Posted on 03/15/2006 4:05:55 PM PST by SolidSupplySide
The three Republicans who unsuccessfully challenged Rep. Tom DeLay (R-Texas) in a recent primary either are saying they will not endorse him in the general election or are waiting to make up their minds.
Some political observers believe the lack of unity among Texas Republicans could hamper DeLay’s effort to retain his seat and question DeLay’s decision to lambaste his primary opponents soon after beating them earlier this month.
While primaries tend to be bruising, often far more so than general elections, political rivals generally unify behind a nominee in the wake of an election so that the party can move forward. Indeed, Rep. Tom Reynolds (R-N.Y.), the chairman of the National Republican Congressional Committee, last week said on C-SPAN that Texas Republicans are good about putting their differences behind them and rallying around their party’s standard-bearer.
The Republicans’ failure, so far, to do just that in Texas’s 22nd District, in the Houston suburbs, suggests DeLay may have a tough time unifying his base as he heads into the general election against Democratic former Rep. Nick Lampson, Democrats said.
“I think it’s very reflective of how ready Texas-22 is for a change,” said Sarah Feinberg, spokeswoman for the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee. “I think it’s pretty startling when even the party brass won’t get behind Tom DeLay.”
Michael Fjetland, one of the Republicans to challenge DeLay in the March 7 primary, said flatly: “I cannot endorse any felon.” DeLay is not a felon, but he has been indicted by Democratic Travis County District Attorney Ronnie Earle and had extensive ties to disgraced lobbyist Jack Abramoff.
Fjetland, an attorney, added that he was “bothered” by DeLay’s remarks after his primary win. “None of us attacked him individually, only on the issues affecting people in the district,” he said.
Shortly after winning, DeLay issued a statement in which he accused his Republican challengers of taking their cue from Democrats.
“So what did the Republican primary last night show?” the statement said. “The candidates running against Tom DeLay all mimicked Democrat attacks and Democrat talking points. The voters of this district soundly rejected their campaigns, and sent a message that Tom DeLay’s dedication and faithful service to the issues and values of this district are what matters most.”
Tom Campbell, the environmental attorney who came in second in the primary, said that DeLay has a “problem with his base” and that he has yet to decide whether he will endorse DeLay.
“I think Mr. DeLay is engaging in a counterproductive but characteristic pattern of conduct. He’s attacking the messenger. … Ten thousand Republicans, many of which were conservative Republicans, voted against the incumbent, and they voted for another conservative as an alternative. Mr. DeLay should think about that, rather than simply attacking me as being a liberal Democrat, which simply the facts don’t support.”
Campbell added: “I am not part of any vast left-wing conspiracy.”
Pat Baig, who finished fourth in the GOP primary, stated, “I believe Tom DeLay embodies the malignancy that is destroying the integrity, credibility and historical cornerstones of the Republican Party. That is why I ran against him. I cannot vote for corruption; therefore, as in ’04, he will not have my vote in ’06.”
With his image sullied by the Abramoff scandal, President Bush’s poll numbers sinking to new lows and a well-funded former congressman challenging him, DeLay faces one of his greatest political battles since first being elected to Congress, in 1984.
While he has consistently won reelection handily, the congressman had one of his most difficult reelection battles in 2004, winning with 55 percent of the vote against a relative unknown.
Chris LaCivita, a former head of the Virginia Republican Party who is now a political consultant, dismissed talk of DeLay’s base being fractured, calling the primary a case of “sour grapes.”
“These guys just ran in a very contested primary and had their heads handed to them,” LaCivita said, noting that DeLay captured 62 percent of the vote in a four-way race. “Where I’m from, that’s called a good, old-fashioned ass whoopin’.”
LaCivita added that Republican voters ultimately would vote for the candidate who represents their values. He added that DeLay shouldn’t have too much trouble sewing up an additional 18 percent of the GOP vote, giving him an 80 percent advantage among Republicans and a strong core of support heading into November.
DeLay’s campaign did not comment for this article.
I got an interactive recorded phone call from DeLay last night. DeLay asked questions about national security. When I answered them, the recording said "Good, I agree with you." Same with questions about tax policy and right-to-life issues. I suppose I went against DeLay when I didn't favor increased spending for NASA. But the call never asked the question that will be the deciding factor in this race: "Do you demand that your elected officials display the highest standards of ethics, integrity and character?"
Give it up. Your guy lost.
Nobody likes SoreLosermen.
bttt
If the Repubs are to hold the majority, they're going to need to get behind other Repubs. The rest of the year before November may get even rougher...
Why should they care in TX-22? If by some chance Delay loses to Lampson, another Republican will easily win it back in 2008. I'm sure many of them are hoping they'll have that chance and will do what they can to makei t happen.
Bunch of opportunist turds.
Thought they'd kick THE MAN when he's down.
Hell with em.
...and I say, Screw 'em!
Sorry specimens. Just shows what kind of people oppose DeLay. Makes me more certain than ever that he will win handily.
Shiva I agree.
Not meaning disrespect but Shiva is a Hebrew term I've heard many times. What is it's translation? I forgot.
Whine like the POS you are but you're factless, and the voters will hand Lampson's ass to him just like they did to that dildo you were championing - Campbell!
It's a sorry SOB that would let a DemonRat win, even over Satan.
IMO, they are small minded, like many we get here in California that enable Democrats with their BS, third party, or non-votes.
This is more of the same out of the leftist media. First, it was Delay is going to lose the primary big time because media polls show him trailing. After he won pretty big, now it is "Republicans are divided and Delay is gonna lose the election."
When politicans are behind in a race and the media assures them they are winning big and then they lose, it makes coping with the loss even more difficult. That is how the old media torments Rinos and Democrats.
Give it up. Your guy lost.
Go away........loser.
What a fruitcake ...
By joining the MSM in their post-primary quest to defeat Delay and replace him with a Dem, you are getting dangerously close to being a troll here on FR.
I lived in N. Hollywood for years but had to leave. Couldn't stand so damn many folks everywhere.
Beautiful state though.
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