As I predicted, Arizona TEA Partiers and conservatives did not produce stellar results. While conservatives utterly failed to cut the head off the RINO snake in Arizona, they did undercut McCain by defeating some of his allies in some more local races and I’ll be writing post-mortems on the Congressional and legislative races soon. The net result for conservatives for the state as a whole may be a wash.
Conservatives and TEA Partiers should not give up hope. We need to now start looking forward to the 2011 local elections. We need to recruit and vette candidates. We need to work tirelessly to get the candidates we favor elected by knocking on doors, carrying petitions, distributing literature, making phone calls, and asking voters to donate money. Staying involved in the party to drag it to the right is the answer. Abandoning ship is not.
U.S. Senate
I’ve got to admit, I never thought that the utter RINO McCain would beat J.D. Hayworth by such a wide margin. Yet again, he was able to hoodwink Arizona’s voters by falsely claiming the mantle of conservatism. He was one of a multitude of liberal candidates this cycle that lied to voters about being conservative while their voting records clearly demonstrated otherwise. Let me ask, if conservatives are so horrible, why campaign as one every time you’re up for election? If being conservative is so great for winning elections, why did McCain give ObaMao a pass? Clearly, the conventional wisdom is flawed and being conservative in BOTH the primary AND general AND in deed as well as word is the recipe for winning elections and maintaining majority status.
Another correct prediction I made was that Deakin was not even a factor. He is demonstrably insane and he and his wife were alienating rather than persuasive, that is what rendered him a non-issue in all but the closest of races. Even adding Deakin’s votes to Hayworth’s, Hayworth would not have won due to McCain’s wide margin of victory. I truly do like all of Hayworth’s campaign staff, I am friends with and know many of them, but I’ve got to say that Hayworth’s commercials (at least the ones I saw), and therefore his messaging, were lackluster. McCain was able to land more telling blows, regardless of their veracity, like labeling Hayworth a “huckster.” Hayworth’s camp was convinced that once J.D. began his media buys, Deakin’s paltry support might actually make a difference in a tight race. I remained skeptical.
This race was a win in the moderate column. Moderates do not excite conservatives because moderates have no principles. Expect conservatives to concentrate their attentions and efforts to other races. They could sit out the 2010 Senate race as conservative voters did nationwide in 2006 & 2008 because Republicans had abandoned their core principles. Conservatives could even vote for Libertarians or other candidates in an effort to show their utter displeasure with the election of McCain.
Arizona Governor
As many have said, Jan Brewer owes her victory entirely to Russell Pearce. Without him delivering S.B. 1070 to her desk, the tax and spend Brewer would have been slaughtered by the likes of conservative Dean Martin as the earliest polls showed. 1070 was the game changer. I had hoped that Arizona voters would have been astute enough to see through her cynical support of 1070 since the woman has NO record on illegal immigration before 1070 and supports amnesty.
Another win in the moderate column. Again, the tax and spend Brewer and her special interest cronies will not ignite the conservative base. Expect conservatives to focus on other races and consider Libertarians as an alternative. The Dems will have a field day excoriating Brewer as unintelligent. Just dig up some of the videos about her on YouTube to see what I’m talking about. Luckily, Goddard’s campaign has proven that it has no clue what the voters are interested in. His commercials are on topics that no one cares about.
Attorney General
Dean Martin beat Tome Horne back in 2000 by successfully casting himself as a hard-line conservative and exposing Tom Horne for the RINO he is. While I have disliked Andy Thomas in the past, my support has grown for Andy over time and I voted for him. That Thomas might actually be losing to the RINO Horne, someone who has a reputation for being a lech at the Legislature, someone who lost his SEC license and had to admit wrong-doing, is unfathomable. Granted, Horne is one of those candidates that lied to the public and claimed a mantle of conservatism when he’s anything but a conservative.
This is a win for the RINOs. Horne couldn’t be a less inspiring candidate. On the stump, he looks and sounds like a doddering old man. We’ve had Democrat Attorney Generals for how long now? Just like the other RINO candidates who won statewide nomination, Horne will fail to ignite the passions of the conservatives and he may lose.
Treasurer
Last night, I told Doug Ducey that he thoroughly surprised me. He’s a likeable guy and I thank him for showing up on RoundtablePolitics.com with James Allen, Rachel Alexander and me, but I never would have predicted that he’d be our nominee. I expected him to come in third behind Verschoor and Leff because he was a newcomer.
I voted for Thayer. Verschoor had the most conservative record. Leff sponsored the tax increase, had a more moderate voting record and I’m glad she ended up being held accountable for it. As for Ted Carpenter, he used to be my Senator and is a nice guy. I had several conversations with him during the primary, but he really did seem to run a nigh non-existent campaign.
I had serious concerns about Ducey when many blog commenters began to indicate that Ducey has strong ties to McCain. He bundled campaign contributions for McCain back in 2008. He was also apparently involved with the pro-big government and command economy group Greater Phoenix Leadership (this group is in turn supported by former McCain Chief of Staff and former RINO legislator Deb Gullet). GPL supported RINO Republicans and Democrats in state legislative races via the Twelve in `10 fundraiser. GPL also supported Expect More Arizona, a group dedicated to protecting the failed status quo in education. One can only ascribe the same philosophies to Ducey. Why else would he be associated with the group?
If one might be concerned that Ducey supports McCain and favors government tailoring an economy and picking winners and losers via special breaks, then one should also be concerned that a McCain supporter would have a position fourth in line from being Governor. Will we be seeing a Governor Ducey down the road?
While I like Thayer and voted for him, I heard many express concern about his competency to do the Treasurer’s job (clearly I was not swayed). Dean Martin, our current state Treasurer, endorsed Ducey, ostensibly because he felt Ducey was the most competent to do the job. Leff’s camp loved to reiterate the fact that Ducey had to take Coldstone through bankruptcy and I’m sure the Democrats will fling this at Ducey in the general election.
In the end, we have to chalk this race up as a moderate win as well. If that’s the case, then moderates made a clean sweep of the statewide races. Even though I may have concerns about Ducey, I’ve already invited him to come on Grassroots Interviews and I hope to help him draw bright-line distinctions between himself and the Democrat nominee. I’d be pleased to have him on the show.
**edit**
Corporation Commission
Of course, the Corporation Commission race is the only ray of hope for conservatives in the elections results for statewide races. Gary Pierce and Bredna Burns were our two most conservative choices in the race. Pierce and Burns won. I don’t think anyone would disagree that Barry Wong killed his own chances. His voting record is demonstrably to the left of Burns’ and Pierce’s records. He tried, like many moderate candidates, to run as a conservative. I think everyone knows that in an effort to pander to the anti-illegal immigration crowd, he disingenuously stated that utilities should shut off electricity and water to illegals in Arizona. This statement turned many off to Barry. Why anyone would consider Verry Wrong in the first place is beyond me.
This might be conservatives one win, but it’s not very exciting. The corporation is a cesspool of government regulation of the economy. We can’t expect Pierce and Burns to reverse ages of command economy regulation and install a free market. The best we can hope for is for them to hold the line. However, these are elective positions, so, Pierce and Burns, to hold power, will have to pander to consumers. That being the case, I don’t expect them to hold the line without fail. Still, better these two than Mr. Wrong.
**edit**
Final Analysis of Statewide Races
This does not bode well for igniting the passions of the conservative base. Again, individual conservative voters will likely focus on the smaller races where some conservative candidates won while the Party pushes establishment moderate candidates in the general election. Some have said that money and message matter. That’s certainly true in the Senate and Treasurer’s race, but not the case in the Governor’s race. Money is definitely helpful, but it’s not everything. If it was, Buz Mills would be our nominee.
Seemingly, as the races go upticket and more voters actually pay attention to the races, the more purple or blue the voters get. That analysis would certainly hold true for our statewide races since it was a clean sweep for the moderates and RINOs.
It is of paramount importance that the TEA Partiers stay engaged. They need to continue to infiltrate the Republican Party and drag it to the right. The TEA Partiers need to become Republican PCs and dictate to the party who its leaders will be. Granted, all movements die, but there’s plenty of room for them to be relevant for years to come if they choose to remain relevant. One might question that desire considering the statewide results.
I have to say, I’m surprised that I agree with some of your analysis. One point in particular that rung true was:
“Jan Brewer owes her victory entirely to Russell Pearce.”
I couldn’t agree more, Russell Pearce handed her the election gift wrapped in SB1070. Immigration has become the number one issue, and voter’s minds aren’t focused on how she has mismanaged the state. I thought for sure she would lose after the GOP governor debate, but SB1070 helped solidify the support of resident racists, and those who feel Brewer wasn’t conservative enough for allowing the voters, not her, to decide the fate of Prop 100.
I have to modify your “final analysis” with an addendum.
The end result of this will be that more traditional and conservative Republicans will be driven out of the party and feel compelled to become independent voters out of continuing and now increasing disillusionment.
Of course, that fits McCain’s plans rather nicely.
Also, calling Brewer a moderate is pretty funny.
She was rated “Friend of Big Government” by Arizona Federation of Taxpayers.
Additionally, she’s been quoted multiple times in 2010 as being an open proponent of amnesty.
You have to bear in mind that SB1070 didn’t do anything to secure the border nor does it do anything to stop amnesty. Ironically, if amnesty were to pass, all of the illegals amnestied in would have their flags simply changed from “N” to “Y” in the database and SB1070 would help ABET AND SUPPORT those amnestied in illegals!
While I don’t attribute to Brewer the intelligence to understand that, her staff does.
McCain’s shortcomings are astounding which proves money covers over a multitude of sins too. If smart conservatives can be as tenacious and work smart as communists progressives have, America will be well again.
Hmmmmm. Gee Marcus, still sore over the majority of your ultra right candidates losing? Or, maybe you’re still sore because Sean Hannity stated that you have a serious credibility problem. Or, perhaps still sore that Red Mountain Consulting can’t even make enough money to put up a real website.
LD17 is sore because he was in John McCain’s sex dungeon all night
Once again, Lincoln Strategy defends its title as “Biggest Loser.”
Every one of their candidates went down to defeat. Has this firm EVER won an election? Why does anyone hire this laughing stock?
Nathan Sproul should find a new line of work.
LD 17, to my knowledge, Sean Hannity has never mentioned me. Got a link?
Also, I need to edit the article to reflect the Corp Commission races!
Observe,
You realize I agree with your analysis, right? I’ve been saying for a while that Brewer is a tax & spend liberal.
@LD 17
OK, I know where you’re getting that Sean Hannity mentioned me. Dry Heat Dem said as much on his blog when writing about my interview of LD 17′s Don Hawker. You took as fact Dem’s swipe at me. It’s untrue. DHD was attempting humor. Hannity has no clue who I am.
@Dry Heat Dem,
I entirely agree that Brewer’s performance on the Clean Election’s debate was utterly hideous. One would have thought her very uncomfortable hyena laughs and laughable lies about being a “truth teller” might have cost her. I would have hoped that Republicans would have crucified her for Prop. 100 as well. But as Coughlin’s toadie Ryan Smith shot at me, “then there must be a lot of RINOs in this state.” After analyzing the statewide results, I couldn’t agree with spin-meister Smith more.
I have to agree. If it were not for Russell Pearce and SB1070, she would not have been the frontrunner. What I am concerned about is her alliance with John McCain. Is he going to force her to change her stance on SB1070? I hope not and I hope she will stand up to him… He has been skating on his War record long enought. I cannot see what he has ever done for Arizona, especially Southern Arizona. He thinks that is HIS SEAT. Too bad more people didn’t see that. After the robo calls for Jonathan Paton, which possibly helped Jonathan loose the race,he wanted a puppet therefore he lost it for him. I would imagine he is not happy with the voters choice. TUFF!! I also don’t see John McCain lasting 8 years, he appears to be ill.. Some people believe if you vote for McCain , you might as well vote for a Democrat. Just look at his record when he is not trying to “smooze” everyone. I am sure that is why in all of his commercials, he never mentioned his voting record. What is that all about, I always believed that was an important piece of information for voting. Watch him carefully and see if he keeps his promises. I would be surprised if he does.
@suan #10,
John McCain wants amnesty.
SB1070 does not stop amnesty.
Therefore, Being pro or anti SB1070 does not correlate on ones position on amnesty and is, therefore, irrelevant.
Which is why McCain told his little puppet named Jan to go ahead and sign the bill.
Nobody likes somebody who uses his office to persecute political enemies. Ergo, Thomas loses.
I would have voted for anybody but Jan Brewer. As you can tell, I definately did not vote for John McSlime.
Just a note…
When referencing yourself…choose the form that would be used if you stood alone…such as:
He’s a likeable guy and I thank him for showing up on RoundtablePolitics.com with James Allen, Rachel Alexander and ME,…
Ann/Molly Pitcher,
You are correct. I usually remember that grammatical rule and it’s been edited. Thanks.
LD17,
Try Googling the words: Arizona Political Consulting and tell me where my website falls out of 309,000 results. That’s all that matters for the moment.
Oh and btw, I have your IP and contact info. Consider me omnipotent and in your case, “exceeding in grace.”
The sheer hypocrisy of this site never ceases to amaze. Perhaps Marcus, Shane and others should take a short break from blogging and come to terms with the fact that their candidates failed to connect with the majority of Republican voters.
Consider had things had gone the other direction and JD and Andrew Thomas among others had won. What would have happened if another site, say Politico Mafioso, had made posts arguing that Republicans should not unite behind those candidates in the general, but rather, should sit home or even support the opposition?
I’m sure most regular readers can imagine the nuclear explosions that would have occurred on this site in the case of this scenario.
Additionally, its always amusing when the proprietors of a site that specializes in pseudonyms and anonymous attacks decide to threaten comment writers because they have our IP and contact information. If they want to do this, perhaps they should first reveal the contributors to this site beyond Shane, Marcus Kelley and Rachel Alexander.
But honestly, please stop the venting and the knee-jerk reactions, complete the process of grieving for your candidates and then get back on board with the GOP.
Remember, there are still campaigns to win in November and party infighting does not make that happen.
……………………
John Says:
August 25th, 2010 at 9:46 pm
Additionally, its always amusing when the proprietors of a site that specializes in pseudonyms and anonymous attacks decide to threaten comment writers because they have our IP and contact information
……………..
You haven’t noticed some of the offensive language the poster in question has resorted to in several posts, used against other posters he disagrees with?
DSW allows people to post, it’s his site, his work, his name that’s criticised if someone complains about an article or press release by a third party and people waltz in and like they own the blog and piss on the carpet, then insult the host.
What? Since when has it not been fair to warn to adhere to standard decorum or lose posting access?
American Entitlement Attitude is on full display, corrupting the concepts of liberty and free speech with licentiousness.
You fail to realize that there are different flavors of conservatism and if someone doesn’t support your flavor of conservatism, then it appears that you view/treat them as an apostate. Given that the Cato Institute doesn’t view providing a path to citizenship for the umpteen million undocumented immigrants here, I guess you don’t view Cato as “conservative”?
Last sentence incomplete–
Given that the Cato Institute doesn’t view providing a path to citizenship for the umpteen million undocumented immigrants here negatively, I guess you don’t consider Cato as “conservative”?
I thought Marcus Kelley gave a reasonable and fair commentary, summarizing his take on the primary, giving readers plenty to think about and discuss as November draws near.
I gather he was looking to stimulate normal discussion, not to unwarranted and nasty personalizing attacks.
So Mr. McCain,
You really want to win? Get one issue correct:the one more important than any other.
Explain why our border keeps bleeding, why terrorism and Islamists train here. Explain why there’s Soros’ money flowing and drowning regular citizens as you’re wandering around discussing yesterday’s news.
Get some of that liquor money that flows all over the place, and put it where it matters. Why do terrorists train at our airports right here in this county? What is the relationship between Mexican drug cartels and Islamic fundamentalism?
The desire for world order is overwhelming the true elephant in the living room. This is not about right or left any more… this is in the center of everything.
Are mexican drug thugs moving in, getting support from a majority of local media with their amnesty crap?
Is there a HUGE pile of cash here from the ultra-left, encouraging the drug running? Why the hell are school districts going broke and begging for more taxes, now sending teachers to China and teaching Mandarin in elementary schools? Who pays for that?
I put forth that we’ve an internationally planned and coordinated banking hold of Mexico, their oil, the resources controlled by crime, all covered up in jihadist Islam.
But then, I can’t investigate or write much as McCain, Glad Lads, and the dweeb patrol gotta light my home on fire. You know, just in case a group of local moms decides to overthrow the PTA or heaven forbid, question his validity as a real leader.
This isn’t some flippin spy novel either…
Someone do some journalism there in the republican party as I’m certain the democrats are corrupt.
You REALLY want to win? Do your homework and quit attacking those that want to beleive in you. Follow the obvious problem and quit kissing the behinds of mexican drug money spilling all over this state.
- Still Just a Mom
I still can’t spell but then I’m not into the whole ABC thing anyway…
John,
You show either that you didn’t read my post or an amazing lack of reading comprehension. Please, cite to me one sentence I wrote in my article where I state conservatives SHOULD abandon the Republican nominees or where I encouraghe them to do so. If you go back and actually bother to read or comprehend my post, you should discern that the post is predictive. I give you my view of what conservative Republican voters MIGHT do between now and the election.
The analysis by Marcus is on the mark. As he noted, Conservatives did poach a couple moderate seats so all is not lost in the Tea Party movement.
On a grander scale Arizona is shifting left. This was the Republican primary where the water is warm and the people are friendly. If there was ever a time in history for constitutional conservatives to take back the party, this was it.
Now comes the frigid cold ocean waters of the general election where folks aren’t as kind. The RINOs and moderate Republicans are the least of Tea Party worries going forward.
I suspect that we will lose seats in November as some of our weak and wounded candidates are exposed.
People are losing the perspective of time in all this. In the 2008 county and state GOP leadership elections the party was split 50/50 moderate/conservative. Since it takes about 1-2 years to recruit, vet, groom and roll out candidates, the people in the 2010 primary were the product of the 2008 GOP party. It is no surprise to me that stronger conservative candidates were not running or that the moderate establishment candidates that ran had access to better infrastructure for their support. The Tea Party movement is in its infancy, just over a year old, and came late into the game of the 2010 elections. While the precinct committeeman project has packed the PC slots in the GOP with TP conservatives, the leadership and party structure is still controlled by those elected in 2008. There will be a hard right turn in the 2010/11 GOP leadership election. That will position conservatives to recruit candidates for 2012. So, I’m not surprised with the results. When you come late to the party you don’t have much choice on whom to dance with or time to win the competition. I’m looking forward to 2012 for which we will have what we need to get things done.
McCain victory highlights a number of problems, IMO. Obviously 1 being money. McCain had seemingly endless supply of it, and came out early and hard, and before JD could even speak up, McCain had virtualy painted him as a prison roomate of Abramoff
Secondly, I think McCain’s wins show that either AZ has become very liberal, or, people vote for who ever damages his opponent the most in commercials and “reinvents” him/her self best. If that is the case – wait till the Democrat war chest comes to town!
Lastly, while I think JD’s campaign at the beginning was quite lackluster and allowed McCain to paint him into a corner – the grassroots activism of the Tea Partiers was, honestly, rather dismal and disappointing. Seems primaries in August in AZ keeps everyone in their air conditioned houses. While JD picked up the endorsement of the majority of the Tea Party groups – it came too late and really, I think, amounted to very little. JD needed armies of volunteers canvasing neighborhoods and on the phones to get his message out to overcome the McCain money machine.
John Said on August 25th, 2010 at 9:46 pm
“The sheer hypocrisy of this site never ceases to amaze. Perhaps Marcus, Shane and others should take a short break from blogging and come to terms with the fact that their candidates failed to connect with the majority of Republican voters.”
John, First, ONLY 25% turned out to vote. Second, after McCain “encouraged” Martin and Mills to get out of the Governor’s race, there was much less motivation to turn out. McCain’s very negative and dishonest ad campaign works to drive down the turnout; aking sure there was not as high as 30+% turnout.
Stephen,
For those of us who have been around for awhile we have seen it all before.
See Exhibit A. Ron Paul supporters. Two years ago the Paulies infiltrated district meetings with cameras and plans for a take over. Once the November elections were over and their guy lost, the the majority of the minions stayed home during the district organizational elections. The leaders cried “charge” and the soldiers were nowhere to be found.
Same will happen with the Tea Party. I believe you will be there, just not a many others. Apathy is a deadly political disease.
Let’s assume for arguments sake you are right. Simply fielding ultra rightwing conservatives in the 2012 primaries will not guarantee victory in the general. You will turn Arizona blue for your efforts. Think it through.
Trust me, there will be a change in January.
“primaries in August in AZ keeps everyone in their air conditioned houses. While JD picked up the endorsement of the majority of the Tea Party groups – it came too late and really, I think, amounted to very little. JD needed armies of volunteers canvasing neighborhoods and on the phones to get his message out to overcome the McCain money machine”
It’s easy to motivate the posters and readers of sites like SA – we are the conservative zealots. The point is that 75 percent of registered voters stayed home. Conservatives need candidates that mobilize the general population, otherwise our country goes nowhere. Southern Arizona needs Giffords and Grijalva out – no more boycots, mo more Pelosi, Reid and Obama votes.
Money is critical, but so is character, message and supporters hitting the phones and pounding the pavement.
“# DSW Says:
August 25th, 2010 at 8:14 pm
LD17,
Try Googling the words: Arizona Political Consulting and tell me where my website falls out of 309,000 results. That’s all that matters for the moment.”
———–
Shane. Read my post. It concerns Marcus, not you.
“Oh and btw, I have your IP and contact info. Consider me omnipotent and in your case, “exceeding in grace.””
————
I don’t do well with threats. Ban me and my IP address for all I care. It’s your blog and you have that right. I have not been any more or less abusive than your usual bunch of knucklehead posters.
The fact of the matter remains that, with the exception of perhaps TWO candidates, all of the candidates YOU supported lost. And, I may add, your idea of “support” revolves around printing every lie, slur and outrageous allegation you can muster.
Lots of good comments here. This one by Oberserve resonated with me:
“The end result of this will be that more traditional and conservative Republicans will be driven out of the party and feel compelled to become independent voters out of continuing and now increasing disillusionment.”
“Out of the party.” What does “in the party” mean? My guess is Oberserve is referring to those “traditional and conservative Republicans” who are merely registered as Republicans but have never actually been “in” the party as precinct committeemen. Never been to a legislative district committee meeting. Don’t even know what a precinct committeeman is (believe me, in my efforts to recruit conservative Republicans to become precinct committeemen, I’ve met many, many good, decent conservative Republicans, of all ages, who haven’t a clue about how party politics work — indeed, if I had a nickel for every time I was asked, “What’s a precinct committeeman?” I’d be rich man).
If conservative Republicans want to strengthen the Republican Party by making it more conservative, then they have to become precinct committeemen and drag every conservative they know with them to their legislative district committee meetings to find out how to become a PC and then follow through and become one. So you can vote for the Party leadership and vote to endorse candidates in the primaries. The Maricopa County GOP committee voted to endorse Bill Montgomery over Rick Romley. Did it help Montgomery? I think so.
Imagine if conservative majorities in the PC ranks existed in all 30 legislative districts. They all could have voted to endorse J.D. Hayworth (assuming the bylaws allow for it — some do not). Conservative majorities in the LDs would translate into conservative majorities on the county committees. Imagine if all the county committees had endorsed J.D. (Maricopa County’s committee had the votes, barely, to endorse Montgomery, but not enough, apparently, to endorse J.D.).
Anyone want to guess whether J.D. would have fared better against McCain if he would have been able to say, early on in the race, “I’ve been endorsed by every Republican county and legislative district committee that allows its members to endorse candidates in primary races.”?
Conservatives, if you really want to change the Republican Party, get inside it. Become a precinct committeeman. NOW!
Do a Google search for precinct committeeman project and you’ll find plenty of information about how to do it.
P.S.
According to the Maricopa County Recorder’s documents, we’ve gone from 1,989 elected PCs in 2008 to 3,393 in 2010. So, we’ve gone from having 31.8 per cent of our PC slots filled to 57.6 per cent. In LD 17, we’ve gon from having 69 elected PCs to 130 elected PCs. Will these gains translate into the election of more conservative leaders within the Party? Only if most of the new PCs are conservatives (I think they are) and if conservatives step forward to run for the leadership slots. Time will tell.
@ Cold Warrior #33,
“driven out of the party” = registering independent.
I agree with you entirely about getting more involved if you want to create change. However, those who have never been involved, rather than becoming more involved are becoming increasingly disillusioned.
You and I both know what the increasing number of PCs really means – it means that the McCain vs. conservatives fight is only heating up.
But to #31′s point, who cares if it’s heating up when “conservatives” are becoming independent and the RINO voters are the ones coming out to vote. Case in point: McCain’s victory in the primary.
I think Cold Warrior is right about how to make the party more conservative, but wrong about how to grow the actual power of conservatism. If conservatives “take over” the structure of the party, they accomplish very little. In fact if every PC and LD chairman was a hard-core conservative, the party (at least in AZ) would still be completely irrelevant. It’s quite easy to win elections without them. Just ask McCain.
Actually, conservatism or social movements usually grow through things like media, education, business, and entertainment. Even blogs. But mostly the public’s political views are formed by examples of intellectual leadership and heroic action. Through those who set an example of courage, consistency, and do so publicly.
Preview,
Respectfully, I believe you are wrong about the party structure being irrelevant…at least at the district level. I wouldn’t give you a dime for many state parties or the national party. If we were able to fill every PC seat in the districts with conservatives, it would be a formidable voting block that could conceivably weed out moderate or liberal candidates. Also, if we had nothing but conservative PCs picking only conservative nomiees to County Supervisors to fill empty seats, the Supervisors would HAVE to choose a conservative. They chose nothing but moderates to fill the seats of Waring, Crump and Gorman. So, there ARE benefits to being involved in the party. If there weren’t, I would have left long ago. As I have stated, I’ve stayed in the party and worked to change it from the inside because I believe there’s hope for the party, the state, and this nation if conservatives gain power.
nightcrawler,
“For those of us who have been around for awhile we have seen it all before.”
Reagan gave his “bold colors” speech at CPAC on 3/1/75 and went on to lose the presidental primary to moderate Ford in 1976. 4 years later with a more conservative party to back him he wins the nomination and then the general election in a landslide. Conservative platform Republicans win. It’s that simple. It takes a conservative party organzation to make that happen. That is the mission in the 2010 party elections. Takeover.
For those that think that conservatives/TPs have be ineffective in the 2010 primaries ask Crist in Florida, Bennet in Utah, Norton in Colorado, Grayson in Kentucky, Lowden in Nevada and, God willing, Murkowski in Alaska. That would be 2 sitting Senators brought down in contested primaries and 6 constitutional conservatives headed into the general. Not bad for organziations that are barely one year old. You can also chalk up conservative TP wins with Haley in SC and LaPage in ME.
Kohut is helping make my point. Teapartiers have no party, no structure, no bylaws, etc. and they are considered pretty effective. I think conservatives are effective just as tea partiers are effective, but I think the party is not.
Marcus, no district party can prevent someone from gathering signatures and raising money and running and winning. We have primaries for a purpose, and it’s not to decide who the chairman is going to back in a primary. There is very little weeding out done, perhaps D6 is a good example.
My point is that the party PCs are not the PARTY. The party is made up of voting Republicans, and most voting Republicans have no idea and don’t care about their local district leaders and their meetings.
So, if McCain spent $21 million to defeat $3 million JD Hayworth, what does that say about McCain’s financial brilliance? He sure spends other people’s money like a Democrat.
How much money does McCain have now to run against the Democrat, or have the Dems figured they already have the seat with McCain?
Money couldn’t be pouring in, since a chunk of money in the millions was sitting around squirreled away from the presidential campaign, meant specifically to be used against Obama.
Did budget on a string JD Hayworth actually run the mega$$$ behemouth McCain war chest into the red?
It’s one of those peculiar match-ups. If Hayworth was no bigga political deal, how come $21 million was required to match Hayworth’s $3 million?
57 States:
You’re analysis hit a major point, i.e. the lack of professionalism and sophisticaton that plagues Arizona’s Conservaive movements.
It’s time for some well needed, constructive introspection regarding future campaigning.
Two major changes are propelling Arizona to the political left.
The first lies in demographics. The tidal wave of both legal and illegal immigration has produced a sizeable hostile voting bloc, insofar as NO first gerneration voters have ever cast their support for political parties advocating “small government” throughout American history.
And you can be sure there will be amnesty to cement a liberal hegemoney. See Simpson-Mazzoli and California.
The second item lies in a rather controversial area within the Republican Party, i.e. the liberalization of the “sactified” private sector, business community.
Being a tourist state, it’s no secret that the huge sector of our business community which serevices this area, personified by the State Chamber of Commerce is wedded to an Open Borders status-quo in one guise or another.
Also the legislation allowing out of state banking to come to Arizona in the mid 80′s didn’t help either.
Outfits like Chase, CitiBank and BankofAmerica brought their political tendencies, loyalties and ideology with them along with a guaranteed mampaign load for the “right” type of “moderate” Republican. John McCain is the “poster boy” for both these elements and Jon Kyl has jumped on board also, but in a quieter manner!
And until, the 2008 bust, the building industry was also throwing its weight behind the “Banana Republican” bandwagon, for the same reason as the fast food barons.
Any successful conservative counter movement must take these realities in mind while devising potential strategies and alliances.
Drat!
I meant to say “your” rather than “you’re”
in my first sentence!
Mea Culpa!
Preview,
FYI, many of us “tea parties” did it as GOP PCs using voter vault, walking lists, etc.
My point and I think CW’s point is that with control of the party the conservative PCs can recruit, vet, and support the candidates they want with effective GOTV feet on the ground. If you were a moderate considering a run for office would you spend the time and money to do it if knew you were going to run against a conservative candidate recruited and backed by organized conservative PCs with an effective caucus and leadership? You would start of 25 yards behind in a 100 yard race.
I am in partial agreement with the article. I am however highly disappointed in unprincipled people that vote party lines without regard to real investigations.
Jan Brewer and John McCain are both progressives and we all know it, this proves several things:
1. Most Republicans are sheep and clueless of the facts.
2. Arizona isn’t sincere about restoring the republic, protecting the Bill of Rights or the Constitution.
3. The Az GOP is so corrupt the real Constitutionalist (not neo Conservatives) are leaving the party in droves. You’ve seen the numbers!
4. Many have lost faith in the entire system and just refuse to vote or participate and no longer settle for the lesser of two evils.
I do wish the AZ GOP was principled and more people were active PC’s, attendance is down again at meetings because very little is addressed and those in power are seen as RINO’s.
Be ready to fight against National ID and the UN Arizona.
I sincerely hope most Tea Party folks are Independents and Libertarians and kick every progressive they can out of Az and elect some Constitutionalist with enough fortitude to actually enforce the 10th Amendment.
I highly recommend reading some of the links and doing your own research.
http://illegalprotest.com/2010/08/01/governor-jan-brewer-supports-amnesty-for-illegal-aliens-say-it-isnt-so-jan/
http://www.wnd.com/?pageId=56177
http://www.aipnews.com/talk/forums/thread-view.asp?tid=16411
http://www.truth-out.org/are-arizonas-political-leaders-deliberately-blocking-electronic-voting-machine-transparency62569
http://www.amazon.com/Hamiltons-Curse-Jeffersons-Revolution—Americans/dp/0307382850/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1282574091&sr=1-1#reader_0307382850
What will happen when all the retired folks that watch Fox news dies off and with it the GOP?
My heart is broken for Arizona and this beautiful country.
http://www.thedailybeast.com/blogs-and-stories/2010-08-26/meghan-mccain-on-john-mccains-primary-victory?cid=hp:mainpromo9
Here’s Meghan McCain lecturing all of us on how her dad wasn’t negative, and how he hasn’t changed at all. Get your wastebasket close, so you won’t stain your floor when you throw up.
Telling how Meghan’s gigs are all a result of her father’s influence and connections an overwhelming Liberal Left media sector, not because she’s earned anything by erudite and comprehensive analysis. Gah. That’d be ‘work.’ Like so icky.
Don’t even want to know what her education was in, because none has been detected.
Sure whatever it was, it cost a lot, though.
But, that’s today’s worthless media – all flattering, pandering and promotion of the “select.”
I think we can all agree that Meghan McCain should just shut the hell up.
@46 wanumba,
M. McCain went to Columbia U in NYC.
@41 carlist,
you said
“And you can be sure there will be amnesty to cement a liberal hegemoney. See Simpson-Mazzoli and California.”
What about
2005 McCain/Kennedy Amnesty
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Secure_America_and_Orderly_Immigration_Act_(S._1033)
OR
2005 Kyl/Conryn Amnesty
the Comprehensive Enforcement and Immigration Reform Act of 2005 (S. 1438), a bill proposed in July 2005 by Senators John Cornyn and Jon Kyl, sometimes referred to as the “Cornyn-Kyl Bill”
hmmm???????
And now we have Jan SB1070 BREWER supporting amnesty publicly in the press.
Wonder who SHES working for?
Do Arizona citizens not see the progressive RINO’s in our midst with all these facts?
The rest of the country was looking to us to show them we were not going to elect these type of “Congress Critters” to represent us?
Who cares about Meghan? She is a distraction and another Paris Hilton socialite.
What have WE done?
These Senators, Representatives and so called Conservative Governor does not represent me!
I don’t think they’re working for the common man, just their own elite agenda.
………………
Oberserve Says:
August 26th, 2010 at 5:41 pm
@46 wanumba,
M. McCain went to Columbia U in NYC
………………..
Like I said: Expensive zip. It shows.
DryHeatDemocrat Says:
August 26th, 2010 at 4:48 pm
I think we can all agree that Meghan McCain should just shut the hell up
………
heh. Don’t have TV so the only time we hear about her is forums like this or at HotAIR when Allahpundit has some stupid The VIEW clip he needs to use to illustrate smug ignorance.