The Other McCain

"One should either write ruthlessly what one believes to be the truth, or else shut up." — Arthur Koestler

Chuck DeVore Responds To Sarah’s Endorsement Of Carly

Posted on | May 7, 2010 | 45 Comments

by Smitty

Dan Riehl was grim on the topic:

. . .on the heels of her misguided Rand Paul endorsement, now Palin backs Fiorina in California. Chuck DeVore is the conservative in the race. That’s two endorsements she shouldn’t have made, as they hurt her brand, as much as they may help the candidate. I suspect she’s now lost a large part of her original base. And she doesn’t get a pass on this one because of John McCain.

Clifton at Another Black Conservative noted Sarah’s follow-up:

Carly is the only conservative in the race who can beat Barbara Boxer. That’s no RINO. That’s a winner.

For heaven’s sake, Sarah: if RINO Johnny had won in ’08, would he have been less a RINO?
Uncoverage picks up Chuck DeVore’s classy response (emphasis mine). An exerpt:

I call [Carly] a “John McCain Republican” – she talks the talk from time to time and says she’s a conservative but she has a “never with us when it counts” record just like McCain.
Don’t get me wrong, if a liberal Republican like Tom Campbell or a moderate Republican like Carly Fiorina win the primary instead of me, I will support them against Barbara Boxer.
But there’s no need to make a compromise like that.
This is not a primary election where electability needs to be a factor.
Again, let me offer the cold hard facts.
Here’s the most recent polling numbers from the independent Rasmussen poll.
Fiorina 38% – Boxer 42%
DeVore 39% – Boxer 42%
Campbell 41% – Boxer 43%
The margin of error in the poll was 4.5%.
That means Fiornia is statistically tied with Boxer.
So am I (actually one point better than Fiorina).

Remember, Carly supported McCain in 2008 rather heavily, and is clearly calling in a marker through John McCain.

On the one hand, as Reagan said at CPAC you “dance with the one that brung ya.”

On the other hand, Sarah is looking all too cozy with the insider crowd. One hopes she can find a way to recover.

I enthusiastically hope that both DeVore and Hayworth win the Republican primaries in their states. Recovering the country is going to involve load-shedding as many of the old-schoolers who have been party to the creation of the problem as possible. Whatever experience value is added by the old war horses is outweighed by their Beltway worldview.

Sorry, Carly, it’s time for Charlie.

If either or both of DeVore and Hayworth do win their primaries, will Sarah eat crow and endorse them?

Update: HotAir has quotes of the day on this topic.

Category: Blogging, John McCain, Republicans

Comments

45 Responses to “Chuck DeVore Responds To Sarah’s Endorsement Of Carly”

  1. TexasFred
    May 8th, 2010 @ 2:48 am

    This is the 1st time I have seen your blog, I am impressed, I will be back!!

  2. TexasFred
    May 7th, 2010 @ 9:48 pm

    This is the 1st time I have seen your blog, I am impressed, I will be back!!

  3. Jack
    May 8th, 2010 @ 3:10 am

    I enthusiastically hope that both DeVore and Hayworth win the Republican primaries in their states.
    ===

    Its a month away from the vote and DeVore isn’t even at 15%. Sorry, Smitty, but its not happening.

    DeVore is just going to split the vote, thus giving the primary to the anti-Israel fruitcake Campbell.

    And that’s some “classy” response considering the fact that he called her a F’N dog earlier in the day.

  4. Jack
    May 7th, 2010 @ 10:10 pm

    I enthusiastically hope that both DeVore and Hayworth win the Republican primaries in their states.
    ===

    Its a month away from the vote and DeVore isn’t even at 15%. Sorry, Smitty, but its not happening.

    DeVore is just going to split the vote, thus giving the primary to the anti-Israel fruitcake Campbell.

    And that’s some “classy” response considering the fact that he called her a F’N dog earlier in the day.

  5. smitty
    May 8th, 2010 @ 3:12 am

    @Jack,
    Come on, man: either pony up a link for your allegation in the last sentence, or realize that it makes the rest of your comment look like an anti-DeVore troll.

  6. smitty
    May 7th, 2010 @ 10:12 pm

    @Jack,
    Come on, man: either pony up a link for your allegation in the last sentence, or realize that it makes the rest of your comment look like an anti-DeVore troll.

  7. Jack
    May 8th, 2010 @ 3:24 am

    “This grassroots movement is actually a grassroots movement. Carly Fiorina thinks she can find the sheepdog to corral the sheep.”

    That nugget was thought up by the brilliant RedState co-founder & DeVore campaign communications director Joshua Treviño.

    http://chuckdevore.com/n/news.asp?artid=295&headline=Statement-On-the-Palin-endorsement-of-Fiorina

    http://texas4palin.blogspot.com/2010/05/bad-form-chuck.html

  8. Jack
    May 7th, 2010 @ 10:24 pm

    “This grassroots movement is actually a grassroots movement. Carly Fiorina thinks she can find the sheepdog to corral the sheep.”

    That nugget was thought up by the brilliant RedState co-founder & DeVore campaign communications director Joshua Treviño.

    http://chuckdevore.com/n/news.asp?artid=295&headline=Statement-On-the-Palin-endorsement-of-Fiorina

    http://texas4palin.blogspot.com/2010/05/bad-form-chuck.html

  9. Jack
    May 8th, 2010 @ 3:27 am

    And equating GOP voters that don’t presently support you to “sheep” isn’t exactly the best way to win them over.

  10. Jack
    May 7th, 2010 @ 10:27 pm

    And equating GOP voters that don’t presently support you to “sheep” isn’t exactly the best way to win them over.

  11. ymchoo
    May 8th, 2010 @ 4:44 am

    Why is nobody responding to Mitt Romney’s and Jeb Bush’s endorsement of Meg Whitman for the CA Governor race? Meg Whitman had supported Boxer in 2004 and donated to her campaign to a maximum. If you dislike RINO so much, why is it that you allow such big RINO cruise to victory with the strong support of GOP Establishment and so-called true Republican.

    If Fiorina who is pro-life, pro-gun, pro-military, pro-energy development, pro-strict border, pro-traditional marriage is a RINO, then what is the definition of a TRUE Republican?

  12. ymchoo
    May 7th, 2010 @ 11:44 pm

    Why is nobody responding to Mitt Romney’s and Jeb Bush’s endorsement of Meg Whitman for the CA Governor race? Meg Whitman had supported Boxer in 2004 and donated to her campaign to a maximum. If you dislike RINO so much, why is it that you allow such big RINO cruise to victory with the strong support of GOP Establishment and so-called true Republican.

    If Fiorina who is pro-life, pro-gun, pro-military, pro-energy development, pro-strict border, pro-traditional marriage is a RINO, then what is the definition of a TRUE Republican?

  13. nicholas
    May 8th, 2010 @ 5:17 am

    “If either or both of DeVore and Haworth do win their primaries, will Sarah eat crow and endorse them?”

    Certainly.

    I think this endorsement question is over played. Who you endorse isn’t nearly as important as where you stand on the issues. I do not fault Sarah Palin for endorsing John McCain (despite his dubious family relations). I would have preferred she had supported DeVore, but I feel confident that I’ll get over it. It’s not the gut wrencher that Lyndsay Graham has turned himself into.

  14. nicholas
    May 8th, 2010 @ 12:17 am

    “If either or both of DeVore and Haworth do win their primaries, will Sarah eat crow and endorse them?”

    Certainly.

    I think this endorsement question is over played. Who you endorse isn’t nearly as important as where you stand on the issues. I do not fault Sarah Palin for endorsing John McCain (despite his dubious family relations). I would have preferred she had supported DeVore, but I feel confident that I’ll get over it. It’s not the gut wrencher that Lyndsay Graham has turned himself into.

  15. PCP Smoker
    May 8th, 2010 @ 12:19 am

    Some on the right gave her a pass on the McLame endorsement, loyalty, blah, blah. But Fiorina? Are you kidding?

    And what is this business of “Common Sense Conservatism”? Have not conservatives had enough of conservatism being modified with the latest antidote to counteract the libs? Enough of that crap.

    I hung on to GWB because of the enemies he attracted, but that’s not happening again. Ever. Time to get the hook on this babe.

  16. PCP Smoker
    May 8th, 2010 @ 5:19 am

    Some on the right gave her a pass on the McLame endorsement, loyalty, blah, blah. But Fiorina? Are you kidding?

    And what is this business of “Common Sense Conservatism”? Have not conservatives had enough of conservatism being modified with the latest antidote to counteract the libs? Enough of that crap.

    I hung on to GWB because of the enemies he attracted, but that’s not happening again. Ever. Time to get the hook on this babe.

  17. JSF
    May 8th, 2010 @ 5:27 am

    You want the news from the Southland?

    Well, you can tell RS to pick up the phone once in a while (/semi-sarc) and

    2) Everyone knew Palin’s endorsement was payback for 08. No one on the ground trusts Whitman — She finally sent someone out to meet the local activists this week. Poizner’s been asking for our vote since last year.

    After months of going on the air with negative ads, she is finally deigning to meet the primary voters — so no, no one in the Southland trusts her (replay the current Gov, whom no activist trusts, all over again).

    Poizner and DeVore have the ground. Air wars only bring name recognition, the local Central Committees bring the voters. And the central committee memebers don’t like Whitman or Fiorna (but still love Palin).

  18. JSF
    May 8th, 2010 @ 12:27 am

    You want the news from the Southland?

    Well, you can tell RS to pick up the phone once in a while (/semi-sarc) and

    2) Everyone knew Palin’s endorsement was payback for 08. No one on the ground trusts Whitman — She finally sent someone out to meet the local activists this week. Poizner’s been asking for our vote since last year.

    After months of going on the air with negative ads, she is finally deigning to meet the primary voters — so no, no one in the Southland trusts her (replay the current Gov, whom no activist trusts, all over again).

    Poizner and DeVore have the ground. Air wars only bring name recognition, the local Central Committees bring the voters. And the central committee memebers don’t like Whitman or Fiorna (but still love Palin).

  19. Jorge
    May 8th, 2010 @ 5:42 am

    Anybody else catch Classy Chuck’s interview w/ Matthews? What a whiny little punk.

    How hard would it have been to just say, “Yes, Fiorina is pro-life like me, but there are other issues where we disagree.” You know, like an adult.

    Supposedly, Classy Chuck and his handlers were begging Palin for her endorsement, but she refused. Sarah was right, as usual.

  20. Jorge
    May 8th, 2010 @ 12:42 am

    Anybody else catch Classy Chuck’s interview w/ Matthews? What a whiny little punk.

    How hard would it have been to just say, “Yes, Fiorina is pro-life like me, but there are other issues where we disagree.” You know, like an adult.

    Supposedly, Classy Chuck and his handlers were begging Palin for her endorsement, but she refused. Sarah was right, as usual.

  21. Estragon
    May 8th, 2010 @ 6:30 am

    Earth to Smitty! Earth to Smitty! Our monitors indicate your brain oxygen levels are dropping to dangerously low levels. Perform an emergency Reality Check immediately!

    DeVore would surely be the best Senator, but as Jack @ #2 notes, he’s at 15% a month before the primary and, despite support from conservatives nationally, hasn’t raised enough money or moved the polls enough to be in contention. Sometimes we just have to face facts and go with the best of the two weaker choices because one of them is going to win.

    Hayworth, OTOH, is not only a big-mouthed idiot and Abramoff-tainted funding crook, he’s left a trail of “birther” statements from his radio show that are going to make him look, well, as stupid as he is. He is the only chance the Democrats have to take this seat.

    It would be a huge long shot to take control of the Senate, we’d need +10 to do it, but Geraghty has already found up to 99 House seats may be competitive this year. If it’s a wave, there is a chance . . . just how are all these Hayworth backers going to feel if we win 10 Democratic seats, but JD blows Arizona and puts the Senate at 50-50 giving Joe Biden something to do for two years?

  22. Estragon
    May 8th, 2010 @ 1:30 am

    Earth to Smitty! Earth to Smitty! Our monitors indicate your brain oxygen levels are dropping to dangerously low levels. Perform an emergency Reality Check immediately!

    DeVore would surely be the best Senator, but as Jack @ #2 notes, he’s at 15% a month before the primary and, despite support from conservatives nationally, hasn’t raised enough money or moved the polls enough to be in contention. Sometimes we just have to face facts and go with the best of the two weaker choices because one of them is going to win.

    Hayworth, OTOH, is not only a big-mouthed idiot and Abramoff-tainted funding crook, he’s left a trail of “birther” statements from his radio show that are going to make him look, well, as stupid as he is. He is the only chance the Democrats have to take this seat.

    It would be a huge long shot to take control of the Senate, we’d need +10 to do it, but Geraghty has already found up to 99 House seats may be competitive this year. If it’s a wave, there is a chance . . . just how are all these Hayworth backers going to feel if we win 10 Democratic seats, but JD blows Arizona and puts the Senate at 50-50 giving Joe Biden something to do for two years?

  23. Jenny
    May 8th, 2010 @ 9:49 am

    “If either or both of DeVore and Haworth do win their primaries, will Sarah eat crow and endorse them?”

    Yeah and if one or both of Palin’s picks win, will you eat crow Smitty?

  24. Jenny
    May 8th, 2010 @ 4:49 am

    “If either or both of DeVore and Haworth do win their primaries, will Sarah eat crow and endorse them?”

    Yeah and if one or both of Palin’s picks win, will you eat crow Smitty?

  25. Stogie
    May 8th, 2010 @ 11:00 am

    Sarah Palin’s ride is about done, I think. With this latest misstep, her credibility with me is seriously impaired. I no longer think of her as a viable candidate for the presidency in 2012.

  26. Stogie
    May 8th, 2010 @ 6:00 am

    Sarah Palin’s ride is about done, I think. With this latest misstep, her credibility with me is seriously impaired. I no longer think of her as a viable candidate for the presidency in 2012.

  27. Dandapani
    May 8th, 2010 @ 11:38 am

    Palin’s “stock” is dropping faster than the DOW. Pretty soon, she’ll be a relevant as John McCan’t.

  28. Dandapani
    May 8th, 2010 @ 6:38 am

    Palin’s “stock” is dropping faster than the DOW. Pretty soon, she’ll be a relevant as John McCan’t.

  29. Saturday again, time for some FMJRA catch up « A Conservative Shemale
    May 8th, 2010 @ 11:18 am

    […] an idea of who can and can’t win and again using Reagan’s 80% rule has made her choice. The people criticizing her on this don’t really have much of a leg to stand […]

  30. Dave
    May 8th, 2010 @ 5:09 pm

    I think the pro-DeVore people are putting way too much stake in early polls, as if they don’t know what happens in the fall to unknown conservatives in California. I should add that the rare pro-Campbell people I see on the conservative intrawebs are making the same mistake; given a choice between a liberal and a liberal, CA voters will take the real thing and re-elect Boxer. Carly might not win in the fall. But she at least has a chance; Campbell and DeVore don’t.

  31. Dave
    May 8th, 2010 @ 12:09 pm

    I think the pro-DeVore people are putting way too much stake in early polls, as if they don’t know what happens in the fall to unknown conservatives in California. I should add that the rare pro-Campbell people I see on the conservative intrawebs are making the same mistake; given a choice between a liberal and a liberal, CA voters will take the real thing and re-elect Boxer. Carly might not win in the fall. But she at least has a chance; Campbell and DeVore don’t.

  32. Jason Scalese
    May 8th, 2010 @ 5:21 pm

    Beautiful website, very sleek and easy to read… I’m a Chuck DeVore volunteer, so obviously I approve. What was lost in the message on Thursday was the huge grassroots uproar over this endorsement, and it was not just DeVore supporters, it was conservatives who recognized that Sarah has become a sellout.

    As for the last poster, if you follow the race, not only are the polls more favorable to DeVore versus Boxer, but DeVore has a clean record, we can already see the dozens of holes in Carly’s record Boxer will take advantage of. Conservatives need to get their heads out of the sand, “who has a chance” is a message driven by the left and the left of the party. Did 2006/2008 teach us nothing?

  33. Jason Scalese
    May 8th, 2010 @ 12:21 pm

    Beautiful website, very sleek and easy to read… I’m a Chuck DeVore volunteer, so obviously I approve. What was lost in the message on Thursday was the huge grassroots uproar over this endorsement, and it was not just DeVore supporters, it was conservatives who recognized that Sarah has become a sellout.

    As for the last poster, if you follow the race, not only are the polls more favorable to DeVore versus Boxer, but DeVore has a clean record, we can already see the dozens of holes in Carly’s record Boxer will take advantage of. Conservatives need to get their heads out of the sand, “who has a chance” is a message driven by the left and the left of the party. Did 2006/2008 teach us nothing?

  34. Jason Scalese
    May 8th, 2010 @ 5:23 pm

    The person commenting on calling Carly a dog… nope… you got it wrong… its a reference to the ridiculous Demon Sheep ads, get over yourself and grow up.

  35. Jason Scalese
    May 8th, 2010 @ 12:23 pm

    The person commenting on calling Carly a dog… nope… you got it wrong… its a reference to the ridiculous Demon Sheep ads, get over yourself and grow up.

  36. Jason Scalese
    May 8th, 2010 @ 5:28 pm

    Jorge- Palin never considered DeVore for the endorsement and according to the campaign was not even contacted (get your facts straight), it was rubber stamped as an IOU from 08 (quoting Campbell.) As for the pro-life remark- Carly says she is “personally” pro-life. Conservatives that buy that line deserve what they get, it is a crock and you know it. She is on record saying she would support Sotomayor, what good is being “personally pro-life?”

  37. Jason Scalese
    May 8th, 2010 @ 12:28 pm

    Jorge- Palin never considered DeVore for the endorsement and according to the campaign was not even contacted (get your facts straight), it was rubber stamped as an IOU from 08 (quoting Campbell.) As for the pro-life remark- Carly says she is “personally” pro-life. Conservatives that buy that line deserve what they get, it is a crock and you know it. She is on record saying she would support Sotomayor, what good is being “personally pro-life?”

  38. KG
    May 8th, 2010 @ 5:30 pm

    “given a choice between a liberal and a liberal”

    And pray tell me why WE have to make such a choice? I want to choose between a conservative and a liberal, is that so hard to understand?

    I am a pessimist about CA because there simply aren’t enough conservatives in the state to ever turn things around, the coastal cities are too dominant. CA == Greece, imo.

  39. KG
    May 8th, 2010 @ 12:30 pm

    “given a choice between a liberal and a liberal”

    And pray tell me why WE have to make such a choice? I want to choose between a conservative and a liberal, is that so hard to understand?

    I am a pessimist about CA because there simply aren’t enough conservatives in the state to ever turn things around, the coastal cities are too dominant. CA == Greece, imo.

  40. Mark J. Goluskin
    May 8th, 2010 @ 9:26 pm

    I am a DeVore supporter, but this is a three-way race. Sarah endorsing Fiorina is not much of a surprise. DeVore is mirred in the mid-teens. What I want to see is ABC-ANYONE BUT CAMPBELL! In this way, Fiorina is no where like Terrible Tom. After all, one only needs to know that Terrible Tom is one of Gov. Benedict Arnold’s economic “advisors”. Look how it is all working out for Gov. Benedict Arnold! I support and hope DeVore wins, but I will back Fiorina if she wins. I will NOT back Terrible Tom. Rather see the real deal, Sen. Ma’am back in than the biggest RINO of them all. BTW, it is a calculated choice for Sarah. Maybe some Tea Party won’t forgive her, but I will.

  41. Mark J. Goluskin
    May 8th, 2010 @ 4:26 pm

    I am a DeVore supporter, but this is a three-way race. Sarah endorsing Fiorina is not much of a surprise. DeVore is mirred in the mid-teens. What I want to see is ABC-ANYONE BUT CAMPBELL! In this way, Fiorina is no where like Terrible Tom. After all, one only needs to know that Terrible Tom is one of Gov. Benedict Arnold’s economic “advisors”. Look how it is all working out for Gov. Benedict Arnold! I support and hope DeVore wins, but I will back Fiorina if she wins. I will NOT back Terrible Tom. Rather see the real deal, Sen. Ma’am back in than the biggest RINO of them all. BTW, it is a calculated choice for Sarah. Maybe some Tea Party won’t forgive her, but I will.

  42. Sarah’s endorsement of Carly over Chuck gains "liberal" charge for Tom from DeVore « Read NEWS
    May 9th, 2010 @ 10:37 am

    […] TheOtherMcCain: Don’t get me wrong, if a liberal Republican like Tom Campbell or a moderate Republican like […]

  43. DEConservative
    May 10th, 2010 @ 7:13 pm

    I’ve got to admit, being from 3,000 miles away in Delaware, there’s no way I can take a dog in this fight but let me say that I’ve looked at DeVore and Fiorina. I’ve looked at things Fiorina has said and I’m still looking for the really liberal things. I mean seriously, I liked her as a McCain spokesperson and I think she gets business. Now maybe I’ve missed stuff. Again, being out here I can’t claim to know it all but what I do know and see…I like. DeVore may be great. In fact he sounds excellent but I just don’t see the stark difference. Unless the difference is between the T.E.A. Party wing and the establishment. If that’s the case, suck it up Cali and shoot the moon. Look your race is NOTHING like Delaware’s race. We’re sitting here looking at a primary between Christine O’Donnell (Conservative, Pro-Life, Pro-Gun, Pro-military, Pro-business, etc.) and Liberal RINO Republican Ace of Spades Mike Castle. This is just about the greatest difference between candidates that you can get. THIS is where the energy ought to be folks, in the CLEAR races. Make it Campbell vs Fiorina and put DeVore in her court. If the GOP has a candidate who fits the 70/30 or better mold who is leading Boxer and your 90/10 candidate stands likely to lose no matter how close, unite behind 70/30 (I’d argue Carly is more like 80/20 for me) and prep Mr. 90/10 for another office. Focus on the races where the state GOP HQ is WAY off. Don’t compromise principles but pick your battles.

  44. DEConservative
    May 10th, 2010 @ 2:13 pm

    I’ve got to admit, being from 3,000 miles away in Delaware, there’s no way I can take a dog in this fight but let me say that I’ve looked at DeVore and Fiorina. I’ve looked at things Fiorina has said and I’m still looking for the really liberal things. I mean seriously, I liked her as a McCain spokesperson and I think she gets business. Now maybe I’ve missed stuff. Again, being out here I can’t claim to know it all but what I do know and see…I like. DeVore may be great. In fact he sounds excellent but I just don’t see the stark difference. Unless the difference is between the T.E.A. Party wing and the establishment. If that’s the case, suck it up Cali and shoot the moon. Look your race is NOTHING like Delaware’s race. We’re sitting here looking at a primary between Christine O’Donnell (Conservative, Pro-Life, Pro-Gun, Pro-military, Pro-business, etc.) and Liberal RINO Republican Ace of Spades Mike Castle. This is just about the greatest difference between candidates that you can get. THIS is where the energy ought to be folks, in the CLEAR races. Make it Campbell vs Fiorina and put DeVore in her court. If the GOP has a candidate who fits the 70/30 or better mold who is leading Boxer and your 90/10 candidate stands likely to lose no matter how close, unite behind 70/30 (I’d argue Carly is more like 80/20 for me) and prep Mr. 90/10 for another office. Focus on the races where the state GOP HQ is WAY off. Don’t compromise principles but pick your battles.

  45. Sarah’s endorsement of Carly over Chuck gains “liberal” charge for Tom from DeVore
    May 11th, 2010 @ 7:06 pm

    […] TheOtherMcCain: Don’t get me wrong, if a liberal Republican like Tom Campbell or a moderate Republican like […]