« BACK  |  PRINT

RS

EDITOR OF REDSTATE

The Most Important Fight For Conservatives in America

By: Erick Erickson (Diary)  |  December 8th, 2011 at 04:48 AM  | 

RESIZE: AAA

Forget the Presidential race. We can get back to it another day. This is the most important fight for the conservative movement in America right now and it happens next week.

Well, it was going to happen in January. But conservatives started gaining momentum. Naturally, Mitch McConnell had to go try to pull the rug out from under conservatives. Far be it for fresh ideas to enter into the hallowed corridors of Senate Republican power.

I’m talking about the Senate Republicans’ leadership fight for Vice Chairman of the Republican Conference. There is an election to fill that seat.

The election was to be held in January. The only declared candidate was Senator Ron Johnson of Wisconsin (HAFA Score 91%). But then Senator Roy Blunt of Missouri (HAFA Score 64%) announced this week he wanted the job too. Immediately after announcing his entry, Senator Mitch McConnell moved the election up from January to next week and began whipping votes on behalf of Senator Roy Blunt. [UPDATE: A McConnell staffer tells me Senator McConnell is not whipping for Senator Blunt. Actual senators tell me McConnell is whipping for Senator Blunt.]

Both Senators Blunt and Johnson are freshman senators. But prior to 2010, Senator Blunt spent 14 years in the House of Representatives. Prior to 2010, Senator Johnson was the CEO of a private manufacturing firm in Wisconsin.

I like both senators tremendously, but for conservatives Ron Johnson is a no brainer here. Senator Blunt’s thinking is the same thinking that has plagued Senate Republicans for a decade now — the same old ideas and same old strategies.

Ron Johnson is also one of the very unique bridge builders between conservatives and the establishment. He was the one Senate candidate in 2010 that both the GOP Establishment and Tea Party agreed on. The National Republican Senatorial Committee, Jim DeMint’s Senate Conservatives Fund, and RedState all aligned behind Senator Johnson in the primary.

One might think Senator McConnell and his colleagues would want to find some level of truce with conservatives and give them a seat at the table with Senator Johnson. Instead, they are ramping up the election to shut us out.

If we really want the Senate GOP to turn the corner, we need guys like Ron Johnson at the table. It is important that if you have a Republican Senator you call them today and ask them to support Senator Johnson for Senate Republican Conference Vice Chairman.

Frankly, rejecting Johnson for a seat at the table will be a big sign that the Senate GOP needs further cleaning in the primaries.

Tags: , , ,

COMMENTS

POSTING RULES  |  LOGIN TO COMMENT  |  REGISTER TODAY
  • dkbtwo

    I would be happy to contact my Senators to support Ron Johnson…but it probably wouldn’t do much good…as I’m from Missouri so our senators are the aforementioned Mr. Blunt and the dreadful McCaskill.

    The Blunts have been acceptable Republicans, but you are correct in saying they are certainly not aligned with the conservative movement. Missouri as a whole is a “center-right” state, but alas the Republican establishment seems to have the Show Me state firmly in its grasp come election time.

    I’m also from the house district that sends JoAnn Emerson to congress term after term. Again, has an R by her name, but is “moderate” at best. Would love to see her ousted in the primary…but the chances of that are slim and none….and you know where Slim went.

  • nathanalbright

    …and how many genuine conservatives do you think there are among the Republican caucus?

  • brendafrommo

    Once again Sen McConnell shows his true colors. He probably recruited Blunt so that a TRUE conservative wouldn’t have this position. Didn’t this same thing happen when Sen DeMint wanted a position (can’t remember which one)? We need to “Primary” McConnell.

  • witsend

    I wish I had Republican Senators to contact. I’ve had to deal with the incredibly far left Carl Levin for nearly all of my voting years, No – I have never voted for him. My other senator; Debbie Stabenow – a very apt student of Levin! I have never voted for her either!

  • amazedamerican

    I think if I were in hose areas I would move out and find a sane place to live. Not worth the tax dollars to stay.

  • tailfins1959

    Would contacting Scott Brown be of any help?

  • tailfins1959

    Flight causes a California effect.

  • jussmartenuf

    You think you have it bad? I have John Cornyn and Kaye Bailey Hutchison for senators who are non thinking rubber stamps for George W. Bush and we all know what a disaster he and his crowd were for the country and the world.

  • jussmartenuf

    Did anyone notice that Gingrich’s sister, Candice Gingrich-Jones, said if Newt gets the nomination she will vote for Obama?
    Smart Girl.

  • cfoy65

    Just e-mailed Senator Rubio…I certainly hope we can count on his support!

  • swi2522

    mcconnell for the most part is probably in agreement with obama policies. he would just be implementing them at a slower rate
    i beginning to believe all the dems and most of the repubs less a few tea party conservatives are all marxists/s in washington

    cant help it but i really hate mich mcconnell

  • swi2522

    this country needs a real conservatiive to run for president and rubio is the guy
    his vp could be rand paul

    those two might just be able to save this country from socialism

    only problem is the gop would probably endorce obama

  • http://www.nighttwister.com NightTwister

    I’d trade Cornyn & Hutchison for Udall & Bennet any day.

  • http://www.nighttwister.com NightTwister

    You appear to be lost, because we’re trying to elect Republicans here.

  • Repair_Man_Jack

    He may or may not be a part of the problem at present. A friendly reminder from his patriotic and highly motivated constituency may well help him see th epath of wisdom and become a part of the solution.

  • Repair_Man_Jack

    does E-VIL Nuke Gin-Grinch’s sister have to do with the topic of the post? Nothing. Go jack your own thread, not one of ours.

  • eldstenorge

    Of course, we have Orrin Hatch, who is furiously trying to convince us all here in Utah that he is a made over conservative like he was when in first ran for the Senate in 1976 and won. It was interesting that he voted only “present” like Obama used to vote, on the anti-gun nomination of a judge to the Court by Obama. Could not even find the fortitude to vote against this person. Now, we have a note from him to our most conservative State Senator stating that he read the Bible and decided that welfare is correct and that we have to care for all the poor, even if they will do nothing for themselves. I guess he forgot the scripture that if you do not work you do not eat. Can we really expect a man like this to do what is right here? This vote will, hopefully, be another nail in his coffin. He is trying to tell us that we have to have his seniority because, if he is not re-elected, Olympia Snowe will become head of the Senate committee instead of him, and she is a “real” liberal. Oh well, forget the scripture, “Thou shalt not bear false witness.”

  • red_oakster

    This is the last thing in the world on which senators are going to consider outside lobbying.

    We need more time on finding a challenger to Corker in 2012, for example, than a race like this. And if I’m not mistaken it’s by secret ballot.

  • Langley

    Anybody else having flashbacks to the race for House Minority Leader between Reps. Blunt, Boehner, and Shadegg? Blunt was the Whip at the time, and did the usual backroom horse-trading and announced that he had sewn up the race before the vote happened. Conservatives rallied to Shadegg (as a former Chairman of the RSC), but Boehner was an acceptable 2nd choice and we know how it ultimately ended up.

    Hoping Blunt can be stopped again. I don’t think he’s a bad guy, but he’s clearly an establishment guy who’s been around forever who wants to be back in leadership in his new house. I’d much rather have some fresh blood in there.

  • rcastonjr

    is such an a**. He needs to be primaried and run out of town.

  • Common_Cents

    I don’t know what’s in the water in MN but I drink bottled.

  • cfoy65

    But I think he needs to make a pit stop in the Florida Governors mansion before moving on!

    It’s nice that a lot of the younger people getting elected are really conservative….If only the older moderates would just decide it was time to retire!!

  • dkbtwo

    TERM LIMITS. The Senate especially has become the next thing to a life time appointment in most instances. And once a particular senator’s life is “over”…an heir apparent has already been hand picked in most cases…and moves in before the heat leaves the seat. Got to change that…

  • carolynr

    I agree with EE. I am soooo sick of the Congress and the crap that they let go by. I have said that McConnell should be primaried from the beginning when he opposed Rand Paul. All they want is their goodies…their perks. It really doesn’t matter if it is Schumer of McConnell…they are equally as bad.

    America is about to go off the cliff. The two top contenders make me sick…because they are just like McConnell. The media won’t give Perry a chance on this and we need to get real Conservatives in ALL the houses.

    I say that because…if the Republicans take both houses….ALL OBAMA WILL DO IS PASS EO’S. and nobody will say boo…because we have to have people with GUTS. Romney and Gingrich…never will. BTW…Boehner better start getting a little better at showing he should be speaker also.

  • seanl

    Blunt is a tool. The GOP has to be responsive to the will of the people. That is who put them in power. Blunt is just another guy in a suit.

    On a separate note, I seriously hope Jim DeMint will consider running against McConnell for GOP leader in the Senate. McConnell has worn out his welcome.

  • barbs003

    I just did.

  • barbs003

    n/t

  • votemout2012

    I am from MO. I Knew we had elected an Washington RINO when Blunt after just getting elected said he would not be voting to end earmarks. He has on numerous occasions voted the wrong way. But the choice in MO was Blunt or Carnahan in 2010 not much of choice. Sad

  • votemout2012

    I hope if Republicans get Majorities House and Senate they will elect new leadership that will get something done for the good of our country.

  • duncer

    In AZ my burden is Kyl whose picture you can find in any dictionary next to milquetoast and a raging egomaniac blundering fool that refuses to make way for a younger more able person.

  • Change Jar Conservative

    Every comment is negative on every candidate

  • izoneguy

    Christmas Card List…..

    Maybe she should take a look at Perry?

  • TexasTami

    Can’t get much worse than these two, here in Colorado. I want to move back to Texas, the land of my birth and raising, where at least some people make sense.

  • Langley

    Just saw on Twitter that Sen. Rubio is backing Ron Johnson. Blunt may not have this as wrapped up as he and McConnell would like to think. (again, reminds me of the race for House Republican Leader)

  • myoda176

    How low can we go?

    I’m not sure who is worse, Durbin or Franken.

  • acat

    Durbin, though … the Eddie Haskell of the Senate.

    I will donate money and time if we can find a decent challenger.

    Mew

  • myoda176

    I supported him because the Dem was a disaster. He is pro global warming, supports alot of the Dem agenda, and refused any help from the Tea Party.

    But here in wonderful Illinois, most the Republicans are only moderate squishes. I’d love to see a true conservative Republican run here. I’d volunteer to help the campaign. But alas, it only happens downstate and not here by Chicago.

    I believe the Chicago Tea Party has a new slogan for Durbin…..

    DUMP DICK DURBIN.

    I can’t wait to see if we can actually do it.

  • acat

    is strong on defense, and has been far from “the third Maine Twin”. Rumors of his squishy-RINOness come mainly because he’s a North Shore Republican… and they aren’t noted for being social conservatives.

    Using Reagan’s 3 legged stool, two outta three is better than what we had in Roland Burris or would have had in Alexi “mob-ties” Giannoulias.

    The thing about Illinois is that there’s three groups of voters – downstate, suburbia, and Chicago. Winning statewide requires two out of three. Kirk pulled it off, Brady (R-cand,Gov) failed, in part because he never seemed to campaign in suburbia.

    It sucks, but .. that’s this cat’s on-the-ground view from the shadow of Chicago.

    As for dumping Durbin, sure we can do it .. but we’re never going to elect Jim DeMint or Mike Lee – so we’d better look for the most conservative candidate we can find *who can win the general*.

    Mew

  • http://www.nighttwister.com NightTwister

    Us former Californians, that is. When someone complains about me being from California, I always reply, “well, at least I’m not from Texas”, and the reply is usually, “True.”

  • uselogic

    A little thank you and some stroking never hurts with anyone….even the good guys. Hope he can recruit a few colleagues while he’s at it.

  • myoda176

    I held my nose and voted for Kirk becase he was far far far better than Giannoulias, but that still doesn’t make for a conservative republican. So far, from what I’ve seen, you cannot be truely conservative in Illinois and win. The Union hold on the people is far too great and there just aren’t enough of conservatives to out-vote the moderates and far lefties. The Union base is centered in Chicago and it flows out to the suburbs. Hence, mostly downstate is left out in the cold. I think most people just believe that this is the only normal that’s out there and don’t realize that they could change the status quo. It’s why we are stuck with the moderates we get.

    But I will say this, any of our moderates are far far far better than any of their lefty Dems.

  • quad4x4

    I have only two choices to contact, one who is retiring and although has been good he is not interested any longer. the other is a Rino first class and will not help. I speak of our Arizona Senators,Kyl and McCain.

  • adair

    so he might be around until 2014.

    There were much better candidates than Kirk in ’09, but the Illinois Republican party is so accustomed to wiping up the crumbs dropped by Dems they never planned to support anyone else.

    He had N A M E R E C O G N I T I O N after all. He’s a liberal who represented a liberal area, and he’s never quite gone past that.

    As for Durbin, we should run the same rank of Republicans in the ’14 primary and try to come up with a conservative real Republican. But probably won’t.

  • adair

    who came out … maybe it was when they were voting for the Defense of Marriage Act or some other bill tangentially affecting gays … to do her part in embarrasssing him.

    Like McCain’s daughter, she became a handy tool for the Dems’ favorite “hypocrite” scenario.

    Incidentally, even on a St.Louis radio talk station, Blunt stuck to his pure-as-the-driven-snow guns about earmarks. He is a true believer.

  • Common_Cents

    Exploited as tools for the left.

  • acat

    I didn’t bring up Reagan’s three legged stool for grins, y’know. There are three different schools of thought to the conservative alliance: Defense, Fiscal, and Social.

    Would you consider Brady (R-cand, Gov) a “real conservative” ?

    Keep in mind that Kirk ran on a platform that mixed fiscal and defense conservative issues, although not social conservative…. and put up ads and appearances in the suburbs. The maps show he won over downstate and suburban voters with it.

    Brady, on the other hand, ran on a mix of social and fiscal conservatism, and did very well downstate but failed in suburbia. As I said, he never seemed to really compete for suburbia .. he seemed to just take it for granted. Which is a shame, because now we’re stuck with Blago’s right hand man, Quin. (D-idiot)

    About the only hope I see for Illinois is a voter ID bill passing…. as it is, if you watched the returns in 2010, Cook County started reporting early, but didn’t finish until Downstate was counted.

    Anyone really think there was no playing around in there?

    Mew

  • ihateliberals

    we conservatives have had it with the elite Republicans. It is to the point that the Liberals are in control on both sides of the isle and there is no room anymore for conservative ideas even though they have proven time and again to be the best path to success. I don’t think it wil be called the Tea Party but i will be for conservatives and not RINO’s or Liberals. So many republicans are now being mistaken as RINO’s when in reality they are Liberal. John Boehner is the leader of the Liberal Republicans. I use to think he was just a RINO but with his record this year he is a liberal. He has been a great Speaker for the Democrats. Promised 100 billion in deficit reduction got almost 30 billion which the Democrats wanted to start with. Etc, etc, etc.

  • ihateliberals

    I believe that many of the conservative Democrats would come over. They stay Democrats because they are afraid to change parties.

  • fromusa

    Take Schumer and Gilibrand from NY for anyone else.

  • MF

    The land of fruits and nuts – California, with Boxer and Feinstein (speaking of a fruit and a nut).

  • mirac777

    As it is now Friday 1;15 pm and the whole lot of tyrants have already gone home for their usual 4 day weekend. (Most left yesterday around 1pm., then they show up the following Monday afternoon… on a good week)

  • travis690

    Mitch “The Cone-head” McConnell is about as useless a Senator as possible.

    This all started when he opposed the election of Rand Paul in his home state of Kentucky, and chose to place his chips on some useless doofus that was the State Treasurer. Since then, he has made “compromise” the measure of his success. Just another in the long line of McCain wannabe’s.

    To the citizens of Kentucky: Please vote out this jerk in his next primary contest, and replace him with someone that will save the nation. Appeasement of the enemy is not a good battle call.