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EDITOR OF REDSTATE

No Time to Go Wobbly: It’s Time to Follow the New Iron Ladies Into Battle

By: Erick Erickson (Diary)  |  June 9th, 2010 at 12:33 PM  | 

RESIZE: AAA

As the two prepared for the first Gulf war, Margaret Thatcher famously told George H.W. Bush “this is no time to go wobbly.” Well, I don’t think it’s an exaggeration to believe that we are now fully engaged in a political war for the very future of our nation. It is no time for us to go wobbly.

The Republican Establishment is declaring this their year of the woman. There are five in particular that I want to aggressively support: Nikki Haley running for Governor in South Carolina, Karen Handel running for Governor in Georgia, Sharron Angle running for the Senate in Nevada, Robin Smith running for Congress in Tennessee, and Pamela Gorman running for Congress in Arizona.

Nikki Haley and Karen Handel will be welcome additions to a group of Republican Governors that will serve as the front lines in the fight against federal encroachment of our rights under Barack Obama.

Sharron Angle upset the establishment apple cart in Nevada by cruising to a solid victory in a GOP primary. She will defeat Harry Reid Like Nikki Haley and Karen Handel, Sharron Angle is a solid and committed conservative and doesn’t apologize for it. Sharron Angle started out as the underfunded, underdog candidate in Nevada and because she was able to get out her message of principled, unwavering conservatism, Sharron Angle won handily.

Then there are women like Robin Smith and Pamela Gorman. Both are running hard against the establishment. Smith, as Chairwoman of the Tennessee Republican Party, pushed the party of Lamar Alexander to the right and now has the squishy establishment out to beat her.

In Arizona, Pamela Gorman stood up to the Republicans in the Arizona legislature and opposed their tax increases. The stripped her of power, removed her from her office, and she kept fighting, much like Nikki Haley did.

The problem that anti-establishment candidates like Haley, Angle, Smith, and Gorman face (though to be fair, not so much Handel because of different dynamics) is that the establishment is against them. All four of these tough conservative women led fights against the Republican establishment going wobbly.

Haley and Angle have won their primaries and need our continued support to win the general elections. Handel, Smith, and Gorman are still in the fight. We need to do what we can for them.

Support Pamela Gorman. We’ve got to get her elected.

Support Robin Smith. She’s in a real fight.

Support Karen Handel. She is being smeared like Nikki Haley and we can’t let the other guys win.

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  • redtillimdead

    Carly Fiorina. I know you didn’t support her, but she won the primary with 56% and its time to rally around her to beat Boxer. Unless you were just talking about candidates in primaries. Also, any chance of a Palin endorsement for Handel? Handel seems like the perfect person for an endorsement, running behind in a field of two corrupt opponents.

  • JoeG

    When Erick said “No Time to Go Wobbly” I thought it was going to be a diary about S-W-M-N-B-N.

    Instead Erick listed a series of candidates that conservatives could rally around, and I have no idea why any Redstate member would be wobbly on any of the ones he listed.

  • Wubbies World

    I supported Chris Nelson in the primary and he would have been a great candidate, but this lady is the unknown underfunded candidate who came out of nowhere to win.

    If she can beat Herseth she can be added to the list of this post as an up and coming conservative woman too.

  • http://www.hakubi.us/ Neil Stevens

    I mean he doesn’t even have a link for Haley there and we’ve been all in for her from day one.

  • rrreaganite

    The republican primary in NH has turned into a 2 horse race between Ayotte and Binnie. Binnie is surging and is now within single digits. He is a pro-amnesty, pro-choice, pro- gay marriage, pro tax-increases republican.

  • Christine (Trelaina)

    is the key here.

    I wouldn’t be suprised to see a separate post from Erick on Carly specifically. She falls into the category of “conservative in the primary, GOP in the general”. We need to support her because she was fairly elected by CA Republicans, but she is not who many of us would have wanted and doubt the support will be “aggressive”.

  • RINKER

    I’m thrilled she is getting some free pub from Redstate. I have followed her for the past several years, and I have always been impressed. I had contacted her and encouraged her to run for Arizona Governor back when “Big Sis” Napolitano was still guv. She has rock star potential.

  • redtillimdead

    Didn’t realize he had no Haley link. Did realize he had no Angle link ad realized I sounded stupid.

  • redtillimdead

    She raised more than Nelson. She raised 244k and had 43 CoH to Nelson’s 156k raised and 39k CoH. She was also the last candidate to enter the race. I supported Blake Curd, who came in third. Nelson made some birther-curious comments that had me worried about him. I think he might wait now and run for Johnson’s seat in 2014 though.

  • betsyred

    I don’t think any conservative will go wobbly on this roster of Republican women candidates. At the same time, let’s not get too caught up in anything resembling gender bias either. There’s still a bunch of really solid, noteworthy conservative male candidates that need media exposure and campaign contributions. Go to www.buckforcolorado.com and see for yourself.

  • Kayla

    Granted she’s not the most conservative candidate, but Devore just wasn’t going to happen no matter how hard you tried. In blue Cali, only a woman can take down Boxer. Even if Carly votes Repub only 50% of the time, that 50% more than Boxer and 50% more than we will ever get.

  • redtillimdead

    She will probably be with us more than 95% of the time, 100% on big issues. She will be a helluva lot better than Collins. She will be better than Hutchison. She is probably in between Hutchison and Shelby. Much better than Graham.

  • skat

    potential isn’t much of a qualification!
    Pamela Gorman resigned her seat to run for District 3 – it wasn’t taken away from Pamela. Checking out her bio, the only accomplishments listed are professional politician.
    Vernon Parker and Steven Moak are both successful businessmen. Vernon Parker is the Mayor of Paradise Valley – also a former pastor.
    Steve Moak hasn’t run for office before, but has an impressive list of business success as well as starting non-profits such as notMYkid, Inc – he was Arizona’s Social Entrepreneur for 2010.
    Arizona has many great candidates for office this year. With the current economic situation in Arizona and the rest of the US, I’d like someone who has had to make a payroll, etc.
    As a woman with 5 daughters, I think it’s great women are competitive, but I still want the most qualified candidate to win. I did a little research on Pamela because I was curious about her “seat” being taken. The following is Pamela’s response to criticism regarding her vacation while the Arizona legislature was still in session :

    “Gorman recently quit her post as house majority whip, and then apparently disappeared on what was referred to as a “Midwest vacation,” where she couldn’t even be reached by GOP leaders to discuss the budget negotiations.
    “We are a part-time legislature making $24k a year and have never in the history of AZ been in session still in August,” she says. “As such, it is completely appropriate that members spend a little time with their kids before they go back to school.”

    We the taxpayers, pay Gorman, the senator, $24,000 a year to do a job. If you were to give someone $24,000 to paint your house and they painted half of it, and then took a “Midwest vacation” seven weeks after it was supposed to be done, you’d probably be pretty pissed off.

    Senator Steve Pierce has postponed his summer vacation twice because the job taxpayers pay him to do isn’t done; perhaps Gorman, and a few others, should have followed suit.

    Gorman’s missive didn’t end there.

    “Be careful when you ask people to do things you wouldn’t do (like work 60 hour weeks at the federal poverty level) and then bash them for defending their right to be with their families for a few brief days or for putting in a few hours at their “other” job that pays their mortgage,” Gorman scolds. “You sound like a fool when you do.”

    Does she campaign on this platform? ”

    Sorry, but I don’t believe Pamela is the best candidate and I have to wonder if Erik is completely aware of all the facts. We already have one “rock star” as a President, we don’t need one representing Arizona.

  • http://www.dirkworld.com dirkbelig

    After beclowning himself with his demands that Carly drop out of the race because she had no chance (and only went on to get over HALF the vote while DeVore came in a distant 3rd) and that whole weird week of insipid, funny-only-to-him, posts about what “evidence” he had about the Haley smears, Erick is hoping no one will remember or ask about his silliness.

  • http://www.hakubi.us/ Neil Stevens

    Have a problem with RS? Please use it.

  • Kayla

    Yes I think so too. That’s why I never understood Erick’s jihad against her.

  • skat

    on my dime! I have been thinking about Pamela’s whining regarding her $24,000 salary and 60 hour work week while chastising a constituent who dared question her vacationing when she should have been earning her salary! Is this woman even remotely aware of Arizona’s current financial state? Or doesn’t she care?
    Is Pamela Gorman aware that many, many Arizonans are currently unemployed and would love a job for $24,000? Or doesn’t she care?
    Is Pamela Gorman aware that many, many Arizona business owners, speaking as one, are working 7 days per week, 12 to 16 hours per day? MY FAMILY ISN’T GOING TO GET ANY VACATION THIS YEAR!! Obviously, there are many Americans nationwide in the same boat as my family. Pamela doesn’t care!

    The LAST thing we need is another elected official who whines about how underpaid she is and how hard she works! For Pete’s sake, let Pamela get a REAL job – she’ll be much more appreciative of the great gig she had.

    Absolutely, we want a pro-life candidate elected in District 3, but there are other considerations as well.

  • veritaseequitas

    Nikki Haley will be in a run-off election on 22 June against Gresham Barrett. I voted for her and I hope she wins against Barrett. I don’t think he would be awful but I think she would be better.

  • http://www.reddogreport.com reddogreport

    Two more weeks of South Carolina drama.

    But I’m in, SUPPORT NIKKI HALEY!

  • positiveenerg

    Vernon Parker is not a conservative and has zero experience. He is the unelected figurehead “Mayor” of a tiny villa with no power. And he’s resigning that to concentrate on his race. He is a “businessman” who has sucked at the teat of the taxpayers for far too long. He started his “business” with a $1 million SBA (federal taxpayer funded) grant, I am told. Actually ran into legal problems because he was still a bureaucrat when he applied. Oops. Now says “he really didn’t own the business then …”

    Nice distraction from the fact that he’s been feeding off taxpayer dollars to start his business, has government contracts in his business (to teach the department of Agriculture how to deal with federal civil rights laws … give me break … and to help other private “minority” businesses receive taxpayer grants and loans). That is NOT conservative. Nice guy and black and all. But Pamela Gorman’s family was poor when she was young too. She just doesn’t run around giving a sob story like it’s some great accomplishment to do what you’re supposed to do.

    Steve Moak? Nice fella, I’m told. Ran a nice California business. Has never been involved or expressed interest or done anything to help the Republican or certainly not the conservative cause. He’s a sugar daddy … new consultant in the game wanted a rich candidate in the race … make some cash … so you convince the nice, completely naive business gent who couldn’t tell the left-wing from the right-wing if you labeled them. You tell him how to make out the checks to consultants. All good … payday.

    Your post is really more scat than skat. All of the recirculated lies told about Gorman during the entire time she opposed the tax hike … by herself. Gorman is on the Executive Board of of the Republican Legislative Campaign Committee. Anyone else from Arizona? No. Pamela is on the National Legislative Advisory Board of the Heartland Institute and not only attends the International Conferences on Climate Change, she’s a participant and a speaker. Anyone else from Arizona? No. Pamela served on the Executive Committee of the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) Task Force on Commerce, Insurance and Economic Development. Anyone else from Arizona? Ummm…No. Pamela was encouraged to get involved with the National Conference of State Legislatures as part of an effort to get conservatives involved and influencing the left-leaning organization. When she entered the race for Congress, she was in the #3 leadership position of the entire organization. Anyone else from Arizona up there? No. State Legislative Leaders Foundation (SLLF) Program for Emerging Political Leaders at the University of Virginia Darden Graduate School of Business Administration. Anyone other “conservatives” from Arizona? No. American Council of Young Political Leaders. Other Arizona Republican leaders? Anyone in this race?

    The answer is NO, NO and NO. Gorman stands head and shoulders above the rest of this crowd. Its not even close. And she has pissed of the “good old boys” who tried to schedule things when she was attending meetings. They knew when she was gone all the time. They knew she would be there for any votes. And she was there. Always. Despite the good old boys repeated efforts to pass the tax … That is a completely manufactured fallacy. So either you’re part of the good old boys (and some women) that create and spread that nonsense …. or someone is selling you a total bill of goods.

  • http://www.800cart.com Ron Robinson

    I’ll vote for her very reluctantly, and other factors will help ensure that we may not have to deal with the likes of her again in 2012/2016.

    We need true conservatives running on principle, because unlike Beinart says, Republicans lose when there is not a dimes worth of difference between the two candidates.

    By 2012, precinct activists will have been in the street for a couple of years and then we can weigh in.

  • skat

    ?Be careful when you ask people to do things you wouldn?t do (like work 60 hour weeks at the federal poverty level) and then bash them for defending their right to be with their families for a few brief days or for putting in a few hours at their ?other? job that pays their mortgage,? Gorman scolds. ?You sound like a fool when you do.?

    Did she or did she not say the above? Did she or did she not know the pay scale, I agree it may be way too low, when she ran for office?
    I’m actually asking if this statement – as well as the rest of the email is accurate or if you are saying these quotes are incorrect. Simple question requiring a simple question.

    Has Pamela worked in any position where she had to make a payroll?

    I’m a Arizona woman who wants the best candidate for Arizona. Frankly, I don’t think the “good old boy” network is keeping women down here in Arizona. We seem to be turning out quite a few strong, capable women. Are you honestly stating that Pamela has no one, not one fellow legislator, clerk, staffer could keep tabs of the meeting times and nefarious plots against Pamela to help her beat all the people determined to get her? That begs the question, if Pamela is that inept at dealing with the Arizona “good old boys” how will she ever make it in DC?
    Was she “forced out” or did she resign?
    I am curious if you are stating this is all false info. If it is, Pamela really, really needs to get the truth out. If it is false, I hope she gets the truth out.
    I’m no more for Vernon Parker because he’s black than I am for Pamela because she’s a woman. Just because I oppose your candidate, to a large extent because of her own email to a fellow Arizonan, doesn’t mean I’m part of some group undermining Pamela – I’m not. If the email is a fraud, that would certainly make a huge difference, at least to me.

  • http://bouncingporcupine.blogspot.com/ ct236

    Actually, the real race for Senate in New Hampshire is between two conservative Republicans—Ovid Lamontaigne and Jim Bender—not between the two RINO’s discussed above. While everything said about Binnie is true, what is not said is that for five years Kelly Ayotte served a liberal Democrat governor, Jim Lynch; she was was (re)appointed as NH attorney general by Lynch, who has presided over the destruction of the New Hampshire economy and advantageous laws for the past six years. As state attorney general, Ayotte was right in there him during that time. Real Republicans in New Hampshire are choosing between Lamontaigne and Bender.

  • edintexas

    Complaints about what she (allegedly) said about the salary once was sufficient for Red Staters to understand your position. Twice was overkill.

    This is the third time and could be taken as either you are being compulsive about the person, or you believe we are “too slow to get it” the first two times. Give it a rest – we got it.

  • eburkedisciple

    You are so good – usually. I enjoy your commentary. BUT, what is the deal with pushing Karen Handel??? You have a woman that has never completed an assignment. She is so ambitious she fully deserves a “Washington Insider” label. And where is the experience???? We are blessed to have many good candidates for Governor in GA. If you believe in conservative ideals in their truest and purest form from an “outsider’ go for Ray McBarry. If you believe in conservative ideals and experience go with Eric Johnson and you also get someone who understands that choice in education is our only hope for a future as a world leader.

    Karen Handel – com’on, R U SERIOUS???

  • williamcleveland

    Karen Handel is responsible for the Electronic Voting System in Georgia. In dDirect and intentional violation of the letter of the Georgia State Constitution Karen Handel bought/caused to be bought a Voting Sysytem that does not have any manner of producing a hsitorical, paper trail of the Votes cast by Georgia citizens. The Gerogia State Constitution specifically and plainly states that this must be part of any Voting System used in Georgia.

    Karen Handel violated her Oath of Office and under the precepts of the Georgia State Constitution should have been and should be charged with that crime. Eric – you do go along with the Gerogia State Constituion as being Law, do you not?? Just like the U.S. Constitution, Eric – the Georgia State Constitution is not some paperback novel to be “interpreted” to suit the political hacks and judicial miscreants agenda.

    I’m an engineer. The present electronic voting system in Georgia is subject to illicit manipulation by almost any novice teen age hacker. It has no paper trail to validate the vote, should that be required. It is an absolute violation of the State Constitution and Karen Handel is responsible. End of story. The fact that the Courts failed to lawfully address the crime is just another indication of the level of corruption extant in the court system. Great thing about the wording of the Constitution on this matter – NO INTERPRETATION IS REQUIRED TO UNDERSTAND THE INTENT. Karen Handel violated the Law. You like her – go figure??

    Karen Handel is just another Republican hack. I’m beginning to wonder about you- Eric. You have to have known about the Voting machine lawsuits and the unlawfull decisions brought down by the judges, also in violation of the Georgia State Constitution. How about that – Eric?? And what about the criminal charges some members of Karen Handels past staff are battling??

    Karen Handel is just another Republican hack, who decided that the Gerogia State Constitution wasn’t really Law and could be ignored. How is it that doesn’t bother you – Eric??? Karen Handel is just more of the same political bovine effluent we have seen for years.

    No thanks.

    William Cleveland

  • eburkedisciple

    You have a former failed exec in this lady. And look at her failure closely. Not a qualification for effective leadership.

    You have someone who NEEDS to be out front. Another poor qualification. Also notice her speeches – look closely – do you hear an apologist for conservative principles, no. You see someone, like any good politician, trying to find the sweet spot for her audience.

    She is not better than another vote for the lesser of poor choices. And yes, she is the lesser poor choice. But, don’t be excited you got her.

  • http://www.hakubi.us/ Neil Stevens
  • http://www.hakubi.us/ Neil Stevens

    Unless something changes in the race, Bender and Lamontaigne could add their votes together and still have no chance of catching Bennie.

    And since Lamontaigne has been FALLING, not RISING, the trend is not in his favor.

    It’s time for Republicans to get on board with the pro-life Ayotte, and not the far left Binnie.

  • http://www.hakubi.us/ Neil Stevens
  • budfrogs

    I agree with both these posts on Handel. She is not the most conservative, constitutional, states rights candidate running. Ray McBerry beats her hands down and he beats all the others too. The Republican establishment is trying to shut McBerry out because he wins every debate that he’s allowed to participate. www.GeorgiaFirst.org for all the facts.

  • Hugh

    that Cathy Cox, a Democrat, takes credit for purchasing electronic voting in Georgia. Other than that your comments are just babble.

  • http://www.hakubi.us/ Neil Stevens

    I mean you claim to be an engineer, but you can’t even spell Erick’s name, so you’re clearly not too bright.

  • Hugh
  • mbecker908

    AT ALL. But she’s lightyears better than Babs.

  • williamcleveland

    Your dissembling thru your teeth doesn’t make what you say true. All you folks out there do a little research – you’ll find that Hugh is full of bovine excrement.

    Handel was the elected official ( Georgia Secretary of State ) responsible for vetting/approving the purchase. All she had to do was “just say no”; Handel just needed to obey the letter of the Georgia State Constitution. She didn’t do that, did she Hugh?? The bought and paid for judicial system in Georgia has supported her to date. Doesn’t say much for that bunch of judicial miscreants that heard the case; seems they just can’t read well enough to discern the plain English text in the Georgia State Constitution. I will give you the point that Cox should be charged with the same crimes Handel is guilty of.

    For those interested folks the url below has a wealth of information on this issue.

    http://www.voterga.org/

    Hugh – never get in a debate with anyone that has facts to back up their points. Engineers don’t accept rhetorical input or un-informed opinion as valid argument. MIT and half a dozen other engineering schools have forwarded studies showing that the Diebold/NCR machines are subject to several methods of being compromised and the voting results tampered with. Do the research, Hugh. As Boortz says – I don’t have time to do the work for the dumbmasses – do your own research, Hugh.

    William Cleveland

  • Hugh
  • eburkedisciple

    OK – I have to agree that CF is several light years ahead of BB.

    I just wish Republicans would get serious about voting on principle.

  • http://moelane.com/ Moe Lane

    I thought that they had all been cleaned out after the 2006 and 2008 elections destroyed their narrative.

    Almost a shame.

  • Tbone

    “You have a former failed exec in this lady. And look at her failure closely. ”

    What, you think she got appointed CEO of HP because she won a lottery? She went past a whole lot of other talented people to get there.

    Are you really so ignorant as to think a CEO of any large corporation can either make it more or less successful based solely on their leadership and decisions?

    CEOs get lots of advice, they must make a decision that they then must sell to the Board and senior management. It ain’t like being a king.

  • Hugh

    for the machines in Georgia. Was it Cathy Cox or Karen Handel? I was not defending the use ot he machine. I don’t have a dog in that hunt.

  • acat

    (null)

  • http://www.hakubi.us/ Neil Stevens

    If you want to bash Carly Fiorina, go to Daily Kos.

    I’m going to go on a moderation rampage pretty soon if people don’t get that through their skulls.

  • Hugh

    See below.

  • CincoSolas_del_Bronx
  • CincoSolas_del_Bronx
  • liberty131911

    If I lived in CA, I’d hold my nose and vote for Carly. A move from a stupid Commie to a not so stupid RINO is better than the status quo. Who knows? maybe Carly will be a pleasant surprise.

    And if not, next time we can try to move from a RINO to a libertarian or at least a Conservative.

  • skat

    Let me ask you, if this was one of the top legislators in Texas, now running for Texas representative – would you be “compulsive”? Erik has a lot of pull. It was his post that caused me to look up the candidates. I certainly wasn’t aware until Erik pointed it out that one Republican was pro-abortion.

  • mbecker908

    I supported DeVore in the primary. He lost. Carly won. Get the hell over it.

    Principles are for Primaries. If you can’t carry the day there then you work with what you’ve got. And right now, in CA, we’ve got Carly and Meg.

  • positiveenerg

    That newspaper is the typical, liberal, weekly rag … they DESPISE conservatives and are particularly threatened when the conservative voice is an attractive, articulate, well-read woman.

    Gorman answered a nasty email and defended her colleagues who had scheduled family vacations or had other obligations and yet worked many hours in the “citizen legislature.” She was always there. Always available. Always voting. The email was sent by a “reporter” at this liberal rag … trying to goad a conservative into saying SOMETHING that they could use out of context to try and embarrass her. And they succeeded. Unfortunately, now … there are so-called “conservatieves” and “Republicans” who are using the fruits from this toxic tree to attack a good conservative.

    You’re correct. You shouldn’t support Gorman because she’s a woman. And you shouldn’t support Vernon because he’s black. You should support Gorman because she is the ONLY demonstrated conservative who has bled for the cause. And you should oppose Vernon because he’s taken mega-taxpayer dollars to fund his “private” business … benefitted himself at taxpayer expense … nothing could be LESS conservative than that ….

  • http://www.veronicaestrada.com/ Veronica

    you just threw a handful of independent and libertarian votes to Boxer.

    well done, -Ron-.

    that how you handle “Victory Management” in your company? by knocking your only candidate??

    puh.

  • soljerblue

    that you might look into supporting Dr. Robert Bentley for Governor of Alabama. First, there’s this from today’s Rasmussen Report:

    http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/elections/election_2010/election_2010_governor_elections/alabama/election_2010_alabama_governor

    When the primary campaign began, no one gave Bentley a snowball’s chance. Yet he has forced a runoff with the party’s annointed candidate, former state senator Bradley Byrne. There’s a recount in the offing to decide whether Bentley, or Tim James, son of a former governor, will take Byrne on in the runoff July 13th.

    Bentley is a Tuscaloosa physician and a state representative, a true conservative and a constitutionalist. Frankly, I could live with any of the three — Bently, Byrne, or James. But Bentley is the kind of grass roots, new face, anti-business-as-usual Republican that even a deep red state like Alabama needs.

    Please consider.

  • renny

    whether the meet perfect Redstate litmus tests or not. WE NEED THE MAJORITY to take back the chairs and leadership positions.

  • mbecker908

    somewhere, around here he doesn’t have anywhere near the pull that “Erick” has.

  • acat

    mew

  • skat

    may have been in reply to a “nasty email”, but I don’t think she served herself well with her answer. Again, the pay is what it is. Pamela may even have been on a “working vacation” – but if this was a trap, Pamela sure fell into it. I’m happy to give her the benefit of the doubt, having spouted off more than once myself! However, I still have to question how it’s possible she had no allies that would keep her informed of all the underhanded plans to do her in. In addition, with the AZ capital up for sale, rest stops closed, etc what did Pamela’s vacation wind up costing Arizona taxpayers?

    You make some pretty serious accusations against Vernon Parker ,bordering on charges of fraud. I certainly hope those charges get a full airing so people are able to make an informed decision.

    I’ve done some research on Steve Moak since your last post. Steve’s companies – Promark and Synergy are both Arizona businesses employing hundreds of Arizonans.

    Also, unless you are privy to Steve’s finances you can’t know what he has done for the Republican party. You may be correct, I don’t know, that he hasn’t been at functions, etc, but I bet, only a hunch, that he has contributed financially, which is also important.

    As far as Pamela being from a poor background – I think that is relevant. Vernon Parker may have misused the SBA as you infer, but his story is an inspiring one. Let me make clear, if what you are saying is true Parker needs to be held accountable. I would prefer “blacks” or whoever be encouraged to get a SBA loan and start a business, even if the business fails, then just stay on welfare. I would be thrilled if a Navajo from Dennehotso became a Republican, entrepreneur role model because, having lived on the Navajo reservation, I realize the Navajos need to think they can be successful instead of government reliant.

    District 3 has Jim Waring in the race – a very capable career politician. I thought part of the tea party agenda was to bring new candidates with real life experience into the political field. District 3 has several candidates who fit that description.

    My opinion, you can be “fighting in the trenches” as a businessman creating jobs for Arizona, and yes, for California. Last time I checked Californians were Americans also.

    I’ve looked at Pamela’s resume as presented by you. I’m sure she’s a good woman, but it appears to me that all her experience is political – in essence a career politician. Really Pamela is asking for both a promotion and a raise. Unless you have a better explanation for both her vacation and her email, I don’t think she deserves my support. If Pamela wins the primary I will support her wholeheartedly, however, I hope she doesn’t fall into any more “traps”.

    I assume you are doubting my conservatism – ha. My husband and I were some of Trent’s very, very first supporters. We have had unwed mothers from Crisis Pregnancy Center live with us. Home-schooling, Christian, business owners, long, long time Arizonans.
    I’m keeping an open mind on the candidates. I don’t think you advance Pamela’s cause with personal attacks on conservatives who question her missteps. When you run for office, that’s what you’re asking for.

    It sounds to me like you have a dog in this fight.

  • skat

    are? I’m certain you have a strong role in Pamela’s campaign which other campaigns must be aware of. I’d bet Erik knows that connection also. Please take this as FRIENDLY ADVICE!

    It’s one thing to campaign hard and vigorously defend your candidate it’s another thing to attempt to destroy your opponents.
    Perhaps you were misinformed on Steve Moak’s Arizona businesses referring to them as CA businesses, but I’m doubtful.

    In regards to Vernon Parker, having thought over your accusations, as well as having dealt with the IRS, MVD, etc I’m willing to listen to a reasonable explanation of a bureaucratic snafu – after all the federal employee working on Parker’s application should have been aware that Parker wasn’t eligible for a SBA loan. The employee may even have notified Parker of that fact. I can only say that anyone who has had to fill out government paperwork – or deal with SOME NOT ALL government employees – should know it is very confusing leading to many opportunities for mistakes.

    If you are inferring that Parker’s business was wasting taxes teaching people how to start small businesses, you’d have to prove that. If Parker was actually using taxes to teach people how to become economic producers -whether through business or just teaching skills to get a job thereby getting off welfare – I’d say that’s a much better use of our taxes then food stamps, welfare, etc

    District 3 candidates are going to trace your statements back to Pamela Gorman and SHE will be held accountable. Pamela better be able to back up these charges with verifiable facts – in fact, my opinion, it is now up to Pamela to bring the “facts” out into the open at her next opportunity.

    Surely, if Pamela does win the nomination she will want the support of the candidates she defeated. Is this any way to get that support? On the other hand, if Pamela loses how can she support a candidate her campaign has made such accusations against? Pamela’s campaign, through you, has leveled some very serious charges, I hope she is prepared to back them up with irrefutable proof, facts.

    If Pamela wins the nomination I hope she addresses the vacation issue without excuse as a poor decision. Blaming the mean, old cowboys and cowgirls at the AZ legislature joining with the wacko, liberal New Times to do Pamela in ’cause she’s so dang purty and smart isn’t going to cut it. The New Times is very wacko liberal – I used to read the restaurant reviews years ago, but gave up when it got so left wing – but when you’re right, you’re right! Pamela’s response sounds like a whiny, entitled bureaucrat. I’ve worked as a motel maid, waitress, receptionist, house mother to incorrigible kids, teacher, etc and am now a business owner – I would never have expected sympathy – or a waiting job – if I just decided to take off on vacation because I was underpaid, overworked, and, basically, wanted to! I would fire any employee that followed a similar career path. I’m willing to bet that The New Times would fire that tricky reporter who set the special Pamela trap if he followed her vacation example.

    Arizona has a long history of conservatives and strong women serving our state – the victim card doesn’t cut it. If you serve as an example of how Pamela deals with other conservatives, you’ve answered my question regarding why she has absolutely no allies in the legislature – not even the most lowly clerk.

    Let me be clear, I am NOT Pamela’s enemy. I’m sure she has many good qualities and ideas, but if she is unable to work in a relatively friendly, conservative Arizona legislature, how effective will she be representing Arizona in DC? Cliche alert: If you can’t run with the big dogs …..

    Please stop attacking anyone who poses questions or may be undecided when there are so many qualified candidates running in District 3. I personally thought your tone regarding Vernon Parker was snide, condescending, belittling, and almost racial. I am only trying to caution you and Pamela, who you obviously support, how those comments could be taken. Certainly stop any attacks on your opponents that you can not or will not support with real evidence of wrongdoing. If Pamela is our nominee this attitude will not help us in the general election.

    If Pamela wins, she’s my candidate, but I will have a hard time supporting ANYONE running a campaign based on innuendo and personal attacks instead of debating personal qualifications and credible ideas dealing with creating jobs, healthcare, national security, etc. Arizona and America is facing a real crisis and we need a vigorous debate focused on issues and leadership, not personal attacks.

    Let me also state that I have absolutely nothing against beautiful Republican women candidates! Let’s recruit more! As a woman, I’m constantly amazed at the unattractiveness of liberal, Democrat women.

    I hope Erik holds Pamela and her staff to the same standard he held the SC goons behind attacks on Nikki Haley.

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