Posted on 09/16/2004 8:44:02 AM PDT by Kryptonite
Michels' margin of victory brings national GOP backing
Nominee already trading barbs with Feingold
National Republican leaders were making tentative promises Wednesday to provide Tim Michels with new resources and support, a day after the construction executive and former Army officer from Oconomowoc captured the party's U.S. Senate nomination by storm.
Michels' primary victory sets up a November showdown of crystal-clear contrast with two-term Democratic incumbent Sen. Russ Feingold.
"This is a race of national significance. That's why I'm here today," said Ed Gillespie, chairman of the Republican National Committee, standing beside Michels and two of his fallen challengers at a unity event Wednesday morning at Serb Hall.
"We will commit resources to Wisconsin," Gillespie said. "It's an important race. Russ Feingold is eminently beatable."
U.S. Sen. George Allen (R-Va.), head of the committee charged with electing Republicans to the Senate and maintaining the party's slim 51-49 advantage in that chamber, seconded that emotion. Mostly.
"Ranger Tim leads our charge," Allen said in a phone interview, referring to Michels' Airborne Ranger training and 12 years in the Army.
Allen said the National Republican Senatorial Committee on election night had given Michels a $35,000 check, the maximum allowed . . .
Darrow and Welch appeared at Wednesday's event, pledging their support for Michels. Lorge contacted the winner by phone to offer his congratulations.
. . .
Meanwhile Wednesday, Feingold had tough words for Michels and showed particular pique about the way the Republican has characterized Feingold's vote, the only "nay" that day, on the USA Patriot Act.
. . .
"Russ Feingold has been in Washington, D.C., for 12 years now, and I think he's failed on the issues that are so important to the people of Wisconsin," Michels said.
(Excerpt) Read more at jsonline.com ...
I hope that Im on your Wisconsin ping list...
Does this mean that internal polling is showing that Kerry is imploding the Party and taking his fellow democrats down with him?
IF this is true then we may very well not have a viable democrat party in 2008.
Feingold spends all of his effort on fringe issues and hasn't done a darn thing for Wisconsin in two Senate terms.
He was also the only Senate vote against the Patriot Act.
I think the first point may actually resonate more with Wisconsin voters than the second.
You can find more information on Michels v. Feingold at http://www.michelsforsenate.com/
It's an honor to ping you. :)
Thanks for that information. Feingold has got to go!
Of course!
It could mean that - of course, they'd never report it.
Maybe that's why they seem so eager to jump off Kerry's ship and save something for Feingold.
Wonderful! I look forward to seeing you!
Were those the goofy ads where he is showing his hand, palm side toward the camera, and saying something like, "Vote for me for Senator because Wisconsin is shaped like a mitten"?
Someone should dig those up. I looked this morning, and couldn't find pictures.
And if anyone can correct me -- WHENEVER the vote is 99 (or whomever is there) to 1, that 1 vote is by Rust? Or is that just my imagination?
And is it true what they say about Herb Kohl?
Let him whine. Security is issue #1 this year. He's the ONLY no vote on the Patriot ACT, and he's running against an Army Ranger.
Yes! And he also did one where he said "See, no skeletons in my closet."
I'm so glad Michels won. He's a real grassroots Republican conservative. IMO, Darrow should have ran against Herb Kohl in 2000, or plan on running against him in 2006. Kohl's Senate record makes even Kerry's look like a workaholic. I kid you not. Kohl hasn't done zilch.
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