Posted on 01/16/2014 10:05:54 AM PST by cotton1706
Former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee (R) is endorsing Baptist Minister Mark Harris (R) in North Carolina's Senate race, giving him a boost against the GOP establishment's preferred candidate.
State House Speaker Thom Tillis (R) is the preferred candidate of establishment Republicans, but Harris hopes to consolidate social conservative support in the GOP primary, and Huckabee's endorsement is his highest nod to date.
The former presidential candidate, fellow Baptist minister and social conservative leader praised Harris, who led the fight to ban gay marriage in North Carolina, as a "true conservative" in the race.
The endorsement further boosts the chances that Tillis will have a tough fight for the GOP nomination, potentially hurting Republicans' efforts to defeat Sen. Kay Hagan (D-N.C.), a top GOP target. Republicans have hoped that Tillis can avoid a tough primary and win the race without having to compete in a runoff election for the nomination.
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Hagan is viewed as highly vulnerable in the race, but a messy GOP primary could boost her chances at reelection. Huckabee seemed to take a veiled shot at Tillis, who has so far struggled to unite North Carolina Republicans behind his campaign. Greg Brannon, a Tea Party favorite who has the endorsement of Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.), is also in the race, as are three other candidates.
"As previous campaigns have shown in North Carolina, you can't select a candidate that divides people, you must select the candidate that unites people," Huckabee said in the statement released by Harris's campaign. "Mark is the only candidate who has the lifelong experience as a public servant that has helped guide people from all walks of life through every problem you can imagine."
(Excerpt) Read more at thehill.com ...
All 5 main Republicans lead Hagan by 1 or 2 points BTW.
Clearly most voters are not very familiar with the choices, might as well poll “generic Republican”.
Hagan’s weakness is clear.
I care not one whit what people say in speeches—by their acts you shall know them. What has Brannon ever done to deserve our support?
If Tillis (who is reviled by the Left for his conservative leadership and votes through the years, and especially since leading the GOP House majority in passing a conservative agenda) is supported by Rove’s group, and Brannon is supported by Paultards, I’ll support Tillis every day and twice on Sunday. Rove is not someone who prefers to support liberals—he supports people whom he thinks will win the general election, which sometimes won’t be our ideal candidate; in this case, Rove is supporting a conservative. Paultards, on the other hand, support other Paultards, and apparently that’s what Brannon is.
Brannon is also being pushed hard by NC Democrat pollster Tom Jensen of PPP, so we know that he’s the GOP candidate that RATs want to run against. He’s untested and hangs out with Paultards—why the heck would Insupport him, much less prefer him to a proven conservative and proven campaigner such as Tillis?
I’m going to have to part company with you on your assessment here. You know I’ve never been a fan of the Pauls, but Karl Rove and anything he touches is toxic. There’s been almost no one else behind every bad, lousy, loser RINO candidates and their agenda like Rove has since he became a national figure. Frankly, I think this guy has been a plant from Jump Street. He’s done more to help Democrats and serve the establishment (or bipartisan/uniparty big government cabal) as a “Republican Strategist” than anyone else. He spends enormous amounts of money in service of sabotaging Conservatives. He is not and has never been on our side (and if he ever claims to be, it’s an act, a falsehood).
Tillis may not be as horrible as some describe, but it’s pretty clear he is the preference of the establishment. Another disappointment like Richard Burr (if not worse) is not what we need. The NC Tea Partiers have been behind Brannon for some time now, and I have yet to hear or see anything that is truly damning of either him or his candidacy (a la Sharron Angle in NV). Even the polling data I’ve seen bears it out that Tillis is the weakest general election candidate and Hagan would have a much easier time tying him to all the alleged negative legislative red meat stuff to gin up Democrat turnout. Brannon has no such problem.
DJ, with all due respect, just because Karl Rove and American Crossroads have supported some duds in the past does not mean that they only support establishment RINOs. In 2012, they supported Josh Mandel, Richard Mourdock and Deb Fischer, among others (see http://investigations.nbcnews.com/_news/2012/11/08/15007504-karl-roves-election-debacle-super-pacs-spending-was-nearly-for-naught?lite). True, Rove is unlikely to support a candidate with whom Big Business would have qualms about, but I don’t have a problem with a conservative candidate such as Tillis whose belief in the free market is shared by Big Business.
So the “NC Tea Partiers” support Brannon? Who the heck speaks for “Tea Partiers”? It is a movement of individuals with no one leader, and if some self-appointed “Tea Party leaders” support Brannon it likely is because they’re Paulistinians themselves or because they have heard Brannongive some red-meat speeches and don’t know that Brannon is a Paulistinian. And you are aware that political newcomers with no record on which to stand frequently tout “Tea Party support” even when they’re not true conservatives, right? (Heck, I’ve seen leftists claim to be “Tea Partiers.”) Besides, if some Tea Party members or leaders reflexively support whichever candidate has the slimmest record of achievement then we’ll end up with candidates who may have no idea how to win a freaking election and who, if elected, would be cyphers.
As for your statement that “the polling data I’ve seen bears it out that Tillis is the weakest general election candidate,” you should be aware that he only polling company who has been releasing NC Senate polls is PPP, run by North Carolina Democrat Tommy Jensen. Jensen is notorious for agenda-driven polls early in the cycle so as to boost Democrat fundraising and discourage Republicans, and, in the case of GOP primaries, to try to get Republicans to nominate the weakest GE candidate possible. The most shameless example of his agenda polls was when he showed Todd Akin with a lead over McCaskill after his politically lethal statement regarding “legitimate rape” and whatnot, while every other poll showed McCaskill beating Akin like a rented mule, and PPP’s poll gave Akin what he was seeking to justify him staying in the race instead of dropping out (and allowing a conservative Republican who could win to replace him) like any decent conservative and Republican would have done. And when it comes to elections in his home state of NC, Jensen is even worse, pushing his agenda to the nth degree. He risibly had Elaine Marshall within striking distance of Burr throughout the summer and early fall of 2010 in order to keep Democrats motivated, and he never passes up the opportunity to run interference in the GOP primaries. So Jensen’s polls showing the Paultard Brannon as the “most electable Republican” are not to be taken seriously. (And, BTW, the most recent poll by PPP showed every candidate being equally likely to beat Hagan, so not even Jensen could keep up his shenanigans to the same degree as before, probably because Nate Silver, Nate Cohn and other liberals have criticized Jensen’s arbitrary methodology publicly.)
Thom Tillis has a remarkable record of achievement as Speaker, spearheading a conservative revolution in NC. When the GOP achieved a majority after 2010 (for the first time since Reconstruction), but when the governor was a Democrat who could veto conservative bills, he still got a few measures passed with veto overrides, and obtained the votes to place the NC Marriage Amendment on the ballot for a May 2012 vote (it was approved by the voters with 61%). Moreover, due to the fact that the NC Constitution does not allow the governor to veto redistricting plans, Tillis and his fellow Republicans obtained passage of redistricting maps for the state house and senate that cement 60%-70% GOP majorities in both houses for at least the next decade (and since the maps pretty much guarantee that Republicans will control both houses after each subsequent census, they can just redraw the maps again each decade to remain in power in perpetuity), and of a redistricting map for Congress that turned an 8-5 Democrat U.S. House delegation into a 10-3 GOP U.S. House delegation (it currently is 9-4 GOP because McIntyre held on by like 700 votes in 2012, but he already announced his retirement and the seat is not rated “safe Republican”). And with a Republican governor being sworn in in January 2013, Tillis has shepherded an incredible amount of conservative legislation through the House, on voter ID and other election matters, abortion, labor relations, taxes, environmental issues, etc.
So Tillis not only has talked the talk, he has walked the walk. What has Brannon done to prove his conservative mettle other than give a few speeches, join Ron Paul’s cult and donate money to Paultard B.J. Lawson’s congressional campaign? (Yes, Greg Brannon’s only contribution of $200 or more to a candidate for federal office since 1990 was his $500 donation to Paultard Lawson in June 2010, when Lawson blew our best chance since 1998 to defeat Congressman David Price; and if you weren’t sure that Lawson was a Paultard, check this out: http://www.ronpaulforums.com/showthread.php?129151-BJ-Lawson-for-Congress-North-Carolina-District-4.)
So it would take a heck of a lot more than an endorsement from American Crossroads for me to turn my back on Thom Tillis and support a candidate in Brannon who is at best unproven, and perhaps another Justin Amash waiting to happen. Nominating Thom Tillis will give us U.S. Senator Thom Tillis; nominating Greg Brannon will give us either 6 more years of the execrable Kay Hagan, or 6 years of a Senator whose strings will be pulled by an anti-Semitic, anti-U.S.-military, pro-heroin-legalization, pro-open-borders cult leader. Frankly, I don’t think that it’s a close call at all.
Thanks for the info. Glad Graham has to have 50% to avoid a run-off. He’s not going to make it.
If this holds, this is great news. A serious threat against a high-profile RINO, if not a take-down, should put the fear of the Tea Party into them.
“The establishment wants Tillis, the Tea Party wants Brannon....”
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I have noticed the appearance of in this thread of several defenders of Rove’s man Tillis posting treatises that spread FUD about Brannon and tout the glories of Tillis. Interesting—I guess prior to the 2014 fall elections we’ll be facing difficult struggles between the GOPe and the Tea Party in primaries across the nation. The Rovians and GOPe are pulling out all the stops.
Check out this post on Red Racing Horses by a North Carolina Republican:
“Seriously
Their disputes with Tillis amount to 1) he’s not “angry” acting enough; 2) he supposedly “interfered” in primaries to support NC House candidates he views as electable; 3) He doesn’t immediately rule out the idea of toll roads.
Seriously…that’s it.
23/M/Republican/Law Student
Currently NC-04. Previously NC-02,-09,-07.
by: GOPTarHeel @ Fri Jan 17, 2014 at 08:35:53 AM CST
[ Parent ]”
good debate.
meanwhile, my premise on this other thread ... seems be as rejected on FreepRep as it is in real life.
1. The pro-family movement in CT state HOUSE has had successes only when it fights on all 3 fronts: (a) in GOP seats, defeat the RINO in a primary, (b) in swing districts, defeat the lefty DEM with a conservative GOPer (c) in heavy DEM districts, defeat the progressive by supporting his opponent.
2. In real life, conservatives often do not show up. In the example here, Juan Candelaria has been endorsed in the past by FIC (Family Institute of Conn) ... Winfield is NARAL endorsed and LMF-gay endorsed (Homo-Love Makes a Family)
3. Another fail. Meanwhile, pro-family black DEM puts up smoke signals for support in his effort to grab the soon-vacated Winfield House seat.
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/bloggers/3112100/posts?page=44#44
without that 3-front approach, pro-family is just a minority part of a minority party in CT.
Pete, I agree with your three-pronged approach. And thanks again for your efforts; you’re doing God’s work in the Nutmeg State.
Seems that way. Tillis is toxic. Why else would he be avoiding every conservative gathering in the state while Brannon, Harris, Flynn, and Grant have all gone and given speeches?
Another Richard Burr waiting to happen, or more likely, another Rick Berg. I assume these people backing Tillis would have stood against Mike Lee in Utah, saying ‘What has he done for us!”
Brannon is an excellent candidate. He speaks like a constitutional scholar, has had an accomplished career, and has impressed Erick Erickson enough to get a ringing endorsement.
Sorry, but the record is pretty damn clear when it comes to Karl Rove. Just look at the last election.
In 2012, Tea Party chosen senate candidates for open or Democrat-held seats won in 3/7 races.
In 2012, Karl Rove chosen senate candidates for open or Democrat-held seats won in 0/19 races.
I cannot believe that people are actually falling for this sh7t... again! Next they’ll be donating to the ‘Conservative Victory Project’ and the Chamber of Commerce PACs.
You make a strong case, counselor.
I tend to think this “Rove’s support=THE MARK OF THE BEAST” thing is like so many things, an overreaction (and mind you I hate the guy). But Rove as Hitler and NRSC (and NRCC) as Al Queda seems to be the current FR consensus. I’m more inclined to be automatically skeptical of Huckabee’s choice, Harris.
And as you know I’m always skeptical of the self-proclaimed Kings of Queen of the “Tea Party” who are built up by hype. Anyone can claim it, anyone can give a nice speech.
Paul support is always a red flag, but not necessary damning, Mike Lee is alright, isn’t e? Unfortunately a lot of normal conservatives pal around with the Paul crowd because we do agree with them on many things.
I’m not making a recommendation as of yet but I certainly don’t see an open and shut case here and I’d give a look to Harris and Flynn too, they don’t appear any less worthy than Brannon at first glance despite Brannon having all the FR hype.
At the very least Tillis doesn’t appear to be any kind of Dewcrist RINO or Lindsey Graham style b*tch boy and his nomination wouldn’t be cause to set ourselves on fire in disgust.
Mike Lee never was a Paulistinian, and he had a sterling résumé and conservative bona fides (clerked for Alito in both the Third Circuit and SCOTUS, appellate and Supreme Court litigator for Sidley Austin, Assistant U.S. Attorney in Salt Lake City, general counsel to Gov. Huntsman back when Hunstsman was conservative, etc.) prior to his Senate run. If Ron Paul supported Lee, he must have been misinformed about Lee, or it simply was the case of Paul supporting the guy who could beat someone he really wanted to see lose (Bennett).
Brannon, on the other hand, may well be a fine medical doctor, but the only things we know about his politics (joining the Ron Paul cult and donating to the anti-Federal Marriage Amendment, pro-drug-legalization, anti-death penalty, pro-carbon tax, anti-national defense Paultard B.J. Lawson) are HUGE red flags.
Let me put it this way: a Ron Paul endorsement should not be disqualifying, but if a candidate’s connection to the Ron Paul cult is the only thing we know about him then we should run away from him as fast as we can.
huckabee’s job is to protect gop senate incumbents. huckabee endorsed McConnell, Lamar, Lindsey Graham.
What’s going on in North Carolina? A liberal Senator who’s not especially popular is up for reelection and the Republican field consists of nothing but third-tier candidates.
We have an excellent candidate in Greg Brannon. He is another Ted Cruz, and he’s going to win.
I wouldn’t call the Speaker of the House a “third-tier candidate.” I’d say that Speaker Thom Tillis is first-tier, or at least very close to it.
Some people object to Thom Tillis because he’s too “establishment,” but I think that his voting record and the conservative agenda that he has shepherded through the NC House over the past three years should dispel any notion that he’s a “go along to get along” type of politician. He has put the Democrats in the crosshairs and fired away, obtaining passage of a killer redistricting plan that made 2/3 of state house and senate districts strongly GOP (although RAT incumbents managed to hold on to a couple) and turned an 8-5 RAT U.S. House delegation into a 10-3 GOP U.S. House delegation starting next January, passed voter-ID laws, greater restrictions on abortion, lowered taxes, reformed labor laws, etc.
I agree, Tillis is first or high-2nd tier. It is curious he’s the only one the though against a bunch of previously unknown persons. None of the US Reps. running. I guess they major players cleared the field for him.
Brannon isn’t “another Ted Cruz,” he’s a freaking Paultard. The only thing we know about his politics is what he says in his little speeches, the fact that he’s a member of the L. Ron Paul cult, and the fact that the only candidate for federal office to whom he’s donated $200 or more since 2000 is the anti-Federal Marriage Amendment, pro-drug-legalization, anti-death penalty, pro-carbon tax, anti-national defense Paultard congressional candidate B.J. Lawson.
If you want to compare Brannon to a recent Texas “anti-establishment” candidate, maybe you can say that he’s another Deb Medina (although someone should ask him who carried out the September 11, 2001 attacks just to be sure).
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