That’s how Ronald Reagan reacted in 1966 when, as a candidate for Governor of California, he was endorsed supported (see comments) by the John Birch Society. The line was a direct response to Richard Nixon, who advised Reagan to reject the endorsement.
I’m alternating between that and my favorite quip (“Every broken clock is right twice a day”) in reaction to this from Mike Huckabee’s PAC:
Ken Cuccinelli is the Huck PAC endorsed candidate for Attorney General of the Commonwealth of Virginia. He believes strongly in the 2nd amendment, the sanctity of all human life, that marriage should be a protected union between one man and one woman. To learn more about Ken Cuccinelli, please visit his website.
One would think that the former Arkansas Governor – firmly conservative on social issues and dangerously all over the map on economic ones – was an automatic Brownlee guy. That Cuccinelli can win him over is a clear sign of who has broader reach within the party and is better able to keep it together in November.
Still, it was quite the surprise, especially for yours truly.
January 14, 2009 at 10:10 am |
That sure helps Cuccinelli wrap up the Arkansas vote. Cuccinelli has been growing increasingly needy for endorsements, but this is getting to be absurd. Check my blog to see a comparison of the legal experience of all three candidates–and also to see why the Cuccinelli camp is wasting their time announcing these types of endorsements.
January 14, 2009 at 10:36 am |
Zach,
The problem with that is the AG is just as political as any other office in the state. Brownlee’s been in court a lot, yes, but I have no idea how he would behave on issues outside of the US Attorney’s purview. Thus, on state economic issues, I have no idea where he is. He himself won’t elaborate, prefering instead to run on his prosecutorial record and on social conservatism.
I’d also note that the AG can be a very powerful political player (see Bob McDonnell’s role in HB3202); I can’t ignore all of that, and that’s why I’m sticking with Cuccinelli.
January 14, 2009 at 1:08 pm |
The John Birch Society has NEVER endorsed anyone for political office. Check your facts, this one should have been really easy to check.
January 14, 2009 at 1:29 pm |
Perahps endorsed was a bit strong, but here’s how historian Conrad Black recalled things: “A few weeks later Nixon spoke at a fundraiser for Ronald Reagan, now Pat Brown’s confirmed opponent, despite the fact that Reagan accepted financial support from the John Birch Society.”
January 14, 2009 at 1:36 pm |
That would never have happened either. He may have received money from JBS members, but the JBS has never endorsed nor given money to candidates. It has been their policy since the beginning and can be verified through public records as to if they stuck to that policy or not. I really doubt the founder of the JBS, Robert Welch, would have allowed JBS funds to go to Reagan. They felt the same about each other.