John Cornyn and the NRSC Persuades Larry Elder Not to Run for Senate in CA

From the Liberty Papers

California is a state that is not likely to elect a Republican to the Senate any time soon. But that doesn’t mean it’s not worth trying. Babs Boxer is up for re-election next fall, and the field is wide open. Unfortunately, the NRSC is determined to narrow the field, and has scuttled support for one potentially strong challenger in exchange for one whose main political qualification appears to be friendliness with McCain and Palin.

Who is the potentially strong challenger? None other than Larry Elder, Los Angeles talk radio host, accomplished author, and strongly libertarian-leaning Republican (self-described Republitarian). He’s got name recognition, a proper small-government philosophy that will appeal to the Republican base, a compelling life story, and enough media experience to be able to navigate the pitfalls of the California press.

So why did Jon Cornyn shut the door on him?

“Elder is a serious name and presence among California Republicans. He just wrapped up his radio show. “Why,” you might ask, “doesn’t Larry Elder run for the Senate?”

There is an answer accorinding to many of Elder’s friends at the Republican Convention — Senator Cornyn and the NRSC told him not to.

Here’s the story that is circulating at the convention: Back in the spring, Elder went to Washington to sit down with John Cornyn and the NRSC, and ask for their support for a bid for U.S. Senate against Barbara Boxer. Cornyn and the NRSC told him the following:

If Elder chose to run, they would not support him.
The NRSC was already committed to supporting Carly Fiorina
The NRSC expected Fiorina to lose against Boxer, but expected her to tie up Democrat resources in the meantime.
…

How incompetent is this? The NRSC actually told a popular African-American with statewide name recognition to NOT run? Last I checked, our party isn’t overflowing with those.”

Larry Elder was one of the formative voices in my post-collegiate political path. I think that over time, cutting my philisophical teeth in the blogosphere, I’ve taken the libertarian train a few stops farther than he has, so there are certainly areas where we disagree. Philosophically, though, he’d be a very strong advocate for small government coming from a state not known for its fiscal responsibility. He’s the type of candidate that California Republicans and libertarians could be energized by.

Carly Fiorina, on the other hand, is certainly an accomplished businesswoman, but little is known about her political acumen or philosophy. Her website, though, is not exactly encouraging. Her record as CEO of Hewlett Packard is a mixed bag, and about the only thing she has over other California Republicans is name recognition and two X chromosomes, but a new poll is showing that this might not be enough.

If California Republicans want to be a true thorn in the side of Barbara Boxer, Carly Fiorina appears to be nothing more than a demographic play. Larry Elder, on the other hand, has spent a decade and a half sparring with listeners on talk radio and has followed California and National politics over that time. He’ll know where Boxer is vulnerable and will know how to exploit the weakness. What was John Cornyn thinking?

POLITICO: Ron Paul-Inspired Candidates Make Impact

The movement Rep. Ron Paul (R-Texas) inspired continues to ripple across the landscape. Photo: AP photo composite by POLITICO

It’s been over a year since Rep. Ron Paul (R-Texas) energized libertarians with his presidential candidacy, but the movement he inspired continues to ripple across the landscape.

In at least a handful of House, Senate and gubernatorial contests across the country, former Paul supporters have emerged as credible contenders — or possible spoilers — ensuring that his message, once relegated to the fringes of Republican politics, continues to be heard.

Paul began the 2008 presidential campaign as an afterthought but quickly won the attention of a previously dismissive GOP establishment and news media by generating intense grass-roots and online support. He raised a stunning $35 million, largely through the Internet, and set a single-day fundraising record by hauling in $6 million in December 2007.

While he never finished better than a distant second, his supporters remained loyal to him throughout the campaign and Paul even briefly considered a third-party run in the general election.

Now, those supporters are running for office themselves.

Paul’s son Rand is running competitively in the Kentucky Senate race to succeed Republican Jim Bunning, even though the GOP establishment has lined up behind Secretary of State Trey Grayson. Peter Schiff, an economic adviser to Paul’s presidential campaign, has raised $1 million in his bid to win the Republican nomination against Sen. Chris Dodd (D-Conn.).

In Texas, a Ron Paul acolyte could have a decisive impact in the Republican gubernatorial primary between incumbent Rick Perry and Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison. In California, a businessman who backed Paul’s presidential campaign has emerged as a serious contender against Rep. Jerry McNerney (D-Calif.), who is a top GOP target.

In total, Paul’s political action committee — the Liberty PAC — will be unveiling a slate of 10 endorsed candidates this fall and is currently in the process of interviewing candidates to determine their electability.

“We’re looking for viable candidates to run in Democratic-held seats and open seats,” said Jesse Benton, former spokesman for Paul’s presidential campaign and vice president of the Campaign for Liberty. “We need people that are viable and principled so they can come to Washington and stand up for liberty.”

So far, the Republican establishment is not embracing the Paul contingent. But it may not matter. By drawing on the successful grass-roots fundraising techniques employed by Paul, several of the candidates are raising enough cash on their own to ensure their viability.

Read the entire article at POLITICO

Kentucky Fight: Rand vs. Trey

Tomorrow, September 23rd, twenty three Republican US Senators are holding a $500 per plate fundraiser in Washington DC for Trey Grayson – Rand Paul’s opponent. This deck stacking favoritism in a highly contested GOP primary is unacceptable.

Join in the fight and help Rand Paul deliver a knock out punch to establishment candidate Trey Grayson with a pledge to donate $100 on the same date!

This event is a grassroots effort and is not associated with the Official Rand Paul campaign.

Donations are to be made only at the Official Rand Paul website at RandPaul2010.com.

——————————-

Trey Grayson is looking to the bankers, lobbyists, and Republican establishment for all they’ve got.

Aid the message of liberty by pledging to donate $100 to Rand Paul on September 23 and help deliver a knock out punch when third quarter donation tallies come before the judges.

Can the grassroots give Rand Paul $500,000 to take the round, and the fight?
The future of the Republic hangs in balance

A We The People Money Bomb vs a DC Establishment Fundraiser…

Its the Sons of Liberty VS the Washington Elites

A classic Main Street vs Wall Street cage match

Lets light the fire of Liberty

Donate on September 23rd

Zach Brady Announcement Today

State Rep District 83 Candidate

Zach Brady will be announcing his candidacy for State Representative District 83 today at the Frazier Pavillion at Texas Tech at 4:00 p.m.  This event is open to the public.

Delwin Jones is currently the Representative in District 83.

Event Infomation:

Date: Tuesday, September 22, 2009
Location:
Frazier Alumni Pavillion
6th St AT Boston Ave.
Lubbock, TX 79401
Time: 4:00 p.m.

Date: Tuesday, September 22, 2009

Location: Frazier Alumni Pavillion , 6th St AT Boston Ave

Lubbock, TX 79401

Time: 4pm

For more information, please visit: http://www.zachbrady.com/

Zach Brady to Challenge Delwin Jones for District 83

From KCBD.com

Zach Brady

LUBBOCK, TX (KCBD) – State Representative Delwin Jones will have an opponent in running for Texas House District 83, which includes part of Lubbock County and all of Cochran, Gaines, Hockley and Yoakum counties.

Zach Brady, a Lubbock attorney and a Texas Tech graduate who worked for GOP Sen. Robert Duncan, also of Lubbock, and for former Democratic U.S. Rep. Charles Stenholm of Abilene, said he would challenge Jones in the next election.

I’ve spoke with Mr. Brady on a couple of occasions and he seems like a liberty-friendly candidate. Unlike many who run under the Republican ticket, Mr. Brady seems concerned about civil liberties and was quick to point out the hypocrisy within the party. However, before getting too excited, I would like to sit down with him to discuss the issues in depth. But honestly, at this point, just about anybody claiming to be conservative will probably be better than Delwin Jones.

Peter Schiff Announces Bid for US Senate

Schiff for Senate 2010

From SchiffForSenate.com

Today, Weston Republican Peter Schiff formally announced his candidacy for the U.S. Senate. Over the past few months, Mr. Schiff, a successful entrepreneur and well-known proponent of fiscal responsibility, has been inspired by his fellow citizens urging him to bring his principled approach to Congress. As he enters this campaign, Mr. Schiff’s priority is to serve the American taxpayer. Years of reckless federal spending have placed an immense burden on every American that Mr. Schiff vows to ease.

Peter Schiff was born to a working-class family in New Haven, Connecticut. His grandfather came to New Haven in 1910 and helped with the construction of the Yale Bowl. Mr. Schiff spent his childhood in New Haven during the 60s and 70s during which values were instilled in him by his family such as hard work, self-reliance, and loyalty-loyalty to friends, to family, and to country. After successfully building his brokerage firm, Euro Pacific Capital, in California, Mr. Schiff decided to relocate the headquarters to Connecticut in 2003. He currently resides in Weston with his seven year old son. Since returning to Connecticut, Mr. Schiff has published two books: Crash Proof and The Little Book of Bull Moves in Bear Markets.

Mr. Schiff gained notoriety in 2006 with a series of national interviews in which he accurately diagnosed the dangers that confronted the economy and predicted the mechanisms that led to the crash. His correct prognosis of the sub-prime lending crisis and subsequent credit crunch made him a popular economic commentator. Ever since, he has tirelessly sounded these warnings.

In January of 2009, with the near-collapse of the financial system and revelations about the corruption of Connecticut politicians, calls began to surface for Mr. Schiff to run for office. An exploratory committee was formed in June.

To date, 10,000 individuals have convinced him to run for Senate with telephone calls and letters of support; additionally, they have raised over $1,000,000 on his behalf. Schiff now believes a run for the Senate is absolutely necessary to give a voice to the majority of Connecticut taxpayers who are misrepresented.

Mr. Schiff says,

I plan to bring my dedication and experience to the taxpayers of Connecticut. I may make mistakes in this campaign—but I will not make mistakes in representing you in the Senate. I look forward to an exciting race where I can share my vision with the people of Connecticut.

For more information please visit www.SchiffforSenate.com or email Peter Schiff your thoughts and questions at PSchiff@SchiffforSenate.com.