Posted on 07/10/2013 6:19:30 AM PDT by cotton1706
The National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC) would back Sen. Mike Enzi (R-Wyo.) if he faces a primary challenge from Liz Cheney, a committee spokesman told The Hill.
“The NRSC's main responsibility is to ensure the reelection of Republican senators on the way to the majority. We would obviously support Sen. Enzi if a challenge arises,” NRSC Communications Director Brad Dayspring said Tuesday.
Cheney, a Fox News commentator, former State Department official and the daughter of former Vice President Dick Cheney, is said to be seriously considering a Senate bid against Enzi.
The New York Times reported last weekend that Cheney telephoned the GOP senator and told him “she’s looking at” challenging him.
She has been highly active in local Republican politics since moving to Wyoming with her family about a year ago, attending a number of events around the state, sometimes with her father by her side.
While Cheney grew up in Virginia and has spent most of her life there, Dick Cheney long represented Wyoming in Congress and remains popular with the state’s Republicans.
Enzi has said he’s likely to run for a fourth Senate term but hasn’t made an official announcement.
“He’s focused on representing the state and people of Wyoming,” said Enzi spokesman Daniel Head.
“He loves his job, feels he's making a difference, finally has the committees he wants to be on, knows seniority counts, and knows how to use it. He is doing everything he can to continue to earn the respect of the people of Wyoming by working hard for them and representing them well.”
While the NRSC has said it’ll back Enzi, party committees are loath to spend money on contested primaries — especially in states like Wyoming where whoever wins the primary is a virtual lock to win the general election.
It’s unlikely Enzi would receive much monetary support from the committee if he does face Cheney in a primary.
If she runs, Cheney will likely have no problem raising money for the race.
She is well-known in national GOP donor circles, particularly with those focused on national security. Cheney, along with conservative commentator Bill Kristol, run a national security organization called Keep America Safe. She would also clearly benefit from her father’s national profile and connections.
Enzi has less than $400,000 cash on hand for a possible campaign, a low amount for a longtime senator but a good start in an inexpensive state to campaign in.
Wyoming Republicans sought to downplay concerns about a potentially divisive primary fight.
“Nobody's announced anything. There's no story right now,” said Wyoming Republican Party Chairwoman Tammy Hooper, who declined to discuss the race in detail.
“As far as I know, Liz Cheney hasn't said, 'Yes, I'm running,’ and Sen. Enzi hasn't actually officially confirmed that he's running either.”
The potential primary could break as much on a generational divide as an ideological one.
Both are known as strong conservatives — Enzi is 69, closer to Dick Cheney’s age, while Liz Cheney is 46. Enzi boasts strong lifetime scores from a number of conservative groups.
One area where Enzi could be vulnerable in a primary comes from his strong support for a law that would allow states to collect sales tax on out-of-state Internet purchases.
Enzi was the lead Senate Republican pushing the bill, which was strongly opposed by Grover Norquist’s Americans for Tax Reform as well as the conservative Heritage Foundation.
We need to get rid of the people that are comfortable with the way things work in Washington...”
Among those would be John Cornyn who, IMO, is primarily responsible for Murkowski’s presence in the Senate. Continue to hope that someone steps up to the plate to run against him.
I donate directly to candidates I support.
There is no reason to trust any of the Tokyo Rovian GOPe fundraising organizations out there.
Scroom!
John Cornyn definitely needs to go. For supporting Arlen Specter and Charlie Crist alone. But moreso because he’s in the leadership and has moderate tendencies. We need hard-line conservatives in the leadership, not boring, droning, owl-like, turkey-neck McConnell and moderate-liberal supporting Cornyn.
Sen. Elizabeth Warren - 0%
Sen. Mo Cowan - 0%"
Probably the number one reason she would be a bad choice. We don't need to give John McCain and Lindsey Graham any more help in depleting America's strength and security in endless interventions which marginal benefit to most American citizens.
Just one more laugh line for my response to NRSC phone solicitations.
I hope Liz runs. I have always liked her.
Neither the NRSC or the NRCC should be backing ANY candidate until after the primary. The supposed purpose of a primary is to let the VOTERS decide who should be the candidate.
Can’t wait until Dick Morris and Michael Barone jump in on this. LOL!
Actually, coming from Masschushits, I am surprised they didn’t get a negative.
John Cornyn definitely needs to go.”
So have you heard any rumblings about who might run against him? If Abbott is planning on leaving his post as AG, I wish he’d run against Cornyn rather than for Governor. But we do have another problem as I see it and that’s Dewhurst. I think Patterson and his “let’s increase the number of guest workers” campaign is running for Lt. Governor.
Dewhurst won’t take on his twin Cornyn, I don’t think he can beat Abbott if he definitely runs for Governor, so what’s old Dewhurst up to? Run for Lt. Gov. again? Attorney General? I hope not. Very powerful position in our state. But I haven’t heard anyone step up to the plate yet.
Enzi boasts strong lifetime scores from a number of conservative groups. One area where Enzi could be vulnerable in a primary comes from his strong support for a law that would allow states to collect sales tax on out-of-state Internet purchases. Enzi was the lead Senate Republican pushing the bill, which was strongly opposed by Grover Norquist’s Americans for Tax Reform as well as the conservative Heritage Foundation.
I’m not thrilled with the internet sales tax but if Grover Al Norquist opposes him its a plus in my book.
I’ve only seen that Wyatt guy that announced. But I live in MA so don’t know if he’s any good.
Christ, Rubio -— is there a difference?
“Christ, Rubio -— is there a difference?”
There was at election time. Not so much now. Although Rubio hasn’t become a democrat...yet.
Who do you think FUNDS the NRSC? Of course they back incumbents -- incumbents set up and fund the organization for that express purpose!!!
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.