Posted on 05/24/2011 9:44:37 PM PDT by TCH
Betting on the Wrong Horse to Beat the Old Gray Nag
In the pivotal race for Nebraska’s seat in the U.S. Senate, the Tea Party Express bet the store on Jon Bruning, and he responded as if the TPE “endorsement” closed the deal for all TEA Party groups in Nebraska. Wrong. Tea Party Express operatives believe they represent our voice—they do not. TPE has no affiliation in this state. They may have hubris to speak for us, but theirs is a losing strategy. We reject both the tactics and the choice.
The TEA Party Express is the fifth wheel on the establishment GOP bandwagon. With typical flash, the GOP jockeys hope to convince conservatives that Jon Bruning is the sure bet to beat the “old gray nag,” Ben Nelson. Neither of these two horses is the real deal, but Bruning has “undiscovered” flaws that will cost him the race. In failing to look their gift horse in the mouth the TPE will embarrass and harm the TEA Party movement; but that is the intent—because we conservatives have learned to rock the GOP boat—and the establishment fears us.
Tea Party Express rides to the rescue for the GOP; but conservatives know the score: Bruning and Nelson—aka the Corn-hustler Kid and the Kickback Cowboy—are two egocentric opportunists whose ambitions exceed their integrity. Neither deserves more than a trip to the glue factory; but, disregarding Nebraska’s legitimate TEA Party chapters, the media chose to ignore our protests, and then proceeded to shamefully kiss the hindquarters of the establishment's latest “maverick.” The GOP prefers yes-men over true conservatives—and so TPE is the fixer for this horse race. We therefore believe the Tea Party Express should change its moniker to a more fitting description of its brand: The BS Express.
Well to be honest I know a lot of people in the Tea Party Express and they’ve been the thorn-in-the-side of establishment RINOS for several decades. Since the advent of the Tea Party movement TPE has an impressive record. What have you and yours accomplished?
Stenberg lost twice. Just saying. Tea Party Express can kiss my butt however I suspect it’s the right call.
I don’t care who you nominate but Nelson must be eliminated.
A lot of conjecture here. TPE seemed to be on top of today’s nightmare in NY 26th weeks ago.
The Tea party is hardly the old grey nag.
Obama and Romney are the old grey nag.
READ again, please. “Old Grey Nag” is a reference to Ben Nelson—NOT the TEA Party.
Nice attempt at subterfuge.
Do you know Jon Bruning? Have you ever met with him? 35 grassroots leaders did a few months ago. He is a pompous egotistical liar... and another Mitt Romney ... FLIP-FLOP!
RINO is stamped on his forehead.
Bruning has skeletons in his closet, serious character issues, which he thinks none know about. Well Jon Bruning is in for a rude awakening. He was recently questioned, in a polite and non-threatening manner, as to whether their was ANYTHING in his background that might cost him the election. This was asked of him because we already knew, through various channels, that Jon Bruning has baggage that will be politically fatal. Bruning lied through his teeth to us. We gave him an opportunity to “come clean” and he blew it.
More than that he is pro earmark and pro subsidy. He is another establishment hack who is now collecting on a promise made by Gov Dave Heineman. So, TPE’s boy may win the primary, but, many here are of the opinion that when the dirt on him finally becomes public, he will lose in the general ... and we will get stuck with Nelson for another six years.
No attempt at subterfuge, just stating facts as I know them. Moreover, you didn’t answer my question
I think the general rule here is that Tea Party leaders and spokesmen aren’t.
Some people have done great work organizing rallies and mailing lists, etc. that have enabled individual voters to learn more about the issues and the candidates.
But the idea that Tea Party organizations will speak for Tea Party voters in general or endorse specific candidates is preposterous.
Each individual voter needs to learn the issues and make their own evaluation of the candidates. To do otherwise is to repeat the mistakes that got us into the trouble we’re in now.
Oh, but I did answer your question... WE did our political homework and vetted this clown... Unlike the establishment party hacks whom run the TEA Party Express and pretend to speak for our state.
Don't live in Nebraska and never heard of the guy. But this strikes me as a very cowardly smear; "We know things". It seems to me you have put yourself in the position of putting up or shutting up? What exactly is this baggage and what is your evidence?
If you can't answer both questions in a manner that backs up your backhanded smear, you seem to be a rather disreputable sort and all readers should ponder your motives and your character before taking anything you say or write seriously.
I will not disclose the information, because it is not prudent to do so. You will have to trust that the evidence is substantial—and not a mere “whisper campaign” to smear the man.
This race is too important, and Bruning should not have entered, but, as I stated, his ego is larger than his integrity. Moreover, Governor Dave Heineman’s promise to open the door to Bruning, if he stepped aside when Mike Johanns first ran for the Senate a few years back, is also a driving force.
The “issues” will eventually come out in the general, because that is what Democrats do to win.
The first point is that Jon Bruning is damaged goods, and his arrogance is going to get a Democrat re-elected. The more central point is that an outside group has no business butting its nose into our state and speaking for us when it has no representation here.
Bruning may yet see the writing on the wall and bow out gracefully—or he may lose in the primary. That is why I do not reveal the details here—or anywhere else. Despite your attempt to force my hand, it would be wrong for me to reveal these things. Bruning needs to do that himself. His secret will remain a “secret” until someone see an political advantage in revealing it... and that somebody will not be me.
I am only warning that this election is not going to go well for the GOP, if Bruning wins in the primary. There are already questions being raised on his judgment regarding the financial dealings of his campaign manager. That may be the tip of the iceberg.
Does anybody else roll their eyes when they see “tea party” capitalized, as if it’s a real, trademarked organization with “leaders”, etc.? I swear the rats are hard at work through their newsrooms (and with a lot of help from clownish political wannabes and libertarian malcontents) to turn the effective tea party protests of 2009 into “The Tea Party”, until it becomes the same kind of marginal laughingstock the “Move On” campaign evolved into ten years ago.
“Tea partiers” are individuals from across the nation who briefly “organized” a few times in order to shout as one at a corrupt and disgraceful government agenda of communist health care and the drunken waste of tax dollars. The “tea partiers” are still out there and they will vote because they are inspired to do so, but I doubt 95% of them give a rat’s behind about being called “tea partiers”. I know I sure don’t.
This effort by some people to turn the “tea partiers” (aren’t we all “tea partiers” here?) into a real live, ongoing “organization” with a convention and “leaders” and all the rest of the bells and whistles is stupid. It’s old already - - time to put the phrase “tea partiers” to rest. The battle has been joined and “tea partiers” will continue to shout (and vote!) for a return to sanity, and they need no label to do so.
I agree—and the point is that we keep getting hit by these National “TEA Party Organizations” that attempt top-down control.
TEA Party Patriots.org has become a libertarian rubber stamp... and their “leaders” are said to be making six-figure salaries. They are constantly sending me crap in the mail—which promptly goes into the round file.
There are now several “organizations” and they seem to miss the point that the TEA Party is nothing more than activist citizens uniting under a common cause and working at the local level.
This is what angered all the TEA Party groups here in Nebraska—or at most of them. Many of these groups are dealing with local issues, some are involved at the state level, attempting to bring reform into a corrupt “good-old-boy” system, and a few focus on national issues when the opportunity is presented. We do not want to be placed under some collective national banner—and that is exactly what TEA Party Express did to us. Most of us are pissed off, but the media does not report our disagreement.
I agree.
I agree with you too.
Something special is happening with the Tea Party Movement of today. Of course people will try to gain control of it because it is a very powerful source of energy. But the concern that it is “not controlled” and therefore “doomed” is unfounded. It needs not be nor should it be confined ... to a leader, to an organization or to a specific plan. Such activity would nullify the greatness of what it has become to date and could grow to in the future. One needn’t worry ... one only need to join the energy, shun people who attempt its control and allow plans to be spur of the moment. With a leader, there is a target, with an organization, a counter-organization, with a plan, a thwarting of the plan. But as pure ENERGY ... nothing can stop it. Think of it as energy ... join it, and be a part of this historical change-making effort.
Why is it not prudent? If it can be an issue for the general then it should be put out in the open in the primary. If the people still vote for him then it is their choice. If fyou hold back info then you are just like the MSM, all info should be distributed.
You make a good point about capitalizing tea party. It just contributes to the twin problems of lazy citizens looking for others to do their work for them and self-seeking “leaders” putting themselves at the head of a leaderless movement.
It is imprudent because it is wrong to disclose another’s personal flaw, unless that flaw will harm innocent people or, because of position, cause harm to the community or the country (blackmail, etc). Jon Bruning is not yet in that position. He still has the opportunity to either:
1.) Keep silent and take his chances with the Democrat machine.
2.) Clear the air, by making the accusation public and either demonstrating it false, or else, if true, then dealing with the political fall-out as best he may.
3.) Terminate his campaign for “personal reasons.”
I would prefer he choose option 2. For now, the ball is in Bruning’s court. After the primary it will be too late for him to address the issue, if he wins that race.
I cannot reveal the information, because the source has not granted permission to do so; but even if that source were to grant permission, I would still believe it inappropriate to reveal that which should be owned up to or else conincingly disproven by Jon Bruning himself. It is still early in the game ... We shall see what transpires.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.