Posted on 03/23/2010 4:50:23 AM PDT by Crichton
After Republicans nominated businessman Tim Burns as their special election candidate in the 12th Congressional District, state party chairman said he hoped that military veteran Bill Russell would get behind the GOP’s candidate.
But Russell, ever the anti-establishment candidate, is sticking to his guns. He’s continued to criticize the process by which Burns was nominated. He’s preparing to go up against Burns in the May primary to be held the same day as the special election. And he says—only half-jokingly—that he won’t even vote for Burns over Democrat Mark Critz in the special election, opting instead to write himself in.
Despite his role as a favorite of the conservative base, his refusal to back Burns in the special election, voiced again during a Town Hall meeting last week in Indiana, brought him some heat on the blogosphere.
“Man up Mr. Russell!” wrote Brian O’Connor on the blog Red Dog Report. “If you have not noticed, the Democrats are attempting to strip our Constitution and spend our children’s future away. Every Republican needs to do his part.”
In an interview Friday, Russell told pa2010.com that his refusal to directly support Burns does not come from any personal animosity for the wealthy businessman. Rather, Russell said, he is protesting the selection process itself, and the behavior of the Republican State Committee.
(Excerpt) Read more at pa2010.com ...
Pennsylvania Republicans have a settled procedure for selecting a special election nominee, involving an open, public vote of a large delegation of local party activists.
What did Russell want to see, PA Republicans throw out party rules and come up with a new procedure more favorable to him? If he doesn't like the procedure he can go to the state convention and try to get it changed, not backstab Tim Burns for fear that he'll get elected.
It's pretty clear local Republicans made the right choice in picking Burns.
It is clear Gleason has picked who he wants and I want Russell and we are running this Party not Gleason anymore!!!!
Sorry, GOP. The way you run your party and your drift to center if not left, there will be no unity.
Here’s a crazy idea. Go back to your core values and stay on message.
I like Bill Russell and was hoping that he got the nod for this special election. On many other ocassions I would support him. However, this coming election is so important that he needs to just step down right now. We have to win back the house and every race is crucial.
Colonel, please step aside for the good of not just the Republican party, but America. The future of our republic is at stake in every one of these races. Besides, what can you do but gum it up for Mr. Burns. Then if you run for the general election you are going to expect everyone to support you after you didn’t support Burns? Its just not in the cards right now.
I don’t know anything about Mr. Burns but I only have one question for him right now. Will he do everything in his power to repeal and gut this health care monstrosity that has been foisted upon the American people? If the answer is yes, I support him.
Why didn’t the local R’s get behind Russell? This appears to be a stab in the back.
Russell could have been the solution in regaining the that seat but, now, he is the problem for the GOP. I’m afraid that if alot of this internal bitterness goes on in the GOP November won’t be the political earthquake we hope for. The Democrat plan is to divide and conquor. They don’t have to lift a finger, we’re doing it ourselves...
IMHO, conservatives have a new advantage now - the tea party network. They have email lists and should decide strategy early and stress the importance of participating in primaries as this is where elections really matter. If Mr. Burns is a palatable candidate to the tea party folks, they should use their network to get the job done.
Conversely, if the GOP runs RINOs in any of the primaries, this is where the tea parties can help pressurize the GOP establishment in moving right.
Russell moved into the district to run against Murtha. Murtha is now deceased. Russell also has raised about $2 million this cycle - and spent it all on direct mail fundraising, a terrible waste of contributors' donations.
Republican activists chose Tim Burns, a local conservative businessman and Tea Party activist, in an open, public vote.
This appears to be a stab in the back.
It is.
This is useless if we can’t compare each of their stands on the issues.
Why do want these retreats to continue to run for the same seat they lost.
WE need fresh blood and someone who can run a winning campaign.
Move on Russert.There is nothing worse than spoiled crybaby.
These are the same "republicans" that implicitly supported Murtha over Irey. The Barbra Hafer/ Ellsie Hillman wing of the GOP.
Unfortunately, the PA State GOP leadership is hopelessly corrupt, and that corruption is mirrored in many county organizations. A good example of the corruption is the recent party endorsement of a union-supported lawyer named Steve Cawley (sp?) for Lt. Governor, out of a field of 9, most of whom were good strong honest conservatives.
Do you live in the area? I don’t understand why Russell wasn’t the choice. I understand the problem going forward just don’t know what happened in this primary.
Russert needs to grow up and move on.
Both Burns and Russell are conservative down the line. I don't know of any major points of disagreement on policy.
Both had good points: Burns a businessman who created a lot of jobs in the district, Russell a veteran. Burns got involved in the Tea Party movement early, Russell stood up to Murtha re his attacks on the military. But Burns grew up in the district, while Russell moved to PA for his 2008 campaign against Murtha.
Basically local Republican activists chose the local candidate with a clean slate and perhaps a better chance of winning.
I was on Russell’s mailing list and got something from him every month for the past year, it was a little excessive - but I have heard him talk and read quite a bit about him and he seems like a good, solid conservative.
Of course Russell lost in 2008 against Murtha in the year of Obama. Why even use that as a barometer on who to run? Do the people that support Tim Burns think he would have won in 2008, because that is crazy!
here is tidbit for yall.......
A Zogby poll of likely Republican conducted Feb. 17 and 18 indicated that Mr. Russell leads Mr. Burns by an astounding 29 points.
I live in a different Pa. District. From what I understand there wasn’t any primary. The state GOP committee selected their candidate. No way they would name Russell, he is too conservative for Gleason. The only reason they endorsed Toomey for Senate is because no one that they asked to run against him would agree to do it.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.