Monday, January 29th, 2007...5:11 am
Oh, Those Whacky Republicans
A couple of details that filtered back to me about the Republican Convention on Saturday. Lisa James, obvious leftist sell-out, was nominated by fellow Marxist travellers Len Munsil and Trent Franks. I can see why Republicans would reject this oh-so-obvious comiesymp Trojan horse.
Speaking out in favor of winner Randy Pullen: Ron Gould. This was Pullen’s way of reaching out to mainstream Republicans.
A rumor that reached my ears that I’m not quite sure what to do with, but it came from an actual Republican. In the run-up to the convention, Pullen had tried to promise the position of Executive Director to James in an attempt to get her out of the race. How did that actually work, by the way? “Say, me and my supporters think you are part of the problem, but would you like to join my team?” Anyway, the next rumor was that Pullen would bring in alleged ballot stuffer and Don Goldwater ally Phil Mason. Now, a new name has emerged: Randy Graf.
Graf, of course, lives in Tucson and may not actually move to Phoenix. It would seem silly to have a person who is responsible for day to day operations of your office to run them from 120 miles away, but hey, I’m not a Republican, I wouldn’t understand. In any case, a polarizing name like Graf isn’t exactly a way to calm donors already edgy about Pullen’s victory.
8 Comments
January 29th, 2007 at 7:36 am
As far as offering Lisa James the post, I do not believe that was contingent on her withdrawing from the race. It was offered because Lisa would be a top choice for the position, and it would help heal the party in the event of a Pullen victory. In any case, Lisa said “no” which is a shame. It would be great if she could reconsider.
As far as the other list of convenient “bogeymen” conjured by Pullen’s opponents, I don’t buy it. To hear talk, he has promised the position to no less than four individuals, or people are grasping and trying to scare certain delegates. I’ll let the reader apply Occam’s Razor. I can for certain tell you that I have withdrawn my name from consideration
As far as Randy Graf goes, I know there will be a big push to get a Southern Arizona person in the mix somewhere. Look for it to be in the National Committeeman slot rather than the Executive Director if it happens. Randy is not the only qualified applicant in Southern Arizona, however.
January 29th, 2007 at 3:21 pm
Actually, we have heard that Pullen has offered the position of ED to about 6 individuals thus far, and has also promised to open up two other Republican Party offices. The true telling signs will be if he can raise the money to do all of these things.
Rumor as of now, is that the staff over at the Republican party have resigned en masse. This just might be another great election cycle for us after all- we can strike while the iron is hot- and they are extremely disorganized! Pullen is polarizing for sure.
January 29th, 2007 at 7:57 pm
I highly doubt that the entire headquarters have resigned. If so, then good riddance as they weren’t that effective anyway. Is the state GOP in better or worse shape in the last 8 years? How about 4 years?
Politics, like nature, abhors a vacuum. Should there be major players that resign, or stop donating, others will step in to take their place just as assuredly. It’s not like we are talking about the Green Party; this is the dominant political party of the state, donors previously kept on the sidelines will have the opportunity to move up in influence should vacancies arise. Some might not perform as well, but others will assuredly be much better.
Rumors of the State Republican party’s demise have been greatly exaggerated. The definition of insanity is to keep doing the same thing over and over again expecting different results. With Pullen, at least the gameplan will be changed and fresh ideas will be heard and implemented. As you guys should know, any time you let the party leaders fall into an unresponsive bureaucracy bad things happen. Our state party at least recognized that, even if our national party has not.
Not a lot of Republicans were that afraid of Janet as she became more powerful. Be careful for what you wish for. . .
January 29th, 2007 at 9:27 pm
“weren’t that effective anyway” … wow another understatement.
Seriously - the AZ GOP staff was good at goofy unprofessoinal webpage graphics, over the top youtube videos, and unbelievably dumb press conferences. Other than that … what did they do well.
Garrick Taylor especially — WOW, the fact that guy has another job right now is mind blowing.
Want to know why — follow this link. It says EVERYTHING. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p74wAUyiKIE&eurl=
January 29th, 2007 at 11:23 pm
I can’t believe how disorganized the legislative district committees are as well, despite having over twice the number of PCs that we have in the Democratic party. Seems like they would have stronger activists than we do. Maybe they are just not hungry enough, or perhaps when people are so narrowly divided for votes there is no one left to do the walking and talking?
January 30th, 2007 at 9:02 am
I have always said the the AZ GOP “organization” was smoke and mirrors, and any assumptions to the contrary were simply our paranoid extension of their success due to a voter registration edge and tough ld lines.
The AZGOP is an absolute mess, and this isn’t anything that started with their Pullen. I would probably put them in the top 10 for worst state parties in America on either side.
January 30th, 2007 at 9:05 am
I actually want to clarify my last comment a little.
I want to make it clear that I’m talking about the State and Local Parties. There are definite examples of candidates at each level having their own strong team put together to accomplish what they need done. The fact is, however, they do this BECAUSE of the shambles the party structure is in (which probably reinforces the problems).
With Pullen in - this is going to get even worse - where candidates feel they have to fend for themselves - and those who don’t will get stung.
January 31st, 2007 at 9:56 pm
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