Then, stupid people try to short cut the work and effort to get people to part with their hard earned money. I think Keene has been part of the ‘establishment’ for too long. Either he just accepted the ’standard operating procedure’ or he got tired of spending 75% of his time raising money. Whichever it was, he compromised principle for money.

Erick, I understand the issue. I spent last year facing chronic funding shortages and hoping for a little money to get a message out. And, on occasion someone or some group would offer a little support for endorsements - things I avoided.

Until Conservatives begin supporting organizations that are at the forefront of conservative activities, lesser people will try shortcuts. Whatever their self-justification, it will always do more damage than good.

Tracy Coyle
Founding member, Former Chairwoman
American Conservative Party

I think you’ve proven to me you’re conservative at the core on more than one occasion… for what that’s worth… I commend you for your courage.

On a lighter note:

I think you should create a new Erick rule… called something like the “Is this endorsement gonna come back and bite me in the ass?” rule…

A conditional question process:

Are you not just a leader in the organization, but are you intrinsically linked to the organization given your years of service there?

Are you being asked to endorse a candidate or support a position, where the implication is that your organization does too?

If yes, Will money change hands for your endorsement before your organization takes an official position and shall be consequently implicated, whether accurate or not?

As a consequence of your endorsement, will you be accused of pay to play games by the media, or will some prominent principled blogger be forced after careful consideration to call for the burning of your organization to the ground with a fresh start?

If you had to answer Yes to 3 or more questions…

WHAT YOU HAVE BEEN ASKED TO DO HAS FAILED THE INTEGRITY TEST…

Please do not go forward with said endorsement.

Keene
Kessler
Romney
and the
“Beltway Kingmakers Club”

I am happy to see that your enthusiasm is not curbed by the fact that you’re now a “marked man” working against the “tyrannical system of conservative elitists in washington”, and their cronies on this site… (yes that’s some sharp cheddar snark)

What i’m confused about is what does this have to do with Erick’s post?

Please, just write a diary, no need to threadjack brother.

I suppose you will take some heat but the GRASSROOTS are much bigger and more powerful than those insider’s and they can be made or broken by their character. In this instance the ACU has lost all credibility and as someone who donate’s to a lot of Conservative causes this is one that will never get another dime from me along with the NRSC. That BTW is a GREAT thing because it means more money to those who not only espouse Conservatism but actually walk that talk.

I thank you for these post’s holding these jokers to account! To be a fine citizen of the United States of America and holding those dreams close to your heart gives you more integrity than they and makes you someone that not only your children can look up to but someone we can look up to. You are blessed to be able to look at yourself in the mirror and know you are a man of character.

Thank you!

Anyway, thank you Erick, and as Janis said we stand with you and I’ll add that we pray for you and all who strive to do the right thing.

I would imagine the really painful part was discovering that this happened in the first place and was propagated by people you formerly respected and trusted. That’s been the theme of this whole summer so far what with Ensign, Sanford and co. It’s made all the more distressing by the fact that there’s never been a time more perilous in our nation’s history for its survival as a free and prosperous country. It’s enough to have to constantly fight the other side without having to start gunning for your own.

Small comfort though it may be, Erick, we stand with you.

I don’t like throwing stones at my own side. Not at the RNC. Not at the NRSC. Not at ACU or ATR or any of my friends out there.

I don’t like it and don’t care to do it.

At the same time, I am more and more mindful of the position I have come to stand at in the movement. It’s not a big one. But it’s not a small one. And I know we may not be as large in terms of readers as some other sites, but that those who do read RedState are the influential people.

So it descends to a point that I must say something in the absence of others willing to say it and hopefully to embolden others with a louder voice than mine to echo what I say.

But it wears me out.

If you’re a Republican, you make your news and make your deals back in the home state or in another Red States and you make your press releases to the local and regional media. One of the funniest things I’ve ever seen was all the big city reporters in Alaska trying to find somebody, anybody, or anything about Sarah Palin. Too bad Wasilla is so close to Anchorage, they could get too comfortable in ANC. If the DC media wants to follow a Republican, they should come to think of a Holiday Inn Express as a luxury hotel. Unless you’re running for President, it really doesn’t matter if you’re in the National news, ’cause nobody outside the district can vote for you and if you’re raiseing money outside the district, you’re probably doing things you shouldn’t.

But then again, I’ve read most of posts on Baghdad Bob’s 10,000 word diaries. Probably a good thing you don’t engage. You’re not up to it.

Bottom line, stop using Palin as a fricken weapon against other conservatives and you will stopp seeing me reply to your comments. It doesn’t do Palin or the conservative movement any good.

BTW Previous to this posting the last time I responded to you I was in agreement. Too bad you appear to be a grudge holding twit who can’t separate one debate from another.

Seriously, you shouldn’t be so self absorbed, it will only cause you trouble.

I thought I was rather clear with my intent.

By the way the part in the middle was a parody of a Monty Python scene.

BTW - Is there any reason why you can’t manage to spell Erick’s name correctly? I mean I know your “k” key works…you managed to type “Keene” after all.