Should We Endorse?
GOP-spot makes an endorsement in the 7th Congressional District Republican primary. Obey Out had considered doing this several months ago, but was encouraged by many to stay out of the primary election and focus on Dave Obey. We have done that.
We applauded Scott Walker for departing the governor's race when he knew he couldn't win because in so doing he gave Mark Green a clear shot at Jim Doyle - something critical to winning in November. It's especially important because it brought donors off the sidelines and will give Green the resources he needs to mount a full-scale assault against the incumbent.
We believe the same thing should happen in this race. One candidate should have a clear shot at Dave Obey. We want to hear from you.
So, the question is, if both candidates file nomination papers, should we make an endorsement in the Republican primary and if so, what should be the criteria?
We invite your comments. Please start comments with, "You should endorse because" or "Your criteria should be"
We applauded Scott Walker for departing the governor's race when he knew he couldn't win because in so doing he gave Mark Green a clear shot at Jim Doyle - something critical to winning in November. It's especially important because it brought donors off the sidelines and will give Green the resources he needs to mount a full-scale assault against the incumbent.
We believe the same thing should happen in this race. One candidate should have a clear shot at Dave Obey. We want to hear from you.
So, the question is, if both candidates file nomination papers, should we make an endorsement in the Republican primary and if so, what should be the criteria?
We invite your comments. Please start comments with, "You should endorse because" or "Your criteria should be"
posted by ObeyOut2006 at 4:15 PM
14 Comments:
Quite simply stated...yes, and make haste.
Yes. I think GOP-SPOT laid it out pretty well. Look at the facts and make an endorsement.
yes...endorse.
Yes, do an endorsement. Everyone who is rational and honest knows what has to happen. Make the criteria facts. That is tangible things that make one candidate better than the other, rather than emotional statements. For example you constantly hear Tyberg supporters saying that they like Jeff, Jeff is a good guy. That is emotional, and irrational. The edorsement should be about who has the rescources, both staff/volunteers as well as money to deliever a good message. So I say endorse on the tangible factual differences in the campaign, and you'll clearly conclude that it's Reid.
Just endorse Reid, there are no sane reasons to support Tyberg anymore.
You should endorse a candidate for
1. ideology
2. political experience and comptetence
3. demonstrated (not anecdotal) evidence of viability
Viability is defined as money raised, volunteer base, and a full time staff governed by an efficient campaign structure. All characteristics of viability are necessary and sufficient.
However, there is some latitude allowed when it comes to the endorsement criteria.
I think the other comments state the arguments pretty good. It's necessary to give Obey's opponent every possible advantage to unseat such an entrenched incumbent. Jeff and Nick both have similar ideologies, but Nick has more money and experience, so there's really no contest.
I agree with all the above. The sooner Tyberg drops out, the better Nick's opportunity to beat Dave Obey will be.
I think you should endorse Nick Reid without hesitation.
Ditto
We have the same setup in this race as when Dave Zien ran. One viable candidate (Reid/Zien) and one with no shot (Tyberg/Cronin). The reason Zien lost? Democrats voting in the primary on the Republican side.
That is Tyberg's hope this time around. He needs Democrats to cross the line and vote him past the stronger candidate. We need to realize that Democrat voters are energized too due to their anti-war rage against President Bush. They will do whatever it takes to keep Obey around.
That said, it would be fine with 91% of us to endorse Reid now and give Tyberg one more reason (besides his word that he renegged on) to step aside and let someone have a fair shot at the 37-year incumbent liberal we're all united against.
In 2002 Joe Rothbauer who was not a serious candidate came only 30,000 votes short of beating Dave Obey. That was in a year where the GOP was losing a Gov race and the state went Dem. Joe didn't even have the funds to run ads or do anything and got something like 90,000 votes. So just imagine what would happen in a year where things look good for the GOP's Governor race, and the state marriage amendment is on the ballot? The base line will increase so our candidate will only have to pick up 15-20k votes to win! But to do that it will take a candidate with the rescources to target those votes. And that means Reid, hands down.
TLK
Better check your facts. No one ran against Sean Cronin in the 2000 primary.
Also, there is always talk about crossover voting. Where is the proof that this happens? Certainly not if there are hotly contested democrat primaries. Besides if Jeff Tyberg is that weak and a non-factor Nick should not have to spend alot of money in the primary.
Who is Nick really running against? Jeff Tyberg or Dave Obey? If Nick is serious he should be running against D.O. whether he has a primary opponnet or not. With having a primary, getting his name and issue positions out now certainly is not going to hurt him later is it? I for one am not convinced that a primary hurts the winner in the general election. Perhaps we need to pool resources and voter outrage in the off year to changing the primary date to April/May/June time frame.
Regards,
Jeremy
Jeremy, you cannot be serious. Yes Tyberg is a very weak candidate compared to Reid. However, there are people who will not contribute until after the primary OR until there is only one member of the party left in the race.
Nick is running against Obey, and this is clearly seen from Nick's press releases that take Dave to account and the number of people in the 7th who see Nick as the only hope to beat Dave.
But the fact that Tyberg is still in the race means that in the minds of voters, they are focusing between two candidates and that Nick does not have the undivided attention of conservative voters.
Nick needs to pound Obey like Mark Green is pounding Doyle.
Nick is getting his name and his message out. But I stand by an earlier statement that it is VERY difficult to beat an incumbent in 8 weeks.
Nick can win, but the sooner Tyberg drops out, the better Nick's opportunity to win.
Any body remember scott west---he had a primary against some guy named Wenzel I think---scott almost lost the primary--he was better funded and had full time staff, but it was cross over voting trying to get the strong candidate (west) off the ballot. Jeff should just drop out and let Nick run his race.
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