Some GOP activists unhappy with the anointing of McGavick
An article appeared yesterday in the Hill entitled, "GOP grassroots say they're getting mowed down in Washington state" talking about the state Republican Party's leadership and its tendency to "anoint" candidates - such as Dino Rossi, George Nethercutt, and now, Mike McGavick:
Chris Vance and Company don't seem to think a contested primary provides any benefit whatsoever for their party. Maybe that's what they think, but their faithful don't seem to wholeheartedly share their view. The bigwigs are all jumping behind McGavick, but what about the Republican Party's base?
Is McGavick the guy they want? Did anybody ask them?
When Maria Cantwell ran for Senate six years ago, she ran in a contested primary. And then she ran against incumbent Slade Gorton and unseated him. Contested primaries aren't such a bad thing.
It makes you wonder exactly what Chris Vance is afraid of.
Conservative activists in Washington state say GOP leaders in the nation’s capital and at state party headquarters are trying to anoint a candidate, sidelining the poll workers, phone-bank volunteers and precinct canvassers who form the backbone of the Republican Party — echoing sentiments of many activists in Florida, Michigan and elsewhere.Yes, why is it that the Republican Party leadership...namely, Chris Vance...thinks that the GOP doesn't need any contested primaries? Isn't that the point of the open primary system we're fighting so hard to keep in place?
“Chris Vance did not consult me before he said he thought McGavick would be good,” said Bob Strauss, a member of the state party’s executive committee, referring to the state party chairman. “[Former Rep.] Jennifer Dunn [R-Wash.] didn’t call me and tell me that. Slade Gorton didn’t.”
Gorton did not return a phone call seeking comment.
Strauss added: “I work too hard in this party to have some kingmaker tell me who my candidate is going to be.”
Diane Tebelius, the GOP’s national committeewoman in Washington state, said a robust primary is just what the party needs.
“If you can’t debate someone in your own party, how are you going to debate someone on the other side?” asked Tebelius, a former federal prosecutor who is considering a Senate bid herself.
Chris Vance and Company don't seem to think a contested primary provides any benefit whatsoever for their party. Maybe that's what they think, but their faithful don't seem to wholeheartedly share their view. The bigwigs are all jumping behind McGavick, but what about the Republican Party's base?
Is McGavick the guy they want? Did anybody ask them?
When Maria Cantwell ran for Senate six years ago, she ran in a contested primary. And then she ran against incumbent Slade Gorton and unseated him. Contested primaries aren't such a bad thing.
It makes you wonder exactly what Chris Vance is afraid of.
