White House thwarts Republican Jim Snyder's plans to run for US Senate (Prefer Richard Burr)

News & Observer ^ | December 18, 2002 | ROB CHRISTENSEN,

[jern]

Snyder remains untapped

By ROB CHRISTENSEN, Staff Writer

For Republican Jim Snyder, the White House's decision to back U.S. Rep. Richard Burr for the U.S. Senate in 2004 looks like a case of deja vu. When he sought the Republican nomination for the Senate in September, Snyder, a Lexington lawyer, found himself running against not only Elizabeth Dole but the full power of the Bush administration and the National Republican Senatorial Committee.

Snyder finished a distant second to Dole with 14 percent of the vote. He's now exploring a second possible Senate bid in 2004.

But he may once again find himself running against the Washington establishment. The White House has indicated that it will support Burr, the five-term Winston-Salem congressman, if he runs for the Senate seat now held by Democrat John Edwards.

Snyder said he is conflicted about the White House involvement.

"We have seen the enormous power of the White House and Washington in state affairs -- not only in North Carolina but around the country," Snyder said. "The president and Karl Rove [Bush's chief political adviser] have developed a strategy and a procedure that is unparalleled in the history of our country. And it has been extraordinarily successful."

Snyder said it is hard to argue with success. After all, the Republicans regained control of the Senate. Snyder said he has a high regard for Burr and understands why the White House has tapped him.

But Snyder said he remains troubled that Washington figures such as Rove can hand-pick Senate candidates in North Carolina.

"I am still concerned and would wish the states could act autonomously as intended by the Founding Fathers," Snyder said.

The blessings of Washington, said Snyder, not only mean presidential visits but also help immeasurably in fund raising. Dole raised $13.4 million in her Senate campaign, in which she defeated Democrat Erskine Bowles.

"Washington influence equals enormous amounts of money from around the country," Snyder said.

Snyder said he is not certain what he will do in 2004, and the White House's backing of Burr could be a factor.

"There are number of races I have an interest in," Snyder said. "The Senate race has been paramount. But I've had more calls about the governor's race. This is an act in a play yet to be written."

[Phantom Lord]

Vinroot has the fire in his belly because Vinroot cares about one thing. Vinroot.

[cynicom]

Ground swell??? Well, not often that a sitting president campaigns for a candidate in a primary, in fact I think Bush was the first. Also, if that 14 per cent had decided to sit out the election, who would the next senator from NC be??????

[ACAC]

I agree. Why doesn't this guy run for the STATE Senate or something first? I hate it when people try to jump right to the top.

[bluedevil]

Jim Snyder is a nutcase. Bill Cobey and the N.C. Republican Party even went out of their way to trash him during the primary with Dole. His hobby seems to be suing Republicans for being Republicans.

I, too, know Richard Vinroot well. He was and always will be a great mayor, but a governor...?

Cordially,
bluedevil
Concord, NC

[Howlin]

And I wouldnt be surprised if he was ever elected Governor, that he would attempt to move the state capital to Charlotte.

That made me really, really LOL. And I agree.

[CanisRex]

Jim is a genuinely nice man with strong beliefs and there is not a doubt in my mind that he'd make a hell of an NC Senator. However, that being said, I think Richard Burr is a much more realistic hope for us. He doesn't have the baggage of being associated (even geographically) with Sherriff Gerald Hege, he's well respected and the White House will assist with getting him elected.

LOL on Vinroot. I wish he'd decide to come out of the Democrat Closet.

[Windom Earle]

I've been active in the GOP for a long time.

Outside of Charlotte, I can't think of 3 activists who'd cross the street to see Vinroot. He's toast.

Snyder is in over his head. He needs to run, but for something a bit lower than US Senate.

Burr would be outstanding. So would Walter Jones. Can you say Governor Jones?

I thought you could.

[lizbet]

You said, "Sigh, here we go again..." What is up?? I need some education to understand why you said that....

Thanks, Constitution Day! :)

[JohnnyZ]

Have you heard anything about Jones being interested? Politics1 has him listed as a possible candidate for governor, but I haven't heard anything to suggest that.

[Windom Earle]

I've heard it at GOP State HQ and throughout WJ's district.

I've also asked him and received a very coy answer.

[ncweaver]

I agree with you!

I would LOVE to see Burr run for the senate seat. He is a great conservative and stands up for his core beliefs. He will NOT cave no matter what the party elites say.

Yes, I CAN say Governor Jones...sounds goooood!!!

[azhenfud]

"...Washington figures such as Rove can hand-pick Senate candidates in North Carolina"

They wouldn't do that, now would they???

[southern bale]

re: So if y'all don't like 'Root too much, you probably don't like Mayor Pat either? Personally I'd like him to run for mayor again if only to keep Parks Helms OUT.

McCrory is slobberin' all over the washinton-ites so as to secure a prominent appointment by Bush...look at how much time he has spent up there in the last few years...but you're probably right, if McCrory doesn't run, Helms will and would probably win...that is, depending on the outcome of all the DSS mess.

[Windom Earle]

While it's great that we have solid conservatives like Burr and Jones to move up, I wonder what's on the farm team to replace them in the Congress, if they do move on.

Anybody hear any names?

[JohnnyZ]

Supposedly there's a list a mile long for Burr's seat, but I haven't heard of anyone specific.

Rep. Bob Etheridge (D) is considering running for senate if Edwards gives up, and we would have a decent shot at his seat. Supposedly the ex-mayor of Raleigh has been mentioned as a possible candidate, but has never run?

[Kuksool]

"Supposedly there's a list a mile long for Burr's seat, but I haven't heard of anyone specific."


Richard Burr's seat (NC-05) is a rock solid GOP seat. So the GOP will retain the seat if Burr runs for the Senate. A Richard Burr/Walter Jones vs. Bob Etheridge Senate race would be a highly competitive. However, if Jim Snyder takes on Etheridge, the 'RATS will hold the trial lawyer's Senate seat.

Overall, I think the NC GOP ought to focus more on the governor's race in 2004. Gov. Mike Easley is more vulnerable than Sen. John Edwards. Also depending on how redistricting goes, the NC GOP could pick up more seats in the General Assembly. A favorable redistricting can happen only if the NC house votes for a GOP speaker. If that doesn't occur, then maybe the Whitehouse is justified in intervening with NC GOP primaries.

[billbears]

If that doesn't occur, then maybe the Whitehouse is justified in intervening with NC GOP primaries.

Excuse me, but at no time is the White House or any other federal organization justified in mucking around in state elections. That is the exact reason Congress is full of RINOs such as Liddy Dole replacing Jesse Helms. Talk about going from one extreme to the other within the Republican Party

[Windom Earle]

Well said. We can do much if we take the Governor's race and keep the State House.

The Burr seat is solid. The Jones seat may be a bit more of a challenge. I've heard a couple of names kicked around, but no one is saying too much....yet.

[GOP-Pat]

I thot the topic was Washington picking our candidates, i.e. Rove and Bush. They "picked" Dole for us, ran Synder off, paid off another candidate debts and then whined for we conservatives to vote for their candidate. Now they are at it again, they dont want Lott, just the people wanted him, they dont want Snyder, the people are the only ones that do.

I don't want him. He shouldn't be trying to fight the "hand that feeds him" so to speak. He should realize you don't trash the President and then expect help from him. He didn't have a chance of winning and should have gotten out so Reps didn't have to spend so much money on the primaries. I don't like Vinroot either. I'm encouraging Chuck Neely to run. He'd make a wonderful Governor and anyone but Vinroot and Snyder for Senate. Basically, I'm for anyone who can beat Edwards but Snyder isn't it. Simply put; he burned too many bridges when he ran last time and many Reps won't vote for him, including me.