Posted on 09/13/2010 1:45:55 PM PDT by JSDude1
Tomorrow, the voters in seven states and the District of Columbia go to the polls to conclude the primary election season. The most closely-watched race on the ballot will be the race between long-time at-large liberal Republican Congressman Mike Castle and Tea Party-backed conservative insurgent Christine O’Donnell for the Republican nomination for the open Senate seat previously vacated by Joe Biden.
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The Castle-O’Donnell race has become perhaps the most divisive primary of this cycle within the conservative movement, for reasons I’ll explain in a moment. There are a couple of important questions at stake that are worth considering, which really go to the heart of what kind of party the GOP should be; but it’s equally important to recall that we are compelled to face those questions only because of the particular weaknesses of these two candidates and the conditions in Delaware. The result is that there are good arguments on both sides of this one, arguments that have been made eloquently already on the RS front page by people on both sides. As I’ll explain, I come out on the side of backing Castle, but the case for backing O’Donnell can’t be dismissed out of hand and deserves serious reflection.
I agree that people are pissed at Democrats and their liberal politics, (and RINOS), but how come we haven’t yet seen Leahy in Trouble, Schummer, Akaka?
We have to remember that Elections are a matter of addition, not subtration, and not all electorates are the same..!
I have to both her AND Castle, made contributions!! I don’t really know if I fully suppor either, for reasons outlined in this post from Redstate!\.
Now which side are you on?
Oh come one don’t you think that’s a bit silly of an argument, and doesn’t really add anything constructive. I want conservatives that can to win, but I don’t fully back O’Donnell (I will just be happy tomorrow when this thing is over whichever way it turns out)!
You have to vote for who ever wins the primary...Staying home is not a good option
Earlier polls had O’Donnell closer than that. This was after Castle unleashed his negative advertising. Plus, Coons is a big nobody, I’m told, a place holder because everyone espected Castle to be nominated and to win.
Got to run. I know we all share the same goal. We just disagree on how to get there. God bless the USA.
I would rather see a Democrat win there than Castle.
I agree. Mike Castle is more sinister operating as a Republican Senator than a Democrat operating as a Democrat, regardless of the majority party business. As a FR poster said the other day, he gives the Left (e.g. Obama/Reid/Pelosi) cover, especially considering Media manipulation.
Given the Republican Party as the same joke as Democrats on honesty, conservatism, citizen responsibility, and the deep cultural reversal we desperately need, Representatives like Castle with an (R) behind their name are in the long term, and this is a long term struggle to the end, are the most devastating agents possible.
Castle, McCain, Snowe, Collins, Graham, these are the problem, far more than a declared Democrat whom we can always show up graphically, by Party ideology, as those who foster irresponsibility for their own power. But the "hands across the aisle" business confuses the long term argument, exacerbated by the Media. Indeed this is exactly what the Left is after.
Both of these candidates may be personally flawed, as we all are, but disregarding that, the essential struggle here is for the electorate to make the statement, even if O'Donnell loses in the general election. It crystallizes the sides and the politics. And that is desperately needed, much much more than the sad complicity and "pragmatism" of the elitists like Castle or those who think he gives leverage.
I will never forget it was a Republican Senator who declared at Clinton's impeachment trial, we can't afford to lose a President. That, the Kelo decision, the accommodation of an illegal invasion, the plunge into government dependence, financing corrupt global rapists like G-S, makes the (R) behind someone's name the same joke as (D). Anyone who tries to defend a vote through existing party ideologies or power plays is smoking something.
The Tea Party has it right.
Johnny Suntrade
She got 35.3% in 2008 against Biden.
She needs another 14.8% to get 50.1.
1) She will get some from people who aren’t conservative and aren’t liberal. “Moderates”. There are some 30-40% moderates in Delaware. Some are ideological, taking positions that place them between the conservatives and liberals. Others are non-ideological. We focus on the non-ideological. Christine is a pretty young woman. Get the moderates to vote for a pretty young woman. They will,
a whole bunch.
2) Turnout. Conservatives are pissed, Liberals aren’t. In 2008, the situation was reversed. The Liberal turnout was very high in 2008. Conservatives didn’t like McCain, were unhappy with Republicans, felt Bush was insufficiently conservative, etc. They didn’t turn out. This year we’re turning out. And Christine will maximize Conservative turnout. Conservatives will not crawl a mile through broken glass to turn out for Castle. Conservatives will for Christine. Also consider that the tea party is bringing in a lot of conservative new voters.
3) Generic Congressional.
In 2008, we were down by 6 in a generic congressional. I just searched that. It could be higher or lower, this is a gallup 10/17/08. In 2010, we’re up by around 10. That’s a 16 point swing.
Conditions are right for a Christine victory in November.
The people in general are more anti D, pro R. The average, not paying too much attention voter was more D in 2008, and is now more R. We’ll get them with Christines pretty young woman factor.
Last time was 35% - conservative base. This time the conservative base will be larger - 40%+. And Christine gets 10%+ from nonideological moderates.
We’re gonna do really well all across the board. Vote for the person you want to be Senator.
What about HI, MD, NH, NY, NY? Have all except NH been written off? Aren’t people worried about RINOs or too conservatives in HI, MD, NY, NY?
The Conservatives have decided that Christine is their woman in DE.
He makes Arlen Specter look like Jim Demint.
We aren’t paying attention.
There are 2 primaries in NY tomorrow. 2 NY Dems are running and very few people are talking about that race.
Very few are talking about HI and MD Senate Primary races.
There are very few polls. When polls come out, people are typically shocked. Michaud in ME (D USRep) won 70-30 in 2008. He’s polling under 50%.
No D Senator is safe this year, but I’m sure at least one will win.
Gillibrand is polling as low as 43%. Beatable. I don’t see polls - from RCP - at all on the other NY, MD, or HI.
RCP has NO Safe Democrat based on polls.
Maybe MDers are sick of Barbara M. Maybe she lacks charisma? It’s a Republican year. Who is running against her. Stop with all the teeth gnashing about losing Delaware. Win MD or HI or a NY.
We have a candidate in DE that all the conservatives are supporting. Palin, and DeMint, and Rush is talking about her, bashing Castle, Levin has been a long time supporter. I’m with them. Most of this “Castle is electable” stuff is not impressive scholarship. Conservatives are not split here. Conservatives are with Christine.
Except that he is Arlen Specter without the charm.
Ditto!! Nice pick and your nailed it.
He’s more conservative than Snowe and more liberal than Collins. Most people didn’t realize that Snowe was more liberal than Collins, but it’s true. Castle is right between them.
His definition of wise is: do what the ruling class tell you to do.
“If I was in Delaware, I’d vote for Castle.”
This removes all doubt. O’Donnell should be elected.
After reading McLaughlin’s article, I’m convinced the guy can’t be trusted. What a load of nonsense!
The core of his argument: “All of this assumes that conservatives, having no realistic alternative but to work within the Republican party, despite not having undisputed control of the party, have a stake in the party’s electoral success, and that gaining control of the Senate by means of Mike Castle would not hamper either the party’s success or the movement’s power within it.”
I don’t accept his premise, thus I don’t accept his conclusion. The GOP is at best a fair weather ally of conservatives. So long as conservatives continue to elect kinder, friendlier socialists, we’re screwed. The selling out of conservatives didn’t happen in a day. It happened over time because the useless and feckless GOP learned that it didn’t actually have to be conservative to win.
You make a compelling case, let’s just hope that it is true and not “wishful” thinking!
Redstate?...More like Rinostate.
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