 Hurd VIRGINIA BEACH (August 31, 2010) — Did Karen Hurd, founder of the Hampton Roads Tea Party (HRTP) endorse GOP congressional candidate Scott Rigell or not? Is founder of the HRTP talking out both sides of her mouth? Has she been bought off by the Rigell campaign? Here’s the story. You decide.
Depends on who you’re talking to and there’s no question a recent article in the Pilot saying Rigell had signed HRTP’s pledge implied there was an endorsement. Or at least several people inferred that from the article.
But from the mouth of Karen Hurd herself: “We were very clear that it is not an endorsement.”
Asked to comment directly on whether there was an endorsement, Hurd said, “Rigell is clear that it is not an endorsement . The Golden campaign is calling it an endorsement. Nye is calling it worthless. It is an accountability pledge.”
Additional confusion arose over her comment in the article about Rigell signing the pledge when it was reported, “Tea Party leader Karen Hurd said Wednesday that their goal is to boost Rigell's candidacy and limit the chances of independent candidate Kenny Golden, who they believe could split the conservative vote and help reelect U.S. Rep. Glenn Nye, D-Virginia Beach.”
"Should Rigell be elected, we now have specific tasks and issues by which to hold him accountable. If he follows through, great. The nation is better off. If he doesn’t, then he will be challenged in the next nomination season.
“This pledge was a coalition effort. What I said was this, “ If Rigell is willing to work with us on our issues, we can work with him”. That is a far cry from an endorsement. “
She blamed Pilot reporter Bill Bartel for the confusion: “We were careful and specific in our statements, and in the communication we made to our member and subscriber base. Bill Bartel the reporter from the VA Pilot paraphrased my statements. It is not a direct quote. That is the source of the so-called “endorsement”.
Several in other campaigns say the HRTP is talking out both sides of its mouth. In a May 21 communication, Hurd, in a brutal attack, thoroughly trashed Rigell in a communication entitled: Scott Rigell - Facts - The Other Side of the Story:
Scott Rigell is the GOP –backed candidate for the 2nd Congressional District Primary race. His endorsements include Governor Bob McDonnell, Minority Whip Eric Cantor. He’s a big supporter of Mitt Romney. He is a pro-life social conservative. He’s a business man, not a lawyer. He says that he is the conservative choice in the second district. Sounds good so far, right?
There’s just a couple of problems:
“Rigell, who promotes himself as a fiscally conservative Republican gave $1,000 to Barack Obama’s primary presidential campaign. (Source: Federal Elections Commission It's the second one). Why did a “conservative” give money to such an extreme left wing candidate? In Rigell’s own words: “The thought of another Clinton in the White House was worse than Barack Obama”. And later, “…I was moved by his rhetoric….” As of Sunday May 16, 2010 (on his Facebook “Likes” page) - Rigell still stands by his “reasons”.
“Does that sound like a fiscal, or even a socially conservative Republican?
“But wait! There’s more! Before that, Rigell (through his business) gave $1,000 to Mark Warner for Governor (Democrat ), (source: VPAP.org) who went on to sign into law the largest tax increase in Virginia’s history!
“Does that sound like a fiscally conservative Republican?
“But it gets worse. In 2002, Rigell bankrolled ($10,000!) the YES Campaign- a failed referendum that would raise the sales tax of Hampton Roads residents (that’s the 2nd district!). If passed, sales taxes in Hampton Roads would have increased by 22%!!! Rigell’s explanation, January 2010 at the VBTA Candidate's Debate: “I thought it was the best way to fund transportation in our area”. The YES Campaign was defeated by 62-38%. Hampton Roads residents said, “NO”!
“Does that sound like a low tax, fiscally conservative Republican who says he’s against higher taxes?
“Rigell is a successful car dealer. His dealership Freedom Automotive participated in the 3 billion dollar Obama stimulus program "Cash for Clunkers". He sold 107 cars and got $444, 500 taxpayer dollars . Rigell said he " had no ethical problem with it whatsoever". He had to do it for his business, because his customers demanded it. How can he bash the stimulus and bailouts and then profit by them? (Source: Roll Call ) Cash for Clunkers which destroyed the secondary parts market, hurt car repair shops, and inflated the price of used cars. Cash for Clunkers cost the taxpayer: $24,000 per car sold. (Source: CNN Money) The kicker? As reported by CNN a left-wing media outlet, of the 690,000 cars sold----the Cash for Clunkers created only 125,000 extra sales.
“Does that sound like a limited government, principled conservative Republican?
“When the YES Campaign failed, Rigell (along with Bob McDonnell) supported the creation of unelected regional transportation authorities which were deemed unconstitutional by the Virginia Supreme Court.
“Does that sound like a fiscally conservative constitutional Republican?
“Call Scott Rigell. 757.802.9936 or 757-496-4113. Demand an explanation. Ask why his actions don’t match his talk.
Then vote your conscience on June 8. Change in Washington begins with you.”
See: Scott Rigell - Facts - The Other Side of the Story
Several readers have contacted VNS stating that the HRTP had been bought off by the Rigell campaign. In lieu of evidence to the contrary, we present the above information so readers can make up their own minds about the conflicting positions and statements.
the HRTP originally supported Ben Loyola in the primary race for the GOP nomination.
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