2008 Advice, We’re Broke, Oh And it is Called McPlenty
Posted by Andy on December 1st, 2006
At the NAtional Republican Governor’s gathering, outgoing RNC Chair Ken Mehlman had the following advie.
The Republican National Committee chairman, Ken Mehlman, warned against viewing the losses as a temporary setback created by a tough electoral environment.
“We can’t simply write this election off as preordained, as the natural order of things to be automatically rectified in two years,” Mr. Mehlman said, warning that the party has to figure out ways to increase its appeal.
So please everyone, stop just saying it happened and there was nothing we could do. We can’t carry on as we did and expect it to be different next time. In Minnesota, we did that in 2006, thinking our problem in 2004 was just a function of turnout. We couldn’t have been more wrong, it is the message used to turn out voters that failed.
And team McPlenty is quickly solidifying.
Gov. Tim Pawlenty of Minnesota drove to the evening reception with Mr. McCain and later said in an interview he intended to support Mr. McCain if he ran for president.
Everyone else just met with McCain, but didn’t ride with him to the event. If Pawlenty wants to run for Vice President, I wish he’d just come out and say it. And I also would demand that the Republican Party of Minnesota doesn’t turn into his campaign for that office. If he is going to do it, we cannot focus on that. We sold our souls to get him reelected, I’d consider it betrayal if he didn’t finish his term. There’s too much at stake locally.
If endorsed, then yes support for him is fine, I ain’t one of them people, but not singular support at the expense of everyone else running in Minnesota. And the state party had not try to redefine Minnesota conservatism for the sole purpose of helping Pawlenty’s appeal. There’s a much more important thng to fight for in 2008, the Minnesota House of Representatives and a US Senate race and moderating our message ain’t gnna win that.