Vote “No” on Chaos
I love picking on Democrats. Rush Limbaugh loves picking on Democrats. Find me a Republican who doesn’t. But I have to take issue with Limbaugh’s Operation Chaos. Trust me, I love the premise. I love the theory, I love that it really rankles Dan Parker.
What I don’t love is how Operation Chaos can hurt down ballot races in the coming primary. Consider our state reps and state senators who have primary battles. While I know that there are those who would love to see incumbents of all stripes taken down, I would hate to see good Republicans lose to unqualified opponents in the primary just because Rush Limbaugh wants to sent Democrat party leadership into a giant snit, while boosting his ratings at the same time. Don’t get me wrong here. I like Rush. I used to listen to him all the time, so I know he’s doing this as entertainment, to boost his ad revenue and to play with the liberals minds a bit.
(Read more after the leap)
But we must consider the consequence of our actions. One of our Directors and a person this site has endorsed in Jim Banks for County Council has primary opponents. Could Operation Chaos lead him to lose? What of my State Senator who is Bev Gard? Her opponent is running because he wants to save his job as a township assessor. That’s it! The list could go on and on around the state. Fellow Director Brian Sikma brought up Jean Leising’s race down south when he wrote on this subject. Of course I also have feelings regarding a certain congressional race, but I think I’ve made my opinion known enough in this space for you to know where I stand on that!
So I urge with our readers don’t bring chaos to the Democrats without considering the chaos you could bring to your own party first. Vote in the Republican Primary even if you do want to “throw the bums out”. Let the Democrats bring chaos to their own party.
April 7th, 2008 at 1:15 pm
With Indiana’s “closed” primary system it would be difficult for Operation Chaos to succeed without harming your own party. In states with the “wide open” primary system then Operation Chaos could work. I’m not certain which states have a “wide open” primary still to hold them.
Not to mention as discussed on Hoosier Access Radio, a known partisan such as a PC would likely be challenged at the polls, and even if not challenged voting for the party opposite in primary is grounds for dismissal from the GOP even if you are an elected PC.
April 7th, 2008 at 4:34 pm
Indiana has an OPEN Primary!
Citizens can VOTE ON EITHER SIDE in the Primary. Only Elected Officials can not vote across “party lines” (from Precinct Committee Person on up).
Josh, YOUR FEARS ARE UNFOUNDED that some great Elected Official might lose, if a percentage of Republicans vote for Hllary, to keep the fight going, or for CAROLENE MAYS FOR CONGRESS.
Whoever wins the Democrat Primary WILL BE OUR NEXT CONGRESSIONAL REPRESENTATIVE. Republicans should consider helping elect CAROLENE MAYS TO CONGRESS, because she has the Highest PRO-LIFE Rating of Any Democrat Running and has voted to define MARRIAGE AS ONE MAN AND ONE WOMAN.
http://www.MaysForCongress.com
April 7th, 2008 at 5:04 pm
WM,
I’ve tried being nice. I’ve sent you an email trying to reach out to you and the Mays campaign, but all I get is this response to a post. Btw, just chill with the all caps. You can still make your point without them.
You may think my fears are unfounded, but there are plenty of Republican incumbents (who believe it or not don’t live in the 7th) who are worried about Operation Chaos. I agree with them and so I’m encouraging Republicans to vote for Republicans in the primary. That may seem wrong to you, but it’s not to me or plenty of other Republicans around the state.
Btw, vote Republican in the primary!
April 7th, 2008 at 6:18 pm
WM,
Why not have Carolene Mays run for Congress as a Republican so you don’t have to keep trying to convince Republicans to vote in the Democratic primary?
-Brian
April 7th, 2008 at 7:27 pm
There are certainly districts that should not participate (the 5th US Congressional District is one). Republicans need to be aware of who will be on their ballot, but I am sure that there are many in the state who will not be concerned about what happens on the Republican ballot and can enjoy participating in Operation Chaos (I still like KAOS).
April 7th, 2008 at 7:33 pm
BUT…If you participate in Operation KAOS, who would you vote for on the Gubernatorial side of things….
April 7th, 2008 at 8:36 pm
IF I were to participate in Operation Chaos (which I won’t), I would vote for JLT, she’s a little stronger on the issues as far as the two Democrat candidates are concerned, but much more polarizing than “the Shell”. But as it stands, I will be voting Republican in the primary, because that’s what I am. The Guv will have my support in the primary and in the general.
Who would you vote for Joel?
April 7th, 2008 at 8:39 pm
Josh,
Thanks for your offer to interview Carolene Mays for your audience! Because of a timing issue, I was not able to forward your email invitation to the MAYS FOR CONGRESS campaign in time.
Next time please contact the Mays For Congress campaign directly. See the “Contact” link on her website at:
http://www.MaysForCongress.com
Thanks again for the offer to interview Carolene Mays!
April 7th, 2008 at 8:46 pm
Your welcome! Here’s hoping Carolene makes it past the primary, with or without the help of a little Chaos.
April 7th, 2008 at 8:55 pm
Josh, I think I lean toward JLT as well. Mostly because I have a lot of trouble seeing her win a general election. I could see Shell winning one (in a moment of electoral weakness).
But being in the 5th, I won’t be participating either. Plus there are a bunch of Clay Township offices to deal with as well.
April 7th, 2008 at 10:16 pm
Josh,
I just saw this report on the WTHR website at:
Woody Seeks To Buy Congressional Race
It looks like Myers is trying to buy this Congressional race. He has already donated $550,000 to his own campaign. The good news is that now it looks like other candidates can get supporters to donate about the normal $2,300 limit!
It looks like the choices are the Muslim, the Millionaire or MAYS FOR CONGRESS!
http://www.MaysForCongress.com
April 8th, 2008 at 10:05 am
“I still like KAOS”
Missed it by *that* much.
Looks like Dr. Myers has saved up that money from the Bush Tax Cuts that he despises so much to run for Congress!
April 8th, 2008 at 10:45 am
Glad someone else watched the show!
I’ve had the same thought about the Myers ads. Of course, I’m still trying to figure out what policies of Bush have been so damaging for the middle class. Apparently he believes that the “super rich” make $20,000 per year.