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There was no disagreement, but each, Ben Loyola, Kenny Golden, Scott Taylor, and Bert Mizusawa touted their individual experiences and characteristics they felt qualified them for the congressional position.
But all it proved is that each is as qualified as the other. ( Scott Rigell didn't attend because he was in Richmond for Bob McDonnell's inauguration as new GOP governor; the 6th, Ed Maulbeck couldn't attend because of a business conflict).
Unfortunately 5 are probably doing little more than 'farting' into the wind. All admitted they'd interviewed with the Republican National Congressional Committee (RNCC). None came away with the RNCC's endorsement.
The 4 candidates said they were the RNCC was watching to see which if any of them broke out of the pack before committing the national machinery behind them.
That is true, but not true.
The way the system works is candidates who go for the GOP's national blessing are told in no uncertain terms: You have to have $100,000 in the bank, you have to commit at least $50,000 of your own money, and have the demonstrated ability to raise no less than $500,000 (or it may be more now).
Without that horsepower behind you, all you'll get is treated politely, given the noncommittal, but encouraging words this crop of GOP candidates was given and sent on your way back to the district.
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Records show Loyola sitting on about $536,000; Rigell holding $541,000; Maulbeck, $21,965; Taylor, $10,300, and no reports filed yet on Golden or Mizusawa |
The national candidate makers don't care how charismatic you think you are, how many 'conservative' ideas you espouse, or how hard you work. They want to know what kind of money you can bring to the table. Nothing more, nothing less. They'll do the necessary molding to turn you into a GOP mouthpiece.
Therefore the NRCC has, at least behind the scenes, committed to throwing the party's national assets behind Scott Rigell. He has the money. He has the connections for much, much more, and he isn't afraid to put his own money where his mouth is.
He's getting the coaching to keep him from saying anything stupid or controversial - 'no Macaca' moments. He'll be the national machinery's 'boy.'
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That was the problem with X-Amerigroup CEO Jeffrey McWaters. He had the money and he went hat-in-hand to the DC candidate makers. They rejected him because he had been involved in the biggest fraud in the history of Illinois. The big boys didn't want to have to help defend that record from Democrat attack in the Congressional race. Instead McWaters was referred back to the district where he could be overwhelming with his money for the state senate position created by the resignation of Ken Stolle. Plus it would be a 'short' campaign period, inhibiting any strong Democrat challenge. It worked. McWaters won with more than 79% of the vote and was elected to the state senate. Ironically, the Virginian-Pilot, the area's establishment media tried to crucify Commissioner of the Revenue Phil Kellam by exposing a minor traffic charge when he was in college, but the newspaper never reported the story about McWaters' fraud trial. It did endorse him for the position in the GOP canvass against Rosemary Wilson and against the Democrat challenger in the general election, Bill Fleming. All part of the strange media mindset at the Pilot |
The other 5 candidates are just window dressing to make it look like the party is supporting a real race to expand local party influence and participation.
The name of the game is M-O-N-E-Y and Rigell has it. Watch the game play out and see VNS' predictions come true.
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