Posted on 09/10/2010 11:48:45 AM PDT by 2ndDivisionVet
"The time has come for us to put down the protest signs and pick up the campaign signs" says Amy Kremer of the Tea Party Express.
Apparently Sarah Palin agrees. Yesterday Sarah Palin officially endorsed Christine O'Donnell for Delaware Senate on Sean Hannity's show. Hannity tweeted about the incident after the show.
It also seems the RNC (Republican National Committee) agrees and is ready to pick up campaign signs for Mike Castle. The RNC has allegedly been making "robo-calls" to voters in Delaware informing people of Castle's fiscal conservatism. Many already frustrated Delawareans are now becoming angry. They are attempting to call the RNC office today and let them know that Delaware is tired of their establishment candidate (202-863-8500).
O'Donnell's campaign, still most likely reeling from their unexpected Palin endorsement discussed Palin's words (spoken and written). Palin had the following to say about O'Donnell: "The wave of positive change can really sweep across our land with the election of Constitutional Conservatives who promise to use common sense and rein in the federal government spending! Please support Christine ODonnell in Delaware. She will support efforts for Americas energy security, patient-centered health care reform, cutting government waste, and letting the private sector thrive and prosper! We cant afford more of the same in Washington. Christine will help usher in the real change we need to get America on the right track. Please visit her website at www.christine2010.com and follow her on Facebook and Twitter."
The Delaware GOP's response? Tom Ross (who claimed that "she could not be elected dog catcher,") strangely enough has filed a FEC complaint against O'Donnell pointing to the Tea Party Express and claiming there is illegal activity. Strangely enough Tom Ross may also be heard on NPR (National Public Radio) discussing the O'Donnell and Castle race. One may find it interesting that Tom Ross "Tom Russ explains why candidate Mike Castle is right for the job" on a known Democrat station. Ross points to the number of people who attended a single O'Donnell rally "they had 50 people to rally for a United States Senate candidate". Mike Castle certainly has more people than that when he shows up in Sussex County, but that may be because he refuses to have any pre-announced rallies in the fear that he may have to account for his voting record.
The Tea Party Express is holding a rally tonight in Sussex County. The 9-12 Delaware Patriots sent out some of the rally information:
"Sussex County - Friday, Sept 10th at 5:30 pm - American Legion Post #28, 3178 Legion Road, Millsboro.
Guest Speakers and Musical Stars:
Tea Party Musical Stars Lloyd Marcus, Rivoli Review and Diana Nagy as well as special guest speakers to include Tea Party Express Chairman, Amy Kremer and Gold Star mom, Debbie Lee.
The 9-12 Delaware Patriots along with other grass roots organizations and candidates will have a booth set up at both rallies. We will have tents set up for shade, please bring your chairs.
Candidates are invited to come and interact with the citizens of Delaware by setting up booths at the Mall. No RSVP is needed."
Maybe Tom Ross is right and only 50 people will show up here as well One hopes he is proven wrong. Of course, one life-long Republican state the following to myself and his friends:
" I gave notice to the Delaware GOP, I am dropping them after the Primary's. I have to get my vote in for Christine O'Donnell. 38 years a Republican, now it is time I become an Independent.
I will not vote for any GOP backed person in Delaware. Mike Castle, Michele Rollins, Tom Wagner and Colin Bonini.
Pass the word, we are sick of the good old boy network."
(VIDEO AT LINK)
its almost sometimes like they want to lose....they want to be the minority....
well not me...I want LEADERS and if these boys can't do it, let the real men and women do it....
the people will decide who they want....I am grateful to Palin for the endorsement....but its up to Christine to pull this off....just like Joe did....
people make too much of endorsements anyway....I figure out who I am in favor of and no one can influence me more than the candidate...
>>> The RNC has now put itself officially against the grassroots.
If o’Donnell truly reflected the grassroots, in a closed Republican-only primary wouldn’t she be showing a strong lead? Rather then the last place loser position she actually holds.
>>> Palins endorsement is a little late to do robo calls on ODonnells behalf
Good point. Apparently an endorsement for form’s sake. Not for effect.
We will see Tuesday who wins the primary.
Agreed.
I have made all my donations via private candidates and the TeaPartyExpress.
I will not send any more money to GOP organizations such as the RNC.
Tom Ross (who claimed that "she could not be elected dog catcher,") strangely enough has filed a FEC complaint against O'Donnell pointing to the Tea Party Express and claiming there is illegal activityMore on this:
Here's where Hot Air Allah got the info:Delaware GOP files FEC complaint against ODonnell over tea-party money
posted at 5:53 pm on September 10, 2010 by Allahpundit
Really dumb, and I say that as someone whos firmly in the vote for the electable RINO camp.
The Republican Party of Delaware has filed a formal complaint with the Federal Election Commission, accusing one of its own Senate candidates of illegally collaborating with the Tea Party Express
The complaint alleges that the ODonnell campaign is knowingly accepting illegal campaign contributions from the Tea Party Express political action committee. It cites two alarming instances:
ODonnell has knowingly accepted excessive contributions from the Tea Party Express that were directly solicited on behalf of the ODonnell campaign, according to the filing.
ODonnell has accepted illegal excessive contributions from the Tea Party Express by engaging in a statewide coordinated communications effort in support of her campaign. This means, according to the complaint, that every advertisement that is being run by the Tea Party Express in support of ODonnell is a violation of federal law.
The thinking here, I take it, is to bolster Team Castles narrative that ODonnell is a shady character, to the point where shes allegedly willing to violate federal law to win. First problem with that: By escalating to this point, theyre risking total alienation of ODonnell voters, some of whom Castle will need to win in November if he survives the primary. In fairness, the race is already bitter enough that many ODonnell supporters are bound to stay home anyway if hes the nominee, but the harder this hardball gets, the more of them hell lose. And in a blue state with a credible Democratic nominee, even a RINO cant afford to bleed too many deep red voters. The second problem: Castle vs. ODonnell isnt just a RINO vs. true conservative contest. Its also an establishment vs. grassroots contest, such that heavy-handed legal action by the state party invoking the much-loathed strictures of campaign-finance law, no less is, perhaps, not the best optics for Castle in this year of all years. How on earth will he gain more than hell lose from this complaint?
On a related note, Jeffrey Lord argues in AmSpec today that ODonnell is being attacked by big-name pundits at NRO, among others, because she presents a challenge to the Ruling Class of conservatism. Jim Geraghty, whom Lord includes as an example, responds by calling it the stupidest article in the history of the American Spectator. Exit question: Are all ODonnell skeptics/grudging Castle supporters also part of the Ruling Class, or is it only the ones who write for
By Steve Peoples
Roll Call StaffSept. 9, 2010, 6:55 p.m.
The Republican Party of Delaware has filed a formal complaint with the Federal Election Commission, accusing one of its own Senate candidates of illegally collaborating with the Tea Party Express.
Attorneys for the state party asked the FEC to launch an immediate and thorough investigation into conservative GOP candidate Christine ODonnell to remedy the alleged violations and to ensure that these violations immediately cease and do not reoccur, according to the complaint filed Thursday.
ODonnell, who faces Rep. Mike Castle in Tuesdays primary, came under fire from the state party shortly after tea party-backed candidate Joe Miller upset Sen. Lisa Murkowski in the Alaska GOP primary.
Following the Alaska race, the Tea Party Express redirected its efforts to Delaware. The organizations chairwoman, Amy Kremer, said that 10 staffers are on site and vowed to spend $250,000 to help ODonnell before the primary.
The complaint alleges that the ODonnell campaign is knowingly accepting illegal campaign contributions from the Tea Party Express political action committee. It cites two alarming instances:
ODonnell has knowingly accepted excessive contributions from the Tea Party Express that were directly solicited on behalf of the ODonnell campaign, according to the filing.
ODonnell has accepted illegal excessive contributions from the Tea Party Express by engaging in a statewide coordinated communications effort in support of her campaign. This means, according to the complaint, that every advertisement that is being run by the Tea Party Express in support of ODonnell is a violation of federal law.
The issue wont be resolved before Tuesday.
An FEC spokeswoman said it was highly unlikely that the case could be expedited before the primary.
Delaware State GOP Chairman Tom Ross offered this statement:
Christine ODonnell needs to immediately call upon her third party supporters to cease and desist this illegal behavior, he said. This type of behavior has no place in our political process, and ODonnell should denounce these illegal ads. Donors deserve to know whether they made an illegal donation so they can demand a refund and get their money back.
Neither the Tea Party Express nor the ODonnell campaign could immediately be reached for comment.
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