Note to AL GOP: Make up your mind
So a few months ago the Alabama Republican Party created a new position – a Director of Minority Outreach. That subtly named position was birthed to, you guessed it, reach out to minority voters. The thought process is that the party has flatly ignored minority voters for quite some time (they have), just taking it for granted they will vote straight ticket Democrat regardless of Republican overtures. Presumably the symbolism of beginning a minority outreach program indicated that those days were over. Except they aren’t.
Here’s what Mike Hubbard, head of the AL GOP, had to say about SD-7:
Hubbard said the District 7 lines were originally “drawn to be Democratic.” He said he would be “ecstatic” if Sanford wins, but conceded that the demographics of the district don’t favor the GOP. He said nearly one-third of the voters in the district are black.
Nope, can’t win that one. Too many dark folks.
It’s not hard to imagine why minorities wouldn’t be inclined to vote for Republicans. I know, maybe they plan on reaching out starting next year.
I get the feeling that the AL GOP is already downplaying the significance of SD-7, fearing that yet another special election loss would reflect poorly on their 2010 aspirations. I’m going to tell you right now, I don’t care how much they try to downplay this race. If they can’t win this then their 2010 plan is over. Done. Ball it up and get out a clean sheet. This race features a double dipping Democrat legislator who voted for the 62% pay raise and has minimal accomplishments in a decade and a half of time in the House (part of the plan is to rail against the long term Democrat control). The Republican candidate is running a campaign based on integrity, ethics, and sound policy positions. This is a microcsm of the whole 2010 campaign. If they can’t win this race then they are in a bind next year. No excuses. No whining about black folks. Just change your 2010 plan to running a bunch of candidates who are going to promise more pork than the other guy.
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GET. OUT. OF. MY HEAD!
I prefer to tell them to shut the hell up…
http://www.theattackmachine.com/diary/436/show-notes-68-dear-algop-shut-up-thanks-dear-huntsville-times-you-suck
STOP TALKING.
Brian, I agree with your comments. The AL GOP’s Campaign 2010 is off to a lackluster start. That really saddens me as it sounded very promising in theory. They do need to win this one tomorrow – especially given what happened in SD 22. Their thinking may be that they don’t want to expend all of their money on these special elections and have nothing for the 2010 cycle. This might well be a valid point since contributions will be way down due to the economy – except those from the usual suspects. In my opinion, they should spend all they have to win these special elections and leave nothing on the field as it were. If successful, then winning the two special elections would have validated that the program works and perhaps stimulate more contributions to fatten the 2010 war chest. But an early string of defeats would, I fear, have the opposite effect on contributions and demoralize the rank and file. We will see.
*sigh*
The problem that Conservatives face in the SD-7 election, 2010 and 2012 is being Conservative. We need candidates that will stand up and articulate what it means to be a Conservative, what Conservative principles and why Conservatism works every single time it’s tried.
For the past four years there has been NO Conservative leadership in Washington, much less in Montgomery. Riley acts more like a Democrat with each passing day. So-called Republicans both on the State and Federal level have acted like Democrats.
Doesn’t everyone complain that we have a two party system? I don’t think that’s the case anymore. I think we have a one party system, evident in the fact that Conservatives everywhere say tongue-in-cheek that they voted for “the other Democrat” in the last Presidential election.
I tell you what it’s going to take. It’s going to take someone with enough cash or the charisma to raise cash coming out of a grassroots movement like the Tea Parties to say “Enough is enough!” I’m talking about one of the faceless Americans who go to work every day and make the country work. Hell, I might get so pissed I might throw my hat into the ring…just as soon as I make enough rich friends to fuel the campaign. ;)
btw, I wrote a piece on the SD-7 election last night. Hope this one goes in favor of Conservatism, but I have to say, driving around the community, I saw many more Laura Hall signs then I did Sanford sings. In fact, I only saw one Sanford sign Thursday. I could probably count on both hands the number of signs I saw Saturday night.
This one is critical and will accurately measure the political temperature here in Huntsville.
Why the “sigh” Junkie?
I’m curious as well. I figured it was because I was so right that it is depressing or so wrong that he didn’t even know where to start!
@Brian So either you’re the smartest guy in the room or the dumbest man on the planet. Sounds like you need an answer fast!
Brian dont know about junkie but its so depressing imo. Like I said before its just one excuse after another from Hubbard. Oh btw the state GOP chairman in Tennessee resigned last week to run for Zach Wamp’s open Congressional seat next year. Robin Smith is her name and she’ll likely win given her success as state chair. After watching Hubbard and the gang do their thing in Cullman last year. I wonder how in the world he managed to get elected to the State House.
The sigh was because it is depressing and I don’t even know where to start.
It’s sad to me, depressing really that Mike would say things that amount to a declaration of defeat so close to an election and a concession of an entire demographic to the other side. It’s pathetic that the party leadership doesn’t think we can win that district. It’s deplorable that the media has thus far refused to make this election a real issue. And it’s utterly disheartening that so many people got involved to up the alcohol % in beer but won’t be bothered to get involved in electing a solid senator.
Boy you guys are depressing. I think we do have an ordinary, go to work every day, American who has stepped up to run – Paul. We need many more. The reason there were more Laura Hall signs out is because we have been getting lots of calls about sign dissappearances. Not acusing any one of anything, but the people whose signs have disappeared are not happy. Thirdly, I think we all agree that to change this country we have to change our states. If we don’t like what the State GOP is doing, then we start with our communinities and work our way up. I believe this race will be really close and winable. The movement with the tea parties was not an anomily(sp), but is an uprising of frustrated people who have finally stepped up to do something. This is the beginning of a change of sentiment and it is starting here. Even if this race goes the other way – we just have to keep working and working harder. By the way – Everyone is invited to the results party tomorrow night at the Heritage Club. Starts at 7:00
WOTHG – I think I speak for both Junkie (correct me if I’m wrong my former colleague) and I, that we are very proud of Paul, the campaign he has run and the man he has shown himself to be. I agree with you that we need more people like Paul running. The irk is caused by the state party trying to concede a race before it’s even run.
Jonathan – no I think you got me wrong. I agree with you about that. My point is, if we are trying to change things – maybe the GOP is not exempt from those changes.
Clarification in changes – i.e. decisions made by “them” – such as “trying to concede a race before it’s even run”
Ok – didn’t want you to think anybody here was disappointed in Paul or his campaign based on the actions of the AL GOP. I agree, if we can get more people like Paul, the “citizen-lawmakers”, involved in the process – that would be a big step towards restoring common sense to government.