Castle Tells Palin to Stay Away.
From The Hill:
Republicans facing tough elections in 2010 don’t want Sarah Palin campaigning with them. Though the soon-to-be-former Alaska governor is seen as popular with the conservative grass roots, several Republicans said she’d help them by staying home in Wasilla.
[…]
Several Republicans running for statewide office over the next two years in areas where Obama is popular suggested Palin could hurt the party’s candidates. Centrist Republican Rep. Mike Castle (Del.) said that Palin’s polarizing views, coupled with her surprise decision to resign with 18 months left in her term, would make it difficult to ask for her help.“I think the combination of her being very conservative and the fact that what she did has concerned some of us would mean that people may be hesitant about having her in [to campaign],” said Castle, who is considering a bid for Senate in 2010.
Didn’t the Hill bury the lead here? Did Castle just confirm that he was running? Otherwise, why would he care about Sarah Palin coming to Delaware? Indeed, if he does not run, the rank and file of the Delaware GOP, including the most likely replacement candidate, Christine O’Whackjob, would love to have Palin campaign in the state. And if he is running, isn’t he further antagonizing his supposed base of support?
Hmmmm….I think that still puts it up in the air I think, but The Hill reported Castle as running based on Ron Williams report before. Would Palin really hurt Castle? Assuming O’Donnell stays in wouldn’t Palin help Castle with the GOP base? She would definitely hurt in the general.
“if he is running, isn’t he further antagonizing his supposed base of support?”
No. His base isn’t the conservatives, it’s the same people who vote for Tom Carper.
He is not now, nor will he ever be, vulnerable to Christine O’Donnell or anyone else in a primary. If Mikestache couldn’t get within 50% of Bill Frickin’ Lee, how is one of those nutjobs going to dent Mike Castle’s Moderation Juggernaut?
Time to send this to Sarah Pac and get a fundraiser going for the real Republican, Ms. O’ Donnell.
Please do, realdeal.
What sort of an elected official would really fear a primary race?
He is not now, nor will he ever be, vulnerable to Christine O’Donnell or anyone else in a primary.
So true. But it would be so fun to see O’Nutbag give him hell.
I can think of Arlen Specter, for one. He feared it enough to switch parties.
Further, any incumbent facing a competitive and tough general election race wants to avoid a primary challenge to conserve resources and avoid a divisive primary that may send half of his party to his general election opponent.
But, Art, please, I wholeheartedly encourage you guys to take it to Castle.
Art must live in a mason jar stuffed with cotton packed in a box in the rear of his grandmothers closet.
EVERY politician in Delaware lives in abject fear of a primary. Even ones that will never ever ever ever have to worry about a serious primary.
Tom Carper comes to mind.
If Castle does not run there will many Republicans interested in running. It will be wide open.
Mike Protack
It would likely be wide open in both parties.
“It would likely be wide open in both parties.”
Don’t be silly. If Castle doesn’t run, Beau runs and wins.
It asll depends on candidate and location, folks.
In 2006, lots of republicans didn’t want George W. Bush to appear on their behalf. Down here, he drew big crowds and lots of votes where he did campaign.
I would imagine Joe Lieberman is somewhat similar in your party.
Palin will be appearing for my governor here in Texas — and I will be campaigning for his opponent, though not because of Palin’s support for Perry.
How would Mike feel if Sarah showed up at a fundraiser for a primary opponent?
It might make life interesting.