They fear retaliation from Obamacrats and Chet Edwards loyalists
Come day; go day.
Wish in me heart it was Sunday.
Drinkin' buttermilk through the week,
whiskey on a Sunday. - The Irish Rovers, ca. 1968
Now well within the 60-day cutoff period prior to a general election, McLennan Blue Collar Republicans decided they will not endorse individual GOP candidates.
Instead, they adopted a policy of either pulling a straight GOP ticket, or skipping certain races in which an undesirable Republican candidate is competing.
Meeting in the smoking room at Cricket's on Heritage Square in Waco, they held a spirited debate on the subject after voting a resolution to take this interesting new tack.
It is thought to work curiously well to send a message to the County and State Party apparatchik.
“When you go in that voting booth and draw that curtain, it's between you and God what you do,” said Toby Marie Walker, Waco Tea Party co-founder and conservative activist. “You either vote a straight Republican ticket, or you skip certain races.”
By “skipping” certain races, she explained, savvy GOP operatives can look at such research resources as “Vote Vault” and tell that entire blocs of conservative voters in certain precincts just totally withdrew their support for certain candidates fielded by the GOP.
The notion of endorsing a certain candidate could result in a $10,000 fine under the terms of the McCain – Feingold Campaign Finance Act of 2002, said Ms. Walker.
Opposed by former Blue Collar Club President Randy Gates in an protracted argument in which neither could get a word in edgewise, she persuaded the small, informal club to forego even giving certain candidates a 4-star Michelin Tourist Guide style of rating.
“Do you have the $10,000 to spare?” she asked.
Michael Simon, another Tea Party co-founder, and club president Bobby Keith both agreed and the highly effective unit of political operatives remained steadfast that they were not going to endorse any candidates outside the GOP fold, nor will they risk retaliation from liberal operatives who espouse the policies of President Barack Obama and 10-term veteran Democratic District 17 U.S. Representative Chet Edwards.
Come day; go day.
Wish in me heart it was Sunday.
Drinkin' buttermilk through the week,
whiskey on a Sunday. - The Irish Rovers, ca. 1968
Now well within the 60-day cutoff period prior to a general election, McLennan Blue Collar Republicans decided they will not endorse individual GOP candidates.
Instead, they adopted a policy of either pulling a straight GOP ticket, or skipping certain races in which an undesirable Republican candidate is competing.
Meeting in the smoking room at Cricket's on Heritage Square in Waco, they held a spirited debate on the subject after voting a resolution to take this interesting new tack.
It is thought to work curiously well to send a message to the County and State Party apparatchik.
“When you go in that voting booth and draw that curtain, it's between you and God what you do,” said Toby Marie Walker, Waco Tea Party co-founder and conservative activist. “You either vote a straight Republican ticket, or you skip certain races.”
By “skipping” certain races, she explained, savvy GOP operatives can look at such research resources as “Vote Vault” and tell that entire blocs of conservative voters in certain precincts just totally withdrew their support for certain candidates fielded by the GOP.
The notion of endorsing a certain candidate could result in a $10,000 fine under the terms of the McCain – Feingold Campaign Finance Act of 2002, said Ms. Walker.
Opposed by former Blue Collar Club President Randy Gates in an protracted argument in which neither could get a word in edgewise, she persuaded the small, informal club to forego even giving certain candidates a 4-star Michelin Tourist Guide style of rating.
“Do you have the $10,000 to spare?” she asked.
Michael Simon, another Tea Party co-founder, and club president Bobby Keith both agreed and the highly effective unit of political operatives remained steadfast that they were not going to endorse any candidates outside the GOP fold, nor will they risk retaliation from liberal operatives who espouse the policies of President Barack Obama and 10-term veteran Democratic District 17 U.S. Representative Chet Edwards.
It should be made clear that the retaliation of liberal operatives here is finding groups who break the law and fining them. The Blue Collar Club is fortunate to have people who have looked at election law and know this fact. Other groups may not know this.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Lisa. The "straight ticket or skip" approach is a fascinating development in the GOP, just another element in an unfolding drama. I think Tea Party and club politics this year are the most refreshing thing I've seen in a 40-year career of covering political elections. Thank you for reading and commenting on this story.
ReplyDeleteThe Legendary