Future Republican Stars, GOP Women
May 16th, 2010 by Tennessee Walker
For those who trash the Convention System let me point out to all that the best speeches/performances of the Republican State Convention were delivered by relative newcomers . All of these performances were delivered by Republican Women under the age of 30. It bodes well for the party that we continually attract the best and most gracious young women to our party. They were on dislplay this weekend.
First up is Heather Lehman of Kent County. Heather was an alternate at this convention. Heather Lehman is also the current Miss Delaware. Heather’s stirring rendition of “God Bless America” in a beautiful Soprano voice was awesome. We all know how Democrats hate beauty queens. Democrats get over it. Heather is the real deal.
Heather is beauty and brains combined.
The Urquhart Campaign made a good decision in picking Katelynn Dunlap to deliver a seconding speech. This young lady is not out of high school and she did the campaign proud. Her speech was superb
With no disrespect to Katelynn or Heather, easily the most memorable performance belongs to Monet Whaley Smith. Let me assert from the beginning. It was quite apparent that no one pushes Monet Smith around in ANYTHING.
Monet Smith was chosen by KEVIN WADE to deliver his initial nominating speech.
Monet Smith wrote a speech to support Kevin Wade. She was determined to deliver her speech. The Party rules said it could only be 5 minutes. I think Monet wrote a 8 minute speech but I have no way of knowing.
Tom Ross attempted to enforce those rules. Monet just went on with her speech. The sight of Ross at 6’4″ looming over Monet who is 5’4″ on her best day was hilarious. The message was clear. NO ONE intimidates Monet!!!
Some were annoyed that Monet went over her alloted time. Some were offended that Ross enforced the rules. For neutral observers it was great political theatre.
The Feisty, Spunky, Monet was not going to be silenced by anyone!!
Anyone who wants to be around 20 years from now should know that the Republican Party will be in good hands.
That is assuming that The party will be in the hands of Heather Lehman, Katelyn Dunlap, and Monet Smith.
For all of those who choose to see this Convention as a negative, this chooses to ignore how dedicated and talented our young Republican Women are.
None of these young women stand above 5’5″ but all of them stand tall as future leaders in this party.
The Republican Party is so fortunate to have a so dedicated group of people on the horizon.
Tennessee, I don’t see the convention as a total negative, and I point out these same things in my comments on it, though I lacked the names of the young republicans that stood out at this convention.
I also have to point out that two of the outstanding young talents you mentioned were completely beyond the control of party leadership. Your story about Monet Smith makes it abundantly clear that some of these Young Republicans are rising in spite of the party, not because of it, which is a shame. I hope it is a situation that changes. Right now, rather than encorage Katelynn Dunlap to continue pursuing the course she has chosen as a Republican some are trying to recruit her away from it and into the party machine. I would imagine that similar advances have been made towards Monet.
To me if you unleash the new talent they can lift the party through its current slump, but if you try to reign them in and make them part of the old party structure they will begin to stagnate.
Tennessee Walker:
You’re correct; these women excelled and gave excellent speeches. Katelynn and Monet were both great examples of women moving upwards in the Republican Party and women to watch in Delaware as well as national politics. We are proud of both of them and know they will succeed in whatever they choose to accomplish with their lives.
Monet took the show. She captivated the audience with her speech, poise and grace. Even Tom Ross seemed to be a bit amused as he tried to enforce the 5 minute rule. Knowing Monet, all I can say is “Good luck on that one Tom.” People were captivated at her performance as was I.
Anybody who is big time in to politics in high school, scares me.
I was. It is like any other interest.
Monet is my niece. Just when I think I couldn’t be more proud of her – she once again exceeds my expectations
Those three girls could NOT have represeted themselves, their peers (of which they have few) and their families any better than they did. My only regret is that they had such a disrespectful, ignorant and close minded crowd to speak to. It pains me to see and hear the extreme discomfort that 200 or so of the nearly 1000 people in attendance took at having to endure listening to young people discussing their sincere desires to see freedom, liberty and opportunity for THEIR children. I had to check with those around me to make sure I wasn’t at the Progressive Party Convention.
This was my first convention and I can tell you that in that room, as I often see on the blogs, was represented nearly everything that is WRONG with the Republican Party. There were good people there please don’t mistake me but the majority of those in attendance were cold, evil, party line hacks who have never had an original thought about anything….ever. This will NOT be my last convention but you can damn sure bet I’m bringing FAR more friends next time than I brought this time because that type of sickening display of Progressive drooling must be stopped in the party of Reagan and Lincoln.
Kudos to Mr. Ross for being fair. While Monet was indeed preaching the truth, her speech did stretch far over the allotted time (as did Gov. DuPont who nominated Castle but even *I* can give him a break despite the fact that I disagree with his (not so) ringing endorsement of Castle. Ross did what he had to do when he had to do it and he was fair with us all. Now Prissy Rakes, that sleazy, slime turd, snake in the grass, backroom witch is the lowest form of life that has ever existed. She didn’t even have the balls (or whatever fortitude ladies call on) to confront Christine directly and instead hid her hideous face behind a staffers back so she could shout comments during Diane Hernandez’s speech without appearing to be the ignorant beast she is.
Enjoy this year’s convention Prissy Rakes cuz you may not be invited back. National Committeewoman indeed…ugly, wicked and evil is what you are.
WD Whaley – We must call on her fortitude and that of every one of the valiant young speakers to press forward and carry their banners. The fight is NOT yet over and we will NOT lose the war. Monet, Katelynn and Heather along with the many College Republicans and young volunteers for O’Donnell, Urquhart, Wade and Izzo MUST stand their ground and continue to fight the wave of progressivism that has swept through the Republican Party. They must recognize that there are many, indeed a great many of us who are older who rally behind them. Indeed the scourge of progressive liberalism which has infected the GOP is being driven out through many ways. Age, passing, weakness against the conservative storm and a groundswell of true conservatives young and old who are revitalizing the party, saying no to the progressives like Castle and Rollins are all working to form the base for these young superstars in waiting. As I told a fellow Newark Region member considering running for the GA…”We’ve got your back…let’s go get that seat back.” so I say to these fine young conservatives…”We’ve got your back…let’s go get OUR party back!”
Thank you for all of encouragement and comments, good, fair and indifferent. I want to make note that I requested an agenda and details regarding timing for Convention Day from Seth at GOP Headquarters on March 18th and again on March 25th. The most I got was, “It’s hard to say how long everything will last.” I was not informed there was a time limit on the nominating speeches from the powers that be, otherwise I would have absolutely planned a speech accordingly. I clearly realized there was a limit on Saturday morning, and I did my best to try to scratch out sections of my speech to make it fit w/in the allotted time. It is what it is. I’m incredibly disappointed w/ the GOP right now, and I had a lot that needed to be said. It is my generation’s future that is at stake here and I will NOT sit back, accept the status quo, embrace the failing machine that is Washington, and watch people who have never lived on Mainstreet in America destroy Mainstreet. I don’t think Saturday represented the majority, and we have about another six months to see what happens.
Indeed Monet, we will see what happens. Great speech!
Like I said before, there was great top down pressure to see to it that the two ‘big fish’ we’re given the Convention’s endorsement. I would have thought that Wade and Urquhart would have supported the other during the 2nd ballot. This clearly did not happen, as many Wade supporters went to Rollins. What this tells me is that Rollins has an opportunity to reach out to this segment of the GOP…whether she will or not is the question.
I will say that while the State GOP is not responsible for inviting Monet, and Katelynn, they did allow them to speak at the podium, along with other grass roots conservatives that shatter the status quo. I assume that while it may not be a realistic option for a party that believes in free speach, they could have chosen to reject candidates or the individuals the candidates selected to nominate them.
Tom Ross was good about remaining on the stand durring all of the speaches, even the ones that made him uncomfortable. That was his job after all. However, other members of the state leadership were coincidentally and and conspicuously absent from the stage durring the nomination process for certain candidates.
Instead of hastily scribbled time prompts on yellow legal paper, wouldn’t it have been more professional to use colored cards, flags or lights operated by a neutral Convention official in the front row? It would also have been more professional, i.e. gracious, if the time constraints on speeches was posted for all to see, weeks ahead of time. The “it’s hard to say how long everything will last,” sounds rather weasily.
We are all on the same team…are we not!?
Tim-I don’t know about Katelyn, but Monet is a delegate and I would imagine she would be invited by the party to the Convention, as all delegates were.
Evan-it’s called the “REPUBLICAN Party” not the “Conservative Party.” It’s the party of Lincoln, and Susan B. Anthony, and Dwight Eisenhower and Ronald Reagan. It’s the party that freed the slaves and fought for a woman’s right to vote and civil rights, it’s the party that created the EPA, it’s the party that gave us the ANWR.
After talking to delegates Friday and Saturday it seems clear that the most pressure was put on them by the “conservative” candidates, I spoke to absolutely no one who was pressured by the party leaders. Not ONE delegate.
O’Donnell and Urquhart have been running smear campaigns against their opponents. I bet some of the Wade people broke for Rollins because of the nasty smears against Wade staffers that were thrown out there by a bloated, idiot, Urquhart supporter in Sussex. Lies and smears will get candidates no where, a lesson that hopefully was learned on Saturday, but I won’t hold my breath for that, I expect the smear campaigns by O’Donnell and Urquhart to step up significantly.
Monet, you rocked. I can’t wait for you to run for statewide office.
Rationalizethis,
“I spoke to absolutely no one who was pressured by the party leaders. Not ONE delegate.”
Hello!? I was pressured, by multiple people, both elected and not, both high up and down low, on both Friday night and Saturday during the day. I’m fine with it, as I’m not one to bend or break. Actually, you’d be surprised by the vote of one of the guys on the stage…i.e. it wasn’t for Rollins. Regardless, its all water under the bridge. Time for the summer season of consensus building and compromise…i.e. if WE want to win this fall.
rationalizethis – Evan-it’s called the “REPUBLICAN Party” not the “Conservative Party.”
And if you had any idea what the founding principles of the party were you’d admit that where it stands today is far left of where it was even intended to be. Big tent doesn’t equal big government nor does it mean we support progressives. That being said, if you think for 1 second that most of the people in that room speak for the primary voters you’re sorely mistaken. That was a party elite convention where the party dictated the outcome simple as that. September will be a different animal.
“Time for the summer season of consensus building and compromise…i.e. if WE want to win this fall.” – Henry Clay at his best….
Problem is that Henry Clay never really DID anything except sell out…could have solved the issue of slavery in 1824 and instead we have the Missouri Compromise thanks to Henry Clay…
Madison (which I quoted) was far more partisan and gave us the Constitution as his legacy. Constitution vs. Missouri Compromise…I take the Constitution 8 days a week (yes I am aware there are only 7 days in a week)… If the DE GOP wants to have a summer of consensus building and so forth, let them move up the primary like most other states have done. This party will only win when it returns to its roots and stops sliding to the left.
Anyone care to share with Evan Q the history of the GOP primary electorate as compared to the convention vote?
In nearly every case in the last 10 elections, the people chose the same as the convention delegates, often down to the same percentages. The same arguments you cite today and the same bluster you show today have been cited by every other convention loser, too.
Do you have your pre-packaged excuses ready for the September losses, too?
It was my first time attending the state convention, and I agree with most when I say that it was a sad day to be acknowledged as a republican. It’s ashame to see that how big your wallet is reflects or will be a determinant of a candidates endorsement. On a more positive note, excellent job Monet!!!
Instead of hastily scribbled time prompts on yellow legal paper, wouldn’t it have been more professional to use colored cards, flags or lights operated by a neutral Convention official in the front row? It would also have been more professional, i.e. gracious, if the time constraints on speeches was posted for all to see, weeks ahead of time. The “it’s hard to say how long everything will last,” sounds rather weasily.
1.) Ross was very conciliatory with his time prompts and as a speaker I can tell you he was encouraging to me especially despite my unpopular nomination.
2.) I thought having Ross beside me flashing the cards was far less distracting than having to locate someone in the audience.
3.) As a nominating speaker I can say that we knew ahead of time what our time constraints were. I knew I had a 5 minute time limit and that each of my seconds were going to have 2 minutes and I rewrote my speech at least 3 or 4 times to make sure I got in under 5 as I expected NO leeway. Turns out I might have been able to leave more in the speech but all in all I think I did what I set out to do and that was draw distinctions and make a point about debate and partisanship even within the party. It’s healthy and necessary to refine and reinforce ideas.
Monet is talented and has a bright future. She’s articulate, well spoken and well read. I can’t speak to what she understood the time constraints to be but I believe she was treated fairly with respect to her speech as it ran long. I can’t complain about Tom Ross’ conduct as the time keeper. In fact, as I told “Tommy Boy” (I’m still taking my shots man..sorry!) after the event, he went up a long way on my respect meter for what it’s worth.
Anyone care to share with Evan Q the history of the GOP primary electorate as compared to the convention vote?
In nearly every case in the last 10 elections, the people chose the same as the convention delegates, often down to the same percentages. The same arguments you cite today and the same bluster you show today have been cited by every other convention loser, too.
Do you have your pre-packaged excuses ready for the September losses, too
Now Anon…perhaps YOU would like to do some homework and go back into your basement…look at the primary election turn outs over the last…10 elections (you can just do 2-5 if you want to) and let me know what you see in those number…
*sigh* David…sometimes I wonder about some of the posters here
Having Seen Monet’s post in number 8….let me strike all credit I gave to them on being fair and say….
SHAME ON YOU DE GOP!!!
If she didn’t know the time limit who can blame her…You can come and talk to our group anytime Monet!
DEConservative(Evan Q), how did you learn about the time constraints for speeches (i.e. 5 and 2 minutes)? Our campaign team informed me about timelines Convention weekend, but nothing was concrete. It may have been communicated to candidate representatives Friday after the dinner possibly? Regardless, I started working on my speech in March…I don’t start planning the night before so Friday night would have still been inadequate in my mind. There is no reason that could not have been posted/e-mailed somewhere, or even included with the multitude of mailings I received from GOP prior to Convention.
On a side note, I was an Alternate at Convention, not a Delegate. As Chairperson for the 40th RD, I select who will be delegates/alternates from my district at convention. I had another event to go to in MD immediately after convention so I made myself an alternate in case I had to leave early, which I in fact did.
Hey. I’m a Democrat and I don’t hate beauty queens. Beauty queens are great…(to have sex with).
Evan – I will stand and say you did a good job Saturday. I will also admit I expected some of the attitude I normally see here (and do today) to come out last Saturday, yet I was mistaken. Obviously, I didn’t agree with everything you said (I’m sure you are in shock), but disagreement has nothing to do with appreciation, nor should it. You did a good and admirable job with your time at the dais. Plus, I noticed you modified your statistics on the voting numbers from actual-registrants against percentage-of-age-eligible-voters to actual-voters against actual-registrants.
Not to mention, it is a very valid point to make to anyone with an eye on politics.
Monet – Can’t argue with the passion you had all over your time at the dais. While I wish you had more acknowledgement of the time constraints, that doesn’t change my appreciation for your emotion with your speech. In spite of my feeling about keeping it to time, I was disappointed with the way some vocally treated you. Regardless of their feelings to the time limit, they should have kept quiet. Public disagreement does not mean disrespect.
On Katelynn, I only wish I could carry on public speaking like that. Great job.
As far as Wade supporters mostly, not all, going for Rollins, I find myself agreeing with an earlier comment that I think many Wade supporters have taken offense to the attacks launched upon his campaign. From Colley to Glen’s campaign itself, the attacks on Wade have been more curious in reasoning over any tangible substance.
Jason…get lost you f-cking loser!
Que,
Just kidding…jeez. Anyway, I think it ti cute that that pageant gals like Rollins and Lehman are getting interested in politics as a hobby.
Jason,
Crawl back under that rock that you crawled out from you sexist pig.
“*sigh* David…sometimes I wonder about some of the posters here”
Evan Q — Every convention loser tries that one, too, about the great silent majority that will for some reason turn out in droves when they haven’t before.
Like in 2006, when your savior Christine O’Donnell was part of a primary that drew 8% of Republicans. (Of which she only got 17%.)
Like in 1994, the last time there was this kind of anti-Democratic fervor, and the competitive GOP primary for AG drew about 13% of registered Republicans.
You can wonder all you want, pal, but you’re still wrong.
Please. I’m all for women’s lib. I’m glad to see pageant gals like Rollins and Lehman join a proud group of other smoking hot sexy babes who went on to roles in politics. Of course there is Sarah Palin, but don’t forget the ground breaker’s Imelda Marcos and Star Trek’s Jeri “Seven of Nine” Ryan.
Jason posted complete crap worthy of nothing, yet anon wonders about Evan?
“I’m glad to see pageant gals like Rollins and Lehman join a proud group of other smoking hot sexy babes who went on to roles in politics.”
Jason, Heather Lehman has brains and beauty- she is a class act and has been a wonderful representative of our State. She is the antithesis of the “pageant stereotype.” If you ever have the chance to meet her and talk to her, you will see what a sharp intellect she has.
O’Deadbeat got 17% at the 2006 Convention, she did it by claiming that Mike Protack wasn’t a “real conservative” and, of course, not adequately pro life for her taste.
She got about 4% in the 2006 primary, just about what she’ll get against Castle in a primary, if she’s lucky and if every one of her supporters comes out to vote. And to clarify, I mean her real supporters, not the imaginary ones that she claims to have on her side every two years.
Trust Fund Scott is like radical Islamic terrorists: He takes full advantage of the very easy-going nature of David Anderson and crew by continually posting hateful nonsense that he knows won’t be deleted, whereas this sort of stuff gets routinely excised from his old site.
Like al Qaeda takes advantage of our legal system in their own defense, whereas they’ll simply execute anyone under their control.
If 4% is the betting line, I’ll take the “under” bet.
Staffy,
Unlike the Glen Beck loving knuckle heads that reside here – I think women can be both smoking hot and smart. Smart enough, anyway, to snag a rich dude like Rollins did.
Hube, I have to admit I really appreciate all the great work jason330 and other DL bloggers are doing here. Lately they have been posting more at Delaware Politics than they do at their own blog. It almost makes me feel guilty that I don’t return the favor.
Tim: That’s the thing — if you posted garbage like they do, you’d be deleted and/or banned. Thus, my analogy.
No worries. (Your latest check is late BTW, it is in the mail right?)
One correction. I’m not a blogger. Just a concerned patriot like everyone else here.
Oh dear, Hube is back at his naked jealousy over Jason. Sorry Hube, if you wanted a trust fund you should take it up with your parents.
Oh, and Tim? Trust Fund has his little garbage-peddling minions, too … like anon.
“Hey. I’m a Democrat and I don’t hate beauty queens. Beauty queens are great…(to have sex with).”
Guys lighten’ up on Jason. He is great for comic relief.
For Jason to imply that he has a chance of having sex with Heather Lehman (current Miss Delaware) has me rolling on the floor laughing. For a Trust fund baby fatso loser to think he can sneak into the pants of a bright attractive and talented young woman, gives real meaning to the term delusional.
Of course liberals like Jason are always delusional. Liberalism is pure delusion. Cookie I am ok that Jason crawls out from under his rock. He shows just what liberals are about.
If Tennessee Walker can get the joke everybody should be able to. I even have hope that my incredibly dense stalker will crack a smile one day.
I don’t stalk you, Trust Fund. That would be flattery. What I do is remind you what a piece of —- you are really are, because folks like David A. and others are too nice to say it, and to ban you from their site altogether — like you did with wanton abandon.
For Jason to imply that he has a chance of having sex with Heather Lehman
Don’t rule it out; she did say she wants to be a lobbyist.
EvanQ, what a real jerk you are. Insulting those with whom you disagree and calling people names rather than trying to argue the facts, but then again, I’m not suprised.
For the record, Priscilla Rakestraw, who has done more for the Republican Party in one year than you’ll do in your lifetime, was not the one who yelled out anything (it was someone sitting in the Sussex region), and you owe Priscilla an apology for that, as well as all the other despicable things you wrote about her. Inexcusable. But then again, so much of your rhetoric is designed to bully rather than persuade, I can’t say I’m surprised.
As to Monet Smith, all the campaigns were informed of the time limits (as Evan acknowledged). It’s a shame the Wade campaign apparently failed to inform Monet of the limits (you would think they would tell the people speaking on their behalf about these things); however, all the campaigns were informed weeks in advance of the convention by a memo from Seth. So, it’s no one’s fault other than the Wade campaign that Monet’s speech was too long, and, people can praise her for standing tall and trying to give the entire speech, but I thought it was a bit rude to keep going and certainly not fair to those who were prepared and played by the rules.
My cyber stalker sure knows a lot about blogging. He should start a blog or something. That might be a healthy outlet for his impotent rage. I think I may suggest that to him someday when I’m feeling charitable.
Priscilla Rakestraw has done more for the Republican Party in one year than Evan Q, but runs 0% risk of being found in a beauty pageant.
“Hube, I have to admit I really appreciate all the great work jason330 and other DL bloggers are doing here. Lately they have been posting more at Delaware Politics than they do at their own blog. It almost makes me feel guilty that I don’t return the favor.”
Tim I do know how you feel. I just made a decision early on when I started writing here to just pay attention to this site. You have to pay attention because people have comments specifically directed at what you have said. They deserve a response and I do my best. This takes time. Time is something I don’t have in surplus. I do read DL but I don’t post because then I would have to follow the responses. I don’t post on Hube’s site either although it is one of my favorite sites.
Pandora from DL, who seems like a really nice person, has taken me to task for not posting on DL. She is decent enough to post here. She tends to expect that I respond in kind and I appreciate her position. But I don’t want to add any more time to my online day. I have real work to do that pays me real money and it does not involve posting a variety of comments on multiple sites.
Hube has a blog? I guess my prior comment is moot.
To one and all. The convention was just that “The Convention” it is for the “GOP Party People”. We must look out for our interest because it is being taken away everyday and this is very heart breaking to see. Stop and look around you and see what is going on in the grocery store. Do you see your neighbor packing the grocery cart with all the “extra’s” that they use too?
I am really very unhappy with the GOP and this out come at the convention has made me realize the decisions that I will go forward with.
Monet is my daughter and I could not be more proud as I am with my other daughter Hanna. (Who was also at the convention). They both love their country very much and are not pleased with the direction it’s going. Monet would love nothing better than serve Delaware anyway she could. But, it is becoming very clear that if you are not rich (and we are not) than you can not get elected.
Talent still counts. While I did not support the millionaire’s club for Senate and House, you have to admit that they are decent and competent people. The future of the party can not be ignored forever.
Jason is not a comic relief or someone to be to tolerated; he is simply an uninformed as—le that I can’t abide listening to sometimes.
I know that we all have different opinions but this guy is a total reject. I don’t know where he came from but, damn what a sexist. Hasn’t anyone taught him the polite rules of society and etiquette that we should abide by. They are not difficult. Just simple respect for humanity and common sense, which he has neither.
I wish his cyber stalker would do a better job and eliminate him from this stupidity he insists on inflicting on us.
In short Jason, “GET A FREAKIN LIFE AS—-LE!!!
Branchy,
You have a wonderful daughter in Monet. She is brave and on top of that she stand up for her rights. I was at the convention this past Saturday and I was so proud of her, I was to the point of tears because she stood her ground with Mr. Ross. That takes nerve and Monet has it. I believe when the right time comes along Monet will see her calling and will jump on and do a awesome job for all concerened.
I hope next year’s convention will start the process of getting our 2012 team in place. Put together a structure of meetings/debates etc all over the state to bring out those who want to serve and generate enthusiasm as far out as possible.
As the convention goes , so surprises and the script was carried out.
Good luck to all.
Mike Protack
Three cheers for Monet, what a great job she did, especially at the end there.
A big shoutout for Katelynn and the job she did too.
Heather? Wow, what a voice.
The good news for Delaware Republicans is that if you look at our stars, they’re all young. Colin Bonini is the “elder statesman” of that group at 45. You’ve heard plenty about Monet, Katelynn and Heather in this thread, but there are far more “young guns” coming along in the Delaware Republican Party. Many of them you will find standing behind candidates like Castle, Wade, Rollins, Urquhart, and Bonini. I hope our leaders find the wisdom to make sure they are taught right and encouraged to grow and stand for office someday.
And God help any Democrat that crosses Monet’s path…
“Monet is my daughter and I could not be more proud as I am with my other daughter Hanna. ”
Branchy, You must be one heck of a mother.
There are bright young Republicans at every convention. I am glad to hear that this year was no exception.
There are bright young Republicans at every convention.
What happens to them?
What happens to them?
They drop off the face of the earth. The extreme positions that make them seem so “bright” to the conventioneers, make them unpopular with regular voters.
Oh well, that’s Delaware. Too bad it didn’t apply in Massachusetts, New Jersey and Virginia.
Hey, thinking about it, didn’t BO campaign for Specter? Let’s see, BO and Coakley (MA)…LOSS. BO and Corzine (NJ)…LOSS. BO and Deeds (VA)…LOSS. Do I see, as Sestak put it, a ‘dead man walking?’
No wonder Dems are already claiming that Philadelphia blacks can’t get wet?
All we need now is for BO to campaign for his friend Mike Castle. With friends like Castle who support Cap & Tax and Van Holler’s campaign finance reform – Castle should get support from BO with ease.
What happens to the bright young Republicans at every convention?
Generally there is no place for them to go.
The average Republican member of the state House has served 10.52 years. The average returning Republican member of the 145th general assembly House has served 12.06 years.
The average Republican member of the state Senate has served 11.16 years. The average returning Republican member of the 145th General Assembly has served 13.2 years.
The current National Committewoman, Priscilla Rakestraw has served 34 years. The current National Committeman, Laird Stabler, has served two years, but his father served for twenty years.
When members serve this long, no matter how well or well intentioned, it prevents the development of young leaders coming behind them. They lose interest and find other things to do with their talents.
That’s what happens to our young talent.
Jason and I had an interesting proposal that could help.
Yeah Jason, except Castle voted against Obamacare, the Stimulus Bill and the “Jobs” Bill. And on another thread you threw around Castle’s voting record according to a conservative group that bases their percentages on a handful of handpicked bills.
The Washington Post has Castle’s voting record, and the percentage of time he votes with the GOP, based on his entire voting record for each session, which is a truer view of his record as opposed to your cherry picked version of his voting record:
http://projects.washingtonpost.com/congress/members/c000243/
- 103rd Congress-(Castle’s first year in office) Castle voted with the GOP 86.2% of the time.
- 104th Congress-Castle voted with the GOP 85.5% of the time.
- 105th Congress-Castle voted with the GOP 80.2% of the time (his career low).
- 106th Congress-Castle voted with the GOP 83.9% of the time.
- 107th Congress-Castle voted with the GOP 89.4% of the time.
- 108th Congress-Castle voted with the GOP 87.9% of the time.
- 109th Congress-Castle voted with the GOP 85.7% of the time.
- 110th Congress-Castle voted with the GOP 81.7% of the time.
- 111th Congress-Castle voted with the GOP 87.5% of the time.
And one more time, those numbers are based on all of the votes during that session, not a cherry picked few.
So, let’s recap. During each Congressional session, during his entire career in the US Congress, Mike Castle has voted with the GOP over 80% of the time.
All votes are a meaningless stat. Most votes are not controversial. I would likely vote with Ted Kaufman half of the time, but on controversial matters we would rarely agree in the order of 5%.
The National Journal is a much better measurer. It is not a conservative or liberal publication. That is the one I choose and one of the sources Jason quoted. He is with conservative a little more than half the time and the most liberal member of the house Republicans according to them. You may argue that he is the best we can get right now. That is Rick’s and it is a fair one, but 80% including rules votes on quarter bills just doesn’t fly. Democrats will try to use it against him, but it is laughable.
I do grant you that he is right on health care, the Democrat stimulus bill, and some other votes. He is much better than Coons would ever be, but so is his primary opponent. He may have peaked and she hasn’t. People are ready for a return to the constitution.
Do you mean “quarters bills” like the one that brought in $8 billion in revenue? I know that’s only 1/3rd of the bailout money that some people’s employers got, but it’s a heck of a lot more money than O’Donnell or Coons ever generated:
http://www.communitypub.com/news/x1793478204/50-State-Quarters-Program-generates-8-6-billion-in-revenue
Washington, D.C. — The 50 State Quarters Program that honored each of the 50 states and territories generated $8.6 billion in revenue, including $6.3 billion in seigniorage to help reduce the skyrocketing national debt.
David, really, you know that this is a very small part of the contributions Castle has made to the nation and it pales in comparison to what he’s done for the state.
And of course you like the National Journal’s judgement of Castle’s record based on a handful of cherry picked votes. It fits your agenda better.
As for his opponent, she “peaked” in 2006 with 4% in her write in bid. You could have run a houseplant against Biden in 2008 and gotten 35%, the lowest percentage a candidate has ever received against him in his long, long history in the Senate.
“You could have run a houseplant against Biden in 2008 and gotten 35%, the lowest percentage a candidate has ever received against him in his long, long history in the Senate.”
QA the facts do support you. But in fairness to CO she had to take on Biden who was getting tons of free advertising due to his Vice President Run. Our own local “neutral” News Journal papers ran a DAILY piece on Biden’s day, every day.
I have been critical of CO’s campaigns in the past but I don’t know of anyone who could have won this race with the deck so clearly stacked against her in 2008.
“I don’t know of anyone who could have won this race with the deck so clearly stacked against her in 2008.”
Maybe a candidate that showed up?
For crying out loud, Delaware is a liberal state. Forget about Jesse Helms when the best you’ll ever get (at least in the foreseeable future) is a guy like Castle or Scott Brown.
History shows you to be completely out to lunch. No candidate in a similiar situation in the last 100 years has gotten over 25% of the vote. Liberman, Bensten, Johnson all swamped their opponents. Biden actually had to come back and campaign, spend millions, and milk a national and international boost with appearances with America’s biggest political celebrity. O’Donnell got about the same percentage (within tenths of a point) as Jane Brady.
Don’t give me that potted plant crap. She made an historic showing and you revisionists can’t take that away.
[...] Future Republican Stars, GOP Women – DelawarePolitics.net … [...]
Thank you all for your kind words and encouragement! I am looking forward to working within the Republican Party of Delaware for many years to come!