Michele St. Pierre (c) 2010
You’ve all heard people say it and you might believe it yourself. “I like Clint Didier, but I have to vote for Dino Rossi, because he is the only one who can beat Patty Murray.” Really?
With stubborn wrongheadedness, mainstream Republicans cling steadfastly to the belief that only the moderate, not really conservative candidate can win, even though it has proven to be a faulty strategy. The same thing, after all, was said about McCain. On blog after blog, on the radio and on Facebook they keep insisting that Rossi is the only one who can win, as if by chanting it in recitation together their cosmic mantra will somehow make it so.
Rossi made the list of Crew’s Crooked Candidates. Granted, this site is run by admitted progressives, but they do list the reasons for his inclusion and they are troubling. Guilt by association with criminals might not be sufficient to convict him in a court of law, but perceptions by voters DO influence elections. If you look at the left’s websites, they have plenty of dirt ready to sling at Rossi. Wouldn’t it be great to have a candidate who is not so tainted?
Rossi’s appearing at a sales event promoting making money off of foreclosures after declaring his candidacy might not be illegal, but it was certainly tasteless given the suffering of so many in this economic downturn. It plays seamlessly into the “sleazy real estate dealings” accusation.
Jumping in at the last minute and not running a real campaign or engaging the other candidates might be perceived as a clever political strategy. In fact I have seen his hiding out referred to as “expert political gamesmanship” and “he only loses if he engages the other candidates in the primary, so why should he do that?”
Only thing is, ducking and hiding might be praised by politicos but it is not well perceived in the general public, who are certainly more than a little tired of politicking over principles and fluff over substance. In fact it has angered a number of hardcore conservatives to the point where they have said the death knell words, “If Rossi wins the primary I will not vote for him at all. I will write in a candidate or I will leave my vote blank.” It wouldn’t take a lot of them to ensure a Rossi loss.
With a growing number of Republicans feeling burned by the Party attitude of “we’ll just ignore our base because we can count on them anyway,” a portion of that base could well just decide to send the Republican Party leadership a message. “Ignore us at your peril and we will punish you. Even if it means sending a Democrat back to Congress, because you have not been listening.”
Then there is the real threat of the Tea Party, which has polled better than Republicans when pitted against them as a potential political party. It is whispered about at Republican meetings and it is the elephant in the room of the Elephant Party. It is openly spoken about at Patriot gatherings and blogged about frequently. If the Republican Party does not give the Patriots real Constitutionalist/Liberty-oriented conservative candidates and show their support for them, in the next election cycle they just might break free and the Grand Old Party would become the irrelevant third party. Something like the Rossi debacle could be the catalyst for a scenario like this.
Washington’s top two primary system adds ease to this switch as candidates, with the flick of a pen, can merely decide to write “Tea Party” as their party rather than “Republican”. A wholesale party defection becomes as simple as a number of disgusted and disgruntled candidates deciding to do just that.
As the Party scrambles to attempt to co-opt and absorb the Tea Party, arrogantly certain that they can control the “rebels” and keep them in the fold, I think they misjudge the depth of the anger of conservative voters. Obama Democrats campaign as Socialists and deliver a Socialist agenda. But moderate/mainstream Republicans campaign as smaller government Constitutional Conservatives and then vote just like the Democrats, ignoring the Party Platform that is desired by their base. In other words, they lie to get in office. This lying is what has created the anger that could force the split.
While this split might not be the “best” political strategy, as it could divide the conservatives, the GOP might go down so fast that the Tea Party (in an ironic twist) could be the ones co-opting the Republicans as conservatives realize that they have no alternative but to vote “Tea Party”. Or the division could cause a split which might ensure that the Socialists finish what they have started and the Republic, as once we knew it, dies forever. Such are the stakes.
Grassroots Patriots working within the Republican Party to stop corruption and get the Party back on track with its constituency have been repeatedly ridiculed and demonized as “extremists” and “whack jobs” even though, in actuality, they are the only ones with a coherent strategy for keeping the conservatives together in one party, working to fix the problems from within, rather than allowing what could be a disastrous split.
In the battle to keep our Constitutional Republic alive, this is the high drama, the defining point, the real crux of the issue, all going on under the media’s radar. While the Republic rests on thin ice, the decisions of relatively small groups of people will actually control the outcome of whether America as envisioned by the Founders survives, or whether it becomes a footnote in history.
Well said, bravo
“If ever a time should come, when vain and aspiring men shall possess the highest seats in Government, our country will stand in need of its experienced patriots to prevent its ruin.” -Samuel Adams
While you make good points about the Tea Party and Rossi being the safe and moderate choice, the fact remains that whoever is going to beat Murray will have to draw 40-45% of the vote in KPS (King, Pierce and Snohomish Counties).
Didier would probably get about 30-35% in these counties so I voted for Akers, who could do better in KPS.
The establishment republican candidate wins primary. Voters replay the reasons they voted Bush policies out, and do the same.
Constitution candidates win, voters may take a chance on rolling back some of these extra-constitutional schemes that are breaking us.
The constitution is better than ANY good ideas.
Michele,
Well done my friend well done. Very timely indeed. Joshua do you have any proof to back up what you’re saying about Clint Didier and how well you seem to think he will do in those three counties? or is this just something you heard from party leaders and insiders. Because I’m puzzled by your actions. Joshua you say didn’t vote for Didier because you don’t think he could get enough votes in those three counties to win. Yet you then turn around and vote for someone who has no chance of winning at all. That just doesn’t make any sense to me.
“The same thing, after all, was said about McCain. On blog after blog, on the radio and on Facebook they keep insisting that Rossi is the only one who can win, as if by chanting it in recitation together their cosmic mantra will somehow make it so.”
That’s because they are paid to do it.
http://www.cybersoc.com/2006/05/behind_netvocat.html
http://blogs.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=blog.view&friendId=59359221&blogId=530083889
Can you actually find more than 2 or three people who say that? I doubt it. But you will never find those thousands saying that only Rossi is electable, because it’s probably only a fraction of that. Some of them might be web scripts, not even real people. The goal is to make everybody think that only Rossi is electable.
It’s like ar15.com days, back during the Ron Paul campaign. There was a 12/7 smear campaign against RP always by the same group of screen names at all hours. The government does not care if some 120 lb college student likes RP, but the guy with the 20 rifles… that makes them lose sleep.
Frankly, the people behind this better hope their masters stay in power a long long time because they need to be brought to justice.
In Snohomish County we received ballots in the mail last Saturday. Today I mailed my ballot, and five others the neighbors asked me to take to the post office for them. All six were votes for Didier. For us, the primary voting is over. I wonder how many others have already cast their votes and mailed their ballots.
The only thing I don’t like about Didier is that he said that if Rossi won the primary, he’d support Rossi in the general election.
I will not vote for Rossi in the event he wins the primary. If Didier does not win the primary, give me a good, straight talking write-in candidate for the general election… please!
Let them lose. Pain has a way of bringing clarity,
unfortunately we all will suffer until they’ve suffered
enough. Should Rossi somehow end up winning the
primary and losing the general that will be immediate pain
and an excellent moment to strike. Should Rossi win it all
then we’ll all suffer over time as we end up watching
another pathetic progressive blow with the wind an
accomplish nothing of significance just like
Slade Gorton I suppose.
Great article Michelle St. Pierre!
1) Rossi cannot gain any more in King and Snohomish counties, but rather less, than he took in the last election… and that was under 37% more or less. Reason: said nothing regarding positions! He has no positions specific to patriot groups, or to the grassroots! He did not speak specifically to either the constitutionally destructive oath breaking actions of the two parties in power, nor to the electorate who are in pain!
2) Didier, being the antithesis of all that, can command a far higher percentage of the electorate in those counties! Part of this reason is that he has answered the call and cries of those sovereign citizens who are being betrayed by the servants they elected.
3) Further, I know not a single patriot of the constitutionally active and aware liberty minded voters, especially those born out of the 2008 awakening, who will vote for either Murray or Rossi… regardless of the outcome of the top two primary.
If this holds true then voting for Rossi in the primary is voting for Murray in a sense.
Why?
Rossi will not realize a large number of theoretical GOP votes which, in the alternative scenario of a Didier or Akers win in the top two primary, would accrue to either of the latter candidates.
4) It is illogical to the point of absurdity to state that one should vote for any particular candidate of the three main GOP, because they ‘can’ defeat Murray!
It makes no difference for the primary, who can defeat Murray. Presumably, the candidate who wins the top two will go against Murray, and likewise have the best shot at defeating her… that goes without saying. That is almost a truism!
Clearly the majority of the people want constitutional change, change from liars to statesmen, from oath takers who are oath breakers, to oath takers who are oath keepers!
If one wishes to defeat Murray only, then it only matters how they vote in the general election!
It is the height of deception and obfuscation to state that a weak candidate, who now trails in the polls, who lacks position, substance and credibility, yet somehow has the mystical power to defeat the darling of the left! Such blather reeks of perfidy, and in the end empowers the very incumbent who deserves to be thrown out.
In fact, it engenders suspicion that rumored promises of a high RNC position, might even take precedence over defeating Murray!?!
So, the most obvious bottom line is: who is the candidate with the most honest, open, correct constitutional positions, who will therefore best serve the people; the candidate who speaks truth, at all, clearly, articulately, constitutionally, precisely, adamantly, boldly, trust-worthily! The candidate without a record of lies, proven willing to sacrifice for life, liberty and property; not a politician!
The question is now entirely rhetorical!
A vote for Didier is a vote for truth though one voted alone. Doing so, you will enjoy the sweetest repose.
Clint Didier, with the exception of the unlikely win of Paul Akers, is the only candidate who will unite the grassroots patriots, the GOP masses, the disaffected independents and many democrats, to throw out all that is repulsive in the political Murrays and Rossis of this age!
Akers shot himself in the foot by his back stabbing of Clint before and after their Town Hall event together. Then the further documentation that the Akers campaign is responsible for much of the trashing of Clint in Comment areas of online newspapers shows his character.
One in-the-know supporter on another Blog describes Akers quote:
“Oh, and did I mention that Paul is a die-hard Republican and party loyalist? :)”
All I can say is, No kidding! Establishment tactics for sure.
God works in mysterious ways.
Joshua Normand,
I’m going to ask you one more time to answer my question about Clint Didier from your previous comments. Do you have any proof to back up what you’re saying about Clint Didier and how well you think he will do in those three counties you cited? Because, you see, the more I think about it the more I realize that you’re probably just a plant from the Akers campaign. (thank you Sharon for helping me to see the light on this)
Unless you’re prepared to back up what you have said with more than empty rhetoric, you have no basis for what you have already said and you need to take your business elsewhere. You people that support Akers if in fact what I have just stated is true you need to ask yourself one thing. Is this really the kind of person you want representing you in D.C?
I am not a plant from the Akers campaign. I have met and heard both Didier and Akers (didn’t meet Rossi).
Here is my point: King, Pierce and Snohomish Counties are the most populous and blue of the counties. In order to win a state-wide election, whoever wins in 10 days, has to do very well in these three counties. I am a little skeptical as to how well Clint would fare in King, Pierce and Snohomish.
I live in the bluest of blue areas (McDermott’s district). I am very impressed with Didier, but think that he would get clobbered in Western Washington.
What percentage of the vote would Didier or Akers need to get in Eastern and Central Washington in order to make up for the deficit that they would have in Western Washington, in your opinion?
Just curious.
Phil, I’m going to give Joshua my two cents and you can let me know what you think please.
Joshua, Clint was on the David Boze show on Friday. David then ran a Poll of who we support in the U.S. Senate. Now, I believe the Boze program comes out of Seattle. In looking at the votes, Clint is running a bit behind Rossi, but here’s my thinking: (oops, now they’re even)
1. Many of Clint’s supporters were listening to the program real time or archived and voted. However, many of these listeners were outside of King County. But the fact remains, all of Clint’s power base in Eastern Washington wasn’t listening and votes not realized in this Poll.
2. At the same time, not all of Rossi voters were listening either. But I understand Boze’s program is popular in that area.
But taking both into consideration, I think Clint shows quite a bit of power in that area.
What say you, Phil? Valid thinking or not?
http://www.mynw.com/?nid=193
Joshua, there is a certain kind of logic behind your projections. But you speak as if from knowledge when, in fact, it is your imagination.
You imagine that the electorate is a spectrum of political beliefs laid out on a left-right continuum so that as a geographical area becomes “Democrat” the candidate that leans the further “left” (or successfully hides his conservatism) will get more votes in that district. You imagine wrong for several reasons.
While there are higher concentrations of true liberals in such areas, the bulk of the electorate remains non-ideological, politically. They are less likely to vote for a Republican who fits media/Democrat stereotypes of “greedy, big business Republicans” than one who actually exudes true conservatism (which they never hear and don’t understand). That is not my imagination, that is fact.
Who did better in King County ~ Ronald Reagan or his more liberal VP George Bush? why? George called it “the vision thing.” The most conservative President of the last 50 years was the biggest vote-getter among Democrats and Independents because he exuded a sincere patriotic vision.
The only candidate left in the race articulating a whole vision for the nation is Clint Didier and it is a populist vision of freedom, of strength and independence and the ideals of America expressed with obvious passion and sincerety. He will win independent votes in liberal areas from the personal factors alone ~ Just as Patty Murray got their votes for being likeable alone, despite her obvious mental shortcomings.
This personal factor is the component missing from the lab-tested, contrived, careful word-parsing that is the heart and soul of men like Rossi.
Akers is also sincere but lacks a political vision. He clearly has an industrial management vision: LEAN, and he thinks it will, somehow, translate into the political realm. But he hasn’t actually done the translation. Paul will adapt. Paul will improve. Paul will, if he sticks with it, become a valuable player. But not by November.
Upcoming Opportunities for King County People to Meet the Candidates (from Didier’s website):
MERCER ISLAND, WA
PICNIC
AUGUST 14, 2010
King Co Republicans Picnic
Homestead Park
Mercer Island
Saturday, Aug. 14, 12:00 NOON
Contact:
anthony@welcher.org
Jwgraham8173@gmail.com
Maybe Rossi will show up at the King County Picnic on Mercer Island!
ENUMCLAW, WA
WASHINGTON FARM BUREAU PICNIC
AUGUST 15, 2010
King-Pierce County Farm Bureau Picnic
Enumclaw’s Farmer’s Park on Hwy 164 (Enumclaw-Auburn Hwy)
right across from Enunclaw Sales Barn
Sunday, Aug. 15, 1:00-3:00 pm
Contact: George 360-825-3194
Sharon,
Yeah I agree, the fact is I have been on record as to how surprised I am at the amount of support Clint is getting in western Washington. It’s much bigger than I thought it would be. Though as I see things now it really doesn’t surprise me at all. I knew Clint’s support in Eastern Washington was enormous but I had know idea it would be as big as it is over here.
Bloomergal
It wouldn’t surprise me if Dino showed up on Mercer. At that point he will probably figure: what does he have to lose?
I think the flaw in the Old Guard GOP strategy that is upsetting their applecart is the Tea Party Dynamic that emerged after the 2008 election cycle.
So many of Clint’s supporters are pissed off Dems and Independents, people who’ve always rejected the Old Guard message and are sick of good little girls like Patty who stand with Obama’s disastrous policies.
Ron Paul’s message reframes the debate, a totally different cup of tea, and one that resonates in these economic times.
Hear Here! Well said Michele. Now if only they would pay attention.
For the first time in my adult voting life, I feel like I have a clear choice in our state elections candidates. I do not feel like my choice is between “the lesser of two evils” this time. The vote I make this August 17 will be for Clint Didier. Yes, it is true that I voted for his opponent before. But, I was told back then that Rossi was the only one that could beat our current governor. (Well, actually, he did beat her the first time…we all know that). And as much as I thought I believed in him then, I was truly disappointed when he didn’t fight for and declare the corruption that went on with that election. I expected a fight. He walked away…. quietly..What will happen when he is presented with a fight to defend the people of Washington once again? I don’t see the fight in him. However, I absolutely feel that if we send Clint Didier to DC –I am confident that he has the fire to stand up to the corruption that is so obviously blatant in that city today. He has a strong moral character and will honestly answer any question that is handed to him. I cant say that for Dino. We asked him questions this last Wednesday in Vancouver…..he sidestepped several. As was stated previously, the media is trying to sway this election and seem to be trying to minimize the only people that have the very convictions they themselves are lacking.
Posted August 8, 2010 by Lynda Wilson
“And as much as I thought I believed in him then, I was truly disappointed when he didn’t fight for and declare the corruption that went on with that election. I expected a fight. He walked away…. quietly..What will happen when he is presented with a fight to defend the people of Washington once again? I don’t see the fight in him.”
From the Saturday, August 07, 2010 edition of The Lewiston Tribune (Lewiston, Idaho).
(on Friday, Rossi) “…. spent 90 minutes talking with five business owners at Roosters Landing restaurant in Clarkston.” (Clarkston, Washington)
“The events were open to “credentialed members of the press and invited guests only.”
“Following the Clarkston event, Rossi said limiting the meetings to invited guests gives him an opportunity to have informal conversations with business owners and learn about their concerns. “I like having a dialogue,” he said. “I don’t need to have Murray flood the meeting (with supporters) and disrupt it.””
If Dino Rossi does not hold open meetings in Clarkston, Washington out of fear that all the Murray supporters in Clarkston will flood the meeting and disrupt it, how do you think Rossi will handle the professional politicians, lobbyists, special interests groups and critical constituents that would show up at his office in Washington, D.C.?
Keep the door to his office closed and locked? A ‘Do Not Disturb’ sign?
To answer your question “What will happen when he is presented with a fight to defend the people of Washington once again?”, what do you think Dino Rossi would do?
Regarding the Clarkston Rossi event, I don’t believe his excuse for a second. I believe he wants to keep the Didier people out of his meetings also.
When Rossi lowered himself to be vetted by We the People last week in Vancouver, there were only his and Didier supporters at the meeting. No Murray people there at all. The Didier supporters were so respectful one wouldn’t have been able to pick them out from the audience except for perhaps some tepid applause at his talking points.
However, since Didier supporters are so informed, I could tell them by the respectful questions asked in the short Q&A citizen time. One citizen asked Rossi about Article 1, Section 8 of the Constitution. Rossi’s face looked confused until the questioner continued regarding abolishing the Dept. of Education. That saved him since he could answer that one immediately with his statement he’s not running on abolishing the Dept. of Ed. The expression on Rossi’s face showed he didn’t have a clue what that Article and Section was all about.
Rossi would be like Murray, both following their Party line and Lobbyists; not listening to all constituents, but just the ones who support their agenda.
Their doors are locked to all others.
To Brian….. Act like he has already…closed the door to those that might have an opposing opinion….or just a different opinion and maybe even the right opinion. He won’t know what opinion….because he might have to take a stand and answer a question. Doesn’t seem like a guy that does well under pressure. Sharon was right…I was there last Wednesday….He avoided a tough question ….well, several questions. And what’s with the Tall Fence and a High Gate answer? Does he or doesn’t he agree with the law that Jan Brewer signed into law? Would he support a similar law here in WA? Good Question.
Lynda, does this sound familiar?
“Q: Immigration reform: Assuming Congress does not act this year, what is your vision for strengthening our borders and dealing with the 12 million undocumented immigrants who are in the U.S. today? Do you favor amnesty? Deportation? A path to citizenship for illegals? What is your take on the Arizona law? Please be specific.”
A: “I understand the frustration that led Arizona to act aggressively. If we had the same violent drug wars seeping over our borders, I would not want others condemning actions we took to protect ourselves in light of the federal government’s failure to secure our borders.
As a Member of Congress I will do everything in my power to strengthen our existing border operations in order to get our borders under control. I do not support amnesty for illegal immigrants, and I don’t believe we can seriously discuss what to do with the people already here illegally until we’ve stemmed the flow of people crossing into our country illegally every day. Whatever it takes, whether it’s a wall, a fence, or new technologies, we must secure our borders.
I support high levels of legal immigration and will work to protect those who want to play by the rules. Our country has a tradition of openness for those who want to come to America and respect the law and I intend to uphold that tradition. Our rich heritage of diverse cultures is part of what makes America great.”
[Jaime Herrera’s answer to The Columbian 7/20/10; http://www.columbian.com/news/2010/jul/20/on-the-issues-immigration-reforms-3rd-district-con/?print%5D
I point this out because it shows how the establishment picked candidates are in lock step with their talking points, especially the second paragraph fitting your points about Rossi’s answer. Note that she never answers her stand on AZ’s law, but like Rossi, steps around it.
Clint Didier has a specific plan how to deal with the whole issue of illegals in our country. Why can’t the establishment candidates do the same?
No wonder Dino can’t answer definitively on the immigration issue. Initiative 1056 addressing Illegal Aliens ultimately failed due to lack of support by the deciders within the Republican Hierarchy who killed the issue.
“…..Even the state Republican Party, which held its convention in Vancouver, Wash., over the weekend, isn’t supporting I-1056.
The measure was included in the “do not pass” packet of resolutions that failed to win party endorsement at the convention.
“There’s a minority of influential people who are uncomfortable with an honest discussion with the immigration issue,” Keller said. “They either want to recruit illegals into the party or they have a business interest in making money from the status quo.”
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2012110918_immigration14m.html
Akers? I don’t think so.. CLINT DIDIER’S PASSION REFLECTS THAT OF THE POLITICAL CLIMATE. WE NEED REAL CHANGE. WE NEED A FIGHTER. CLINT DIDIER IS JUST THAT. HE CAN WIN AND HE WILL WIN…. WRITE IN OR NOT.
If Washington State can do what Kentucky did in nominating and possibly electing Rand Paul, I will be pleasantly surprised.