Rob Maness claims Republican Party coercing his supporters into backing Bill Cassidy

NOLA.com ^ | October 23, 2014 | Cole Avery

[chemicalman]

Senate candidate Rob Maness' campaign is accusing Louisiana Republican Party chairman Roger Villere of coercing up-and-coming members of the party by threatening to withhold support if they didn't switch and back the party's preferred candidate, Rep. Bill Cassidy.

They point to emails and Facebook messages from a former Maness campaign manager and a candidate in North Louisiana to support their case.

"It's obvious that we're seeing a concerted and coordinated effort to smear Rob Maness," said Michael Byrne, Maness' campaign manager. "Roger Villere and the LAGOP are doing the bidding of the D.C. Republican-establishment and using Chicago-style tactics to coerce young, enthusiastic, conservatives to say things that they have privately admitted they don't really believe."

Villere denied the claim, saying, "Bill Cassidy has my support and that of thousands of other Louisianians because he is the only candidate who can defeat Mary Landrieu and return control of the Senate to Republicans. Any suggestion of another motive is nonsense."

Tensions between Maness supporters and the Republican Party have been building throughout the election cycle. Those backing the long-shot Republican have long been upset with the state party for going all-in on Cassidy without allowing for Maness to have an equal shot at earning the party's support.

Maness, a retired Air Force colonel, has largely relied on grassroots efforts and limited finances to run his campaign. He's viewed by most political observers as merely an obstacle who will effectively make it impossible Cassidy to win the Senate seat in November.

[chemicalman]

Establishment going all out against it's own base. No longer will the LaGOP receive another dime, or another minute of my time. Just these Alinski-like tactics is enough for me to stay home if there's a runoff with Cassidy and Landrieu. And I may work to get others to stay home, also.

[Din Maker]

I've always resented FReepers saying that Pubbies "will find a way to pull defeat from the jaws of victory". But, I have to concede...... they are right. HERE'S A SUPREME EXAMPLE: Let's have a big split in the anti-Landrieu vote and let Senator Thunder Thighs wobble her fat a** back to Washington.

[RIghtwardHo]

Ya know, I really dislike the Dims. I LOATHE the GOPe.

[FreeInWV]

“Ya know, I really dislike the Dims. I LOATHE the GOPe.”

What you said.

[fieldmarshaldj]

GO MANESS !

[Theodore R.]

Maness would be good, as I have said in other posts, but he lacks the name ID that LA people require.

[VTenigma]

The entire election is shaping up to be an epic clusterf&*k for the right. All thanks to Rove and the GOPe

[fieldmarshaldj]

Name recognition like Anh Cao ? Look at the upset he pulled off.

[Theodore R.]

If I were voting in LA, I would vote for Maness unless I thought Cassidy could win in the first round, which seems impossible.