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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This is the CCRP, what do you expect? Now you know why they call it the Grand Old Party. These are the people that Tom gets to fool. He’s as bad as Gypsies bilking seniors with house painting scams.
To Tom Del Beccaro: Fool me once – shame on you. Fool me twice – shame on me. How many times do you think you can get folks all worked up about somebody winning and then walk away without a backward glance when they lose? Contra Costa Republicans are idiots for falling for this guy’s act!
CCR, Republicans in Contra Costa, Alameda, and CD-10 were lied to by the Harmer campaign intent on keeping the appearance of a viable campaign so they could keep cash coming in from fools who would believe “internal polling of 2 percent”
Tom Del Beccaro owns this failure more than anyone else.
The whole Harmer campaign was a pack of lies from the get go, from Del Beccaro insisting Harmer had a shot, to breaking every bylaw to secure GOP nomination, to placing “his” people in the campaign leadership, to spinning outrageous tales about Harmer being ahead late. Just to keep cash coming in to help pay the rent.
And this jerk is going to be the Chair of the California GOP?
What a laugh.
Where’s Del Beccaro’s column on why Harmer lost? He tricked people into thinking Harmer had a chance when the insiders knew he didn’t.
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.
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