Rep. Steve King (R-Iowa), whom I suspect most neutral observers would consider one of Congress' more offensive clowns, is in a competitive re-election fight this year, but will get a boost today when New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie (R) headlines a luncheon on King's behalf.
It's such an odd pairing that American Bridge, a Democratic super PAC, released a video on the subject.
And why, pray tell, is the governor of New Jersey traveling 1,300 miles to campaign in support of a right-wing congressman even many Republicans find embarrassing?
As Yoda might say, begun the 2016 presidential race has.
For Democrats, the process has slowly been unfolding for much of the year, most notably at the recent Democratic National Convention. Among those cozying up to Iowa officials and delegates were Maryland Gov. Martin O'Malley (who also headlined Iowa Sen. Tom Harkin's annual steak fry), Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick, Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, Virginia Sen. Mark Warner, Montana Gov. Brian Schweitzer, New York Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand and Minnesota Sen. Amy Klobuchar.
Of course, this makes sense, given that President Obama is running for re-election this year, and no matter what happens in November, he won't be on the ballot in 2016. It stands to reason that ambitious Democrats would start laying the groundwork for an eventual campaign.
But Republicans are ostensibly focused on electing Mitt Romney, who, if the GOP succeeds, will presumably be running for a second term in 2016. The problem, of course, is that many in the party expect Romney to lose, and want to be well positioned for the next campaign.
It's why Christie's stumping for King in Iowa, Rick Perry recently told Chuck Todd he's looking forward to 2016, Rick Santorum will be in Iowa this week, and Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal was in Iowa last month to headline a GOP event hosted by the National Rifle Association.
The New Republic, reporting a few weeks ago that the "jockeying has already begun," highlighted many more names, including Gov. Scott Walker (R-Wis.), Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.), Gov. Nikki Haley (R-S.C.), Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), Gov. Suzanne Martinez (R-N.M.), Sen. Kelly Ayotte (R-N.H.), and Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell (R-Va.).
It may seem inappropriate for Republicans to scramble behind the scenes, working under the assumption that Romney will lose, but that doesn't mean it's not happening.
Leave a Comment:
King is such a pathetic looser.
Typical Jersey Republican to leave this year's nominee hanging, Mitt's only special in that Christie et al are doing this in the open six weeks before the election, instead of waiting for election day to start the back stabbing. Don't worry Christie, there are at least six Republicans in NJ already running against a Democratic incumbent in 2017, right now.
Just a note on Santorum. While standing in my daughter's dentist's office, the dentist just off the cuff started to chat about an experience at a dental convention when Santorum, the speaker, was just plain rude to the dental association pres. who was in the audience. Unfortunately for me, I have had lunch with Santorum (not exactly a planned event,believe me). Arrogant and self-righteous doesn't come close. So here we are- two random Pennsylvanians who are not personal friends of any kind-comparing notes on encounters with Rick Santorum. There are thousands of us in Pa. who must have had similar experiences. He is personally quite unlikeable as well as being an extremist. This stuff does matter over the long haul as we are seeing in the implosion of the Republican campaign. Take heart!
Steve King and Tom Latham of Iowa use "entitlement" as a TEA-Republican phraseology much like "some people say" has been widely used in an attempt to make the FOX-hole look more fair and independent in news coverage. But they are never specific as to whom or who spoke those words they said some people say! If you think a voucher-ed Medicare will work, look closely at your states voucher-ed Medicaid program. Let's all remember Paul Ryan, Steve King and Tom Latham are of the same caliber as Todd Akin of scarlet (R) fame. These times are tough and rough on the floundering TEA-Republican nationally and many are distancing themselves from the Romney/Ryan Ticket. Iowans should remember the actions of the House who left for home but not before voting against the Veteran Jobs Corps bill which would help returning veterans to get jobs back stateside after serving their country.
Forty Republican members of the United States Senate betrayed veterans today when decided that denying President Obama a victory was more important than spending $1 billion to create jobs for vets. Here are the 40 Republicans who voted to keep America’s veterans unemployed, and they all wear the scarlet (R).
Alexander (R-TN) Ayotte (R-NH) Barrasso (R-WY) Blunt (R-MO) Boozman (R-AR) Burr (R-NC)
Chambliss (R-GA) Coats (R-IN) Coburn (R-OK) Cochran (R-MS) Corker (R-TN) Cornyn (R-TX)
Crapo (R-ID) DeMint (R-SC) Enzi (R-WY) Graham (R-SC) Grassley (R-IA) Hatch (R-UT)
Hoeven (R-ND) Hutchison (R-TX) Isakson (R-GA) Johanns (R-NE) Johnson (R-WI) Kyl (R-AZ)
Lee (R-UT) Lugar (R-IN) McCain (R-AZ) McConnell (R-KY) Moran (R-KS) Paul (R-KY)
Portman (R-OH) Risch (R-ID) Roberts (R-KS) Rubio (R-FL) Sessions (R-AL) Shelby (R-AL)
Thune (R-SD) Toomey (R-PA) Vitter (R-LA) Wicker (R-MS)
What turned me personally off was the in-actions of the eight on stage in Florida who did not shut down the audience when a soldier, in uniform, in theater merely asked about DADT and was booed. This party does not represent all the people. They are the resurgence of bigotry and prejudice in America.