I’m not buying the crap floating around the blogosphere, Twitter or Facebook that say we need to stand by the party and support Dan Coats. I have serious issues. What say you?
I will have an analysis, hopefully tomorrow.
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To suggest that supporting Dan coats (or any other particular candidate) is equivalant to being a loyal Party member is a ridiculous presumption to make until after the primary elections have been decided.
Regardless of one's views on Coats, Bayh, or anyone else, everyone should realize that at this point, "Standing by the Party" only means registering a concientious vote for the candidates who you think will best lead your party in the general election.
No one tells me how to vote because I "need to stand by the party". In other words, I need to vote for this lobbyist with few current ties to Indiana? Isn't Stutzman the same party? Has no one been paying attention to the Tea Party movement?
It's my impression that Dan Coats was a good Congressman and a good Senator. I see no reason why he wouldn't be a good Senator again, and he very well may be able to steal more votes away from Bayh than any other candidate in the race so far.
I say get a big taste of Levin or Stabenow, and you will want to give Coats a hug. I'm more involved in IN politics up here in MI than actual MI politics. Mostly because this state is hopeless and most people up here don't mind being represented by morons. I don't know that the other grassroots candidates will be able to bring in the money Coats can and compete with Bayh. It's like last fall, voted for McCain, but held my nose pulling that lever.
What are the good things about Dan Coats?
1. We liked him very much twelve years ago and we disappointed that he chose not to run for reelection.
2. He has national name recognition and the Republican running against Bayh will need support from the national party to raise the money needed to compete against $12 Million.
3. He is a conservative.
4. He continued to serve the country as Ambassador to Germany. Good experience.
What don't people like?
1. He was a lobbyist! Gasp! What ex-politician has not been? Coats has the contacts to be effective in such a job and contrary to populist beliefs, lobbyists will always be an integral part of politics.
2. He quit because big ol' Birch Bayh Jr was running against him. Bur Coats did not say that then and I don't believe that he was ever afraid of a tough campaign.
What about the other Republican candidates?
1. Unless Todd Rokita decides to run, I don't know much about the others.
2. I suspect that the accomplishments of Marlin Stutzman, for all his years in state politics, are rather mundane . . . but I don't really know.
3. John Hostetler is a freak, who goes waaay off the curb at times. He can stay under the bus as far as I am concerned.
4. If you like plumbers, let me suggest Samuel J. Wurzelbacher, better know as Joe.
5. If Coats is in trouble for lobbying for banks, Don Bates works for one of those banks that took TARP funds!
So I can only conclude that both Dan and I have issues, only different issues.
I will say up front that I love Dan Coats. He has been an exceptional role model for politicians. Hearing him speak at the Allen County GOP dinner last year was exciting.
But, I have a hard time with the national GOP (Sen. Cornyn) trying to recruit candidates with no apparent input from the state. To me, that still smells like the fact that they have not been paying attention to what has been happening at the grass roots level for the past year.
If Dan fails to win the primary, will national support walk away from the winner that has been living in the state for the past 12 years???
I have to agree with Steve, I too liked Dan Coats when he served. Bu I think Indiana needs a Scott Brown type candidate not a Frank Lautenberg. overnment should be a service not a career.
Check out state Sen. Marlin Stutzman a true Patriot who has constantly fought for the people of Indiana. A 100% Pro-Life candidate who is a true authentic conservative leader!
http://www.gomarlin.com/
Recent video on Marlin Stutzman:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wDQfxoSIaic
Coats has been out of the public eye for a few years. My guess would be the democrats only defense against Coats would be tying him to Bush and Reagan.
Coats helped put Sotomeyer on the bench, over the GOP's official stance. He voted to confirm her for Federal District court. Do we really need to know any thing else about this man?
I personally like Hostettler, and Stutzman doesn't look so bad either.
But Coats is another Bayh is another Lugar is another McCain is another big gov't Republican who will continue the economic decline of this nation. A lobbyist, ya, thats what we need to clean up DC!
I think we need to be asking ourselves the question, "Do I really want Evan Bayh thrown out of office, or do I want to continue supporting a light-weight who will be crushed in November?" Let's get Bayh out and a "Heavy-Weight" Pro-Life, Pro-Family, Pro-God Senator like Dan Coats back in!
What *about* the other Republican candidates?
You don't give a good reason for NOT voting for Behney. Just because he's a plumber? He's one of us and he's not part of the machine. All the reason to vote for him. You don't have to have a lot of experience to go to D.C. and say, "Hell NO!"
~Ami
Why does everyone have to go for already-politicians? We need these people OUT not back IN.
I'm not pulling the lever for someone I have to hold my nose for. Sorry. ENOUGH is ENOUGH. If Massachusetts can do it, so can Indiana!
Let's get Bayh out and a Pro-Life, Pro-Family, Pro-God, *public servant* Senator like Richard Behney in!
~Ami