Posted on 05/22/2010 2:27:22 PM PDT by ToughLove
In what could be a major break with the GOP establishment, it appears the Tea Party in southeast Virginia may be about to brew some controversy. Check out the web site of the Hampton Roads Tea Party (Virginia Beach, Norfolk, Chesapeake, Portsmouth) http://hrteaparty.com/, and it's pretty clear that some organizers don't care much for the widely endorsed Republican candidate Rigell. So does this mean the Tea Party leaders in Hampton Roads might come out for one of the other GOPers in the race? Worth watching after what happened with Rand Paul in Kentucky.
That would be a mistake and makes me wonder who is pulling their strings? Put this one in the dem column if this is true.
Well, they dont want a RINO
It doesn’t appear that you’re in the district.
Neither are you. You got a better answer ?
Tea Party = Campaign for Liberty = Libertarian attack on the GOP.
Why we did it.
The Hampton Roads Tea Party had interviewed the candidates for the 2nd District GOP Primary. The summary of our interviews are posted on Tea Party Ops, along with the questions we asked each candidate. We had known about Rigell's Obama donation, the Yes Campaign, the Cash for Clunkers, and we had asked him about them. He never denied them, and in fact, defended each action. All of this information is publically available. The silence in the press about these issues regarding Rigell was deafening. You may read them, and you may still feel that Rigell is the best choice. We (the Board of Directors) at the Hampton Roads do not, and felt an obligation to our members to get the word out. We knew that many of the Hampton Roads Tea Party members would be upset at Rigell's Obama donation, his participation in a voluntary stimulus program, and his history of supporting tax increases for Second district residents. And we knew that his positions compromise him in a campaign battle against Glenn Nye. The Tea Party movement no longer wants politics as usual. We want a higher standard in our candidates. We are seeking constitutionally driven candidates. We are seeking candidates who can stand up to pressure - economic, party line, and media pressure.
Scott Rigell is the GOP –backed candidate for the 2nd Congressional District Primary race. His endorsements include Governor Bob McDonnell, Minority Whip Eric Cantor. He’s a big supporter of Mitt Romney. He is a pro-life social conservative. He’s a business man, not a lawyer. He says that he is the conservative choice in the second district. Sounds good so far, right?
There’s just a couple of problems:
Rigell, who promotes himself as a fiscally conservative Republican gave $1,000 to Barack Obama’s primary presidential campaign. (Source: Federal Elections Commission It's the second one). Why did a “conservative” give money to such an extreme left wing candidate? In Rigell’s own words: “The thought of another Clinton in the White House was worse than Barack Obama”. And later, “…I was moved by his rhetoric….” As of Sunday May 16, 2010 (on his Facebook “Likes” page) - Rigell still stands by his “reasons”.
Does that sound like a fiscal, or even a socially conservative Republican?
But wait! There’s more! Before that, Rigell (through his business) gave $1,000 to Mark Warner for Governor (Democrat ), (source: VPAP.org) who went on to sign into law the largest tax increase in Virginia’s history!
Does that sound like a fiscally conservative Republican?
But it gets worse. In 2002, Rigell bankrolled ($10,000!) the YES Campaign- a failed referendum that would raise the sales tax of Hampton Roads residents (that’s the 2nd district!). If passed, sales taxes in Hampton Roads would have increased by 22%!!! Rigell’s explanation, January 2010 at the VBTA Candidate's Debate: “I thought it was the best way to fund transportation in our area”. The YES Campaign was defeated by 62-38%. Hampton Roads residents said, “NO”!
Does that sound like a low tax, fiscally conservative Republican who says he’s against higher taxes?
Rigell is a successful car dealer. His dealership Freedom Automotive participated in the 3 billion dollar Obama stimulus program "Cash for Clunkers". He sold 107 cars and got $444, 500 taxpayer dollars . Rigell said he " had no ethical problem with it whatsoever". He had to do it for his business, because his customers demanded it. How can he bash the stimulus and bailouts and then profit by them? (Source: Roll Call ) Cash for Clunkers which destroyed the secondary parts market, hurt car repair shops, and inflated the price of used cars. Cash for Clunkers cost the taxpayer: $24,000 per car sold. (Source: CNN Money) The kicker? As reported by CNN a left-wing media outlet, of the 690,000 cars sold----the Cash for Clunkers created only 125,000 extra sales.
Does that sound like a limited government, principled conservative Republican?
When the YES Campaign failed, Rigell (along with Bob McDonnell) supported the creation of unelected regional transportation authorities which were deemed unconstitutional by the Virginia Supreme Court.
Does that sound like a fiscally conservative constitutional Republican?
Call Scott Rigell. 757.802.9936 or 757-496-4113. Demand an explanation. Ask why his actions don’t match his talk. Then vote your conscience on June 8. Change in Washington begins with you.
Oh, I see. Youre saying this Tea Party is from Hampton Roads, and doesent represent Southeastern Virginia. If thats the case, then there non endorsement shouldnt matter, should it?
I don’t know what the polls there look like but I think the tea party bunch should back the guy the locals want or say nothing. In fact they should really do that in all the races.
In my district we have a great conservative out front but the 3rd place guy is the one the beltway crowd would like to see win it. There’s been a lot of GOP meddling in my district over the years so I’m pretty touchy about it I guess.
I really don’t know the situation on the ground there and I’m just expressing my desire that the voters get what they want even if I may not agree with their choice.
Scott Rigell gave money to Obama’s campaign. Said he “got caught up in the rhetoric.”
Sorry. That’s too stupid to support. There are two other good candidates, Scott Taylor and Ben Loyola.
Hampton Roads Tea Party IS in the 2nd District. HRTP serves Norfolk, Virginia Beach, Chesapeake, Portsmouth and Suffolk, AKA Hampton Roads. Yep it’s us.
WE are THE PEOPLE of the district. We want a tried and true, principled, gutsy conservative.
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