Endorsement Strategy?
Nov 14th 2007ScottWyoming & conservatism & elections & wolves
Outgoing Rep. Barbara Cubin (R-WY) has garnered much criticism in her time as Wyoming’s vote in the U.S. House over not voting. That criticism came to a climax this year when she managed to lead the living membership of the not voting caucus.
Last Saturday, Rep. Cubin announced that she would not be seeking reelection due to family concerns, particularly her ailing husband. In her announcement, she did not endorse any one Republican candidate vying for the seat she currently holds, but she did take a jab at Democrat contender Gary Trauner:
We cannot let Gary Trauner win,” Cubin said. “He is wrong for Wyoming, he is wrong for America, and I know, working together, he will never succeed.
Given the criticism lobbed at Rep. Cubin in the past couple of terms, the Republican candidates are not likely to be jumping in line for her endorsement. Granted, she has been solidly reelected in the WYGOP Primaries, though her most recent general election victory was the narrowest that she has ever won by.
Added all together, today Rep. Cubin did what seemed strategically best and endorsed Democrat Gary Trauner for the Wyoming Democrat Primary election and the general election:
Wyomingites have consistently reelected me for seven terms. In those seven terms, nigh every missed vote has undergone a tremendous amount of scrutiny. While he may not be right for Wyoming or America, having Gary Trauner represent Wyoming in the U.S. House will be like having me represent Wyoming and not voting half the time. No doubt, he has learned over the past year what a wolf is. Therefore, I give my endorsement to his election in August and November of 2008.
After hearing of the endorsement, Trauner swore profusely, asked again what a wolf was, and complained this was the last endorsement that he wanted.
Al Hamburg, also a Democrat contender for Wyoming’s At-Large U.S. House District, noted his confusion as to why he was not endorsed.
When I announced my candidacy, I practically endorsed her by stating that I would vote for her if her position on the war was different. She could have at least returned the favor and given my campaign some actual hope of succeeding this time.
None of the Republican contenders could be reached for comment.
No Comments »
