Another Macaca Moment?… Why Did GOP Pick George Allen in Virginia?
Posted by Jim Hoft on Wednesday, May 23, 2012, 6:02 AM
Did the GOP pick another Lugar?
George Allen, former Virginia Governor, is currently tied in the polls with Tim Kaine. One would think that the establishment GOP in Virginia would have picked someone with less baggage during such a critical election cycle.
Baggage? You’re probably thinking about macaca.
The macaca moment was a verbal gaff that derailed Allen. Republicans feel like it was a made-up problem and are eager to have Allen come back.
Looking at Allen’s record, one wonders why. That’s where the real macaca sits.
Consider:
George Allen is about as conservative as Dick Lugar. In fact, in 2002, Dick Lugar was more conservative than George Allen.
As the head of the NRSC, George Allen called for “all hands on deck” to defeat Pat Toomey.
Allen voted to increase spending over and over.
Allen has waffled on ethanol subsidies.
George Allen is a George W. Bush Republican and really hasn’t backed off his big government stances even in the face of crushing deficits.
He is a big government Republican–and one lacking courage, at that. He hasn’t committed to supporting any conservative budget including the Ryan Plan.
And even running a “moderate” campaign, the kind of campaign the GOP seems so keen on running, George Allen is still tied with Tim Kaine.
So why did the Republican party of Virginia decide to run George Allen? After multiple failures across the country — guys like Charlie Crist, Bob Bennett, and Dick Lugar — why isn’t the Republican party looking for better candidates?
The GOP has had an uneasy relationship with the Tea Party. The Tea Party has infused the GOP with grassroots enthusiasm and the tough work to get people in office.
And still, the GOP puts up moderate to liberal Republicans that beg for a primary challenge because Republicans want a candidate who actually fight for the Republican party planks.
In Virginia, Jamie Radtke, a Tea Party founder, is running against George Allen. She is worth a second look.
George Allen has many powerful friends in Washington, D.C.
Jamie Radtke is friends with constitutional principles and the GOP platform.
There is another primary debate this Friday in Virginia. It will be interesting to see how Allen answers for his record.
No matter the outcome, it’s discouraging that the Republican powers that be still choose such bad candidates. They still haven’t learned the lessons of 2006, 2008, and the tsunami election of 2010.
Here’s a clip from the last Virginia debate:
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CT commented:
Excuse me did I miss the part where Jamie Radtke stated what she stands for or did I only hear what she stands against? Seems like a sure way to elect Tim Kaine by a landside.
bg commented:
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uhm, that “baggage” was Democrap foisted, was it not??
that aside,
“While brave young Virginia men and women are risking their lives to fight
terrorists in Iraq and Afghanistan, Connolly, Moran and Kaine are yucking
it up with them and slapping each other on the back over at the Marriott”
and bit more of much more here..
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Anne Carr commented:
We’ll see after the upcoming primary but as a VA resident I agree. Allen is an affable guy but doesn’t seem to have the belief we are facing an existential threat to our nation.
Gary commented:
Virginia is a battleground state for sure.
We have a huge lib population concentrated in the north, and then a mainly conservative population spread out all over the state.
I used to be a member of the Republican party here locally, but I quit because of they way they do things (namely, stuff like this). They’re very dismissive of tea party candidates or real conservatives.
bg commented:
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just an fyi:
ACU PAC Endorses George Allen for U.S. Senate
[“George Allen is the clear choice for conservatives who want to
win in Virginia this November. George Allen’s lifetime American
Conservative Union rating of 93 while serving in the Congress
shows a consistent commitment to conservative principles on a
wide range of issues.
In 2006, George Allen was one of only 35 Senators in a Republican
dominated Senate to vote for a rules change that would have made
it harder to increase federal spending each year. He later was one
of only 41 Senators to vote for an amendment that would have
forced Senators to disclose the earmarks they proposed.]
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Bill G. commented:
Radtke’s polling in the SINGLE digits and has done everything in her power to tear down George Allen without boosting herself or even taking aim at Tim Kaine. Her scorched earth strategy of “if I can’t have it no one will” is in stark contrast to the very solid, positive, anti-establishment campaigns of E.W. Jackson and Bob Marshall, both of whom deserve a second look a lot more than Radtke.
ACU, NRA, Mark Levin, Sean Hannity, Sen. Ron Johnson have all endorsed Allen over Radtke. And she’s lashed out at each as “establishment hacks” and questions their Conservative credentials. That’s not leadership. That’s not the kind of talk that can win in November.
Check out Jackson and Marshall. Or give Allen another go. But Radtke’s baggage on her own.
Heck, her only support in the state is from DEMOCRATS:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D-1RAjxnO1Y&feature=youtu.be
Bill G. commented:
Other establishment candidates in Virginia: Morgan Griffith, Robert Hurt, Scott Rigell, Bob McDonnell, etc…
Bill G. commented:
All that said, the GOP has not picked George Allen. There is a Primary for a reason. And he’s polling in the mid 60s.
bg commented:
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re: #3 May 23, 2012 at 10:19 am bg
re: Kaine
He noted that the three politicians’ campaign war chests are
heavily funded by radical Islamists who support the mosque.
“Look at their Federal Election Commission reports,” Lafferty said. “These
spineless politicians are owned and operated by the radical Islamists and
their sinister front groups.”
oh yeah, btw, thought we were going to go after the
“opposition”, ie: Romney vs “Obama”, not our own??
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valerie commented:
There are elements of the Republican party that are pea-green with envy because the Democrats took all the government money for their contributors. They are going to want to pull the same stunt, namely another enormous flow of government funds to rich, white (Republican, this time) contributors.
The TEA Partiers are not interested in doing this. It’s all about what they plan to do with the money.
Remember what happened to the Reagan budget? The Repubs managed to cut taxes, but they were, according to David Stockman, like pigs feeding at the trough when it came to spending, just like the Democrats who had been thrown out. That was the problem with the Reagan budget.
The TEA Parties are about fiscal conservatism. With the Republican party, it ain’t necessarily so.
Blacque Jacques Shellacque commented:
One would think that the establishment GOP in Virginia would have…
There’s your explanation right there.
Side note: I had stopped at a Jack in the Box for breakfast this morning and one of the TVs was tuned to CNN. At the bottom of the screen it said “Palin endorses Hatch in UT” or something to that effect.
Very, very disappointing to say the least.
Sue Sherrill commented:
Bill G. has got to be a shill for George Allen. Anyone who would say: Vote for one of these other two challengers rather than the one most likely to win has got to be trying to throw the election to Allen or defy the laws of MATHEMATICS! Jamie is known here. She has been visiting our area since the Tea Party began! She even sang God Bless America at one of our gatherings when there was no time for her to speak! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O4-6V9jx97g She has been involved in the issues in our area (the Middle Peninsula) the ONLY political signs here are for Jamie Radtke. She’s definitely the challenger with the support and enthusiam!
SnowSoul commented:
I seem to recall Jamie Radtke coming off as a drunk at a Redstate Gathering. George Allen may suck, but at least he’s not a drunkard.
Bill G. commented:
Jamie isn’t known. She’s polling in the single digits behind Allen and Marshall, who doubles up on her. And Jackson is only a couple points behind her. Marshall has a solid record defending the Constitution and Jackson gives a heck of a stump speech and really makes an impact in the race. Heck, I look forward to hearing more out of Jackson and he’d be GREAT against Tim Kaine now through November. And NEITHER have spent the Primary boo-hooing about how “the establishment” is out to get them and lashing out at the very elements they’ll need if they hope to win in November should they win the nomination.
These guys act like they’ve been there.
Mike B commented:
Seems like Jamie Radtke, running for the US Senate race, is opening many Virginia voters eyes in the last debate against George Allen……George’s debating skills seems to have gone into a coma and just repeats the same ole Washington answers……Jamie has impressed me and many others by the fresh conservative message she brings….
bg commented:
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re: Bill G. #9 May 23, 2012 at 10:46 am
ACU – Virginia
Bob McDonnell..
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Garry commented:
@SnowSoul: You do not know Jamie or what you are talking about. Your transparent, useless, baseless, void of substance comment is like calling Obama a constitutional conservative. For everyone else, Allen has had too many chances to make the right choices for this country. How many more opportunies do you want to give him? I think we’re too close to the precipice to say “sure, give it another go, we’ve got time to repair the damages.” What Jamie stands for is out there. You just can’t take what the press wants you to see. Using that as your only source is like voting for who others want you to vote for. That’s what’s gotten us into this mess we’re in. Unlike Allen, Jamie has a strong backbone and the values we need in D.C.
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