The short answer is “NO.”
Here’s the long answer.
Over the years – when, to steal a line from Billy Joel, I wore a younger man’s clothes – I was involved with several pretty solid conservative candidates for Congress. One was a Democrat (Lawrence Patton McDonald) – because that was the only way he could win in that district. Those old-timers who know Larry’s record will tell you that he was a solid an anti-communist America Firster and more Republican than the pubbies in nearby districts at the time. (His mother’s cousin was General George Patton from whom he got the middle name – and his incredible resolve and love of this country.)
Those other candidates ran as Republicans. Because I was a rabid Bircher back then (still am philosophically!), those candidates had to pass my rigid litmus test or I went looking for someone who did. For that reason, I hooked up with what the TRADITIONAL country club pubbie establishment types believed were too radical for their refined tastes.
As those campaigns began to unfold and it became clear to the country clubbers that these guys 1) had a shot and 2) were pretty independent thinkers who would be hard to keep on the reservation once they got sworn in, the local pubbies communicated that information to the Republican National HQ types who rather quickly sent in campaign “professionals” ostensibly to lock up the impending victory.
Instead, in nearly every case to which I was privy, these “professionals” proceeded to TORPEDO our guy’s campaign in subtle but effective ways.
From that experience I can tell you that the pubbies at the HQ in D.C. would rather have a Democrat win a given district than have a pubbie up there who would embarrass them by refusing to follow the party line.
If YOU become involved in campaigns for solidly conservative, America and Constitution loving, hard-nosed, independent thinking candidates in 2010 and 2012 and beyond – and I pray many of you do — please DO NOT trust any of those folks from GOP HQ in Washington. If they suggest sending in one of their “professionals,” tell them to fuggetaboutit.
They ARE WHO GOT IS INTO THIS MESS AND THEY ARE NOT YOUR FRIEND!!!!