The next GOP civil war: Cheney backing Hutchison over Rick Perry
posted at 6:05 pm on October 28, 2009 by Allahpundit
You know what this means, don’t you? Dick Cheney on one side — and Sarahcuda on the other. For grassroots conservatives, this is like watching a knife fight between Reagan and Thatcher.
Which one’s the RINO here?
Former Vice President Dick Cheney will join Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-Texas) on the campaign trail in her bid to unseat incumbent Gov. Rick Perry (R-Texas).
The Hutchison campaign told the Austin American-Statesman Cheney would appear at a fundraiser next month to endorse Hutchison…
Perry has done much to appeal to conservatives in his own right. In March, Perry rejected federal stimulus funds directed toward unemployment claims, saying they had too many strings attached.
There’s only one way to decide who the truest “true conservative” is: Liz Cheney will have to play tiebreaker. Meanwhile, on the civil war’s northern front, you’ll be unsurprised yet nonetheless disappointed to know that the RNC chairman is backing the party’s nominee. To salve the wound, enjoy this clever takedown of Scozzafava by some of her, ahem, “supporters” — with one word of caution. If I’m right that most voters left in Team Dede’s camp are centrist or even slightly liberal and now have to decide between Hoffman and the Democrat, this could backfire big time.
Blowback
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Darn I just posted this on twitter and you beat me to it Allah
William Amos on October 28, 2009 at 6:07 PM
BTW on Morning Joe Micheal Steele just endorce DEDE for the NY 23rd race
William Amos on October 28, 2009 at 6:08 PM
This is more a matter of individual preferences than of principles.
Speakup on October 28, 2009 at 6:09 PM
How about a Texas style tiebreaker – a hunting trip. Whomever comes back tied to the hood loses.
huckleberryfriend on October 28, 2009 at 6:10 PM
I read that Cheney knows Kay and her Hubby and have worked with them for years.
William Amos on October 28, 2009 at 6:10 PM
If conservative supporters abandoned de de for the conservative running….that speaks volumes. Cheney has to be the RINO here, if he’s going to endorse a rino, over a true conservative.
Tis a shame too. :(
capejasmine on October 28, 2009 at 6:11 PM
Cheney is more toxic than Palin to most people, I’m willing to bet.
TheUnrepentantGeek on October 28, 2009 at 6:11 PM
Further implosion of the GOP.
Great, just great.
NebCon on October 28, 2009 at 6:11 PM
Kind of crazy Dede Soupsandwichsanger lies about being a republican to get democratic votes when the democrat tells the truth to get the same vote.
fourdeucer on October 28, 2009 at 6:11 PM
I hope a conservative runs, but if they did, they likely would lack the funding to fight Governor Goodhair and Kay Barely Republican. Governor Goodhair talks a good conservative game during election years, but has presided over a few too many spending sprees and/or tax increases for my liking. Neither Perry nor Kay Barely Republican is a strong conservative. Texas deserves better.
Oh, well…
golfer1 on October 28, 2009 at 6:12 PM
Et tu Dick Cheney?
RINO is Kay Bailey Hutchinson. Well, Bush was not much of a conservative anyway. I guess Cheney has a special place in his heart for these people.
But Perry has the biggest star in the GOP and conservative movement by his side: Sarah “Barracuda” Palin.
Perry wins by miles.
cubachi on October 28, 2009 at 6:12 PM
ew
alexraye on October 28, 2009 at 6:13 PM
Liz has spoken out for the tea party/conservative movement. This may be a problem for her.
the_nile on October 28, 2009 at 6:13 PM
Bingo!
I’m not throwing Cheney under the bus for this one. If he’s been friends with Kay and the hubby for years, I admire his loyalty.
Knucklehead on October 28, 2009 at 6:14 PM
The GOP. Continuing a long tradition of snatching defeat from the jaws of victory.
BacaDog on October 28, 2009 at 6:14 PM
Hard to believe. Hutchison is a rino. Perry isn’t the most Conservative, but this really shocks me.She is definitely more liberal.
sandee on October 28, 2009 at 6:14 PM
This is going to turn into a real cage match before it’s over. Texas politics at it’s roughest.
Strick on October 28, 2009 at 6:14 PM
The only people left in Camp Dede are the idiots who just do what the party tells them. They will more likely not vote than support the Democrat.
cadams on October 28, 2009 at 6:15 PM
blogger drools
fiatboomer on October 28, 2009 at 6:15 PM
Michael Steele is now dead to me.
I had great hopes for him, but this endorsement of a liberal is the last.
Goodbye GOP.
Enoxo on October 28, 2009 at 6:16 PM
Hutchison’s more of a RINO. But hey, I’d take either one over our hapless guv, Ted Strickland.
OhioCoastie on October 28, 2009 at 6:17 PM
Good night Kay. I like the former V.P. but Texans will see this as Washington backscratching and will reject her bid outright.
Washington is out of favor at the moment.
FireBlogger on October 28, 2009 at 6:17 PM
Ok Steele, you’re out buddy. Epic fail from Steele so far.
jhffmn on October 28, 2009 at 6:17 PM
The Dodo Scozzafava ad is hilarious. Looks like standard RNCC positions.
pedestrian on October 28, 2009 at 6:18 PM
I’m not going for KBH, I’m going for Rick again. She’s just too D.C. I wish she’d stay where she is. Rick may be far from perfect, but Texas hasn’t suffered as much as other states.
mimi1220 on October 28, 2009 at 6:18 PM
Well no one ever said Chenny could pick good targets. He was a great VP but as a hunter he leaves alot to be desired. Palin never shot her hunter partners. And that should be the lesson taken away from this. Chenny picked the wrong target again.
unseen on October 28, 2009 at 6:18 PM
If the GOP saw fit to support Christ over Rubio, who are they supporting for TX governor?
jaime on October 28, 2009 at 6:18 PM
All the best politicians hunger to be declared “least toxic” by their own party!
benny shakar on October 28, 2009 at 6:19 PM
The media hates Cheney, so by his endorsing KBH they will attack her. I don’t think she will actually run.
suzyk on October 28, 2009 at 6:19 PM
How is Hutchison a RINO? Besides the abortion thing, that is. I saw a Freeper say that she was pro-stimulus, but I know for a fact she voted against it – don’t thinks she was even part of the “gang of 6″.
Is there something else I’m missing, besides rumors of bad blood between her and Palin?
Siobhan on October 28, 2009 at 6:19 PM
I’m in Texas and I’m at a loss. I favor Perry, but don’t ask me why.
mesquito on October 28, 2009 at 6:20 PM
Well, I’m a firm supporter of the death penalty, so I go with Rick Perry.
Blake on October 28, 2009 at 6:20 PM
I freaking KNEW it! RINO
upinak on October 28, 2009 at 6:21 PM
Funny thing is Benny is that Dick Cheney is less toxic than Joe Biden right now.
William Amos on October 28, 2009 at 6:21 PM
It’s not like Perry wasn’t considered a moderate until the past 2-3 years, during which he’s moved to the right, and gain popularity here in Texas… KBH will just have too much of the stink of DC on her, whether she’s a RINO or a decent conservative, to get past Perry in the Primary… And as long as it doesn’t get nasty, there’s nothing wrong with Perry having a chance to stay in the spotlight….
phreshone on October 28, 2009 at 6:21 PM
Well, for me, I would vote for Kay. I would never vote for Perry. But then I’m a moderate.
Jimbo3 on October 28, 2009 at 6:22 PM
How is Hutchison a RINO? Besides the abortion thing, that is. I saw a Freeper say that she was pro-stimulus, but I know for a fact she voted against it – don’t thinks she was even part of the “gang of 6″.
Is there something else I’m missing, besides rumors of bad blood between her and Palin?
Siobhan on October 28, 2009 at 6:19 PM
It is not so much to me anyways that she isn’t rep. It is that she is an elite DC insider and part of the problem we have in government atm. I want new blood. new ideas. The Texas race is Texas problem but I would love to see them turn out a washington insider and send them home to retire gracefully
unseen on October 28, 2009 at 6:22 PM
You mean like Creigh Deeds fleeing the toxic President of the United States?
fiatboomer on October 28, 2009 at 6:22 PM
The ad is pure genius, because they are using Dodo to split the Democrat vote.
pedestrian on October 28, 2009 at 6:23 PM
Hutchison is one of those members of Congress who want to claim the badge of fiscal conservatism while continuing to abscond with billions of dollars in wasteful pork projects.
While claiming to be a fiscal conservative, she requested 149 projects worth $1.6 billion for authorization and appropriations bills for fiscal year 2010.
Hutchison on TARP bailout: it would be a “low cost, no cost, or even a positive” for taxpayers.
While saying that she wants to fight health care legislation with every bone in her body, she has missed 20 votes this year in lieu of fundraising efforts, including four health care hearings of the Senate Commerce Committee, of which she is the Ranking Member.
She skipped the Senate’s final vote on legislation allowing states to jam cell phone signals from prisons — and it was her own bill.
But her missing votes is probably a good thing. Her votes have contributed to 1 of every 12 earmark dollars since 2005.
RushBaby on October 28, 2009 at 6:23 PM
Steele needs to be in the unemployment line. RINO POS!
farright on October 28, 2009 at 6:24 PM
Not really. This is going to be a true primary, with the voters deciding the GOP candidate – quite unlike what happened in NY-23.
thirteen28 on October 28, 2009 at 6:24 PM
Neither of these two are what I would consider strong conservatives. Those of us who were in on melting the phone lines over the immigration issue will remember Kay’s coy tactics but Perry has his baggage as well what with his Marlboro man commercials about shutting down the border and then not. Maybe if Doug Hoffman loses we can get him down here. At least he doesn’t have the negatives.
DanMan on October 28, 2009 at 6:24 PM
About Michael Steele’s endorsement of DS, as the RNC chair he cannot support 3rd party candidates, he is obliged to support the Republican nominee, whoever that turns out to be.
runner on October 28, 2009 at 6:25 PM
No, she isn’t, and I support Perry.
I would put either of their righty credentials against 90% of other righty politicians. No righty can hold elected office for as long as they have and not have done something to PO the base.
That said, if she wants to stay in politics, she should have stayed where she is.
And what does Cheney’s talking up her anti-terror creds have to do with running a state government?
cozmo on October 28, 2009 at 6:25 PM
I’d think there should be room in the Republican Party for all 4 of them, although Hutchison has been a frequent disappointment, and while I’ve heard some great quotes from Perry, I have no idea whether his actions back up his words.
But why you’d seek a high-profile intra-party fight when you have a generally acceptable and easily re-electable incumbent, I don’t know.
I’ve never understood Hutchison’s run for this office. It’s sort of like in Nebraska when Tom Osborne took on a very popular conservative Republican incumbent governor in the primary, instead of going after the Democrat in the Senate race.
Osborne got beat like he was in a 1980s bowl game.
notropis on October 28, 2009 at 6:26 PM
Steele can do what Huck and Mitt are doing. Not endorcing anyone in NY 23rd.
William Amos on October 28, 2009 at 6:27 PM
Until very recently I lived in Texas for over 20 years. As a longtime resident who was politically active there, I can assure you that Texas conservatives in general are in despair that these two are their choices. If Liz Cheney threw her name into the race she would probably win by a landslide.
GinaE on October 28, 2009 at 6:27 PM
Hutchison had an aide on radio criticizing Perry for turning down stimulus money. She was also one of the few to abstain from the de-funding vote on ACORN. Those two items, added to her abortion stance, take her out of consideration.
Vashta.Nerada on October 28, 2009 at 6:28 PM
I could care less who supports/endorses KBH. She’s PRO ABORTION. Many, many Texans (like me) say “Never,under God’s blue sky, would she even be considered for my vote”. PS: Perry is a dork, too, but he’s Pro Life. It’s a “hold your nose and vote” kinda’ primary in the Lone Star State.
GoldenEagle4444 on October 28, 2009 at 6:28 PM
I don’t think talk of backfiring means much in NY23. This is a freebee that comes up again in a year. It doesn’t matter much what happens there this time around. I’d rather the NRCC get its behind handed to it now instead of a year from now. Maybe they will get a clue in the meantime. If not, 2010 will be another banner year for the Dems. I’ve stopped contributing to all the R campaign committees. I’m sure they don’t miss me. They’re spending several bucks in postage and return postage per month on solicitation letters to me when all I write on the form is talk to me when you get a clue.
Laddy on October 28, 2009 at 6:29 PM
Meh. As a Texan I can say I like Rick and Kay. No need to get into a civil war over two good candidates.
terryannonline on October 28, 2009 at 6:29 PM
A. I think you’re blowing the Cheney-Palin thing up into more than it really is. Palin knows (and apparently trusts) Perry from Gov. days. Cheney apparently knows KBH, and is supporting her. I initially wondered about this, but I really don’t think it’s huge.
I’d take either of them over a true lib.
Then again, I don’t live in TX!
As to Steele endorsing the Republican candidate- What part of “Republican National Committee” confused you? I like Hoffman, but then again I’m not the public face of the GOP. When you’re sitting in that chair, you’ve gotta dance with the one that brought you.
cs89 on October 28, 2009 at 6:29 PM
Don’t forget that Perry only got 40% of the vote in his last election, there’s a reason for that. He only won because the electorate was fractured 4 ways.
WWS on October 28, 2009 at 6:29 PM
Why would you jump to the conclusion that one must be?
Ronnie on October 28, 2009 at 6:30 PM
Is that even possible ? ANy history on that – party chair withholding support of locally selected party candidate ?
runner on October 28, 2009 at 6:32 PM
Hmmm….Perhaps Hutchison is calling in a political IOU from Cheney?
Quite frankly to me this looks less like Cheney endorsing Hutchison because he believes she is the best person for the job, but rather the result of some sort of back room deal that would get Hutchison a high profile backer big enough to counter the Palin effect.
Hellrider on October 28, 2009 at 6:32 PM
Oh my God!
Civil war! Two “true” conservatives fighting!
ROFL.
rightistliberal on October 28, 2009 at 6:32 PM
Texan Republicans will be able to primary vote for their RINO of choice for governor. Not so in NY23, that is what really gets me riled at the RNC and NRCC RINO’s backing a progressive.
farright on October 28, 2009 at 6:32 PM
Didn’t KBH flip-flop on border security, supporting it in public and gutting it in private?
Tom
marinetbryant on October 28, 2009 at 6:33 PM
Cheney is wrong on this, but he’s still the man. Dick Cheney is a modern day Cincinnatus and one little mistake in this endorsement isn’t going to have much effect.
progressoverpeace on October 28, 2009 at 6:33 PM
Worse than that, we conservative Texans considering Hutchinson to be somewhat a RINO favor Perry. In fact there has been some talk about replacing Hutchinson with a real conservative.
docdave on October 28, 2009 at 6:34 PM
How? Republican leaders have been served notice that if they put up rinos or liberals they will widen the existing split in the Party and it will also cost them hard cash, fighting two opponents instead of one.
This is all good.
GOP, Can you hear Conservatives now?
RJL on October 28, 2009 at 6:34 PM
What happens to liberty? Oh, sorry. We “true” conservatives like the government to control people’s personal lives just like the liberals like to control their purses.
I mean, “true conservative” state Kansas has some of the craziest alcohol laws. What happens to personal liberty there? Goes for the Jesus Christ toss there.
rightistliberal on October 28, 2009 at 6:35 PM
Agreed
farright on October 28, 2009 at 6:36 PM
Kay Bailey won’t beat Perry here in Texas. There’s a huge “don’t fix it if it ain’t broke” sentiment.
halfastro on October 28, 2009 at 6:36 PM
There wasn’t a big difference between Perry or Hutchinson until the populist wave started down here, and then “Perry” got religion. Perry is Governor so the NAFTA superhighway goes through. Hutchinson…give me a break, check her voting record, all she did was carry George W Bush’s water. Check the First Tarp Vote, and how often she has voted with the Current President. I am an Independent, and Perry is going to have to do a lot of convincing, to get me to vote for him. Hutchinson doesn’t have a snowballs chance in he11 of getting my vote.
Dr Evil on October 28, 2009 at 6:36 PM
Perry is trying to save his rear, after reneging on illegal immigration control.
Johan Klaus on October 28, 2009 at 6:37 PM
And true conservatives are served notice if they try to impose De Mints on us, then they are going to become truly powerless. Moderates can survive both ways–well, preferably with the Right rather than the tax and spend liberals but conservatives have no choice.
rightistliberal on October 28, 2009 at 6:37 PM
As a conservative Texas, I can’t stand either Gov Goodhair or Kay Barely Republican.
So, I’ve got two words for you: Debra Medina.
djohnson on October 28, 2009 at 6:37 PM
Home of “true conservative” Kathleen Sibelius.
What a total doofus you are, from your screen name down to your comments.
We can’t even get decent trolls in here, anymore.
notropis on October 28, 2009 at 6:38 PM
Why are either Cheney or Palin endorsing either of these RINOs? Rick “Mexican to US Superhighway” Perry or Kay “Bailed out on protecting the border” Hutchison?????
bill30097 on October 28, 2009 at 6:38 PM
Cheney, you magnificent BASTARD!
He’s supporting Hutchison because he knows that will repel
all Conservatives and they’ll vote for the one he really wants to win – Perry.
Cheney never ceases to amaze me!
thebronze on October 28, 2009 at 6:39 PM
I have yet to come across any Republican in my Texas who is switching from Perry to Hutchison for any reason. Cheney isn’t enough. She’s quite bland to me and Perry has been very vocal and she seems nicey nicey. Was friends with Teddy.
Marcus on October 28, 2009 at 6:39 PM
KBH is hardly a RINO, though she’s got issues. She’s also a “longtime Washington insider”. She’s only in her second senate term. Compared to the coastal leftards, she’s a newborn in Washington. She has run into some trouble on her ‘principles’ – she said she’d resign her Senate seat in order to run, NOW she’s backed off that stance. Though she isn’t a bad pol, this one thing alone is enough for me to question her creds. If she can’t follow through with that simple of a promise…?
Perry isn’t a ‘perfect’ conservative. His biggest issue is the support of toll roads. That being said, he also is hardly a RINO or bad candidate.
Both of them are head and shoulders above ANY democrat.
KBH has been trailing in the polls for months. It’s doubtful she’ll have what it takes to win the primary. Perry has been very active in the TEA Party movement here in the State so he’s got a lot of grassroots support and received good press from the base.
Cheney’s endorsement, all in all, is really a non-starter for this as far as I’m concerned.
catmman on October 28, 2009 at 6:40 PM
All you need to know is that here in Texas, the people backing Kay Bailey tend to be the same ones who flipped for Obama last year and think David Frum is the savior of the Republican Party. Also, Texas Democrats hate Perry in that same pathological way they hated Bush, but wouldn’t mind seeing Kay Bailey win. She’s soft on illegals and pro-choice, do i need to go on?
clearbluesky on October 28, 2009 at 6:40 PM
I do not support Kay Bailey either.
Johan Klaus on October 28, 2009 at 6:41 PM
That ad… was it produced with RNC money?
mankai on October 28, 2009 at 6:41 PM
KBH supported (or wrote?) an odd piece of legislation that allowed illegal immigrants in Texas schools to receive in state tuition in state universities. How is that not a RINO?
Aggie85 on October 28, 2009 at 6:42 PM
Hmm, I never much cared for Hutchinson, Even when she pretended to be a pretty good conservative.
But if this turns out to be true…. If Cheney REALLY is backing her, I guess I’ll have to take another look.
But I’m going to need to hear it from Cheney himself, rather than from her campaign and gossip before I’m going to believe it.
LegendHasIt on October 28, 2009 at 6:42 PM
LOL. “Tailored” for New York, no doubt….
notropis on October 28, 2009 at 6:42 PM
Works for me. If Perry is the more conservative candidate it’s time for Texan conservatives to step up and help him in the primary.
katiejane on October 28, 2009 at 6:43 PM
According to wingnuts, being friends with Teddy is also a crime. These guys are insane, man!
rightistliberal on October 28, 2009 at 6:44 PM
I’m not a fan of KBH, but I support her run for governor to make room in the Senate for Michael Williams .
VerbumSap on October 28, 2009 at 6:45 PM
:/ Poor choice Cheney.
I suspect it was more motivated by cronyism than anything else.
clement on October 28, 2009 at 6:46 PM
I don’t get it, why is she running? Does she need a governorship for her future plans? Thses two are the same candidate. And Hutchison may end up losing to a conservative Democrat that this race is sure to bring out, if she pisses off Perry supporters enough. A conservative Democrat from a red state… sounds like Bubba. Better be careful GOP.
Theworldisnotenough on October 28, 2009 at 6:46 PM
I don’t know what happened to my first comment, but…
I’m a conservative in Texas and can’t stand either of those two.
Take a look at Debra Medina. She’s more conservative than either of those by a mile.
djohnson on October 28, 2009 at 6:46 PM
I’ve known Dick Cheney and Kay Bailey and Rick Perry for a number of years.
His endorsement of Kay, I know, is a very personal thing, albeit huge in effect for her, since Dick is so enamored in Texas, particularly among the fundraising crowd.
While I’m somewhat surprised by his decision to engage at all here, it is what it is.
Gonna be interesting.
TXUS on October 28, 2009 at 6:47 PM
Dude, you did not answer my question. In the land of freedom and liberty, the “true conservative” state of Kansas, why have the Christian fundamentalists imposed crazy alcohol laws? What about liberty?
Hypocrites!
I don’t like the government to tell me what to do with my money. I like it even less when government tries to decide if I can drink or not.
rightistliberal on October 28, 2009 at 6:47 PM
I like to make my lib friends mad by saying something, so I’ll tell you:
The next Texas Governor is the one who tells Obama to stick his head up his *** the furthest.
Marcus on October 28, 2009 at 6:47 PM
Really. And who that may be? Sorry; I don’t get mad. I feel pity just like I do for the nutroots. Same difference.
rightistliberal on October 28, 2009 at 6:49 PM
Survey USA Poll Results on Gov. Rick Perry
6/18/07 – Fav / Unfav (Conservatives Only) – 63/34
10/15/06 – Fav / Unfav (Conservatives Only) – 54/41
And that’s before Tx generated over 50% of the jobs in the US in 2008, and his no-stimulus/succession comments this year
phreshone on October 28, 2009 at 6:49 PM
I’ll be voting for Perry, a fellow Aggie. Gig’em!
txag92 on October 28, 2009 at 6:50 PM
Sure I did. It’s not a “true conservative” state, whatever the hell you mean by that.
Since your premise is false, your question (much like all your comments) is vacuous.
notropis on October 28, 2009 at 6:51 PM
rightistliberal on October 28, 2009 at 6:49 PM
Asked
phreshone on October 28, 2009 at 6:49 PM
And answered
Marcus on October 28, 2009 at 6:52 PM
Oh, okay. I assumed since it has been voting Right for decades, it might count as a conservative state but apparently even Kansas is RINO.
Which might be the true conservative state in the Union then?
rightistliberal on October 28, 2009 at 6:54 PM
WWS on October 28, 2009 at 6:29 PM
Good grief, you Texas conservatives are hard to please. I mean, seriously: Isn’t fiscal conservatism a really important issue right now? And since Rick Perry is the Governor of a state that has a budget surplus, don’t you think that would at least warrant some enthusiastic support for his staying on for another term? He even backed off that silly Trans-Texas Corridor issue; what more do you want?
Be honest: A lot of you Texans never thought that a supposed mediocrity like Rick Perry would be the state’s longest-serving Governor, did you?
BradSchwartze on October 28, 2009 at 6:54 PM
I’m with Cheney/KBH. Perry lost me when he mentioned the succession bullshit.
therightwinger on October 28, 2009 at 6:56 PM
This won’t be a civil war. Sarah and Dick like n respect each other and they are too sensible to let this affect them. Unlike Newt, Dick hasn’t shot himself in the foot. KBH might be many things but she’s not a leftist radical like scuzzyfever.
promachus on October 28, 2009 at 6:57 PM
“it has been voting Right for decades,”
Hence Governor Sibelius.
RINO state? What on planet earth could that even mean?
Come back after you finish 12th grade Civics.
notropis on October 28, 2009 at 6:58 PM
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