GOP starting to worry about Angle’s campaign against Reid
posted at 6:42 pm on July 26, 2010 by Allahpundit
The good news? She’s a solid fundraiser, hauling in more than $2.5 million in the second quarter. The bad news? Er, most everything else. Lest you think this is a hit piece by CQ Politics — and given the recent polling trends, you shouldn’t — Matt Lewis tweeted a few hours ago that he’s also hearing grumbling from conservatives about her lackluster campaign. Weak organization wouldn’t matter much against an incumbent as loathed as Reid, I think, if she were a more conventional candidate. But as a tea-party star with an eye to eliminating Social Security and the Department of Education (positions which have now been quietly revised on the campaign website), her staff has its work cut out for it.
“It’s dysfunctional,” a Nevada Republican added, when asked to give an assessment of the Angle campaign. “She can still win, but the operation seems odd at best.”…
“It gets down to pure message discipline, and she doesn’t have it,” a second Nevada Republican said. “There’s no one in the campaign to enforce it.”
This GOP operative, no stranger to Silver State campaigns, said he’s unfamiliar with senior staffers running Angle’s campaign. A second Republican, this one based in Washington, lamented that Las Vegas-based Mike Slanker, considered by many to be Nevada’s premier Republican consultant, is working for Linda McMahon’s Senate campaign in Connecticut…
Republican sources say Cornyn is working with Angle in an attempt to get her to hire a team of capable operatives. But, said the Republican operative with experience in Nevada campaigns, Angle’s ability to raise money — the one thing she has proved to be adept at since winning the primary –leaves Cornyn without the leverage to force Angle to hire a team of his choosing.
I still think she wins if she’s close in the final week, as last-minute deciders will contemplate six more years of Reid and shiver. But that’s only if she’s close; J.D. Hayworth, another grassroots favorite facing an extremely vulnerable incumbent, arguably stands to benefit the same way but his polls are tanking as public perceptions of his kookiness have grown. In fact, ironically, the one tea-party star who’s weathered the left’s inevitable kook charges thus far and maintained a comfortable lead is … Rand Paul, who took a beating for a solid week over his comments on the Civil Rights Act.
I’m interested in hearing what you guys think about the CQ piece. Better to have Angle be entirely who she is — her own staff, her heartfelt positions, rough edges and all — or should the national party move in after the primary to maximize her electability (especially with Reid’s seat as the prize)? If sacrificing purity in the interests of winning is okay, how far does that principle extend?
Blowback
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One visit by Palin would fix that.
RealMc on July 26, 2010 at 6:46 PM
screw the inside GOP, they forget who they work for.
rob verdi on July 26, 2010 at 6:46 PM
RADICAL! The crap’s going to be eliminated by default anyway.
ddrintn on July 26, 2010 at 6:46 PM
“I’m from the RNC, and I’m here to help.”
forest on July 26, 2010 at 6:47 PM
Palin has not endorsed Angle. Wonder why?
VidOmnia on July 26, 2010 at 6:48 PM
What he said. Screw the GOP.
wccawa on July 26, 2010 at 6:49 PM
keep out the RNC and bring in Palin to help, Stat!
Conservalicious on July 26, 2010 at 6:49 PM
I like the commercial…I think she’ll be fine…things won’t heat up until after Labor Day. If its close at that point, she’ll win. I agree Sarah will be a big help.
joepub on July 26, 2010 at 6:49 PM
Yep. Sarahcuda is pretty shrewd.
Allahpundit on July 26, 2010 at 6:49 PM
That’s a good ad. Let her do her thing.
LASue on July 26, 2010 at 6:49 PM
Hand-wringing RINOs. I’m sending her a check right now if they won’t. The RNC is too busy funding Lindsey Graham.
shawk on July 26, 2010 at 6:50 PM
We won’t be getting rid of Social Security of the Department of Education any time soon or ever…so why make an issue about it? I say let the national party come and help her messaging so we can win Reid’s seat.
terryannonline on July 26, 2010 at 6:51 PM
Yes but her PAC has given money.
Hmmm. Very interesting.
powerpro on July 26, 2010 at 6:52 PM
And the Palinistas call you a Palin-hater ;)
terryannonline on July 26, 2010 at 6:52 PM
RINO!
Allahpundit on July 26, 2010 at 6:52 PM
Not being a kooky nut would be the solution for Angle. Hard one to fix, though.
TheBlueSite on July 26, 2010 at 6:53 PM
Ugh…just had to see Brett show a Senate map with a green (independent) Florida. Please God no.
Marcus on July 26, 2010 at 6:53 PM
I wish they would! Then I can use that money to, you know, save for retirement. Short of becoming Amish or becoming a minister, there is no other way out of the program. Which is really, really creepy. Americans should be given the choice to opt out. But again, progressives only like “choice” when there is an unborn baby’s life in the balance.
Threshing Flora on July 26, 2010 at 6:54 PM
Brett – Fox News AllStars. I hope it’s a similar situation as when the panel “discussed” the Kerry sweep.
Marcus on July 26, 2010 at 6:54 PM
I’m just being realistic.
terryannonline on July 26, 2010 at 6:54 PM
Today is her 61st birthday and she was asking people on facebook to donate $61 to her campaign to help beat Reid. If only we didn’t have to buy gas and rice and beans, she’d have mine. Anything to get the crypt keeper out of the Senate.
NTWR on July 26, 2010 at 6:55 PM
You’re my favorite antagonist.
portlandon on July 26, 2010 at 6:56 PM
Angle stinks of fail.
She was the candidate Reid preferred to face for a reason.
The Chewbacca Defense on July 26, 2010 at 6:56 PM
Wow, Ah-llah compliments Palin. take a screenprint everyone.
jbh45 on July 26, 2010 at 6:56 PM
Better to have rough waters now than in October.
TimTebowSavesAmerica on July 26, 2010 at 6:57 PM
My qualms about the RNC coming in have nothing to do with “purity.” I’m just worried that they’ll make things worse.
Emily M. on July 26, 2010 at 6:57 PM
What ever she has to do to beat Dingy…do it.
d1carter on July 26, 2010 at 6:58 PM
Who’s making an issue of it? Someone breathes a word against these sacred cows at any point in their careers, and they’re “kooks”.
ddrintn on July 26, 2010 at 6:58 PM
Parachuting in a campaign team put together by the NRSC is the LAST thing Angle needs. Those guys usually come in and run scorched-earth negative campaigns that backfire. And screw Mike Slanker, who took the big bucks from Linda McMahon – I don’t care how good he is, he is a whore who went for the money in a state he can’t win. We don’t need people like that in the party anymore. The professional consultants did nothing but lose over the last 3 election cycles.
rockmom on July 26, 2010 at 6:58 PM
What she needs to do is consult with Steve Schmidt…heh
d1carter on July 26, 2010 at 6:59 PM
In that she usually endorses people who are going to win anyway, which makes her track record look good?
YYZ on July 26, 2010 at 7:00 PM
Like Handel in GA?
ddrintn on July 26, 2010 at 7:00 PM
Not too many people want to get rid of Social Security so politically speaking I would say that stating you want (as a politician) to eliminate is just unwise.
terryannonline on July 26, 2010 at 7:00 PM
Instead of what? Endorse certain losers?
That would be pure genius, huh?
sharrukin on July 26, 2010 at 7:01 PM
Angle should be able to hold her own against the idiot Reid. Even his own kid is running away from him. Angle needs to act now or get some people into her campaign that keep her the offense.
portlandon on July 26, 2010 at 7:01 PM
How is Reid’s seat “the prize”?
LastRick on July 26, 2010 at 7:02 PM
Never underestimate the stupidity of the RNC. Remember, this is the same organization who wasted millions on Lincoln Chafee. Having them “help” your campaign is the kiss of death.
I still think Angle will be fine, but a Palin visit and endorsemnet would seal the deal.
And how’s is Linda McMahon doing? /sarc
Sorry, but I’d take Angle’s chances over McMahon’s any day. These “Republican Consultants” are worthless.
Norwegian on July 26, 2010 at 7:02 PM
Which is exactly why the same old garbage will continue forever until we’re Zimbabwe.
ddrintn on July 26, 2010 at 7:02 PM
Like when she endorsed a 3rd place Nikki Haley who suddenly overtook everyone else in the race?
YYZ needs a nap.
portlandon on July 26, 2010 at 7:02 PM
Tell that to Nikki Haley and Karen Handel, who were running way behind and got rocket-boosted into the lead with a simple endorsement by the Governor.
VidOmnia on July 26, 2010 at 7:03 PM
Pay attention, and you might make some sense.
Brian1972 on July 26, 2010 at 7:04 PM
Exactly. She’s shrewd.
YYZ on July 26, 2010 at 7:04 PM
Campaigns need to have a little fear going into the Fall. Angle’s is an out of nowhere effort so there is bound to be stumbling but this is the process where things get sharpened and honed. And this is the time to do it, when few are paying close attention.
By the way, if there’s no message discipline then why have the SS and DOE ‘extreme’ positions been ‘quietly’ scrubbed from the website? Obviously someone is giving her decent advice and apparently she’s acting on it.
JonPrichard on July 26, 2010 at 7:05 PM
Come on folks, Angle is a little weird to say the least. She makes comments on radio shows then has to suddenly walk them back, her refusal to take questions, the fluoride comments, the support of radical groups, the insane 2nd amendment remedies comment.
If she believes some of the stuff she says, she’s a kook. She’s DEFINITELY a horribly undisciplined candidate.
TheBlueSite on July 26, 2010 at 7:05 PM
Uh I’m pretty sure they don’t have a Social Security program in Zimbabwe.
terryannonline on July 26, 2010 at 7:05 PM
Yeah, like when she endorsed Haley (4th place in the polls athe time of endorsment) or Handel (3rd place in the polls), both ended up winning.
Norwegian on July 26, 2010 at 7:05 PM
Isn’t this what the tea party has wanted all along? Better to have an ultra red blooded Conservative than someone who leans toward the center on any issue.
Frankly, I hope she loses. I think she’s an idiot who will do more harm than good. Besides, the tea party says they’d rather see a far left dem win than a moderate Republican, so I say it’s better to have a far left dem win than a dumbass.
I don’t have an issue with her Conservative creds. I love how Conservative she is. She’s just an idiot, and the tea party seems to never take into account how politically savvy a candidate is. Face it folks, you guys have some wackos out there that you support because they carry a pocket constitution, and angle is one of them. Any of the other candidates would be 10 points ahead of Reid. There’s a reason he jumped up and down when she won the primary. This is it.
You can claim “all of the polls are wrong” all you want, the reality is she’s having a much harder time than any other candidate would have because she’s an idiot. As long as you folks are “anti-establishment”, you’ll continue to get people who don’t know what they are doing. You’re not in the minor leagues anymore folks. If you can’t take the heat, get out of the kitchen.
NoStoppingUs on July 26, 2010 at 7:06 PM
It would help if you gave links to the exact quotes. As for the “shakedown” comment, her only mistake was in walking it back.
ddrintn on July 26, 2010 at 7:06 PM
Just win, baby.
tommylotto on July 26, 2010 at 7:06 PM
It would help if she didn’t make statements like I never said we should get rid of SS when there is video of her saying it should be phased out and then cut and run every time a reporter approaches.
rjl1999 on July 26, 2010 at 7:07 PM
I’ve always believed that Allah has less of a problem with Palin than he lets on. He simply wants us Airheads not to fall into groupthink.
And I wouldn’t give a plugged nickel for an outlier poll (such as Mason-Dixon in this race) in the era of the poll aggregator. I think it’s probably a statistical tie.
Sekhmet on July 26, 2010 at 7:08 PM
Uh I’m pretty sure they have lots of debt in Zimbabwe, which is what SS represents.
ddrintn on July 26, 2010 at 7:09 PM
Winning doesn’t mean anything if all you get are the same slobbering GOP big government hacks as the so-called victory.
At least the socialists are honest about what they are!
sharrukin on July 26, 2010 at 7:09 PM
The ad is honest and I can track with the delivery. Let her do it her way. The national party and all “that” right now.
obleo on July 26, 2010 at 7:10 PM
A Harry Reid fan talking about how much trouble Angle is having, when a wise solon like Reid should be winning this in a cakewalk.
ddrintn on July 26, 2010 at 7:11 PM
Like Haley in SC?
LastRick on July 26, 2010 at 7:11 PM
Harry Reid has the powerful folks in this state scared to death. It’s silly, but they’re afraid of Nevada without his “power” and any petty vengence he would exact if they didn’t back him.
Jim-Rose on July 26, 2010 at 7:11 PM
“Palin has not endorsed Angle. Wonder why?”
VidOmnia on July 26, 2010 at 6:48 PM
It seems to me that she has already endorsed McAmnesty, months ago, as payback for choosing her for the VP spot
GFW on July 26, 2010 at 7:12 PM
Everyone who was opposed to Scott Brown winning in MA raise your hands.
a capella on July 26, 2010 at 7:12 PM
Sharron Angle is literally running a dinner table campaign. She is going to be rough around the edges. She is challenging the Senate Majority Leader with 20 million big ones in his war chest. That’s no small potatoes, IYKWIM. She really has her work cut out for her and needs the cash. She needs Scott Brown style cash, like a million bucks in a day, moneybomb type stuff. If she’s within MOE, she is doing very well, heck, if she’s within 2x MOE she is doing well. don’t beeotch about her GOP, shut your damn pieholes you whorebaggers and go help her…hey, I hear there are strip joints in vegas.
ted c on July 26, 2010 at 7:13 PM
Oops, my bad! Seems I can’t tell the difference between Reid and McAmnesty. There’s not too much I guess!
GFW on July 26, 2010 at 7:14 PM
I assume there will be a series of debates with Reid? If so they will probably determine the winner.
patrick neid on July 26, 2010 at 7:14 PM
I would rather have her 10 points down right now than up by five.
ted c on July 26, 2010 at 7:15 PM
Let her have her own people and let her run the campaign the way she wants to. Let her rise or fall on her own merits. If there’s one thing the TP wants more than anything, it’s for pols to tell us what they believe, run on just that, and then implement it where possible. If she does that, while hitting Reid hard, I think she’ll do just fine.
Weight of Glory on July 26, 2010 at 7:15 PM
Hey Rinos,
She’s the candidate you asshats! Get with the program or shut the f___ up! Okay? Why don’t you go to Arizona with your butts and help McCain with your insight and wisdom. Or head to South Carolina to help with Lindsay Grahamnesty’s 2014 campaign. It’s never too early.
ncjetsfan on July 26, 2010 at 7:15 PM
It will be a close race. Remember, NV went for Obama by 12 points, it’s not a “red” state.
Norwegian on July 26, 2010 at 7:15 PM
You can attempt to discredit my argument by calling me a “harry reid fan”, but I’ve been on hotair longer than you have, so good luck with that.
And no, harry reid SHOULD NOT be anywhere ahead. In this environment? Who are you kidding? A talking dog should be demolishing Reid in the polls. Nevada is done with him, yet the race is competitive.
It says A LOT about Angle that she’s not 15 points ahead of him. If you can’t be realistic, then don’t get involved in politics. If you’re going to keep your head in the clouds, go over to dailykos. You’ll fit in much better.
NoStoppingUs on July 26, 2010 at 7:15 PM
Considering how it’s turned out, what’s been the practical difference other than sticking a finger in the eye of the Kennedy clan?
ddrintn on July 26, 2010 at 7:16 PM
Right on, Terryann. She’s gonna need help whether she realizes it or not. Especially if she won’t face the press regularly and enthusiastically. She needs to contrast herself from the current political environment. Answer questions, talk to the people.
Reid’s a formidable opponent and the DNC won’t let his seat go easily. As election day grows nearer, there will be millions injected into Reid’s campaign. If she isn’t organized and prepared, with some kind of professional advisers, she’ll ultimately get creamed.
BacaDog on July 26, 2010 at 7:17 PM
ted c: you are right about her “rough around the edges” style. Even the best of the best can make mistakes, but unless you are practiced at high-profile fed campaigning, the odds are that you will really struggle.
kelley in virginia on July 26, 2010 at 7:17 PM
OK, so did you vote in Nevada? If not, what friggin’ business is it of yours WHO wins the GOP primary? I didn’t vote there.
ddrintn on July 26, 2010 at 7:17 PM
Angle will be fine. If the GOP wants to help, fine.
We need this seat, do what must be done.
rightwingyahooo on July 26, 2010 at 7:17 PM
Reid would CRUSH Angle in a debate. Boy I’d pay to watch that one just for the entertainment value alone. A complete and utter failure against a tea partier. I’m not sure who I’d root for in that one!
NoStoppingUs on July 26, 2010 at 7:18 PM
She’s running .3% behind Reid and your media guru buddy Lewis says she’s “tanking?”
Really?
As for J.D. Hayworth, put a fork in him. He’s done.
He’ll never recover from those “free gub’mint cash” commercials.
Jenfidel on July 26, 2010 at 7:18 PM
You’re the one that belongs at DKos.
ddrintn on July 26, 2010 at 7:19 PM
ROFL the GOP eastablishment wants ANgle to fail haven’t you all been paying attention. they want rand Paul to fail also. They will rather have a dem in office then a conservative look at NY 23rd and Newt siding with Dede. They will walk/crawl over fire before they want /endorse a conservative.
the only problem Angle and Paul are having is they believe that their positions are extrme and thus are backing away from them so their supporters are pulling back also. Angle and Paul must remember what got them to the place they are. they need not be ashamed of their positions they need to fight for them.
unseen on July 26, 2010 at 7:20 PM
Oh I don’t care who Nevada wants to send up against Reid. It’s their choice. But every race has national implications, therefore we should all be VERY concerned. Preferably, I would have liked one of the other candidates who despite not necessarily being “conservatives” would have won this race easily and we could put our efforts elsewhere (like Florida!). Instead, we’re stuck in Nevada helping a candidate with little to no common sense and a long history of saying stupid stuff.
NoStoppingUs on July 26, 2010 at 7:20 PM
YYZzzzzzzzzzzzz
YYZ on July 26, 2010 at 7:21 PM
Because I don’t carry a pocket constitution, cry when I watch Glenn Beck, and sleep at night in the American flag?
You tea partiers are so open minded.
/s
NoStoppingUs on July 26, 2010 at 7:21 PM
Do you think they would actually take him? Even they have standards!
sharrukin on July 26, 2010 at 7:23 PM
Angle is pretty stupid. She says that Nevadans are spoiled and are not taking the lesser jobs. 14.4% unemployment means they’re are no lesser jobs waiting for someone to take them.
PrezHussein on July 26, 2010 at 7:24 PM
Based on nothing more than what I’ve read about her, that worries me.
She needs to be well versed in national issues as well as appeal to the voters in Nevada. Like him or not, Reid’s experienced and well versed in the issues, both national and at the state level.
All it’s going to take is for her to have a Palin moment on some arcane issue and she’s done, IMHO.
What do you Nevada folks say? Is she smart enough, or are we going to see a trainwreck?
BacaDog on July 26, 2010 at 7:24 PM
Sharron Angle is learning on the fly. She’s fresh out of the wrapper in politics and has the SML on his heels. She needs HELP, not derision, not criticism, except constructive criticism. Fund her, go door to door for her, make calls for her, stuff envelopes, support her in your comments, and help her out. Unlike the media, WE SHOULD BE DOING THIS….
ted c on July 26, 2010 at 7:24 PM
Oh, you mean supporting another tea party freak like Rubio, or are you referring to coming to the aid of the wise moderate Charlie Crist?
ddrintn on July 26, 2010 at 7:25 PM
I can not stand Reid. The only people I dislike as much as Harry Reid are Nancy Pelosi and Barack Obama…and Barney Franks..surely Angle will pull this out. I do think that in her past she had some connections that the Democrats are trying to use against her now, but she would certainly be an improvement over Reid. I also think that another Republican might have had a better shot in the general election, but Angle won the primary and I hope she wins in November as well.
Terrye on July 26, 2010 at 7:25 PM
Of all the races we don’t need to screw up on it’s this one. Harry Reid knows all the tricks and isn’t afraid to get down and dirty or be corrupt or lie or cheat or bribe to win this election. He also holds the purse strings for all kinds of special deals to go to his cronies in years to come and don’t think he isn’t making promises. His term should have been over a long, long time ago. I wish we’d had a stronger candidate to begin with but now that we’re at this point the GOP needs to pony up some support and do whatever it takes to win. Sigh.
scalleywag on July 26, 2010 at 7:25 PM
Angle also says “As a US senator it is not my job to bring industry to this state.”
Nevada needs a third party candidate.
PrezHussein on July 26, 2010 at 7:27 PM
ted c: America should help Ms. Angle. And I hope some have the time & money. But you & I need to focus on ridding ourselves and our country of Tom Pelosi Perriello in Va 5CD.
kelley in virginia on July 26, 2010 at 7:27 PM
Isn’t that what the national party supposed to do? They can do it without sacrificing purity, Just stick to the message that the primary voters ask the party to put on the ballot in choosing Angle.
Gwillie on July 26, 2010 at 7:29 PM
Well, of course they are starting to “worry”. She’s not their gal, and it’s part of the plan to make sure she doesn’t win. Never misunderestimate the inside-the-beltway GOP desire to keep the base down.
SouthernGent on July 26, 2010 at 7:30 PM
Maybe the NRA can give her a hand…
Oh, wait!
Seven Percent Solution on July 26, 2010 at 7:30 PM
Nope. Reid is horrible with speaking extemporaneously. He’s unconvincing and completely unpersuasive. After he loses, in any debate between the two, watch how quickly he tries to change the subject from “who won the debate” to “who has the better record/experience”. Only if Angle says something really really dumb, will Reid come out on top. But if both are on their ‘A’ game, Reid will lose.
Weight of Glory on July 26, 2010 at 7:30 PM
At this point a restructuring of the campaign won’t be all that bad at all. This campaign should be about Harry Reid and instead we are here talking about Sharron Angle.
The campaign has a tall order to climb here. They could either open her up to questions from the media about her previous stances on many issues which the Reid campaign will surely capitalize on or they could avoid the local media outlets all together and risk looking like fools that are not up to the job.
TimeTraveler on July 26, 2010 at 7:31 PM
Perriello is toast. Hurt is a good candidate and a likeable guy. The only reason he got elected to begin with was riding the Bambi wave in 08′.
Sure, it won’t be a cakewalk, but if Hurt runs a reasonably good campaign, he’ll win.
BacaDog on July 26, 2010 at 7:32 PM
My Gawd she’s run n against Harry…..
How hard it it be to point out how pathetic Harry is?
There’s a court room say n…. when the judge is with ya… shut ya mouth….
roflmao
donabernathy on July 26, 2010 at 7:32 PM
righto. I missed a TeaParty event last week with Robert Hurt. It was right around the corner from the casa and I was pissed b/c I could’ve gone, I just didn’t know about it. I remember that Hurt was your guy, I think folks from the southern fifth know him better than we do up here.
ted c on July 26, 2010 at 7:33 PM
ted c: my dream is to defeat Perriello. Maybe Ed could run the video the TEA party did where Perriello said of his buddies in Congress (& I paraphrase) “if you don’t stop us, we will keep stealing from you”
kelley in virginia on July 26, 2010 at 7:36 PM
Ok, Ok, any Nevadans here? What say you?
sandee on July 26, 2010 at 7:37 PM
The national GOP establishment, the people who brought you the McCain-Palin campaign, the Florida mess, the -$7 million mystery deficit, RINOitis and many other ills. Maybe they could send Steve Schmidt to help her like he helped Palin. Buy her some nice new clothes.
Viator on July 26, 2010 at 7:37 PM
Unless we’re Japan.
dedalus on July 26, 2010 at 7:37 PM
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