Newt Gingrich campaign asks state GOP to not seat Stacey Campfield as delegate

The Commercial Appeal ^ | 3-30-12 | Knoxville News Sentinel Staff

[VinL]

Newt Gingrich's campaign has asked the Tennessee Republican Party....to not seat Knoxville state Sen. Stacey Campfield as a Gingrich delegate at the national convention.

Campfield, who served as a state co-chair for Gingrich's campaign, abruptly switched his support to Santorum days before the March 6 "Super Tuesday" election.

"Please be advised that Stacey Campfield does not have the consent of the Newt Gingrich for President Campaign to be seated as a delegate at the Republican National Convention," wrote John Fluharty, the campaign's director of delegate access, in a Thursday letter to the state GOP committee.

"As a matter of information, Senator Campfield, while originally qualifying as a delegate candidate for Speaker Gingrich, waited until early voting had concluded in Tennessee to publicly disavow his commitment to Speaker Gingrich and announce his endorsement of another candidate for President.

"This mislead all the Tennesseans who voted early. His actions resulted in Tennesseans who supported Newt Gingrich erroneously voting for a delegate candidate they believed would support Speaker Gingrich throughout the nominating process. The campaign has requested that Senator Campfield resign his position as a delegate. He has chosen to refuse our request."

The letter further states: "I hope you will also agree that Tennessee Republicans deserve to have representation that respects the nominating process and will discharge their duties at the convention in a sober and reasonable manner.

"On behalf of Speaker Gingrich, I ask that you vote to remove Senator Stacey Campfield from the rolls of the Tennessee delegation so we may appoint someone who will vote in accordance with the wishes of the people of Tennessee. ... The people of Tennessee deserve to have their vote for the Speaker count at the Republican Nominating Convention. The only way to make that happen is by allowing us to replace Senator Campfield."

[fieldmarshaldj]

Slick Willard thanks you for your support.

[livius]

St Rick also met with Romney, because they had gathered to try to convince Gingrich to get out. Then St Rick announced he’d “consider” a VP slot with Romney (he’s not going to get it, though).

[skr]

Then what is Gingrich complaining about? Aren’t all delegates free to vote differently after the first convention ballot?

[Christie at the beach]

Nothing is improving-Newt is what America needs-this stuff is not funny any longer-it’s dangerous. People have to rebel-stand up- for a change. Safe link.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZF5h7WfiYcc

[VinL]

What does that have to do with the subterfuge where a major presidential candidate personally lobbies the co-chair of another candidate to defect? What was the offer from classy Rick?

[makomako]

Newt is by all realistic estimates out. He is even Now making overtures to Romney.Sad but true.

[presently no screen name]

Sometimes, I can’t resist with the ‘self righteous’ clueless who are being duped while America is at stake.

[Guenevere]

I too support Stacey!——GO SANTORUM

[cripplecreek]

Looks to me like a lot of the people who were duped by Fred Thompson in 08 have been duped by Gingrich this time around.

[JediJones]

What does that have to do with the subterfuge where a major presidential candidate personally lobbies the co-chair of another candidate to defect? What was the offer from classy Rick?

You do realize Newt has announced his new strategy is to personally lobby delegates to support him? Exactly what Santorum apparently did here.

[duffee]

“Yet now these “Gingrich supporters” don’t want him seated despite the fact that he would still go for Gingrich.”

I would say he has given them good reason not to trust him, under the circumstance he should have resigned.

[fieldmarshaldj]

Stacey made a mistake with his endorsement the first time around. He smartened up and saw the writing on the wall and how TN was going to vote. He explained that thoroughly on his blog. Don’t get your panties in a bunch because he didn’t keep his blinders on like you have.

[presently no screen name]

Newt is by all realistic estimates out.

And so is slick Rick 'doing it for the PRO ABORTION/PRO HOMO/anti-traditional marriage, liberal appointing - team.'

His assignment is over. HIS LIES and 'doing it for the team' are his legacy.

[VinL]

Livius, Romney isn’t offering Rick the VP slot. Rick as settled for delivering the Invocation at the convention.

[cripplecreek]

I would say he has given them good reason not to trust him,

Just look at any Gingrich thread from about a year or two ago when he was slamming conservatives.

[fieldmarshaldj]

I supported Fred in ‘08 (and “None of the Above” after he dropped out). I never supported Gingrich for President, so was never duped by him (don’t get me wrong, I’ll support him in the general, just not in a primary). I soured on him 16 years ago for obvious reasons related to job performance as Speaker. Most of the anger in this thread is from Newt supporters who can’t/won’t understand why he’s not in first place and taking it out on those who do.

[VinL]

At the convention, Jedi. That is normal procedure in an open convention. Raiding a candidate’s organization during the primaries, is not.

[true believer forever]

Stacey made a mistake with his endorsement the first time around. He smartened up and saw the writing on the wall and how TN was going to vote. He explained that thoroughly on his blog. Don’t get your panties in a bunch because he didn’t keep his blinders on like you have.

You need to stop being so snotty and distasteful to VinL, and to other Newt supporters. If you can't have a respectful discourse then just go away...

[Lauren BaRecall]

What was that meeting about in the hotel room recently? IIRC it was Romney who was talking to Sean Hannity (on the radio show) and IIRC Mitt sounded very coy that they don’t exchange strategery. If you believe that, I’ve got a tunnel under the Hudson River I want to sell you!

[Christie at the beach]

Thanks to the Gop-e and the believers in Santos-he was<sent by God Above- (not the patriots fault) do you people know that you have totally screwed the country over. The contested convention was suppose to stop Romney after Santorum got in the way of a one on one to Romney. Catch up to what is going on; not what you are hoping will be. Short of a miracle, we may end up with Romney. thanks to the Christian Right who refused to get back behind Newt. They are giving us Romney, the person they distrust the most. Why did they do this?? They got behind the wrong candidate. This is the most stubborn, self righteous group that I have ever seen in politics-personal views over changing our government. This is the last year of the America we know, I do believe more and more since- not enough citizens have a clue they are losing the country that we love. This destruction is so severe, you can't get it turned around with a liberal or a Marxist. No way! Tea Party has been given it's place by the Gop-e. Obama stands a good chance to win with etch a sketch Mitt whom the media has not even vetted.