NRCC Now Trying To Recruit Democrats As Candidates — And Failing
Here's a case study in the problems that the Republicans have been having recruiting House candidates: The man they thought would be a top get for an open Dem-held seat decided that not only is he not running, but also that for now he's not even becoming a Republican.
It all started when Rep. Bud Cramer (D-AL), a relatively conservative Dem representing a district that President Bush carried with 60% of the vote, announced his retirement a couple weeks ago. The Republicans looked for a candidate, and had nearly found one in conservative Democratic state Sen. Tom Butler, who was on the verge of switching parties to make the race.
However, Butler announced yesterday that he's not running after all, and he's staying as a Democrat for at least the remainder of this legislative session. He'd scheduled his press conference and written his announcement speech, with the intention of switching parties, but decided at the last minute that he didn't want to go through the rigors of fundraising for a high-stakes race.
We've left a message with Butler's office, and hope to get in touch and find out more about his experience as an almost-candidate.
Good luck, NRCC — the filing deadline is this Friday.
To be clear, this guy doesn't sound much like a Democrat I'd support.
He might as well switch. Looks like the only reason he's a Democrat is because it's easier to run for re-election when you're on the winning team.
April 2, 2008 5:51 PM | Reply | Permalink
Huh. You mean that permament Republican majority that Karl Rove told us about might not happen after all? What'll I tell the children?
April 2, 2008 6:11 PM | Reply | Permalink
"Kids, it's morning in America." :)
April 2, 2008 6:21 PM | Reply | Permalink
Note to NRCC: HA HA HA HA HA!!!
April 2, 2008 6:20 PM | Reply | Permalink
I was doing a search through GMail, and the following text ad came up:
"Senator Jobs - GOP.com The GOP is hiring!"
I mean, I knew they were having problems with recruiting, but I didn't know they were that desperate...
April 2, 2008 6:53 PM | Reply | Permalink
It's going to take me a minute or two to pick myself up off the floor where I melted into a puddle from laughing so damn hard.
April 2, 2008 6:54 PM | Reply | Permalink
and I thought I was hard up...
April 2, 2008 7:26 PM | Reply | Permalink
You gotta wonder what sales pitch they're using to recruit Dems: "Hey, we're about to get our asses kicked in the elections later this year - wanna join a losing team?"
To be fair, any Democrat stupid enough to take the bait and switch over has already proven his Republican bona fides, so this actually is a pretty decent litmus test for the GOP.
April 2, 2008 8:36 PM | Reply | Permalink
LOL, nice!
April 2, 2008 9:00 PM | Reply | Permalink
It's way too early to start crowing about this seat. At least two Republicans have filed in a heavily Republican district. I'd say this is going to be a tough seat to hold.
April 2, 2008 9:30 PM | Reply | Permalink
If Cramer's retiring, why doesn't Butler, who clearly has aspirations on the federal level, run as a Democrat when he would seem to be a likely shoo-in?
"He's staying as a Democrat for at least the remainder of this legislative session."
That doesn't sound very promising to me.
April 2, 2008 11:05 PM | Reply | Permalink
Tom Butler has been caucusing with the Republicans in the Alabama state Senate for several years now. IMHO, he is staying out of the AL-05 race for 2 reasons:
1) Since he can't roll over his Alabama Senate campaign funds (about $180K) there's no way he can compete financially with Parker Griffith (an actual Democrat).
2) There's a good chance he would lose in the Republican primary and, even if he won, he knows this district is leaning Dem despite the GOP spin about what a great pick-up opportunity it is.
At Left in Alabama, we have speculated on whether the Republicans would choose Butler, the Nouveau Republican over Heritage Republican Wayne Parker, an insurance agent and 2 time loser to Bud Cramer. The GOP's best prospects were Madison County Commissioner Mo Brooks and state Sen. Arthur Orr. They both bowed out early -- apparently the opportunity didn't look that good to those experienced local pols.
April 3, 2008 12:31 AM | Reply | Permalink
BHO spealing about jobs, has he ever really had one, to be laid off from, so that he can speak from experience? Oh, I mis-remembered, "I'm just like you", "raised by a single mom". Guess that really means he has experienced everything you have. Really think so?
April 3, 2008 3:20 PM | Reply | Permalink
This assessment of his reasoning for not running sounds pretty explicit and surprisingly frank, if indeed he ever wants to run for a federal office. If not, saying that he just doesn't have the hustle in him is almost tantamount to a Sherman statement (unless he's very young, I don't know).
Still, I can't help but think that one aspect of that assessment is missing: it sucks to be in the minority. The Democrats might expand their roughly +33 majority (excluding 4 vacancies) by ten seats, meaning around 50 blue dogs would need to cross the aisle to buck the majority leadership.
Unless you're in it for the long haul or as a stepping stone into lobbying, a Republican freshman in the 111th Congress is looking at an indefinitely masochistic job.
April 10, 2008 8:41 AM | Reply | Permalink