Tea partier braces for primary challenge from the establishment

politico.com ^ | 12/22/14 | Manu Raju

[cotton1706]

Tea party favorite Mike Lee roiled the GOP establishment four years ago when he knocked off a sitting senator on his way to the Republican Senate nomination in Utah.

Now, the establishment might strike back.

As the 43-year-old Lee plots his 2016 reelection bid, he is courting business leaders under the radar, hoping to head off a primary challenge backed by business leaders and other establishment figures in his home state, like billionaire Jon Huntsman Sr., an influential bank CEO and a former Utah GOP party chairman.

Some powerful establishment Republicans in Utah are tired of Lee’s hard-line positions. He stood with Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas last year when the federal government closed and again this month when they tried to take on President Barack Obama on immigration but ended up giving Majority Leader Harry Reid of Nevada leverage to confirm controversial nominations.

So as Lee fights to make sure he doesn’t become the first tea party senator ousted by the party establishment, he’s effectively turned the Republican intraparty war that has defined Senate primary politics for the past four years on its head.

“I think I’m going to be OK,” Lee said when asked about lingering concerns about his performance in Congress in corners of Utah’s business

[cotton1706]

You can bet that they won't go all out to reelect an incumbent like they did with Murkowski, Cochran, Alexander, Roberts and McConnell.

That benefit only applies to the go-along types. And with Roger Wicker as head of the NRSC and McConnell arrogance emboldened, they'll try something.

[Trapped Behind Enemy Lines]

This is pure hogwash.

Lee is extremely popular in UT and will be easily re-elected no matter what.

[Jim Robinson]

FReep You GOP (FUGOP)!!

[5thGenTexan]

Being popular with the people and facing an establishment GOP attack are orthogonal. Both can be true.

[Servant of the Cross]

“The primary responsibility of the Senate campaign committee is to make certain that Republican incumbents are re-elected,” Sen. Jerry Moran, R-Kan., head of the National Republican Senatorial Committee, said ....

Unless that Republican incumbent's name is Lee ... or Cruz.

[G Larry]

The key to widen Tea Party support is to promote solid candidates to challenge the RINO’s and keep them on defense.

[Trapped Behind Enemy Lines]

I think Lee’s views are in step with the people of Utah.

Utah is one of three states in 2012 where Soetoro failed to win as much as one single county in the state.

[Vigilanteman]

That's the assessment of my friends and family network in Utah as well. The GOPe can only wish that they were as popular as Sen. Lee.

[CodeToad]

Mike Lee is considered #2 man just behind ted Cruz. He needs all the support he can get since the eGOP wants him out of the GOP.

[CodeToad]

“Lee is extremely popular in UT and will be easily re-elected no matter what.”

I hope so, but the eGOP will get as nasty as they need to being the liberals they are to slander and discredit him.

[5thGenTexan]

Glad to hear that, but we have seen popular conservatives attacked by the e-GOP in spite of the Will ofthe people (Mississippi). We need to stay vigilant.

[BigEdLB]

Roll eyes time. Mike Lee is one of the true good guys in the Senate.

[Paladin2]

Hatch, among others, is out to get him.

[Paladin2]

Mike Lee is a stellar wing-man.

Way better than Linda to Juan.

[CodeToad]

Mike Lee is a stellar wing-man.”

Cruz/Lee for a ticket! THAT is would campaign for!

[KC_Conspirator]

This is yet another Politico hit job on tea partiers.

[Trapped Behind Enemy Lines]

Keep in mind that in MS, KY, TX, and KS you had Tea Party backed candidates going up against entrenched incumbents. Incumbents usually do win, especially against primary challenges. The surprise defeat of Eric Cantor by an underfunded, and largely unknown Tea Party backed candidate proved to be more the exception of the rule this year. Cantor was clearly out of touch with the voters in his district (especially on illegal immigration) and did not take his opponent seriously, which are both usually big mistakes.

As a solid conservative, representing a solid conservative state, Sen. Mike Lee is enormously popular and should have no problem getting re-elected in Utah.

[Kit cat]

We WILL also need to put our money where our beliefs are, we can NOT
let Mike Lee down he has been a TRUE PUBBIE!!!!!!!!

[Kit cat]

I DO NOT put anything past KARL ROVE in these situations, NEVER say
he WILL win with campaign Karl against him the guy is SLIME and a through and through establishment POS!!!!!!!

[DaveA37]

The rinos will do what is needed to maintain control within their ranks and keep any “newbe” outsiders from upsetting their apple cart. Frankly the whole damn republican party needs to be purged.