Long speculated but rarely mentioned, Howie Lind is now bowing out of the bid for the U.S. Senate nomination in the wake of former RPV Chairman Ed Gillespie’s announcement:
Rumors began circulating widely last week when it became known that most of Lind’s staff had left the campaign. At that time, a source close to the campaign characterized the departures as “really nothing out of the ordinary in a year-long campaign,” and said that there had been some different thinking about strategy and messaging among the senior campaign team. This source also put rest to rumors that the staff shake-up portended the end of Lind’s campaign, suggesting that Lind was “in it to win it.” It is unclear what may have happened since then to shake this resolve.
Rumor still stands that Lind’s field staff walked off in a huff, and Lind shook up the front office shortly thereafter. Rumors being what they are… the reader is asked to take them for what they’re worth. Regardless, Lind’s departure was not due to lack of effort — as it was clear Lind was hustling in Northern Virginia quite hard. There just wasn’t enough gas in the tank to make it a go.
Of course, what is not so much a rumor is that — despite Shak Hill’s courting of Howie Lind’s supporters — current Delegate Ben Cline is being pushed, nay shoved, into the direction of considering a bid for the Republican nomination in Roanoke this summer.
Del. Cline’s reaction? Prayer.
Glad to be back home with the family this weekend. Making some big decisions. #USSenate #praying
— Delegate Ben Cline (@DelBenCline) January 25, 2014
Cline’s entry into the lists would pit his own rising star against Gillespie’s four-star general reputation in the conservative movement, though privately many are stating that Cline’s failure to staff up indicates that the consideration is more in politeness to supporters rather than a serious bid.
Still, give Cline credit for taking the case to God first. Class act, folks.
