New Hampshire 2012: The graveyard of RINOs?
posted at 8:43 pm on December 29, 2010 by Allahpundit
Speculative fun from the Boston Phoenix. All along I’ve been assuming that Iowa would be the de facto social con primary (or rather, caucus) and New Hampshire the de facto centrist primary, with the winners to meet down the road in South Carolina, Nevada, and Florida. But what if New Hampshire’s now a lot redder than we think? What if the Iowa winner rolls into Concord a week or two later with tea partiers ready to rock and blows the centrist frontrunner out of the water? That would all but decide the nomination; it’s hard to imagine any candidate winning the big two early and then fumbling on the way to the end zone.
Is this where Mitt says goodbye?
New Hampshire has just gone through one of the most remarkable political upheavals of its history, completely reshaping the landscape there.
The result, according to political observers in the state, is a power vacuum in the state’s Republican circles, right on the eve of the presidential nomination battle. Or, from the perspective of a Republican presidential wannabe, a slew of total unknowns whose opinion could make or break you…
New Hampshire Tea Partiers, in the afterglow of their 2010 success, are already looking for a conservative, populist candidate, says Andrew Hemingway, chair of the Republican Liberty Caucus, which endorsed more than 100 of the new Republican House members. “There’s already been a shift in attention toward the presidential contest” among those activists, Hemingway says.
The state’s establishment Republicans, on the other hand, will be looking for a more mainstream, electable candidate — one they hope will benefit from the large number of independents expected to vote in the Republican primary, with Obama’s re-nomination a foregone conclusion…
Of course, Pindell, Arlinghaus, and others acknowledge another possibility: that this cycle will reveal that none of New Hampshire’s Republican influencers matter at all. The truth could be that New Hampshire’s Republicans get their news and opinions from distant sources — primarily Fox News, talk radio, and national Web sites like NewsMax and RedState.
In other words, it’s Delaware all over again. Romney, shrewdly, is already trying to woo at least one of the state’s new tea party powerbrokers ahead of 2012. Dave Weigel noted today that he dropped a $5,000 contribution on grassroots fave Ovide Lamontagne three weeks after Lamontagne lost the Senate primary to Kelly Ayotte. Lamontagne was backed by DeMint; Ayotte, of course, was supported by Palin. (Lamontagne himself backed Romney for president in 2007, so there was an element of backscratching to that contribution too.) Obviously, Mitt’s trying to prevent an “establishment vs. grassroots” Castle/O’Donnell dynamic from developing in the state; if that happens and this becomes a test of enthusiasm between centrists and “true conservative” backers of the Iowa winner, he’s in big trouble. In fact, he’s in big trouble regardless since other centrist types like Daniels and Pawlenty will be looking at New Hampshire as do or die for them and will campaign hard there, potentially drawing off key votes from Romney. With the centrists split, a strong “true conservative” candidate like Palin or Pence would stand a fair chance of pulling the upset with the base unified behind them. Exit question: After all the time we’ve spent gaming out the primaries and all the time we’re yet to spend gaming them out even more obsessively, is this race actually going to be over early?
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Welcome to AmeriKa!!!
Schadenfreude on May 20, 2013 at 2:43 PM
VDH piece:
It CAN Happen Here
Resist We Much on May 20, 2013 at 2:44 PM
Get the names of all of those agents and sue them. Every one.
thgrant on May 20, 2013 at 2:45 PM
The USA is now somewhere btw. the former USSR and Russia of today.
Obama killed the last shred of moral authority for the land.
The rest of the world laughs its collective ass off, for 1001 reasons.
Schadenfreude on May 20, 2013 at 2:45 PM
The shame of all of this is the brightest ideas for opposition are standing outside IRS offices with signs on Tuesday (so 2010) and holding hearings in the hope that some evidence of something prosecutable will surface (yawn).
Lame. Big time lame.
beatcanvas on May 20, 2013 at 2:46 PM
This is precisely the government you get when democrats have unchecked power.
tom daschle concerned on May 20, 2013 at 2:47 PM
Look how she’s dressed, she wanted this attention….
JFKY on May 20, 2013 at 2:47 PM
Gibson Guitar and the closing of Republican owned GM dealerships come to mind. They weren’t nonprofits, but the template’s the same.
Weight of Glory on May 20, 2013 at 2:47 PM
All of us owe thanks to this woman for having the courage to come forward. Hopefully she will inspire the many others who received similar treatment–and you just know there are legions of ‘em out there–to also speak out.
Drip, drip, drip…and very soon there is a flood.
Meredith on May 20, 2013 at 2:48 PM
OT: Not sure if anyone already called this out — looks like Holder is going after James Rosen of Fox News.
dpduq on May 20, 2013 at 2:48 PM
And your ever-so clever plan IS?????
Fire bombings? Riots???
JFKY on May 20, 2013 at 2:49 PM
“Why didn’t they just shoot her?” – HAL the fascist
NotCoach on May 20, 2013 at 2:49 PM
EVERYTHING ANYBODY NEEDS TO KNOW ABOUT THE IRS SCANDAL:
AmSpec Scoop: Obama ‘Met With Anti-Tea Party IRS Union Chief the Day Before Agency Targeted Tea Party’
BIG GOVERNMENT, like a fish, rots from the head down.
TeaPartyNation on May 20, 2013 at 2:50 PM
Tax-exempt Obama Foundation doesn’t exist at listed addresses
The IRS is a criminal organization.
tetriskid on May 20, 2013 at 2:51 PM
True the Vote should have called themselves the Barak H. Obama organization for securing the vote. They would have sailed through the process.
Happy Nomad on May 20, 2013 at 2:52 PM
They should stop calling her a TEA party chief. She started True The Vote, a non-partisan group dedicated to eliminating voter fraud by organizing poll watchers. That’s what passes for one of this administration’s enemies.
Odysseus on May 20, 2013 at 2:52 PM
The government can also always find more questions to ask you. Basically the applications of Tea Party groups were stonewalled. No matter how much paperwork people filled out, there’s no way they would get approved before the election.
In fact, I’d be interested in seeing some analysis of that. How many targeted groups received their acceptance or final rejection of non-profit status before the election?
hawksruleva on May 20, 2013 at 2:53 PM
http://www.weeklystandard.com/blogs/president-china_554012.html?nopager=1
gumble on May 20, 2013 at 2:54 PM
I hope people targeted by federal agencies come “out of the shadows” by the hundreds. A flood of government targets will find safety in the crowd and under the watchful eye of Congress. Finally.
This fish rot starts at the top with Obama. Mr. “Bring a gun to a knife fight.” Mr. “Get in their faces.” Mr. “Go after your enemies.”
Charlemagne on May 20, 2013 at 2:54 PM
“Mrs. Engelbrecht, we’re from Child Protective Services. We received an anonymous report that you have been sexually abusing your own children; we are placing you under arrest.”
It can happen here. The full panoply of government agencies have become a tool of these thugs to quash dissent, they will stop at nothing to make all of us shut up.
Bishop on May 20, 2013 at 2:55 PM
Senior White House staff knew of the ongoing investigation into the IRS’s targeting of conservative groups ahead of the release of a report from a Treasury Department inspector general, White House press secretary Jay Carney said Monday, but held off on informing the president to wait for a final report.
Resist We Much on May 20, 2013 at 2:55 PM
Remember Gibson? GM dealers?
tom daschle concerned on May 20, 2013 at 2:56 PM
I’m curious to know how the FBI knew the attendee was even there. Did they even have the right person they’re looking into? Remember that Tea Party guy who shot up the theater in Aurora…Oh, wait! Same name, wrong suspect.
Isn’t profiling a big no-no in this country, the reason TSA has to grope grannies and toddlers far more often — to make sure they’re not targeting Middle Eastern males between the ages of 20 and 35?
And still the LSM are going to keep saying there’s nothing fishy around here.
Liam on May 20, 2013 at 2:58 PM
Obamanation.
Good Lt on May 20, 2013 at 2:58 PM
FIFY
GWB on May 20, 2013 at 2:58 PM
Um, and never mind “why did it manifest itself as a decidedly one-sided increase in onerous demands that falls neatly along political lines?”
The ‘overwhelmed with applications’ line is utter bullsqueeze.
Midas on May 20, 2013 at 2:59 PM
No.
Look, the first step is to do what has been effective. What’s been effective? Nobody did a lessons learned after the first TP protests and after the 2010 and 2012 elections.
Politics happens mostly by fear and pain. That’s what the administration is doing: hurting the conservative grassroots, the supporters of the politicians who can defeat him.
Ben Nelson resigned office. How? He was embarrassed while eating a pizza.
Remember Breitbart getting in the face of the OWS crowd telling them to stop raping people?
Why aren’t TP’ers publicizing the pictures and names of the four IRS people named by the reporter at Ohio’s Fox 19?
Why do we need a nonprofit? Just give the money anyway.
What about looking for and exposing the voter fraud that happened in places around the country?
What about creating a talent registry? I have the software for it and I would donate it, but despite emailing Instapundit, the guys here at HA, Glenn Beck, Levin… none of them want to get involved in grassroots organization. Fair enough – but who then?
How do you legally punch back twice as hard?
It’s not with signs and hearings.
beatcanvas on May 20, 2013 at 2:59 PM
OT (kinda; it’s all pretty much related): I’m expecting a mushroom cloud from you guys pretty soon with the breaking story about FoxNews being investigated by the DoJ. With the obligatory video of Megyn Kelly being ravishingly pissed off about it all. She is definitely not someone I’d want to cross in any way. Wow.
nukemhill on May 20, 2013 at 3:00 PM
Don’t use Google.
Schadenfreude on May 20, 2013 at 3:00 PM
I don’t know the solution to low level employees willingness to go along with the Leftist agenda f their bosses but it needs to be discussed. The government overwhelmingly attracts Liberals and Democrats to its ranks as conservatives are far more likely to pursue private sector careers. So we wind up with a government of, by, and for the Democrat party. Who watches the watchers?
Big Government can’t help but become politicized when its run by a single political party who regard their opposition as enemies and since they are the state, we become enemies of the state.
The government is like Skynet in that it will destroy everything that opposes it.
Charlemagne on May 20, 2013 at 3:01 PM
Ben Nelson never resigned from the Senate. He chose not to seek reelection.
Resist We Much on May 20, 2013 at 3:02 PM
C’mon…it’s just some low level employees…
PatriotRider on May 20, 2013 at 3:03 PM
Great question. At some point, we might all agree that standing quietly out front with signs, and holding hearings, and whining online simply don’t work anymore. I’m not suggesting fire bombing and riots, but we’re going to need to discuss what *does* need to happen next, because the old standby’s and expecting that ‘the process’ and ‘the system’ will work or take care of it simply isn’t true anymore.
Midas on May 20, 2013 at 3:04 PM
But I’d be curious to know why the FBI is sniffing around a tea-party group’s attendance sheet……but make sure that a family of jihadies is not investigated inspite of multiple tips !!
burrata on May 20, 2013 at 3:04 PM
I would be interested to know why the FBI thought the TEA party was a threat to the government and thus had to look at membership and attendance.
unseen on May 20, 2013 at 3:05 PM
Liberals are so cool and hip and dreamy.
John the Libertarian on May 20, 2013 at 3:06 PM
Heh. Ed had it up at 8 this morning. You still need to include Megyn going nuclear on the DoJ though. That’s worth it’s own post all on its own.
nukemhill on May 20, 2013 at 3:07 PM
You’re serious? Half the Republican party thinks the TP is a threat to the government – because they are the government, don’t you know.
The intimidation has only started. What are you going to do about it?
beatcanvas on May 20, 2013 at 3:08 PM
We can talk all we want, no one up there is listening. Oh sure they bend an ear your way and put on their concerned face, but they aren’t really hearing what you have to say.
In a nation of laws we wouldn’t be worrying about the “timing” and “appearance” of impeachment, we would already have the Dog Eating Retard and his appointees in the dock answering some very pointed questions. We would be granting blanket legal protection to all those underlings who know the important details but who are too frightened to come forward without it.
This is insane, an entire federal government attacking its own citizens.
Bishop on May 20, 2013 at 3:12 PM
It’s becoming obvious that there is more than just an Obama-Enemies list in the IRS. There has to be a Superlist of enemies that is available to key people in EVERY federal department, and that special someone accesses the list and then somehow credibly can task enforcement actions in those groups.
This is not rogue employees, this is a hidden harrassment network that covers the Rat-Eared Bastard’s entire administration.
It’s also likely that this is run by the greedy-unions where the hardest of the hardcore progressives tend to gather.
Investigate the greedy-unions and this hidden network can be revealed.
slickwillie2001 on May 20, 2013 at 3:16 PM
A reporter? They make great targets too, apparently.
butterflies and puppies on May 20, 2013 at 3:16 PM
Senior WH officials knew of the targeting before and were waiting for the final report to inform Obama?
Textbook case of “Plausible Deniability.” In case a crime has been committed, the higher ups are protected. Amazing.
Allahs vulva on May 20, 2013 at 3:17 PM
YES. Google played an important role in putting together the REB’s OFA GOTV effort. With the REB, Google wouldn’t bother with those pesky search warrants.
slickwillie2001 on May 20, 2013 at 3:19 PM
Das Leben der Anderen
jangle12 on May 20, 2013 at 3:20 PM
beatcanvas on May 20, 2013 at 2:59 PM
That’s presumptuous.
You’respeaking as if those things are NOT being worked up behind the scenes.
pambi on May 20, 2013 at 3:21 PM
Opposition research. Find out who these bureaucratic bullies are and dig up dirt on them. Like I said in another thread, let them find out what a new-media anal exam feels like.
CurtZHP on May 20, 2013 at 3:22 PM
So out of all of these email and phone records grabs to investigate “illegal activities” or “leaks”, do we have even one single charge against even one person?
EA_MAN on May 20, 2013 at 3:22 PM
You mean people like Andy Stern and Trumka and SEIU thugs ?
Hussein doesn’t even know them donchano :O
Ofcourse Carne asada knows 3 Sterns and 5 Trumkas .
burrata on May 20, 2013 at 3:23 PM
Let’s party like it’s 1984!
bw222 on May 20, 2013 at 3:23 PM
At some point, you run out of options, and there appears no other course but violence and bloodshed.
Sadly, we’re quickly approaching that mark. This is Paris circa 1787.
Myron Falwell on May 20, 2013 at 3:31 PM
Protests scheduled all over the country at IRS offices tomorrow at noon local time. In Albuquerque it is at 5338 Montgomery 2 blocks east of San Mateo.
Rancher on May 20, 2013 at 3:31 PM
Well THANK YOU Bill Ayers, are you and Bernadette doing anything special this Memorial Day weekend?
You are a KNUCKLEHEAD….join the SDS/Weather Underground, meet a nice FBI informant.
JFKY on May 20, 2013 at 3:35 PM
Wow. Impressive.
I don’t mean her, of course, I mean how busy the alphabet of agencies has been.
This lady got a good percentage of the employers of the Hot Air trolls and electronic monitors and spies who know all of us so well!
And you thought all those LEOs and federal agents are shopping during the day, loafing or taking graduate classes while filling out phony “surveillance reports”?
I’m glad they don’t waste tax dollars!
IlikedAUH2O on May 20, 2013 at 3:36 PM
I think what is needed is a law that hold government officials (especially those working for the IRS) PERSONALLY and FINANCIALLY responsible for abusive actions against law abiding citizens.
No more using taxpayer money to pay settlements and legal fees. I’m sick and tired of these incompetent and corrupt b@stards behaving like fascists, and then sending me the bill to get them off the hook.
UltimateBob on May 20, 2013 at 3:48 PM
It is more and more apparent that if you are a Democrat and you have ANY position of power you are going to be a Dem first and an American 2nd. This is a systemic abuse of power all across the Federal system. FBI, ATF, EPA, EEOC, DOJ, IRS….AND CONGRESS, SENATE, AND POTUS. At this point we need to scrutinize anyone with a D after their name or a D on their voter registration record. In other words we need to treat them the way the Obama admin treats us. It’s time for the big guns…maybe literally.
neyney on May 20, 2013 at 3:48 PM
If you are just getting audited & hassled by the IRS then there is a slight chance (in Hades) that it might be a coincidental targeting by ‘low-level rogue IRS agents’….
but when you are being harrassed by the FBI, ATF, OSHA, AND the IRS, it’s got ‘Obama Administration’ , ‘Enemies List’, & ‘Tyranical abuse of government’ all over it!
And the next thing that should be ‘all over’ the Obama administration is ‘IMPEACHMENT‘!
easyt65 on May 20, 2013 at 3:56 PM
Cossacks For Obama!
A community minded non-profit organization of course.
onomo on May 20, 2013 at 4:00 PM
The thanks I get for forgetting a /sarc tag.
And yet, blowing up at me doesn’t solve the obvious problem at large.
Myron Falwell on May 20, 2013 at 4:00 PM
True the Vote began as a response to ACORN voter registration fraud. That is probably the main reason they have gotten so much additional attention from this administration.
They are a very direct threat to the Dem. machine.
jffree1 on May 20, 2013 at 4:03 PM
No, but neither does suggesting foolish and counter-productive solutions….
The solution is to expose the scandals and throw the rascals out….it isn’t talking about much beyond that.
JFKY on May 20, 2013 at 4:05 PM
It is just my opinion that the common link between the different agencies targeting cons. is their union affiliations. Public employees shouldn’t have unions. Period.
jffree1 on May 20, 2013 at 4:06 PM
With both parties actively working against us, that solution isn’t as simple as it sounds.
Myron Falwell on May 20, 2013 at 4:11 PM
We now are officially a banana republic
Bevan on May 20, 2013 at 4:12 PM
Yeah, BOTH parties….whatever, dood/doodette.
JFKY on May 20, 2013 at 4:15 PM
Oh SOOOO true just saw my first Hugo Chavez “Long Live the Bolivarian Revolution” Poster the other day, on my way to taking hte kidz to their Komsomol meeting….
You and Myron need to get together and exchange paranoid theories.
JFKY on May 20, 2013 at 4:16 PM
In all seriousness, about the only government entity that strikes more fear in the hearts of parents than the IRS is DYFS or CPS. Those agencies can, and do, take your kids based on nothing more than just what you suggested, an anonymous tip, with little or no actual evidence. And when they do, the burden of proof is entirely on you. You’re guilty until proven guilty. And if they don’t find any evidence the first time around, they can keep going anyway. Meanwhile, your children are buried under a mountain of foster care and red tape.
CurtZHP on May 20, 2013 at 4:20 PM
Yes.
Both.
Parties.
Are.
Ignorant fool.
Myron Falwell on May 20, 2013 at 4:24 PM
Ever heard of Karl Rove? Or Reince Priebus?
Myron Falwell on May 20, 2013 at 4:27 PM
The only conspiracy worth noting is how the GOPe magically believes they can win elections by simply becoming socialists like the Dems.
Myron Falwell on May 20, 2013 at 4:29 PM
They aren’t against the TEA Party…that’s your victimization gene speaking…no more than the Demcorats were against Tom Hayden and the McGovern Wing of the party…..
Your problem is yuo represent a MINORITY position int he GOP, and you don’t like that…
The solution isn’t carping about the “Establishment” it’s becoming the Majority/Establishment…..
Sack Up gets some votes….
JFKY on May 20, 2013 at 4:32 PM
You are so blind in your loyalty to the GOPe that it is sickening.
Reince and Karl Rove both hate all tea parties, and liken them to the candidates who didn’t win. They despise insurgent candidates like Ted Cruz, Rand and Rubio when they defeat the GOPe’s hand-picked candidates (although Rubio has opened himself to be the Socialist he really is). They label them all as Sharron Angels and Todd Achin’s, and launch PACs designed to see that no insurgent candidate will ever defeat a flawed candidate or a failed congressmen/senator ever again.
I wasted my time campaigning for a sure-fire loser in Romney. I will never do that ever again. And if you consider that playing the victim card, then I kindly ask that you STFU.
Myron Falwell on May 20, 2013 at 4:43 PM
+1000
dominigan on May 20, 2013 at 4:45 PM
No, the problem is that the majority position is one antithetical to American liberty, as it’s nothing more than Democrat-lite. The problem is compromise of principles that have destroyed the once conservative party. The problem is folks saying “oh no, don’t talk paranoid conspiracy theories; you have to get votes, and you only do that by going halvesies with the socialists on the other side.”
GWB on May 20, 2013 at 5:01 PM
Yes, the Loyalists thought revolution was foolish too. Why don’t you go have a nice kissy fest with Michael Medved?
Nutstuyu on May 20, 2013 at 5:01 PM
Quite likely a Fed plant they can use to harass the group and get into their files. Look up Patcon operation from the 90s.
oryguncon on May 20, 2013 at 5:15 PM
The “suspect” was probably trying to run for office in a purple district and the FBI was trying to dig up some dirt on him for the Democrat candidate.
Socratease on May 20, 2013 at 5:17 PM
My god are you simplistic.
How will you expose the rascals? Did you watch Holder’s hearing? He doesn’t give one goddamn that you suspect him of things. He’s over it. You’re nobody. The press is nobody. Republicans are nobodies.
You have no clue about politics. You shouldn’t play. Unless you’re willing to get up off the couch and put your reputation on the line, you’re part of the problem.
beatcanvas on May 20, 2013 at 5:24 PM
I’m sure it was just a coincidence of a few rogue agents at the IRS.
And a few rogue agents at the FBI.
And a few rogue agents at the ATF.
And a few rogue agents at OSHA.
Yeah, that’s what it was. Move along people, nothing to see here.
Axion on May 20, 2013 at 5:31 PM
What do you mean, in the PRIMARIES, well that was your mistake…Primaries are for the heart-choice….
In the GENERAL, what was your option…Vote Obama…Virgil Goode?
Then STFU! You LOST…it’s a “democracy” and if the majority want this then too F*ckin’ bad…
Stop whining, and start changing minds….
It’s day 11 of the F*ckin’ thing….Nixon didn’t resign on Day 11…sheesh you are the microwave popcorn generation aren’t you? Or is this the movie version of your telling of All the President’s Men? Are you Redford or Hoffman? It’s all over and done in 90-120 minutes?
Yeah I have NO CLEW about politics…I haven’t seen any ads that have “Beatcanvas” for Congress or Paid for by Beatcanvas…how about YOU SFTU, get off of YOUR keyboard and do something?
JFKY on May 20, 2013 at 5:58 PM