In Pivot to Messaging, Ron Johnson Looks to Purge Staff (GOP-E Looking to purge Johnson)

Roll Call ^ | April 12th | Meredith Shiner

[Halfmanhalfamazing]

Freshman GOP Sen. Ron Johnson (Wis.) is looking to purge nearly his entire Washington, D.C.-based legislative team, according to multiple Republican sources familiar with the situation.

Johnson's frustration with his legislative staff has been one of the worst-kept secrets in Washington for months, those close to Republican Conference politics said.

[Halfmanhalfamazing]

Multiple Republican sources? No. This stinks. This is the GOP-E on the move. They're targeting a solid conservative who hasn't been willing to go along to get along. You KNOW this is the GOP-E, because what do they do? The go running to the drive by media to spill as many beans as they can. Mark Levin talked about this on his show today, and referenced numerous examples of how the GOP-E is attempting to purge conservatives through their shady garbage.

[Timber Rattler]

While top Republican sources expressed exasperation at the internal turmoil in Johnson’s office, they also noted that the Wisconsin freshman has not been diligent in building relationships with other Senators within the Conference and has alienated himself by not reaching out more frequently to colleagues.

Translation: He's not playing ball with the GOP-E and his entrenched, professional, backstabbing staff began undercutting him at the behest of the GOP-E, and now he's cleaning house.

Boo Hoo!

[Paladin2]

Dump the GOP-e apparatchiks.

[februus]

That’s the RJ we sent to Washington from WI to punch some noses and it appears he has been leaving bruises. He is right to “alienate” these no-lifers sitting in DC, he’s all TEA and no Party and I’m very happy to see it reported.

[Halfmanhalfamazing]

That’s a good way to look at it too.

I can’t stand the GOP-E. First, they grow government. Then, whoever doesn’t go along, they use the liberal media to make that person look ineffectual, disorganized, and etc.

I have little doubt this could be part of a larger theme of amateurishness in a future primary. The GOP-E will do whatever it has to do to undermine conservatism.

[Timber Rattler]

The professional staffs, in my opinion, are major contributors to much of the BS that comes out of Washington. They stay in their jobs for decades, while Congressmen and Senators come and go, and over time, accumulate a great deal of power behind the scenes. They actually write much of the legislation that comes out of the House and Senate and also deal with the lobbyists, the MSM, and the public, while their bosses simply vote as they are told by their party leaders.

[MSF BU]

Those familiar with the staffs also know that for some reason the job seems to really attract those in the sodomy community. No idea why. I had several friends who serve as military staff to congressional committee’s and they all indicated the limp wristers were everywhere.

[MSF BU]

Those familiar with the staffs also know that for some reason the job seems to really attract those in the sodomy community. No idea why. I had several friends who serve as military staff to congressional committee’s and they all indicated the limp wristers were everywhere.

[GeronL]

The GOPE are looking for leftist purity and have to get rid of conservatives I guess

[La Lydia]

Could be what you say. Could also be that those skilled at campaigning don’t necessarily have the skills to do legislative staff work in D.C. It really is two different skill sets and two different kinds of knowledge. And in many cases, two different kinds of temperament. Just because a staffer is an effective campaign operative doesn’t mean he or she will be effective navigating the treacherous waters of legislative and committee work.

[icwhatudo]

“But the situation in Johnson’s office has escalated in recent weeks. The top brass of the Senate Republican Steering Committee — the Conference’s conservative hub — have connected at least one Johnson legislative aide with another GOP Senate office, and sources indicated they may be helping others find jobs before they are asked to permanently clear their desks.”

Correct me if I am wrong, but the way I read that is that he is dumping his staff and conservatives are helping the staff find new jobs. Is it that his staff came in expecting him to be all tea party-ish and now the guy is turning rino looking to “build relationships” rather than kicking butt?

Clue me in folks, why are conservatives taking the side of the fired staff?

[Kenny Bunk]

Not only are an inordinate number of DC staffers light in the loafers ... they are also overwhelmingly Democrats ... and that's no matter whom they work for.

It has always made me ill to meet staffers who are obviously Democrats in what is supposed to be a Republican Representative's office.

So, elect a Republican .... get to deal with queer Democrats on his staff.

[Paine in the Neck]

The professional staffs, in my opinion, are major contributors to much of the BS that comes out of Washington. They stay in their jobs for decades, while Congressmen and Senators come and go, and over time, accumulate a great deal of power behind the scenes.

There were a couple of great British sitcoms based on this notion - Yes, Minister and its sequal, Yes, Prime Minister. They were devastating in depicting how the entrenched permanent staff worked at [self aggrandizing] cross purposes to the political appointees.

[MSF BU]

I didn’t know that, but now that I think of it, didn’t Bob Dole have Sheila Burke who was a fifth column unto herself. In the case of Johnson, he might want to just recruit returning combat veterans onto his staff. They learn quick and the Marines and Soldiers are far less inclined toward fantasy world than say...Mark Kirk (speaking of light in the loafer staffers)...