GOP Senate primary points may haunt party in fall

YahooNews ^ | May 25, 2014 | Thomas Beaumont

[Din Maker]

Some Republicans say state Sen. Joni Ernst's recent campaign ad featuring her firing a handgun will not sit well with some swing voters when Democrats resurrect it. Likewise, others say former Reliant Energy CEO Mark Jacobs' past public statements supporting climate-change legislation make him indistinguishable from likely Democratic nominee Bruce Braley.

In what is their best chance to win the Senate seat in 30 years, Republicans have accepted the risks of focusing on GOP-favored issues in the June 3 primary after failing to convince the state's better-known Republicans to run once Sen. Tom Harkin, a six-term Democrat, announced he wouldn't seek re-election.

So, it's become a delicate balance for candidates: Convince the party faithful they have the conservative chops to distinguish themselves from the Senate's longtime liberal lion, then turn around and face one of the nation's most politically balanced statewide electorates in a general election that could determine which party controls the powerful chamber.

"Braley has had the luxury of messaging directly to general election voters, where our candidates are messaging to a narrow segment," former Iowa Republican Party Chairman Matt Strawn said.

Each candidate's position is being closely noted by Braley's campaign, and top advisers said those will be used against the eventual Republican nominee.

In an appeal to GOP-leaning gun owners and noting her backing by the National Rifle Association. Ernst is airing an ad where she fires six shots from a handgun on a shooting range. "Give me a shot," she says at the end.

Fewer than 20 percent of Iowa adults, across party lines, supported relaxed gun restrictions, according to The Des Moines Register's Iowa Poll in February 2013.

Ernst dismissed Gross' suggestion, saying that during her time in the state Senate, she has found Democrats who are equally adamant about gun rights.

[Din Maker]

Once it's General Election Campaign time, stick to reminding the voters of ObamaCare, Benghazi, IRS and VA Scandals and don't back down from the Conservative stance when Braley tries to hammer you with them. Polls have shown that most Americans DO have Conservative values; even those who vote for Democrats. 95% of Blacks voted for Obama when the overwhelming majority of Black adults oppose abortion and same-sex marriage. Their reasoning: Separation of Church and State.

[Din Maker]

I don’t know what Ad Agency does Joni Ernst’s political ads, but, if I ever ran for office, I’d want to hire them. Here ads are AWESOME!

[CMailBag]

Nothing more than wishful ‘YELLOW’ journalism.

[Resettozero]

I don’t know what Ad Agency does Joni Ernst’s political ads, but, if I ever ran for office, I’d want to hire them.

She was a relatively unknown candidate and now she is known nationally. She can apologize later.

Am very, very disappointed so far in ALL 6 or 7 Repub/conservative challengers to Lindsey Graham in my State. And one of them owns a political ad consultancy!

Guys and gal! Wake up! The primary is June 10th! I know you don't have the budget to compete with LG in buying airtime! But couldn't ONE of you have thought of SOMETHING? Joni did.

[Resettozero]

pingo

[logic101.net]

Democrats won’t like seeing an image of her firing a gun. Ok, democrats aren’t likely to vote for a Republican anyway. So how does this hurt her?

[Resettozero]

Democrats won’t like seeing an image of her firing a gun. Ok, democrats aren’t likely to vote for a Republican anyway. So how does this hurt her?

This article references the fictitious "swing voters". Meaning, largely, the conservative Americans who distrust both the Dems and the Repubs but know it's their sacred duty to vote anyway.

[TexasCajun]

The faux concern is heart-warming. ...bless his heart.

[grania]

The candidate (if any) who can articulate with passion, conviction, and knowledge principles constitutional conservatives support will win, in no small part because fed-up dems and independents will be won over.

Too often, we've gotten "conservative" candidates who don't have the real belief and instincts to run a convincing campaign. I'd wager that if Ms. Ernst just let's herself be herself, and not depend on outside endorsements or labels, she'll win. The outside support got her the seat at the table; now it's up to her.

I'm so fed up with the whining and excuses when a conservative loses to a fixture. We can get them the publicity and financing to be taken as serious candidates. After that it's up to them to be better, much better, than the opposition.

[personalaccts]

What did Joe Manchin do to obamas cap and trade bill? He shot it

[Extremely Extreme Extremist]

Some Republicans say state Sen. Joni Ernst's recent campaign ad featuring her firing a handgun will not sit well with some swing voters when Democrats resurrect it.

This is why I wish that all Republican run as die-hard, Metallica conservatives and to hell with what the media says or if they lose. We've got to clearly distinguish our views with the Left so people can have a real choice. If they vote for the Rat, good, they'll get the government they'll deserve and will rethink their decision the next time.

[Din Maker]

Thomas Ravenel is the one who is going to cause Lindsey Graham to lose his Senate seat. If Graham wins the GOP Primary, Ravenel is going to run as an Indy. Thomas and the Ravenel name are both well known in SC. He won't win, but he can pull enough votes to throw the victory to the Democrat. And, that's fine with me.

[Din Maker]

Democrats won’t like seeing an image of her firing a gun. Ok, democrats aren’t likely to vote for a Republican anyway. So how does this hurt her?
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
If you read the article, it’s Republicans who are raising the subject; not Democrats. The article also called Iowa voters the “most politically balanced statewide electorates in a general election...” Prolly means fiscally conservative and socially liberal.

[Resettozero]

The candidate (if any) who can articulate with passion, conviction, and knowledge principles constitutional conservatives support will win, in no small part because fed-up dems and independents will be won over.

Unless their name is Sarah Palin. (Please prove me wrong one day.)

[Resettozero]

Thomas Ravenel is the one who is going to cause Lindsey Graham to lose his Senate seat.

Ultimately too Charleston, South of Broad.

His name and face are familiar to some TV watchers but it's doubtful the name alone would persuade enough die-hard S.C. Republicans who mistakenly believe (hope) they are conservatives and who will vote for LG anyway in the General.

Imperative that LG be defeated in the primary June 10th or possible run-off 3 weeks later or no matter. SCGOPe (actually, the Uni-party) has too firm a grip on General Elections.

[grania]

re: exception Sarah Palin

As with many who are tapped for VP before they're ready, she didn't have control of how she was presented. If she got in the US Senate and made a name for herself that way, she'd have a chance at it down the road.

[Resettozero]

As with many who are tapped for VP before they're ready, she didn't have control of how she was presented. If she got in the US Senate and made a name for herself that way, she'd have a chance at it down the road.

On this point, we don't exactly agree. She was prayed-up and was ready when the screwball McCain called her in 2008. And she has proven that she can adapt quickly to changing situations. Romney's people made sure she was dead and buried politically that year and for an indeterminate number of following years.

(And some few FReepers have the gall to lambaste me because I wouldn't ever vote for Romney!)

[fieldmarshaldj]

If anyone has a problem with seeing a firearm in an ad, they were never going to vote Republican to begin with. Go Ernst !

[COBOL2Java]

"Some Republicans say..."

I remember that phrase, "Some [fill in the blank] say..."

Katie Colonic used that all the time in her gotcha interviews with Republicans. You can say whatever you want, and no one can prove you wrong.

[Din Maker]

If you read the article, it was REPUBLICANS who said that.