaine or Tom Perriello
Coby, she is against unacceptable excuses for failed leadership. Regrettably Allen failed after I enthusiastically voted for him in 2000.. Not afraid to name names.
She IS distinguishing herself when ever and wherever she speaks. Want to know where she stands on the issues? Ask any of these people http://radtkeforsenate.com/about-jamie/tea-party-patriot-leaders/ or join me for breakfast next time she is in town to speak.
The loose Tea Party groups in VA will come together by next June to elect Mrs. Radtke as our Republican Senator candidate to defeat Mr Kaine in Nov 2012. All this chatter now is only among those of us who are engaged and isn’t the big picture.
This is about combining Allen votes and Donner votes in order to make sure Radtke loses a BD poll and then make a ridiculous claim of a momentum shift.
Coby, I have heard her speak on those topics on multiple occasions. She speaks about other thing besides Allen on youtube if you look. Why not mention a horrible Allen record and ask you not to repeat that mistake?
Again, if she has no shot, why the posturing, why the divide & conquer, and why this poll slanted by design for Radtke to possibly lose. The Democrats don’t fear Allen. They got him with all Allen’s baggage and gafffes. A united GOP behind Radtke? That scares the crap out of them.
If Jamie Radtke won the Republican nomination, she would have a good chance of defeating Tim Kaine. So would her neighbor’s dog. The pertinent fact here is Radtke’s chances of winning the Republican nomination have been dwindling from small to meager, in spite of her victories in the Bearing Drift polls and in accord with the decreasing numbers who bother to support her even in this simple and
(Continued) and simply manipulated enterprise. Radtke used to garner the votes of hundreds here, and in this poll it has so far been a few dozen or so.
By solidifying control over the Virginia tea parties in the way that she did, Radtke assured that the Virginia tea party would not survive as a force capable of overriding the power of the elites to dictate the fields of winning political candidacies in Virginia. Credible people will not associate with a joke of a movement run by the likes of Radtke and Hurd.
Once a grassroots movement has lost the support of the credible people, it has run out of means to exert much political influence. The Virginia tea party’s dismal performance during the last legislative session is a testimony to that.
Radtke can come up with a 1000-sheet list of reforms, and yet convince no serious people that she is for real, that she is more than just another self-serving politician, that the cited reforms are meaningful or attainable, or that she has a clue … .
If Bob Marshall declares intent to run for US Senate again, I will support him again as I did when he ran for the first time and would have won had it not been for the two-party system. Marshall would have won the general election had he been the GOP’s candidate. If he chooses not to run and there are no other candidates in the race but the declared, I will vote for Bishop Jackson. I would have supported Donner but he has made some mistakes. I no longer support the two party system, which has failed us at all levels. I cannot support any of the other candidates unless they endorse an audit of the Federal Reserve and withdrawal of our troops from all countries.
Britt, I’ve heard her speak…she gave a great answer to a question I asked her in VB about veterans issues.
I wish she’d do more of THAT. She has a story, and it’s a good one. Her ideas aren’t necessarily bad. I think she’d be better served by talking about herself more, and less about what she perceives are Allen’s issues.
Maybe that will change going into ’12. Short of that…it’s not gonna end well for her. No way she can out-fundraise Allen, so her message is going to have to be VERY strong. Right now…can’t say that it is.
So Coby, are dollars everything? He or her who has the most money wins? Tell that to John Moss.
Britt – sometimes a poll is just a poll. Not everything is a conspiracy. But good job giving Allen supporters an idea and potentially corrupting the results. Thanks!
Turbo, the answer is yes. As Lessig said recently ~ 99% is just bad marketing; in actuality it’s the %99.5 versus the .5% in this country that hold all the political influence and power (bought w/ campaign and lobby cash). IMO, For Radtke to have had any shot at a win she had to run Independent, have a Jeb Bush in her corner early on, and hope for an early and big Allen misstep. That said, her Defense of Family positions won’t go down well w/ many independents and/or leaners, especially Millennials which I expect to be a large voting block in 2012.
J.R., my bad.
Thanks for clarifying.
Many people, Coby, can tell all kinds of stories about themselves, and many of the stories are true. But has it not been an ever used tool in politics? Has it not been a tool of choice in the hands of many utterly self-serving elected officials?
The politicians’ personal stories tend to lose appeal to the general public these days, as the ordinary people get inured to what used to be moving stories by the playing out dramas in their own families and the families of close relatives and friends. This is all the more so given that many of the stories are directly traceable to the rotten national and state politics of people who have told us touching personal stories on the way to the elected offices.
A class of important exceptions here are painful the personal stories of people like Bob Marshall, whose records demonstrate not only personal transformation as a result of the tragic individual circumstances, but a spiritual elevation to a place in which naked self-service is not an option and from which the politician cannot ignore the suffering of his constituents.
JR, and sometimes there is a design involved and people “play politics” or spin.
Assuming anyone cares, if you see Radtke decimate George Allen in the 2 last polls, but notice a tighter race combining Allen voters with the 3rd place scorer, then surely that will be thought of. Especially here in friendly to George Allen, Bearing Drift.
And referencing previous articles, you can be careful not to lie, but articulate something with a spin on delivery making it deceptive none the less.
As for “corrupting” the results, you would first have to have something corrupt. Radtke haters are quick to point to the obvious when she wins big. Just as they’d forget it just as quickly were she losing. This is not a scientific poll and is more reflective of turnout and active PC users directed to the poll. You are welcome for the idea. I doubt it wasn’t thought of, though.
Va Patriot, thanks much for the information and the links. As one looking for an alternative to Allen and Kaine, I’m frustrated at what I see so far and now understand better why TP activists and movement supporters might be slow to embrace. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QcOK9aiQExQ&feature=related
#1 – Uninspiring.
#2 – Most of her platform is undoable; it’s pandering.
#3 – The rest (what IS possible) is either straight out of the GOP playbook or irrelevant (to this voter).
#4 – Resume credentials Liberty U., community organizer, and special interest lobbyist don’t give me the warm and fuzzies.
I already know George Allen (the good, the bad, the ugly, AND his record). What I don’t know is what makes Radtke different from (and a better choice than) Allen … other than her lack of governing and legislative experience ~ and the voting trail that comes with it.
I had to back off from my previous support of Bob Marshall after his legislative response to the DADT policy removal. I think that went to far and even hurt the states rights movement by getting caught up in that. Voicing your opinion is the 1st amendment, wanting to legislate gays out of the Virginia Guard was too far for me. Keep in mind I am a Libertarian. That said, there are other issues he is so right on.
But do you know what impresses me about Bob Marshall more than anything else? You pretty much know where he stands. You don’t have to factor in possible deception. Agree or not, he is a man of principle. That man is not for sale. That is rare and something I truly respect.
BH (or is it BS?),
You say nothing that “wasn’t thought of.” You could not even come up with a sensible response, let alone original to my points. Instead, as usual, you engaged in transparent deception, trying to change the subject and address anything but the points made.
If you could come up with a single original thought, or could put forth and intelligent argument, you’d do more than serve as a lowly barky for Jamie Radtke in forums such as this.
Jay D., in that video it does also mention her Masters in Public Policy. Any reason you left that out and only spoke of Liberty U?
Inspiring? I thought it was. We need to hear people acknowledge the problems. What makes her better than Allen is not just that Allen is a proven part of the problem shown by his record. Although for me, that would be enough to try nearly anyone else before repeating the George Allen mistake. Jamie Radtke enumerates many of the problems. Looks like a hypocrite and doesn’t hit details as often, but in some instances George Allen says what I want to hear. Too bad his actions cast his words as empty.
Jamie Radtke does have a record of sorts. A record as an active Republican that worked for Republicans and also as a Tea Party “organizer” if you want to put it that way. What the Tea Party label and what her past as an organizer does for her is point to intention and consistency. Unlike Allen’s record, Radtke’s Tea Party activism brands her views and is wholly consistent with her current stated views.
I must acknowledge your point on some things not being doable. Her tax reform would take years of work and maybe not doable still even after fiscal cataclysm. Still, doing away with those departments within the next 6 years I say is very doable. Lastly, if you do believe in it, it isn’t pandering.
So, jamie’s campaign shouldn’t go negative, but all the negativity aimed at her from here is ok? Whatever. We expect that.
Uh Jacob, that was a response to JR that you quoted was meant for Jim Hoeft who I see referred to as JR frequently.
I don’t appreciate the “BS” ad hominem, but understand the confusion given that your initials are J an R. First and last name.
Look at Hoeft’s responses above. You will see “JR”. I understand you are not a Radtke fan. That is ok, but that post was not a response to what you wrote.
I am used to criticism, but I don’t hear that I don’t have an original thought to contribute. That is new to me.
VA Patriot,
In your long list of positions that Jamie Radtke is “for,” all I see are negatives. “Abolish, cut, do not support,” etc. No matter how you spin it, she is against everything and for nothing. And, as JayD pointed out, none of it is practical or specific enough to evaluate, e.g. “reform entitlements.”
foutzltd,
You never took Statistics in college, did you? 5% is 5%, regardless of whether you are asking 5,000 voters or 5 million voters. That “Silent Majority” crap didn’t work for Nixon 40 years ago and it isn’t going to work for Radtke next year.
For “cut cap & balance” is a negative? She is “for a bill”. Same with the Ryan plan. Since cuts are involved you can say she is “against everything”. She does give specifics, but you merely counter that by saying she is against something.
Are you of the opinion that our government is operating badly? I think so. In such a case, does it not make sense to be “against” a lot of what is being done. I don’t exactly see you as a status quo guy even with your self labeling as radical centrest. Could be wrong on that though.
Thinking that something could or should be better isn’t a bad thing. Unless you like 9% unemployent, 15 trillion in the whole, credit and real estate bubbles, ad currency devaluation. Not being against that is against getting my vote and support.
Ensuring civil liberties under the Patriot Act implies possible imperfection and thus negative? Technically auditing the Fed isn’t necessarily negative, but I will give you that one.
Supporting the 2nd amendment, Israel, and the Secure Act is not negative. All three are “doable”.
I would hope a Republican and fiscal conservative candidate would be against a LOT of what goes on now.
And you forgot she is without a doubt for gun control.. Use two hands.
Britt,
I’m not going to waste my time and JR’s bandwidth getting into a point-by-point debate on the laundry list VA Patriot put up. I will grant you that there are some Mom & apple pie bullets in it, like supporting the Second Amendment and civil liberties. Duh. Can I see a show of hands of everyone who is opposed to the Constitution? Although I am curious about exactly how Radtke wants to “clarify” the 14th Amendment and what she intends to do with judicial appointments other than to follow the Constitutionally specified role of the Senate. However, some of her positions are contradictory and others are just plain strange. For example, why do we have no business intervening in Libya but we have to support Israel’s territorial borders? And no “bail outs” for Amtrak? Doesn’t Amtrak as a minimum deserve the same government support that the airlines get? Amtrak has to pay to use the tracks it runs on; airlines fly with government-funded air traffic control. And name one national passenger rail system in the world that operates at a profit with no government support. And why would we want to abolish the MWAA, eliminating the Federal funding, and put the cost of operating the Capital region airports solely on Virginia taxpayers? That is just plain weird.
I guess that thing that baffles me the most about Jamie Radtke is this: who in Hell are the 5% who think that she should be in the US Senate?
Supporters of all candidates.
I’m curious and I can’t seem to find it, how many votes are cast during a typical Republican Senate Primary ? It would be interesting to see how many votes each candidate would likely need to win the Primary. If nothing else it lets you know how many friends to bring along to support your candidate.
If it were Mrs. Radtke’s supporters, how many people would they need to turn out in order for Mrs. Radtke to have a chance of winning the Primary ? Not percentages, but actual human beings casting votes.
Temporary,
I can’t remember a Republican primary for the US Senate; they prefer to choose their candidates by convention. However, in the Democratic primary for this seat in 2006, approximately 156,000 votes were cast with Webb getting about 82,000 to win.
http://www.sbe.virginia.gov/ElectionResults/2006/JunePrimary/index.htm
I concede there are some easy ones in that laundry list. Gun rights won’t work in Democrat circles, but easy to say in GOP ones. Still, if it is true, it isn’t pandering.
Ok, you disagree on some of her points. Fine. That doesn’t support a blanket statement of her being against anything. Respecting Libya’s borders and Israel’s is inconsistent. Disagree fine, but I get her reasoning. Got your message on debating those individual issues. Maybe some other thread on the individual ones.
I do want to mention the article here on BD also against the MWAA. She is “against” it for the same reasons. Basically, Virginia is getting shafted with to little say. I believe her plan was to replace MWAA with something more fair to Virginia and at least give Virginia more say about what goes on in VA than Maryland and DC do.
I do want to see her in the senate. I dispute the 5% quote, but agree she is still an underdog by a good(but decreasing) margin.
Looking forward to debating some of these topics elsewhere and seperately from the Radtke campaign.
Rocky, thank you very much.
I would have liked to have seen a Republican convention, it would have been entertaining to have the TEA party there, to say the least.
Okay, so there you go. Radtke supporters, you only need to bring 100,000 of your closest friends to the Primary vote and Mrs. Radtke will probably win it. Maybe 1,000 supporters each bring 100 friends ?
Temporary,
Hopefully, the Republicans have learned their lesson after their convention decided that Gimmick Gilmore would be a better candidate against Mark Warner than Tom Davis. But, do you really think that a typical Radtke supporter has a hundred friends?
Sorry, sometimes I just can’t help myself.
Seriously, though. If 100,000 Tea Partiers show up and vote for Radtke in the primary, you had better get used to the following three words: Senator. Tim. Kaine.
You’re wrong there Rocky. I am being serious also. You had better get used to the words “limited government” and “fiscal responsibility”.
This discussion begs the question.. who should face Kaine head to head in the dem primary?
Britt,
Sure, just like we had to get used to the words, “drill here, drill now.”
Tell me, just how do Federal laws outlawing abortion, outlawing stem cell research, outlawing gay marriage, and outlawing assisted death in terminally ill patients constitute “limited government?” Those proposals seem a tad obtrusive, if you ask me. And I am not being snarky; I am completely serious.
BTW, you want a Defense of Marriage Act? Outlaw divorce.
1) I’m in the category of folks looking for alternatives to Allen and to be fair, ‘inspiring’ is in eye-of-beholder so I’ll take that one back.
2) I wasn’t intending to list Ms. Radtke’s entire vitae, only the resume items that were cause-for-pause.
3) Her campaign has, must, and will continue to go negative … as will the Allen (and Kaine) camps.
4) Several of Ratdke’s cumulative positions on VaPatriot’s list, her campaign site, and in video/press comments seem completely antipodal to the foundations of libertarian philosophy. Will libertarian-souled voters hate Allen so much they will sell-out? Tough to know. One example:
Jamie’s position on ‘life’ – Britt’s spot on.
First, I get it … you can’t win the republican flag w/o pro-life creds. Yet Radtke’s on-record position goes well beyond what is required or, I think, even held by the majority in our party. No abortions period. Not even if the mother’s life is in danger or in cases of incest. Regardless of personal views, I find it really odd this major force in the TP movement, representative of TP ideals, self-identifying as a constitutional conservative, and highly critical of non-strict constitutionalists would A) take this position and B) not be called out by TP activists on it.
JayD,
Let me be clear: I am not a George Allen fan. But I am looking for an alternative to Tim Kaine. And Jamie Radtke has about as much chance of turning that seat Republican as Christine The Witch. IMHO, the Tea Party is burning enormous political capital and credibility pushing this unqualified and unelectable train wreck of a candidate.
Rocky and Jay D., good questions! I do differ on some social issues with Radtke. I do consider some views of the Religious Right to be “government intrusion”. As I said in a previous thread about the Tea Party, we are all fiscal conservatives and for the most part small government. I did mention in that other article that there are some “small government” issues not pushed by the Tea Party. You are hitting on that here. It would fracture the coalition. Because our country has gotten in so much trouble I look for people that will address those problems. I am willing to accept some basic differences in order to act in united fashion to fix our fiscal issues. Tea Party members are absolutely free to get into issue advocacy outside of the Tea Party banner and still work hand in hand with other Tea Partiers.
It is very possible that I could end up supporting an issue Radtke is against at some later point. In the Tea Party concept, you have to accept that there are differences and under the Tea Party banner stick to common issues agreed on.
It is supremely rare that I would agree on everything with anyone. It isn’t selling out, but it does entail weighing risks and prioritizing how bad things would be if your fellow T Partier made progress where you don’t want it.
And Jamie is far better suited for this than O’donnell.
This is a poll? Of whom? Those who don’t want to vote for George Allen? This race is between George Allen and Tim Kaine. Period. End of story. The rest of this nonsense is just mental masturbation of the strangest order. Get behind Allen or get behind Kaine. Take your pick among two likeable men with long track records in governance. My pick is obviously George Allen, a proven conservative leader. There is NOBODY in the Republican field of grumblers who is going to prevent him from the nomination. The question here is which of two candidates are Virginians going to send as their next representive in the U.S. Senate. Let’ get this discussion focused on where it needs to be focused, unless this this blog has turned into some sort of Tea Party froth. Where’s the tea?
I too wonder why Mrs. Radtke has sharpened a stick to fight over culture/social issues.
Well, maybe it is because she is a Jerry Falwell, Liberty University fundamentalist? You know, the crowd that believes in individual liberty as long as they can legislate how the rest of us conduct our lives.
Britt, I get all of that. Absolutely no problem understanding long-term success of TP movement depends upon consideration & tolerance for a wide range of views on non-core issues. What I’m having a hard time wrapping my head around is that this particular candidate has made constitutional protection her campaign slogan and USP …
“It has always been her passion to energize the grassroots into restoring our Commonwealth and country to a government that is restrained, works for the people, adheres to the Constitution, respects individual liberty, and is populated with virtuous leaders. For too long, we have allowed self-serving and professional politicians in Washington, D.C. to destroy our national integrity and our children’s future.”
… yet holds policy positions absolutely contrary to the founder’s recognition of 1)the individual as generally their own best advocate in recognizing what what works best in their own lives and 2)we are all created equal and entitled to equal protection under the law.
At it’s very core, the founders built a government that recognizes this one truth: individual liberty must be protected.
I’m not knocking Radtke for having positions I might not agree with … just noting uber hypocrisy and hubris in the woman behind the protect-the-constitution platform sales pitch.
Rocky, I don’t know.
One possibility too is that Mrs. Radtke’s position on abortion might be founded in Libertarian thought, because there are some Libertarians out there who believe that Liberty is for everybody, even unborn babies, and so in that way it is not always a social (Bible based, etc) position as much as a philosophical one. I have not heard of Mrs. Radtke taking positions on other social issues, abortion seems like the only one, so I think it is at least possible that she is coming at it from a philosophical angle and not a moral one.
Tim, wish I could vote for you in MD!
Craig, here’s the Tea http://www.washingtonpost.com/rf/image_606w/2010-2019/WashingtonPost/2011/05/27/National-Politics/Images/cain006.jpg
Temporary, let me explain.
I think one can belong to any political party and/or subscribe to a hybrid of political philosophies/ views on issues and still be credible and believable – and that’s pretty common.
However, if your campaign’s tag line is “supporting our constitution”, then might it not be expected you would? And your issue positions would support the ENTIRE document, not just the parts that you kinda sorta like?
And that’s the hitch…the Radtke pitch doesn’t match the product. Why?
a) She’s not that smart? (highly doubtful)
b) She’s not honest?
c) She thinks the rest of us are dumb?
d) All of the above?
Temporary and Rocky: One possible reason to “sharpened a stick” on culture social issues is similar to the argument of inconsistency that Jay D made about Radtke/small govt. Allen is a hypocrite or fraud, take your pick on social issues as well as fiscal ones. Why else would Turbo nail Allen on abortion and gays non-stop? The fact is many in the GOP are social conservatives, some Tea Party, some establishment. So you use that in addition to his fiscal record to make the case that the voter would be better served nominating you. Especially given the misrepresentation that Allen is when you compare his record to his rhetoric.
Radtke is a Republican and not a Libertarian. That said, she agrees with us on a lot of fiscal and other issues. She is extremely pro-life. As suggested by Temporary, pro-life is not necessarily inconsistent with libertarian thought. It comes down to when you believe an individual exists. Without getting into specifics, I agree with you Jay D on some of that. She has to answer the fertility treatments that involved fertilized eggs of which not all will be used. I believe govt shouldn’t be involved in marriage at all, am ok with civil unions for everyone, and not on board her DOMA position. That said, she has never struck me as a gay hater. I am ok if one thinks homosexuality is sinful. That is freedom. I don’t like the gay bashing or legislating them to less than being human. Voting the wrong way on DOMA won’t automatically disqualify you with me. I do agree with some of what you’re saying there, Jay D. On the whole, I really like her positions and think that despite some imperfections I THINK I see, I believe she would be a positive force on individual liberty.
Jay, she does maintain that the country was founded on Judeo-Christian values. Her interpretation of when life begins is likely different than yours. I can’t speak for her on homosexuality. Even I am against “gay marriage” since I think government doesn’t belong in marriage, only in contractual agreements.
I think the inconsistency comes from being wrong on some issues and interpretations. She is up front and honest. She is very bright. She is just wrong on a couple of issues (my opinion). Extremely smart and honest people are wrong on things, too. That is being human and not having proof on some of the foundations of your overall thought process.
JayD and Britt, I appreciate both of your comments.
I don’t disagree that TEA party people hold just as strong an opinion on a lot of social issues as others, but like many I just don’t think it is important when discussing the TEA party’s agenda. My problem with it is that, sure, it might bring in some votes from Republicans who focus on social issues, but it also turns off Independents and Democrats who are opposed to candidates holding those positions. In the end the TEA party is mostly about fiscal issues, bailouts, deficits, as well as Constitutional limited government, Liberty, etc, and there are piles of Independents and Democrats who are totally on board with that until you start talking about abortion, gay rights, and other social issues, then their eyes kind of glaze over and you’ve lost them. Who does the TEA party really want, Republicans who get won over with social issues that the TEA party really doesn’t (as a group) care about ? Or do they want Independents who actually care about the TEA party agenda but are turned off by the social issues ? One of those wins you Republican nominations, the other one wins you elections.
Worth mentioning, no less than Ron Paul, Mr. Liberty, has a strong pro-life position, and his views (on his web site) are an interesting read.
Follow up to my last post, it really reads like what I am writing about is negotiating for votes, but that isn’t how I intended it. What I really mean is that I just don’t think conservative social issues have anything to do with what the TEA party is about, so I think even bringing it up does nothing but muddy up the TEA party message.
Radtke’s personal views are irrelevant to my point, which is … A candidate selects a tag line (slogan) very carefully. With generally 5 words or less, the tag defines the core of the candidate AND the campaign. Jaime’s slogan isn’t:
Jaime Radtke/ Restore America Now
Jaime Radtke/ Believe in America
Jaime Radtke/ Be Part of the Solution
Jaime Radtke/ Family. Faith. Freedom. Football.
Jaime Radtke/ Putting Virginia First
It is:
Jaime Radtke/ Supporting Our Constitution
My point:
Regardless of how Jaime views gay rights, abortion, children born of illegal immigrants, the right of someone to end their own life, etc. issues, Radtke is promising ~ w/ these 3 words ~ to support the ENTIRE constitution, not just the portions that fit comfortably within her moral views.
If that’s not Radtke’s intent (and obviously it isn’t) then candidate Radtke should consider revising her pitch or be prepared to defend all her positions based upon constitutional law, or … well, in my industry it’s called bait & switch, deceptive advertising practices, false advertising, and sometimes fraud.
Very true about Ron Paul being Pro-Life, Temporary.
“In the end the TEA party is mostly about fiscal issues, bailouts, deficits, as well as Constitutional limited government, Liberty, etc, and there are piles of Independents and Democrats who are totally on board with that until you start talking about abortion, gay rights, and other social issues, then their eyes kind of glaze over and you’ve lost them. ” – Temporary
Totally get ya. Don’t think I wasn’t initially nervous when I saw a lot of Social Conservatives getting super active in the Tea party. Then I realized a few things:
1) They too are rejected by the “Establishment” that sees them as a liability when running for election. Suddenly a lot of social conservatives started feeling what other non-establishment types feel. Like your Ron Paul Republicans or the Libertarians they encourage to work from within, but dump on you when hop in the “big tent”.
2) Not all social conservatives are the same.
3) Of all things, social conservatives and libertarians can accept that they have differences, but still work together on common issues.
4) The interaction of libertarians and social conservatives is pretty darn healthy. Some libertarians are freaking intellectual snobs that have become the monster they originally saw social conservatives as.Intolerance works both ways. Likewise, social conservatives learn that the seperation of church and state protects them too. I totally get why some feel forced to home school. Libertarians get reminded that freedom of religion applies to social conservatives, too. Both sides are humanized perception wise in these cooperative efforts.
Jamie Radtke is a perfect example of why a libertarian, independent, or conservative Democrat should feel comfortable joining the Tea Party. She is a definite social conservative. She is a Republican. She is also a Tea Partier. When she said that Tea Partiers do not equate to Republicans, she was emphasizing loyalty to principle and not party. If the party refuses to follow it’s own party creed, is it still even the Republican Party? Secondly, that distinction enables those outside the GOP to join. Thirdly, despite her position and despite her being a social conservative, those positions are not Tea Party agenda items. They are not pushed under the official Tea Party banner.
), Tea Partier or not, I am still a Libertarian. I would vote for civil unions. I don’t expect Jamie to change her mind on DOMA either. That is the way it should be. However, we would both know we would be on the same page on a whole host of other issues. There is no idiotic oath of Tea Party loyalty. As you can see from other Tea Partiers, you are free to not support Jamie for ANY reason. If in your judgement the candidate is too hard core on a social issue either way, and that issue is too likely to change with additional support, then deny them your vote and work with them on the next issue advocacy you agree on.
That doesn’t mean she stops being a Republican. That doesn’t mean I stop being a Libertarian. Trust me, when the Tea party becomes all about abortion, gay bashing etc, I am out of there.
But guess what? Were I to run for office (I won’t, don’t worry.
I understand what you mean by muddying the message, but we must remember something. She is a Republican and is running as a Republican albeit with an additional Tea Party indentifier branding her fiscal conservatism. Much the same if a Democrat Tea Partier ran as a Democrat. I think we would have more Democrats if the Glenn Nyes were continually castigated for not being a good line toeing soldier. Democrats don’t completely alienate their subgroups nearly as much as Republicans. Not that I’ve never seen Democrats get a little nasty and infight as well.
Great post JayD. Do you think you could point out where Allen would best Kaine on his constitutional authority?
Jay D, you are wrong there. In your industry “intent” is necessary to prove fraud.
She can defend herself. “Life” is supposed to be protected. So immediately abortion gets muddy. Life is mentioned in founding documents, but the “Right to check out” is not. I am not sure about her exact position on marriage, just that she supports DOMA. It does not say in the Constitution that gay marriage is a possibility. What IS constitutional is the ability to enter into contract (which should mean civil unions) Also, what is constitutional is freedom of religion. So a gay person could enter into a civil union and marry in some church that approves of that. It doesn’t mean others must approve of it or find it moral. It does mean your contract holds up in court when you violate it.
She has thought this through. She has justification in her mind to believe what she does. I think she is wrong on a few items, that DOES NOT mean bait and switch, fraud, or deception. I am not a lawyer, but I am pretty damn sure you must intend to deceive your victim to be guilty of fraud. You would probably be liable for damages accruing from damage caused by your neglect/ignorance. Still not a lie. Still not deception. Incorrect belief (assuming we are even right in saying she is wrong)and stating that belief is not deception. just as it is not pandering if you truly believe it.
It needs to be asked.. who be willing to debate George Allen’s:
1. support for and profit from chemical abortion
2. position on faith based adoption agencies that traditionally place children in homes with a married female mother and a male father that are being forced to allow gay adoption (is this not an issue he is not aware of among his staff members?)
3. traditional religious values and beliefs that conflict with 1 & 2
George has some trouble headed his way…..
With all these polls, I’m wondering if Bearing Drift is simply driving hits to the website for visit stats.
@ Britt, I’ve read her issue pages.
Jaime’s positions are all defensible, but you tell me …is DEFENSIBLE synonymous w/ SUPPORTED BY the Constitution?
Is AMEND synonymous w/ SUPPORT the constitution?
It’s bizarre. This candidate is anti-judges- that-liberally-interpret (‘liberal’ meaning to interpret the Constitution as it pertains to modern society) yet is fixed on ‘going there’ when it suits?
The principals found w/in are unchangeable and liberal interpretation — from any perspective — weakens the intent of the founders. They gave us both the means for future adaptation AND simultaneously (and intentionally) made it a difficult, lengthy, and ponderous task for good reason – to prevent later (and dumber) generations from screwing it up.
Why should we care, especially when a candidate supports our own belief system?
Because the brilliance of this pioneering document is that it is authentically truly non-partisian. But as we Americans get dumber and dumber – especially as regards real knowledge & understanding of the document that protects our liberties, we collectively contribute to the erosion of our republic.
You can’t protect what you don’t understand and if you depend upon a politician to give you the cliff notes …. well, we get legislation to redefine the meanings of words ~ and a hoard of ignorant people behind these bills that think that’s OK.
The other reason we should care is we are all getting ‘had’. For instance, no way, no how, Roe v Wade will ever be overturned. Our representatives didn’t have a clue about the economic consequences of putting Fannie & Freddie in conservatorship, but trust me on this one … you’ll never see Ron Paul’s bill ever get to the floor. But as long as politicians can assure the flocks it just might happen, campaign money pours into both parties.
Here’s the future if I’m wrong, written far better than I ever could:
http://civilliberty.about.com/od/abortion/qt/roe_wade_whatif.htm
@ Turbo – you’re being an ass. Figured out 30 years ago you couldn’t catch Gay. Ever since, really don’t care who Allen’s staffers come home to. Get a grip or get specific. And never took you for a bigot.
Not a bigot Jay D. I have several gay relatives and friends. What they do behind closed doors is their business. I am pointing out hypocracy. What is the definition of conservative JayD?
Yeah, and “some of my best friends are black, too”. Gimme a break. Core principle of conservative: limited powers and intrusion from the government ~ which also means (in spite of what some think), stay out of my bedroom. As long as it’s not a kid or a goat, frankly .. it’s nunnya. Well, that’s what it used to mean before Pat Robertson got rejected by the dems and showed up at Reagan’s doorstep with lots of cash and votes. From that time on we’ve forced ‘our’ candidates to toe the anti-gay line. Fair? Don’t think so. Demands ‘hypocrisy’ on this issue? For sure. Whose fault? Look in the mirror.
Move on Turbo. This #$%& is just nasty and completely irrelevant. Unless you think employers should make candidates pass a hetero/homo test? Oh wait… that’s not allowed under law.
So uh.. JayD, are questions about each candidates religious faith and values taboo? These are polarizing issues that do matter to voters of all persuasions if polls mean anything. Pun not intended.
I plan to vote for Mrs. Radtke. I’ve spoken with her and find her to be a serious person and understands that the status quo GOP is a badly flawed party that needs to be taken back to what it was years ago. Even if she was not running I would not be voting for big-government George. He has amassed a record of supporting big government, big spending, fiscal irresponsibility, and a notable lack of genuine appreciate for the constitution’s restraints on government. He deserved neither support or votes regardless of how successful Mrs. Radtke is.
Going after George Allen where he is full of it is fair game. Fiscal issues or social ones. Politicians should walk the talk or shut up and make us guess.
Tea Party before Tea Party was cool or establishment chosen one that derides the tea party? A sure nomination backed by the establishment or the “insurgent” candidate? What are his social issues……today. What is his current stance on abortion? Homosexuality? Is he a fiscal conservative? Or a ear marking tool of Freddie Mac & Fannie Mae that continually sold us out on fiscal conservatism? Will we ever know the real George Allen? Why elect someone you know can’t be trusted?
Jamie won’t beat George Allen in the primary, but at least her supporters can rest easy knowing that they really proved to “the man” that they were organzied enough to mobilize 200 people to vote in an unscientific blog poll. This is truly a great victory for the Tea Party and really something that they can be proud of. Kudos to Karen Miner Hurd and newly-elected State Senator Ben Loyola for their win here tonight.
It’s ok Leonard…everyone is very much aware that some people prefer candidates with no core principles.
All that matters is the “win”, regardless of the fact that the “winner” only further erodes the country.
“Oh look everyone, we’re declining more SLOWLY, but we’re still declining! YAY!”
So, it’s to be politics-as-usual. No surprise there, none at all.
Let no one forget that it was the democrats and the republicans who bailed out the big banks with money borrowed from foreigners and signed the taxpayers’ names on the loan, it is the democrats and republicans who support the Federal Reserve, it is the democrats and republicans who have failed to initiate any kind of national-level investigation into fraud in mortgage-backed securities and foreclosure fraud, it is the democrats and republicans who oversaw the massive expansion of Fannie and Freddie that helped blow the housing bubble (then blow it UP), it is the democrats and republicans who couldn’t see the credit crisis coming when so many private pundits did (and said so), it is the democrats and republicans who can’t balance a budget and frankly don’t want to (isn’t that obvious by now?)…
And we are to believe that these are the democrats and republicans now have “ideas” on how to “put America back to work” and “get our economy moving again”? Establishment Allen will run a meaningless campaign of platitudes against establishment Kaine, while the outcome of the race is absolutely GUARANTEED TO CHANGE NOTHING.
Neither of them has any ideas or any credibility in economic matters. Neither of them truly believes in the genuine human liberty required for the conduct of genuine free markets. But the establishment pundits and MS will tell us it means something. Only, no one will believe it anymore. Hell, no one believes it now.
Crisis of credibility = crisis of legitimacy. It’s already too late.
“VA Patriot November 20, 2011 20:14 pm
With all these polls, I’m wondering if Bearing Drift is simply driving hits to the website for visit stats.”
First off, we haven’t done a poll on this race since the beginning of October. We’ve been due for one. And, with the election behind us, Allen clearly in the lead in this race, the debate between Kaine and him coming up in a couple weeks, this was just good timing to see who’s entrenched at #2.
Second, of course we’re doing it for readers and hits. We sell ads. Ads need to be seen. We need to make money to pay for our costs. It’s called capitalism and the free market. Typically, this economic system and those who practice it are supported by modern conservatives. And, as we espouse the free market here, you are more than welcome not to read us, visit us, or participate in any way.
But thanks for doing so anyway!
Turbo, these days nothing seems to be taboo. Answers on personal faith tell you squat ~ so why do you care?
Look, you don’t need me to set your barometer; you know this line of attack is wrong. Go for Allen’s record ~ there’s more than enough ~ and stay out of the gutter, which gets you just as dirty as the guy/gal you’re trying to drag there. This stuff polls high because any Wal-mart shopper can have an opinion.
Britt, outside of the evangelical community, not on anyone’s top 5 list. Those that still think rationally know that how Allen or Radtke ‘feel’ about human sexuality makes an absolutely ZERO impact on getting this economy moving again so we can pay off our debt, take care of our obligations, defend this country, educate our citizenry, and give our kids back a chance for a life equal to or better than our own.
I’m not electing a Senator to go to the Hill and pray. I AM asking them to perform a specific, constitutionally defined job to the very best of their ability. Want to talk about faith and sin? Go see your priest or rabbi.
It is time we stop playing politics as a game. Don’t vote for who you think can win. There is no way to know who “can win” and only Allen is a proven looser in this race (only one to have lost this Senate seat.) So vote your principles. If you can’t even to that in a primary, you have no principles that you are not willing to gamble with. Those kind of principles are of no real value to you or anyone else.
If you substitute “Romney” for “Allen” this same story could run in the national press. We have our very own establishment loser in Virginia!
Good analogy, esp. if you also substitute “Santorum” for “Radtke.”
My vote is for Jamie Radtke. What has Allen ever done for us?
George Allen for Senate = John McCain for President. Their turn to fail under the banner of the RINO big government establishment.
Can’t wait for his Freddie & Fannie mess to bite George Allen back. I have to laugh at a scenario where Tim Kaine and George Allen both claim to be the most fiscally conservative. Kaine would have a case against Allen, lol.
Hey Leonard Davis!
Judging by past unscientific polls here at Bearing Drift, adding Allen numbers to Donner numbers to this poll COULD have yielded a victory for Donner. What happend bud? The Allen camp can’t get the vote out? Unable to motivate your people? Doubts?
I even suggested it early on way before the poll expiration. You guys were handed a gift AND YOU FAILED!!!!
FYI – poll expires Wednesday. We’ll serve up the results as a side dish.
Ouch. I may have to eat that if there is a successful push at the end. I followed the language Mr. Davis used and thought it was over. Blunder on my part.
Nicely played, JR.
Allen should have to defend his record. We also need to know what Allen’s positions are on a host of subjects. I have listened to Radtke and Jackson. I think both deserve a chance to debate Allen. However, if I had to choose one Radtke would be that person. She has worked very hard, and has a coherent clear platform. Allen, just seems to be another politician who has a vision somewhere out there that may or may not be good. We need good, not more foggy speeches. Debate Mr. Allen, or withdraw.
Donner is a very intelligent businessman with the business background to actually KNOW HOW to make a difference. Any one fooled by E W Jackson’s smooth talking needs to try find his business background. He has NONE. Just like our current Liar-in-chief. He has never run a business; it is no wonder he cannot run a campaign.
I would hope voters actually look to the backgrounds of the candidates. Allen will win the primary regardless.
NBF, don’t be fooled. Underdogs have won in the past. Even here in Virginia. voters in the GOP primary very well could realize that rehiring a guy they fired might yield additional bad results. This guy has so much baggage the Republicans might realize how easily Allen could lose to Tim Kaine.
Sometimes the good guys win. Now that many are angry with politics as usual and being sold down the river by a slick fabrication or two, there could be a mass reaching out to someone that hasn’t betrayed them. The eggs haven’t hatched and the fat lady hasn’t sung yet.
http://disruptthenarrative.wordpress.com/2011/11/21/if-george-allen-wants-to-anger-a-vast-swath-of-the-republican-base-hell-participate-in-the-associated-press-debate/
@ Turbo, re “To piss off a large part of the base would not only hurt him, but has large up ticket implications and we can ill afford to suppress GOP turnout next November. There is simply too much at stake.”
Intuition says Allen’s campaign already polled this risk and determined likely-to-be-pissed-off crowd is small. Same as Scott Rigell’s strategy which worked out well for him. Allen v. Radtke debate = battle for ‘most conservative’ (right of center). But Allen has to stay as close to center as possible ~ and successfully paint Kaine as the radical left-winger ~ to win the seat. Strategically, you know he’s making a smart call.
Radtke is the establishment candidate for the Tea Party, just as Allen is the establishment candidate for the GOP. There was a debate hosted by a Tea Party group that neither Radtke or Allen bothered showing up to. How can you call yourself a Tea Party candidate and not bother coming to a Tea Party sponsored debate? E.W. Jackson is the only person in this race that can beat Tim Kaine.
Wild Card Conservative, I applaud the organizers who made the Tea Party sponsored forum. The problem with the forum was that Allen was not there. Had Allen been there and the event was a debate with all of the candidates it would have been great for Virginians but Allen won’t go into a debate where his minions have no control over the questions and format. The upcoming debates will most likely have their fingers on the pulse unless people removed from the process run the show.. again, not likely to happen with Allen.
Calling Radtke establishment Tea? Um uh, you make me weak rofl. She is one of ‘We’, not an elite establishment powerbroker fav by any stretch..
I’m 16 years old, so my opinion may not mean as much to you guys, and since I’m 16 I only read like 1/3 of all these comments, but I think Radtke is a good canidate to run against Allen. I’ve met her before and I watched her answer some pretty tough questions and she gave the tough answers, and some people didn’t like it cause some people can’t take the truth. But in less then two years, I’m going to take the role of an “adult” (i use the term lightly) and truly have to start living with the desicions our government makes, so I’m not completely shut down to politics like a lot of kids my age are. I said all that to get to something my dad says, the Tea Party, needs to pick a canidate, and get behind them with all they got, cause thats the only way we will beat Allen and get a true conservative in that office!
Alot of Tea party members have picked George Allen as their candidate.
Lauren.. Bravo!
Mike, some Allen tea astroturf is here for you man https://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=7498318878#!/pages/TEA-Party-for-George-Allen/193758604035967
I think it’s important to remember that while none of these candidates have a chance of winning the general election, we must keep mucking up the works whenever possible. Bringing down the Liberal version of the federal government will require constant vigilance. I hope you’ll all pray with me for an end to the “American” way of life, and a return to the kind of pre-1786 civilization that made this country great. No more abortion! No more federal reserve! No more taxes! No more voting rights for women! No more foreign entanglements! No more homosexuals! No more! No more! No more!
Yes, Mike. Some people have personal differences and possible organizational differences with Jamie. Those people also have friends that they influence.
Kinda like there are a lot of Republicans that endorse Jamie Radtke because they didn’t approve of George Allen’s performance previously in the Senate. Some of those that endorsed Allen did not want to, they preferred an alternative to Allen and Radtke. I suspect they made their decision based on their re-analysis and their strong anti-Radtke feelings.
I will not part with my principled objection to Allen’s record. Jamie Radtke will make a fantastic US Senator for Virginia. I am happy to support her.
J.R. YOu should do a “Best of Bearing Drift” post. I’m interested in seeing which blog posts are the all time top comment getters. Always wondered.
Any of those guys on that list would lose to Tim Kaine.
If there was anyway to keep Allen from getting the nomination, that would only ensure we have Tim Kaine as our new Senator. Why would we want that?
This is not about this being Allen’s Senate seat. Goerge Alllen was a great Governor and great Senator. He is a great conservative. He is a real good person and the best candidate in Virginia for the job. This online debate is just something on the side for fun because there is no doubt that George Allen is the best candidate and by far the most electable Republican.
Bill, George Allen is one of 16 senators whose actions spurred the formation of tea parties nationwide. If you care to question this then poll the spectrum of tea party movement organizers and activists who felt nauseated after the 2006 elections and the resulting events that followed.
@Ken FalkensteinNovember 18, 201117:30 pm
Tim Kaine. George Allen is already the de facto GOP nominee, just as Kaine is the de facto Dem nominee. It’s time for the Republicans to stop being distracted by a bunch of low-single-digit challengers and get to work helping Allen to defeat Kaine.
I might be mistaken but I don’t recall an election taking place. That will be for the people to decide.
Leave your response