All political races are not created equal. While every office is special is its own right, certain elections matter more than others. The David Harmer (R) v. John Garamendi (D) 10th Congressional District special election on November 3, 2009 is one of those races.
The Harmer Race matters because of (1) what it means to the Country, (2) what it means to California, and (3) what it means to California Republicans.
It Matters to the Country: It would seem manifest at this point that our Country is at a crossroads. When the Russia newspaper Pravda trumpets headlines such as “America Moving from Kingdom of Cash to Socialism Slowly but Surely,” it cannot be argued whether we are losing our way of life let alone our basic Liberties.
In that light, I can assure that there are plenty of votes in Washington for higher tax rates, more regulations and socialized government programs. John Garamendi would be one more advocate for “European style,” as he puts it, social programs. He is also for higher taxes “unabashedly” so according to the LA Times. Harmer, on the other hand, is intent on “Growing the economy not the Government.” He understands that individuals produce prosperity and that more often than not government destroys that prosperity through wasteful spending, high tax rates and debt. Quite simply, we don’t need John Garamendi’s vote in Congress. We need more voices of reason.
Beyond that, there can be little doubt that the pickup of this seat would send an unmistakable message to Washington that (1) Pelosi & Company are moving too far to the Left and (2) that the voters have taken notice and are willing to strike back – much like the vote of May 19, 2009 in California rejecting tax increases.
In Matters To Californians. Can anyone say that California is fairly represented in the Congress? Much less the San Francisco Bay Area which has not a single Republican representative in House? Shouldn’t there be better balance when it comes to advocating the interests of all Californians? One party rule is not good for our Republic and, as we have seen, it is not good for California. It is not good for Republicans and, over time, it is not even good for Democrats. By bringing the California delegation into better balance, the interests of all Californians will be served thereby giving greater power to Californians in the halls of Congress. In other words, States not in play – don’t get play. It is time California had a greater voice – not just the same voice.
In Matters To California Republicans. In no uncertain terms, California Republicans need David Harmer. He is intellectually consistent and understands the liberating power of freedom versus the entrapping shackles of overbroad government programs. His inspirational voice, given a greater stage, can and will make a difference to our Party if not our State. His victory, which will signal the turning of the tide back against Washington, will inspire our Party like few victories have before. Indeed, not all victories are the same.
Please join the Harmer effort today at www.harmerforCongress.com . As Reagan said: If not now, when? If not us, who? Adding to that – If not this election – which election?
Thanks so much to the many volunteers that have worked endless hours to make victory possible in the race. There are certainly too many to name them all but consider Volunteer Wayne Overson who has made 29,731 calls.
Assemblyman Chuck Devore for lending volunteers, LA County Chair Jane Barnett who led volunteers from LA, Tulare County Chair James Henderson who led volunteers from Tulare and San Francisco Chair Howard Epstein who led volunteers from San Francisco to walk precincts in Contra Costa. Thanks to Sacramento County Chair Sue Blake, Sara Blicharz, Jason Scalese, Patty O’Day, Bud Warder, Margie Liberty, John Den Dulk, Darcy Linn, Molly Schweickert, Thomas Midanek, Chris Mayer, Adam Castle, Yvette Abreu, Cameron Wilkinson, Sharmine Danpour, Kathy Berla, Noelle Stinely, The RWF Groups from the greater Bay Area, The College Republicans, the Young Republicans and YRFC and countless others. A special thanks to Harmer campaign staff of Mike Caporusso, Christopher Del Beccaro and Mallory West for working ungodly hours to bring victory within reach. To Elayne Harmer for bringing her grace to this race and for her support of our cause not just her husband’s and, of course, to David Harmer for standing tall and standing for our right to preserve our right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.
Thomas G Del Beccaro is Vice Chair of the California Republican Party and the Contra Costa County Republican party. Reposted from Political Vanguard
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Del Beccaro will horn in on Wilson’s campaign whether or not he’s wanted. He’s got to pretend he’s in charge.
Harmer isn’t a loser. The real loser is Del Beccaro, and Wilson should keep Tom at a far distance.
If Del Beccaro’s usual egomaniacal, bungling behavior during the CD-10 primary-election process holds true, I can’t wait to see how he screws up the primary for GOP candidates in the 2010 11th Congressional race. He is probably already looking for a sugar daddy at this moment.
Del Beccaro will drop Harmer like a hot rock and he’ll head over to Wilson where he smells a winner. He’s a publicity hound and would appear with Garamendi himself if invited.
There’s only one kind of favor Del Beccaro knows, and it isn’t business or political.
I think it’s important to take a look at the outcomes of these races and learn the important lessons they can teach us.
Lesson #1 – Conservatism is alive and well in most of the country.
Lesson #2 – Republican establishment “leaders” are out of touch.
Lesson #3 – Voters don’t have to choose a RINO in order to get a Republican elected.
Lesson #4 – Conservatives need to demand an AGENDA from their “leadership” in the Republican party.
Lesson #5 – Contra Costa has a ways to go. (Not much of a shock I’m affraid.)
We need to see a conservative road map that can be laid out for voters to show how the Republicans plan to bring this country back to prosperity. We need solid proposals for EVERY issue that matters to voters. We need proposals for education, the economy, law enforcement, healthcare, the environment etc. Then we need to campaign to get the message out BEFORE the next election cycle.
It is no longer enough to say “Look I have an “R” next to my name. Vote for me!” The establishment has lost it’s way and a resurgence must come from the Grass Roots. We are the party of ideas, so let’s start putting those ideas to work.
At the CRP Convention, TDB refused to help us campaign for the adoption of ‘Audit the Fed’ as the official State Party position because as he put it, “Politics is about favors.” and he suggested that [certain Members' of the Alameda County GOP that were present] had refused to help David Harmer campaign in Alameda County after specific requests for assistance had been made.
I was happy to see that Harmer was more successful in Alameda County (specifically Livermore) than any other County in the district. Special thanks goes out to the many hard-working volunteers (in and outside of Alameda County) that contributed hours of their time (phone banking, walking precincts, passing out campaign info, holding up signs, voting etc.) trying to send a conservative to DC. Don’t let tonight’s results in CD-10 get you down. We have made positive gains in Virginia and New Jersey as a Party and I have the feeling this is a good sign of things to come in 2010 and 2012.
It’s hard to think of how Del Beccaro’s credibility could drop any lower, but I am certain Tom will find a way
Percentage wise, Harmer had his best showing in Alameda (Kudos to Salcido and Stanley) and Sacramento counties.
it was a fool’s errand from the get-go. The real goal was to separate fools from their money to help Tom nurse his image as a fundraiser and strategist that fourth-tier hot-talk hosts might interview, and keeping the lights on at the CoCo County GOP while helping friends and family stay employed as Harmer’s campaign staff. What a laugh.
Now Caporusso can get back to not answering the phone for CCRP as he gets busy again with lackey work for Tom.
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Who’s Del Beccaro gonna blame now that Harmer lost?
I would never let Del Beccaro alone with my wife, let alone my daughters. I have heard some whopper stories…
Baffled should spend more time at the fat farm.
Del Beccaro’s sexual shenanigans are widely known but everyone’s afraid to talk about them. Del Beccaro’s young fiance seems to be out of the picture. Makes you wonder. The story of Del Beccaro and Shawn Steel’s young daughter is no secret. Maybe nobody told Baffled because they know she’s in denial.
With over 300 reads in less than 24 hours TGDB should post more often at Halfway To Concord. If only to get his ideas more widely read in the public realm, in addition to the small group of his loyal followers who think they should scold people for sharing such pearls of wisdom.
Succinctly: My top goal on CCRP was to promote free market philosophy. The Fed Audit resolution, something that Patty O’Day (my guess at the identity of ‘baffled09′) called ’stupid’ and opposed, being the closest example. Instead, attempting to uphold rules and exposing rampant, endemic corruption has superceded the original goal. All of the CD-10 candidates who personally asked for my help received it. Virginia Fuller plans another run in CD-7 and I have assisted her local activism efforts. Jonathan Del Arroz, who has since dropped out of the CD-11 race, did not receive the requested financial donation specifically because of his supporting actions during the CCRP Organizational Meeting, run by Del Beccaro, to illegally seat the present leadership. I was not personally asked by David Harmer to participate in his campaign. To be frank, any such support would be contingent on a satisfactory explanation for his choice of associations. I was asking a question. The allegations in the ‘tomreport’ memo circulating are not the first of this nature. Did my question constitute libel? A discovery process where parties could be subpoenaed to determine the facts would be something I would welcome.
I heard a lot of BOOS when Del Beccaro was introduced at the Tea Party Yesterday.
For the record, I received multiple copies of the post in question from a number of sources, as well as having come across it on Political Vanguard. So please no more grumping at people for “revealing” information when it is already public.
And why would you want such a work to be hidden as if it’s only for Tom’s true believers and not let people debate its merit? That people will comment is part of life—get over it—or is it GOP policy to bitch at anyone who shares and doesn’t agree with you?
What simpering crybabies!
Well well, what a surprise. Mr. Hudako received an email as a Central Committee member and now the article is posted on Halfway to Concord and he is the first to comment on it. I believe I attended a meeting where he flat out denied posting stuff on Halfway. No integrity! Not only is Ted destructive to the Central Committee, he never adds anything positive or of value. You were elected but I’d like to know what your goals and intentions are as a member other than bashing your fellow members? So you are posting something about Mr. Del Beccaro that you aren’t even sure is true? What you are doing is spreading rumors that you would like to believe are true. My suggestion to you Mr. Hudako is to enroll in some English classes because your writing is horrible. Some attention to detail would help as well. Looks like one of these days you yourself may require some reconstructive dental work
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If we solved world hunger that would matter.
If we cured desease that would matter.
if we ended racism that would matter.
What happens to an unemployed attorney who decided to run for congress in a district that has a 19 point registration deficit does not matter in this world. He will become part of the long list of Republicans who have failed in their attempts to regain this seat since 1996.
Harmer and his staffers missed the August filing deadline for a Candidate Statement to be placed in Voter Information Pamphlet for the November 3 election. This error is significant and they might as will concede the election to Garamendi, Congressional candidates historically lose with no Candidate Statement. Harmer’s polls which show a close race are likely fabricated by our broken Republican party.
California’s CA-10 special election also matters to two constituencies Del Beccaro left out.
He says a Harmer victory would matter to California, the country, and California Republicans. But he left out who it would matter to most:
a) The voters in District 10 should have been listed first, but both Del Beccaro (and Garamendi) take this for granted and define “the good” simply in terms of narrow partisan interest.
and
b) Del Beccaro himself, who bet the house on Harmer to bolster his flagging reputation, while using “campaign urgency” to insure a source of cash to keep the CRP doors open and friends and family employed.
Interesting essay extolling the importance of fiscal restraint and representation. While agree with those as normative principles, it was highly ironic since I received it with recommendation from the budget-busting, unelected CCRP Treasurer, Darcy Linn. I actually was elected to the central committee yet half the delegation sent to represent our county at the statewide convention was not. How representative is that? Much more troubling are the post-mortem reports from the convention that the esteemed Mr. Del Beccaro had shamed himself and our committee with his unabashed skirt-chasing. I would like to know if it is true that Del Beccaro hit on (i.e., made sexual advances) the underage daughter of Shawn Steel and had to make a groveling apology. If so, Del Beccaro should probably consider himself lucky escaping that episode not requiring reconstructive dental work.
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