Today in California, we’re seeing how desperate the NRSC’s handpicked candidate, Carly Fiorina, really is.
Despite massive monetary advantages in her campaign, mostly thanks to writing herself checks and getting the blessing from the NRSC’s Rob Jesmer and his ilk, she still performs worse than Chuck DeVore against Barbara Boxer, and she’s lost the momentum in the race.
So in a last ditch effort to win, her allies are using the Richard Blumenthal story to try to create a blatantly false perception of Chuck DeVore.
Carly’s official campaign Twitter account complained just the other day about DeVore’s status as a “military reservist.” I’ve already told you about that. Now the stakes are higher, thanks to a Los Angeles Times story which paints DeVore as participating in what Larry Sabato, a political observer whose views I usually respect, calls “resume enhancement.”
Chuck DeVore enlisted in 1983 in the US Army. He got through college on a ROTC scholarship. He has served in the National Guard and now is still a commissioned officer in the Reserves. He has never claimed — NEVER — to be someone who has experienced combat in the line of duty.
The Los Angeles Times is claiming, and Fiorina’s allies are piling on, with the contention that because DeVore mentioned being shot at in Lebanon, he was somehow claiming to have seen combat.
Of course, Chuck DeVore has proof — he has the audio tape of himself, for crying out loud! — being shot at in Lebanon. He has the transcript of his debates and interviews which show that he wasn’t even connecting this experience with his military service, just his knowledge of the Middle East. Then there is this press report from the time which tracks with all of Chuck DeVore’s statements.
This proof doesn’t matter to the people involved — people who in most cases don’t know the first thing about the military OR the Middle East, let alone that at 180 meters, anybody’s in range for an AK-47 hit (had it been China, Fiorina might know something about it, considering all the jobs she sent there from California).
This is ludicrous. What’s more, it is obscene. And everyone who is making that claim should be ashamed of themselves. Chuck DeVore was shot at in Lebanon. The press and Fiorina allies really don’t like that fact for some reason. It happened nonetheless.
But if there’s one thing we’ve learned about the NRSC and its establishment cronies over the past year, it’s this: they have no principles, they have no class, and they have no shame.
Moe Lane
Steve Maley
KnightsofMalta
Dan Spencer
Dan McLaughlin
Who are the 'Fiorina allies'?
Diogenes314 (Diary) Monday, May 24th at 4:58AM EST (link)Or is she automatically guilty anytime anyone says anything bad about DeVore?
Just curious.
Got Desperate ?
SteveLA (Diary) Monday, May 24th at 7:21PM EST (link)Diogenes314
DeVore is sinking fast now, next poll will show how much, this is a move of desperation and a very old political theater trick.
Find a mistake that your opponent has made, any issue no matter how small, like say one Twitter entry, and puff it up to massive disrespect for some group that you’re trying to appeal to. Maybe throw in some hobgoblins behind the curtain or under the bed. Goodness knows the LATimes is a hobgoblin and an easy target.
Let’s see what the next poll shows, probably incremental gains by all three as the undecided, decide, with Mr. DeVore getting some more support but not enough to get out of third place, it will be the beginning of the “Surge” according to some….Oh my.
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Competency over ideological purity and litmus tests
Is SurveyUSA considered to be reputable and solid?
Mary Beth (Diary) Monday, May 24th at 9:11PM EST (link)If so, then it looks like things are breaking for Fiorina:
[quote]In the Republican primary for US Senator, support for former Hewlett Packard CEO Carly Fiorina is up sharply in the past 2 weeks, from 24% on 05/10/10 to 46% today 05/24/10. Fiorina’s support has more than doubled among women, seniors, Hispanics, the less educated, and in the Inland Empire. During these 2 weeks, Former Congressman Tom Campbell’s support dropped 12 points, from 35% on 05/10/10 to 23% today 05/24/10. [/quote]
Campbell 23%
DeVore 14%
Fiorina 46%
http://www.surveyusa.com/client/PollReport.aspx?g=203d9267-8869-45c0-b3de-95ed057a54f9
“A political party cannot be all things to all people. It must represent certain fundamental beliefs which must not be compromised to political expediency, or simply to swell its numbers.” ~ Ronald Reagan
Wowser...Fiorina up to 46 percent !
SteveLA (Diary) Monday, May 24th at 9:42PM EST (link)If this is true, looks like Campbell might be fading, a very good thing. DeVore is going down a bit, but I think that’s his floor of support coming through and I doubt he’ll slip much more, or gain much more.
Maybe Neil will pick apart the numbers and make some sense of the trends. As to is this a reliable poll or not, I don’t know, but others probably do. The undecided number at 11 percent tends to show them breaking for Fiorina it looks like.
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Competency over ideological purity and litmus tests
I'm posting on the two CAsen polls in a bit (nt)
Neil Stevens (Diary) Monday, May 24th at 10:47PM EST (link)RS contributing editor, technical administrator, and “a hardy variety of crabgrass.”
Read the RedState Posting Rules
Unlikely Voter: Poll Analysis, Election Projection.
“I rejoice that America has resisted.” – William Pitt, the Elder
Great...then...look forward to reading
SteveLA (Diary) Monday, May 24th at 10:50PM EST (link)I was going to put something up on the Survey USA that just came out, I’ll defer to you O Grand Swami of the polling examination/deconstruction/prognostication service.
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Competency over ideological purity and litmus tests
When the biggest newspaper in your state publishes a potential scandal on an opponent, you publicize it
calical Tuesday, May 25th at 12:36AM EST (link)Who wouldn’t? Certainly DeVore has been willing to run with other’s attacks on Carly, including Boxer and various arms of the Democratic Party.
With all due respect
rrreaganite (Diary) Monday, May 24th at 6:00AM EST (link)Erick,
It is a little much to lay this at the feet of the NRSC. The NRSC might be a politically motivated organization that does make bad decisions. But to say that it has no class and no shame is excessive in my opinion. John Cornyn is a good man and I do not believe that he is in the business of denigrating or allowing the the denigration of Chuck Devore’s or anyone’s military service. Not all criticism about RedState’s and my preferred candidate, Chuck Devore, is derived from the NRSC. However, I do agree that the story is an unfair hit job on Devore and that the LA Times once again proved itself to be classless and inaccurate.
“Indeed, in a free government almost all other rights would become worthless if the government possessed power over the private fortune of every citizen.” John Marshall
Then why hasn't Cornyn fired Jesmer?
Neil Stevens (Diary) Monday, May 24th at 6:42AM EST (link)The best we can say about Cornyn is that he’s asleep at the switch.
RS contributing editor, technical administrator, and “a hardy variety of crabgrass.”
Read the RedState Posting Rules
Unlikely Voter: Poll Analysis, Election Projection.
“I rejoice that America has resisted.” – William Pitt, the Elder
If he's Primaried next round
wennejunk (Diary) Monday, May 24th at 6:54AM EST (link)He loses my vote. I’ve been happy to support him in the past; I thought he represented Texas well.
The last couple of years has greatly disappointed me and those I talk to in our community.
I thought he was made of sterner stuff than this.
There are only two kinds of people in the end: those who say to God, ‘Thy will be done,’ and those to whom God says, in the end, ‘Thy will be done.’ -C. S. Lewis
I think
rrreaganite (Diary) Monday, May 24th at 7:07AM EST (link)that his position is a political position, and thus he is making political calculations. Politics is often unpredictable and thus he is often at odds with us conservatives. However, he still is a very conservative Senator in the Senate, especially in comparison to his colleagues.
“Indeed, in a free government almost all other rights would become worthless if the government possessed power over the private fortune of every citizen.” John Marshall
Texas can do better than Cornyn.
RINKER Monday, May 24th at 8:36AM EST (link)Without referencing the above story, I too have been increasingly disappointed with Cornyn. He jumped out right after health care passed and downplayed the prospects of repeal. He threw his support behind the likes of Charlie Crist and Snarlin Arlen Specter. Texas can do much better.
There is one thing...
pamela1631 (Diary) Monday, May 24th at 6:57AM EST (link)that a person remembers with clarity.
Being shot at.
Doesn’t matter if it’s once or multiple times.
Carly Fiorina is a coward and is using a coward’s tactics.
This republic was not established by cowards; and cowards will not preserve it. ~~Elmer Davis
I am stone forged from the fires of creation into flesh ~~Pamela1631
The greatest civilization is one where all citizens are equally armed and can only be persuaded, never forced.~~Maj. L. Caudill, USMC (Ret.)
"Lesser of 2 evils" politics is what got us into this mess
NickDeringer (Diary) Monday, May 24th at 6:58AM EST (link)We are not going to defeat hard core Leftists with progressive lite candidates. The MSM loves candidates like Fiorina because they know she holds no serious conservative convictions. They are complicit in the smear of DeVore.
NickDeringer
Erick, you are losing it
Sal AOR Monday, May 24th at 7:32AM EST (link)There is simply no evidence to support your assertions. Your original post on Fiorina’s tweet was a bit of a streatch (you attributed much more to her comment than was obviously apparent), but I don’t see anything here to point to the fact that the Fiorina campaign was involved in this LA Times story.
It is one thing to attack our opponents (and yes, I am a DeVore supporter, so Fiorina is my “opponent” but it is another thing to stretch the truth, go all conspiracy-theorist, and attack someone based on supposition rather than facts. There is plenty to attack Fiorina on. She doesn’t have a record as a Conservative; she didn’t always vote; she is part of the John McCain cabal. Why take a single tweet by her and twist it into something that it isn’t? It is beneath you, Erick, and is unfortunately part of a larger trend that RedState has descended into.
Sal
Axis of Right
When do we start picketing the NRSC offices and calling attention to these shameless boobs? nt
AceInTX (Diary) Monday, May 24th at 8:03AM EST (link)I used to respect Larry Sabato...
autiger89 Monday, May 24th at 9:07AM EST (link)…until I read his book A More Perfect Constitution. While I believe there are some amendments necessary to be made to the Constitution, some of Sabato’s are outrageous and ridiculous.
The man may be smart, but he is a colossal fool.
I used to respect Sabato too...
cwilson (Diary) Monday, May 24th at 9:34AM EST (link)but he did a few things during the 2004 cycle where his liberal skirt started showing. (I’d have to go research to remember all the specifics). But, the sum total was that I couldn’t help but believe that he was then (and perhaps had previously) letting his now-revealed political allegiance affect his analysis — and his public statements.
I don’t trust him as an honest “political commentator” — e.g. no longer one who simply says what he thinks; he became, is now, and perhaps always was, one who says what he thinks will have the desired affect on outcomes.
If ye love wealth better than liberty, the tranquility of servitude than the animated contest of freedom — go home from us in peace. We ask not your counsels or arms. Crouch down and lick the hands which feed you. May your chains sit lightly upon you, and may posterity forget that you were our countrymen! –Samuel Adams
Larry Sabato
caboose Monday, May 24th at 10:32AM EST (link)is not merely a Political Observer, as stated. Rather he is very much a registered democrat partisan. He readily admits it when specifically ask. So anything he says politically is suspect. He should be looked at as spreading propaganda when speaking favorable toward Democrats and unfavorable toward Republicans.
Sal AOR is right - DeVore has embellished
youngmonte (Diary) Monday, May 24th at 9:58AM EST (link)Any reasonable person can see that DeVore (like Sal AOR, my preferred choice in the primary) has tried to embellish his resume. He is not a military reservist. He is a retired military reservist. As I pointed out previously, almost everyone who retires from the Army is held in something called the Individiual Ready Reserve, which essentially means that they can be called back to active duty if they are really needed. But that doesn’t change the fact that they are retired. It would be like if Colin Powell ran for president and called himself an Army general. He is a retired Army general.
Then there are DeVore’s claims, debunked by Rep. Duncan Hunter, of playing a bigger role in missile defense that he actually did. That is disturbing to me and should be to Erick as well.
Look, I like Chuch DeVore and hope he wins. But he should stop trying to make himself something he’s not. I know it’s an antiestablishment year and he is an assemblyman, but leading voters to believe you are an Army reservist when you are not goes too far.
Just a little curious
baserunr (Diary) Monday, May 24th at 11:24AM EST (link)as to how you can be in the “Individual Ready Reserve” and still not be considered a “reservist”?
“The day you think you know it all is the day your trouble starts.”
I think the debate is silly
RINKER Monday, May 24th at 11:26AM EST (link)On BOTH sides (Devore and Fiorina)…. It shouldn’t be an issue. It is a silly debate.
Sorry, I don't see the equivalency
civil truth (Diary) Monday, May 24th at 11:37AM EST (link)And I’ve kept out of this issue until this morning, but now that the ruckus has been clearly defined as being over a single word – “retired” – and ignoring the lengthy military record of DeVore, I have to conclude that this is the kind of complaining about the “splinter in the other’s eye” that innoculates the public against real corruption and genuine ethical violations.
Again, this inability to make rational distinctions is the kind of behavior that will bring down our Republic. “Drop by drop, the rock breaks…”
The greatest evil…is conceived and ordered (moved, seconded, carried, and minuted) in clean, carpeted, warmed, and well-lighted offices, by quiet men with white collars and cut fingernails and smooth-shaven cheeks who do not need to raise their voice. Hence, naturally enough, my symbol for Hell is something like the bureaucracy of a police state or the offices of a thoroughly nasty business concern. -C.S. Lewis
http://www.gmsplace.com/
Being in IRR is not the same as reservist
youngmonte (Diary) Monday, May 24th at 4:48PM EST (link)The Army has three components – the active component, the reserves, and the Army National Guard. If you are in the reserves, you are a reservist. If you in the IRR, you are essentially retired, but subject to being called if needed. Unlike true reservists, IRR members don’t have any obligaiton to drill or train, they don’t get paid, and don’t have to participate in annual exercises. Think of it this way: the IRR is the last resort of manpower short of a draft.
Being in the IRR is far different from being in the reserves. DeVore is not a reservist even though he is subject to being recalled (which rarely occurs); he is a retired reservist. As I pointed out, Colin Powell is no longer an Army general; he is a retired Army general. And even though I’d bet that he is still subject under IRR, there is no way he could (or would) consider himself a reservist. I hope that clears it up.
DeVore has a greater chance of being called back to duty than Fiorina has being called back to being a "Business Executive".
Aaron Gardner (Diary) Monday, May 24th at 4:53PM EST (link)Goose, gander, and all that.
conform and celebrate diversity….or else!!!
“We’d be much better off if We The People had desired small government enough to keep it.” acat
Follow @Aaron_RS
An enlistment in the Army is an 8 year commitment...
nessa (Diary) Monday, May 24th at 5:22PM EST (link)Those who serve anything less than 8 years are placed in the IRR for the remainder of their commitment. Retirement from the military comes only after a minimum of 20 years of service, you can get out before that but it is termed ETS (Expiration of Term of Service). People who ETS with less than 8 years of service are placed on the rolls of the IRR. Retirees are subject to recall but it is a seperate system and process than activation of the IRR.
I am a Paratrooper, as well as a Soldier, present text, no initials or abbreviations behind my name will change that. 20 years of service to this Nation and my DD 214 have earned that. And that’s NOT an exaggeration.
“If you love wealth more than liberty, the tranquility of servitude better than the animating contest of freedom, depart from us in peace. We ask not your counsel nor your arms. Crouch down and lick the hand that feeds you. May your chains rest lightly upon you and may posterity forget that you were our countrymen.”—Samuel Adams
Contributor to Unified Patriots
teh twitter
5 nt
Aaron Gardner (Diary) Monday, May 24th at 5:32PM EST (link)conform and celebrate diversity….or else!!!
“We’d be much better off if We The People had desired small government enough to keep it.” acat
Follow @Aaron_RS
5 -nt
Caleb Howe (Diary) Monday, May 24th at 5:34PM EST (link)Caleb Howe (formerly known as absentee)
DeVore should be ashamed of himself.
Diogenes314 (Diary) Monday, May 24th at 10:14AM EST (link)For all of the hateful comments ‘his allies’ are making about Carly here and elsewhere at Red State.
Not cool, Chuck. I thought better of you.
So with Boxer a lead player in the radical left's takeover of the Democratic Party
civil truth (Diary) Monday, May 24th at 10:54AM EST (link)and the assault on our Republic and our political institutions that has been underway since November 2008, bringing the specter of tyranny perilously close to frution, the Republicans in my state are sanctimoniously spilling ual blood over a bloody single word – “retired” – as to whether it should have been included or not- this is what the primary is degenerating into? Give me a break. How about debating susbstance for once?
We saw this false sanctimony with Ted Stevens, that led to the loss of a critical Senate seat that enabled the progressing Democratic coup in Congress now underway.
Makes me think that many in the Republican Party view conservatives as a larger enemy than the golpistas on the left.
“A house divided…”
The greatest evil…is conceived and ordered (moved, seconded, carried, and minuted) in clean, carpeted, warmed, and well-lighted offices, by quiet men with white collars and cut fingernails and smooth-shaven cheeks who do not need to raise their voice. Hence, naturally enough, my symbol for Hell is something like the bureaucracy of a police state or the offices of a thoroughly nasty business concern. -C.S. Lewis
http://www.gmsplace.com/
Civil...
Aaron Gardner (Diary) Monday, May 24th at 11:02AM EST (link)Chuck’s opponents lose on the issues, hence DeVore’s movement after his media push and debate performance.
That said, you know I agree with you.
conform and celebrate diversity….or else!!!
“We’d be much better off if We The People had desired small government enough to keep it.” acat
Follow @Aaron_RS
It's amazing how Erick makes people flip out
Neil Stevens (Diary) Monday, May 24th at 11:32AM EST (link)Erick takes a stand and his opponents just get so unreasonable.
RS contributing editor, technical administrator, and “a hardy variety of crabgrass.”
Read the RedState Posting Rules
Unlikely Voter: Poll Analysis, Election Projection.
“I rejoice that America has resisted.” – William Pitt, the Elder
How am I being unreasonable?
Sal AOR Monday, May 24th at 11:50AM EST (link)I’m not even saying that the retired flap is a legitimate attack. What I think is a huge stretch is that Erick is tying Sabato to Fiorina, when he offers no such evidence for that link. If there is one, I’d be glad to see it and reevaluate my position, but this post isn’t about Erick taking a stand, it’s about him making accusations without any facts to back those accusations up.
Come on people, let’s focus on the real issues here, of why Fiorina is not the right choice. Fight for Conservatism and limited government, not for stupid, unsupported allegations!
Sal
Axis of Right
Nice guilt complex you have there... NT
Pomme (Diary) Monday, May 24th at 12:16PM EST (link)NT
“Liberals claim to want to give a hearing to other views, but then are shocked and offended to discover that there are other views” William F Buckley Jr.
DeVore vs RINOmania!
swanie Monday, May 24th at 12:24PM EST (link)All of this confirms what I have contended since the RINOs tried to hijack this race. The mere fact that FioRINO’s campaign dropped this piece of mud is evidence that they campaign & fight just like Libs! No substance, no attention to the MASSIVE issues facing the State and the Nation…really? You don’t think we have a few IMPORTANT issues to attend to?? Look Carly & NRCS…please just get out of our way and let the Conservatives fix this mess you got us into. CHUCK DEVORE has the focus, principles, fortitude and strength to battle what confront us…his military record speaks for itself…but more importantly….his record of FIGHTING big gov’t, big spending, protecting liberty…it WHAT WE NEED IN WASHINGTON…Good Lord…let’s get this done!
Can We All Say Panic on the Fiorina Campaign
psmith Monday, May 24th at 12:48PM EST (link)These are tactics that the liberal/progressive left uses. IF there isn’t anything, you make it up, you spin, (better word lie). She’s lying. Now I think the investigative research article done by Independence Caucus on Ms Fiorina’s associations with the Progressive/Globalist movement makes sense, and why the L.A. Times is piling on. All one group huh?
http://venturacountyteaparty.ning.com/profiles/blogs/carly-fiorino-candidate-for
Here’s just one paragraph in the investigative report:
“She is also linked with the World Economic Forum www.weforum.org, along with George Soros, Al Gore, BIll & Hillary Clinton, Maurice Strong, Franklin Raines, John Holdren, John Kerry and many more. This group appears to be all about global everything: government, healthcare, financial, technology, you name it.”
All makes sense, right Erick?
If it was Firorna who initiated this AND if it was
romeg Monday, May 24th at 3:42PM EST (link)her intent to create a distraction or to, somehow, diminish DeVore then, judging from this thread, IT’S WORKING!!!
From all sides: More facts on why YOUR candidate, whether it is Fiorina or DeVore, SHOULD BE THE NOMINEE win in November and less spin. Those of us who depend on this site for guidance deserve straight information. We can get all the spin we need from the NRC and the NRSC and Jesmer and Steele.
“Of all tyrannies a tyranny sincerely exercised for the good of its victim may be the most oppressive. It may be better to live under robber barons than under omnipotent moral busybodies. The robber baron’s cruelty may sometimes sleep, his cupidity may at some point be satiated, but those who torment us for our own good will torment us without end for they do so with the approval of their own conscience.” – C. S. Lewis
CHUCK DEVORE CHUCK DEVORE CHUCK
tracycolorado Monday, May 24th at 6:53PM EST (link)CHUCK DEVORE has my vote
Red County Debunks LAT Article LOL
psmith Tuesday, May 25th at 2:07PM EST (link)Today Chip Hanlon totally debunks the LAT Article and his wife, who speaks fluent Hebrew, listened to the audio tape. She confirms all DeVore said on the tape. Also TODAY that horrible, awful DeVore was ENDORSED by none other than Duncan Hunter Sr. LOL It’s priceless.
http://chuckdevore.com/n/news.asp?artid=314&headline=Duncan-Hunter-endorses-Chuck-DeVore
http://www.redcounty.com/fake-journalism-and-la-times-mugging-chuck-devore/40343?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter