GOP Rank-and-File Discontent and the 2008 Election
August 15 , 2007
Contact: Lisa Bell
703-470-5042
vern@mckinleyforcongress.com
ASHBURN, VA—Long-time political commentator Robert Novak said it “terrified those incumbent Republican House members who had thought themselves safe for re-election in 2008.” Wall Street Journal political reporter John Fund quoted a local reporter who said it “should be taken as a ‘wake up call’ by the party’s establishment.” These two well-known observers of Washington were both talking about the surprise election of Dr. Paul Broun in Georgia.
Last month’s special election in the 10th District of Georgia between two Republicans was called to fill the seat vacated after the death of Congressman Norwood. Dr. Paul Broun, a relative unknown who was not well funded, but carried a limited government message, defeated former State Senator Whitehead, who had the backing of the party establishment and was heavily favored to win the special election. Dr. Broun had pledged that he would apply a four-way test before voting on any bill: Is it constitutional and a proper function of the government? Is it morally correct? Is it something we really need? Is it something we can afford?
“It is difficult to say what 2008 will bring, but this is a good indicator that those who challenge the party establishment in the Republican Party with a limited government message can be successful,” notes Vern McKinley, who is carrying a similar message in challenging incumbent Congressman Wolf for the 2008 GOP nomination in the 10th District of Virginia. “A trend against ‘Big Government Republicans’ really started with the 2006 Republican congressional losses. Very few of the electoral losers in 2006 were limited government incumbents. In fact, many of the incumbent Republicans that lost, such as Johnson in Connecticut, Leach in Iowa, Kelly in New York, Weldon in Pennsylvania, Pombo in California, had lost their way on issues of spending discipline or limited government. Now the question is will Republican on Republican challenges work. Dr. Broun’s race may have answered that question,” McKinley added.
Next door to Virginia in Maryland, GOP State Senator Andy Harris is challenging long-time incumbent Republican Congressman Gilchrest in the 1st District based on similar fiscal discipline and limited government themes. On his website Harris criticizes Gilchrest on issues of spending and limited government and notes his desire to “return to Reagan values.”
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