Could it be that once again a RPV/GOP “Campaign Strategist” has insulted the candidates that don’t fit the establishment stamp of approval?
What do you mean Chris?
In a recent LA TIMES article Chris Lacivita said:
Among the most tested will be the winner of the Republican primary in Virginia’s 5th District, a conservative-leaning region where six candidates are running for the chance to face freshman Democratic Rep. Tom Perriello, who narrowly won in 2008.
State Sen. Robert Hurt, the onetime favorite, has failed to lock up support from the conservative “tea party” groups who take issue with his vote for a major tax increase. But even the tea party followers haven’t aligned behind a single candidate.
Chris LaCivita, Hurt’s campaign strategist, expressed his own frustration with the crop of newcomers. With this group, “if you can walk and chew gum at the same time, you think you can be a member of Congress,” he said.
I think Blueridgeguy says it best:
Let’s take a look at the people who this man is disparaging. We have Michael McPadden a gentleman who earned a degree in electrical engineering and became a navy pilot and is now a commercial airline pilot. Next there is Jim McKelvey who grew up in a difficult environment and was able to become a successful real estate developer with a net worth of millions of dollars. From Albemarle County we have Ken Boyd who has been involved in the financial industry for decades and was Executive Vice President and senior operating officer for the computer subsidiary of Jefferson National Bank. Also from Albemarle County we have Laurence Verga a real estate investor who also started out from meager beginnings and built a successful business. From Fluvanna County we have Feda Kidd Morton, Feda graduated” Cum Laude “from Longwood College with a degree in biology and teaches regular, honors and advancement placement biology at the Fluvanna County school system.
Here is a group of challengers to what LaCivita seems to think is Hurt’s birthright, a group of very successful people that do not deserve to be denigrated by a sleaze like LaCivita. It is time that Senator Hurt get rid of this man who is bringing politics in the 5th district to a new low.
If the GOP and RPV wants to pull the plug on Obama’s blue state influence in Virginia then they are going to need to answer the tough questions we and other tea party activist are asking.
UPDATE:
Mark Lloyd, Lynchburg Tea Party Chairman recently wrote a good response to the information above. We’d still like to hear from Chris about this directly.
A Deeper Look, and a Matter of Fairness
by Mark Lloyd
Chairman Lychburg TEA Party
Today, on the Watch Dog, an LA Times article was linked that quoted Chris LaCivita, Robert Hurt’s campaign strategist. This article appeared Sunday in the LA Times, certainly a left leaning publication if one ever was. The article went on the wire and the AP picked it up, and it appeared this morning in the Lynchburg News and Advance, and probably others as well. The quotes attributed to LaCivita have cause my phone to ring quite often today, and my inbox is getting full. Some TEA Party Patriots in the VA5th are finding offense to the remarks. I understand the reaction, but I must, as a matter of fairness, come forward with some information that should be considered.
Chris LaCivita and I have had our share of disagreements over the last several weeks. I’m quite sure that we will have many more. Stay tuned. But, I have to disclose to everyone interested that he contacted me on Sunday morning as soon as he noticed that the article had been published. He insisted that I understand that he was not making an attack specifically on the other candidates in the VA5th GOP nomination race. He said his comments where taken out of context. I understand that some will not consider that LaCivita could possibly be telling the truth, but I will leave that up to the reader to decide. He told me he had been misquoted and that his remarks were meant in the context of what is going on in congressional districts across the country. The following is what he told me was his exact quote:
“With as many people running (not just in VA 5 but nationally) is an
indication that the “Party” (GOP) is alive and thriving, when just a year
ago it was written off as dead -
That having this many people running was a good thing – not a bad thing -and
everyone who is running believes they can make a difference – but that you
do get some folks who if you can walk and chew gum at same time, think they
can be member of congress.”
Chris LaCivita has been in the business of politics for a long time. His claim to fame is that he was the man behind the media campaign that allowed the Swiftboat Veterans to reveal the truth about John Kerry. Not a bad claim, and he was involved with the election of Ken Cuccinelli. Although, he may not be too popular among the TEA Party crowd since he is working for Robert Hurt, he certainly has some bona fides as a conservative politico. This leads me to my next point of looking deeper.
My personal political experience, including dealing with the media, has come at me like a tsunami over the last few months as I took on the role as the Lynchburg Area TEA Party Chairman, and being the organizer of the VA5th District TEA Party debates. This little bit of national attention has been an education as to what really goes on in our media. I have had a couple of interviews with the Washington Post, and some local papers, as well as some local TV stations, and I can attest to the fact that my comments were not taken in context. My comments were taken and used to fit what they wanted to say. It is quite apparent to me that the media is already working to do several things in our local race, and we should all be aware of them.
First, I believe that the national media is making great efforts to have VA5 turn into the next NY23. Need to sell some papers. Secondly, and much more sinister, I believe that the national media is invested in supporting the leftist socialist agenda, and will twist whatever words they need to twist, or confuse context, to achieve this goal. As I see it, the goal of many in the media is to drive a wedge between the conservative factions. The GOP has grassroots conservatives, many opposed to the RINO’s in leadership positions, some are TEA Party folk, and some are not. However, for the socialist democrats to win in districts like VA5 they must drive the wedges deep into the body of conservative voters. This is basic to winning any political contest. Divide and conquer. For little Tommy-boy Pelosi-ello to have a chance of re-election this year the shattering of conservative unity is a must. We have a long time to go before November, and we need to be aware that this is going to happen. This nomination process is a fight that needs to take place to determine who best represents the conservative values of this district, and then defeat lil’Tommy, the puppet of Pelosi, Obama and Soros.
did any Tea Party activists vote for Ken Cuccinelli? well, Chris LaCivita was KC’s consultant.
i am a tea party activist. and I want to beat Perriello.
quit fussing with the other candidates.
Kelley, I think we all want to defeat Pelosi-ello. This selection process is not about “fussing” with other candidates, it is about campaigning. Now is the time for us to pick the candidate that represents us best, AND is capable of defeating Nancy’s little Tommy Boy. Robert Hurt is really only just one of seven. He would certainly be a far cry better than lil’ Tommy, but does he truly represent what the TEA Party Patriots stand for? This is a question we all must ask of each of these people.
I suspect that Chris LaCivita was misquoted somewhat by the press. They do it all the time! They are trying to gin up controversy. However, it does cause some to ask the question. I hope that Chris will take the opportunity to elaborate on his comments. Misquoted or not.
patriot: all I gather is that the candidates are trying to bash Hurt. one of them must try to articulate something—
and yeah, some of the candidates have talked about the 10th amendment. but i doubt if they even know what body of law has transposed itself over the 10th since its writing. some of the candidates just “spout”.
“quite fussing with the other candidates” are you saying we should just roll over and let Hurt win?
Kelley, have you listened to all the candidates? I have actually. Robert Hurt is not a bad guy, however, he is just one of the 7. What has he said or done that sets him apart? The fact that he is a career politician? Another lawyer? Not that this makes him a bad guy, but how do his qualifications stack up against a retired Naval officer, at least two very successful business men who know what it takes to make a payroll, why is he more appealing than a woman who has spent a career teaching children and serving on a board of supervisors? I find it strange that so many people are so quick to support the choice the GOP seems to have made on your behalf. Isn’t this the same GOP that chose a horrible liberal to run in NY23, John McCain, the poster boy of all RINO’s? Why do you trust them so blindly. Robert Hurt may very well win this campaign, and I would most likely support him against lil’ Tommy, but WHY do you support him so fervently and WHAT makes him so special?
1st: i am not going to disparage any of the other candidates.
2d: whichever candidate runs against Perriello, they have to know their law backwards & forwards. When Perriello talks about Article III of the Constitution & what major SC decisions impact that & blah blah, our candidate must know his/her law on this. So we need someone very bright, very well versed on the law. Also, Perriello, in any debate situation, will attempt to bury his challenger with minutia. Which of the candidates has the “debate/oral argument” training that Robert Hurt has?
3: who did Obama appeal to? (other than blacks, really liberal DEms & complete whackos?): young people. Hurt is young. and he is an attractive candidate–that matters whether we like it or not. Do you think Scott Brown would have received $1 million/per day in contributions from on-line money bombs if he had not been a young, attractive candidate?
4: ability to raise money. ability to raise a boatload of money. This race may be in the top 4 or 5 most expensive Congressional races in the country. Granted Hurt can’t give his campaign $500,000, but he is a proven fundraiser. and who the hell cares where the money comes from? see moneybombs for Scott Brown above. WE ALL wanted him to win. many of us contributed.
5: everyone knows Hurt is a conservative. Have you ever been to Chatham? it is the soul of conservatism. is he the 2d coming of Barry Goldwater? no, I don’t think he wears glasses. But he is our best chance of beating Perriello. and that is the most impt thing to consider.
Sorry to hear that you have bought into the party line Kelley. I see that you only believe lawyers need to be in congress. I don’t have such trust in lawyers. I suppose Robert and Tommy Boy do have that in common, and few more things I suppose. They both show a willingness to vote for large tax increases when pressure is put on them and they are falsely told the government will shut down. And, neither have a problem voting for mandates concerning personal health decisions. Tommy Boy voted for Obamacare, but Robert voted to mandate that young women be vaccinated against HPV. Are only lawyers smart enough to make tough decisions. I think we have had too many lawyers making decisions for too long. Give me a man or a woman who knows how to run a business, make a payroll, and be in touch with what real people know, feel, and believe. Don’t tell me about Chatham, I grew up in South Texas, I believe that will Trump anything Chatham can produce as far as conservatives. Presently, I live in near Rustburg. Give me a farmer with good sense that loves his family and is invested in his land. The last thing we need in DC is another damn lawyer who has proved he can be convinced by some other slick lawyers. I sort of like the idea of a career military man with convictions who has proved he loves his country by placing his life on the line to protect our freedoms and not just talk about them in some fantasy debate. Or, a businessman that has taken a little and made himself and others wealthy by his own hard work and ingenuity. Kelley, THINK about what you are saying when you profess that Robert being a young lawyer makes him something special. Take some time to consider who might best represent YOU and your real values. Being from Chatham doesn’t make anyone the BEST candidate. You may know and love Robert, and that is great, but open your mind to consider someone who has proved themselves someplace other than a court room. We have too many of them already. Obama is a lawyer. I guess he was the best pick for that job too, right?
To elaborate on what patriotguerrilla said, not only was Obama a lawyer, he’s a “Constitutional lawyer.” That’s translating over to his job performance REAL well. Personally, I’ve had enough lawyers in DC. I want a normal human being, not somebody that thinks a seat belongs to them and should be handed over on a silver platter. Somebody that understands that the seat belongs to the PEOPLE and that they are only a representative of them. Somebody that will take the time to talk to and understand them, not dictate to them what they will like. Somebody that doesn’t skip debates, or try to avoid responsibility to the people by doing whatever is necessary to avoid conventions that will illustrate fiscal conservatism. Why would a representative of the people hide from the people? They wouldn’t. The only reason someone would hide from the people is if they don’t want to have to be held accountable for them. But then again, there aren’t ANY candidates that fall into THAT category, now are there?
lawyers are businesspeople too. those that I know in Southside & Southern Virginia do own a business–its their practice. they have to make a payroll–their assistants are paid before they themselves;, keep escrow accounts straight; adhere to a professional code much more stringent than the regular business marketplace. their clients are businesspeople; uneducated people trying to make out legal mumbo-jumbo; young people planning for the future; & people suffering from bad marriages.
people hate lawyers until they need one.
please tout positives about your candidate rather than try to drag down another. we are in this fight to beat Perriello.
and I love TExas.
kelley,
saying to “keep it positive” is the mantra of incumbents. why? so they can avoid being called to task on bad decisions. guess what. he’s made bad decisions and it’s open season. either get used to it, or choose a different candidate. further, they are legitimate criticisms. either you’re related, you stand to make money off of it, or you’re drinking kool aid.
Kelly: “people hate lawyers until they need one” In our current system of unconstitutional government we wouldn’t need lawyers were it’s not for lawyers. Most modern lawyers DO NOT understand where the law gets it’s power and so his “knowing the law backwards and…” (answer: the constitution) isn’t going to impress many in the 5th. One big problem I think people have with Hurt is he has not really answered his big tax increase question. The answer we get is silence or “oops”. I can get that kind of answer from Periello and wonder what sets Robert apart from him other than he has an “R” next to his name.
I am truly looking forward to the next debate where we can see Hurt in action.
“please tout positives about your candidate rather than try to drag down another. we are in this fight to beat Perriello.”
Amen, Kelly. Instead of attacking the candidate we are shilling for, Let’s hear more of why our candidate is BEST!
Verga’s guy could take a lesson here.
GOTP, you reference Verga’s guy, who might you be referring to? My contention in this entire thread is that there are 7 candidates that have thrown their hats in the ring. I see that you and Kelley apparently back Bobby Hurt. Ok, fine, but nothing has been shown to actually make him any more qualified, or even the best candidate to beat lil’ Tommy Pelosi-ello. So far, we know he is another lawyer. He is from Chatham. So, now we are all just supposed to accept him because he is a lawyer from Chatham. Well, so was his daddy. So, a lawyer from Chatham who’s daddy was a lawyer from Chatham. When we look at the voting record we see a second generation lawyer from Chatham who votes with liberal democrats and RINO’s to raise taxes, and then find that there was a surplus, so the tax increase wasn’t really needed. Well, obviously lawyers from Chatham are easily convinced by other lawyers who lie to them. Then the lawyer from Chatham voted to mandate that young women be vaccinated against HPV. I thought that parents made those decisions for their children, not government. Do lawyers from Chatham understand that the government does not have that kind of authority? There are principles involved in these two decisions that I’m not sure lawyers from Chatham understand fully.
I’m not backing Hurt, unless he is the nominee. I just prefer hearing why one candidate is better, not why everyone else, but my candidate, is bad. Hays is probably the worst. I don’t read him any more.
I agree we don’t need a RINO lawyer, but he is better than Perriello.
WHOA, FOLKS! LET ME FIRSTLY PROUDLY SAY I AM A KEN BOYD SUPPORTER. I HAVE KNOWN CHRIS LACIVITA SINCE GEORGE ALLEN’S CONGRESSIONAL CAMPAIGN IN WHICH CHRIS PLAYED AN INDISPENSABLE AND VERY KEY ROLE. HE IS A FIRST RATE TEAM PLAYER. COULD IT BE THAT IN HIS MISQUOTE HE WAS REFERRING TO DEMOCRAT CANDIDATES? I THINK SO…..HE SERVED WITH GALLANTRY IN THE USMC DURING IRAQ AND HAS THE SCARS AND BATTLE RIBBONS TO SHOW FOR HIS FRONTLINE SERVICE TO US. I AM PROUD TO CALL HIM FRIEND. COME ON PEOPLE. LET US NOT BE DILUTED AND DIVERTED IN OUR COMMON GOAL BY SNIPING. DO YOU FOR ONE MINUTE THINK CHRIS COULD BE ANTI OUR EFFORTS TO RESTORE OUR VOICE? AFTER ALL, WHO IS “WALKING THE WALK AND TALKING THE TALK? IT IS THE(DUH) DEMOCRATS. WISE UP AND DO NOT BE LED DOWN THE PRIMROSE PATH CREATED BY A LIBERAL PRESS. WE KNOW WE MUST BE STALWART AND SMART. LET’S GET BACK ON TRACK AND CONCENTRATE OUR EFFORTS TO ACHIEVE OUR TRUE OBJECTIVES. LOTS OF HARD WORK AHEAD. LET’S DO IT!
Gracie, with all due respect, that’s a pretty laughable interpretation. There’s only one Democratic candidate. He’s the sitting Congressman. There’s no way LaCivita is referring to him. I think he’s clearly referring to Ferrin McKelvey and Verga (the latter two mainly because they’ve been strong on the offense attacking his guy). I have my doubts about his being misquoted, but even if he was, it was a stupid thing to say.
GRACIE, ARE YOU AWARE THAT TYPING IN ALL CAPS IS THE EQUIVALENT TO YELLING AND IS BAD NET ETIQUETTE?
Honestly, I’m growing weary of this entire race. No one is emerging as a front runner, Robert Hurt (the establishment pick) is a terrible option, and Virgil likely isn’t reentering. Chris LaCivita may have been quoted out of context, but that doesn’t excuse the plethora of other questionable communications he’s had with the tea party up to this point.
i will continue this on the other thread except to say this: all of us want what the tea party wants: less government.
gracie: i’ve known Chris for the same length of time. and I am 100% sure of his loyalty to our country & the cause of ridding our country of the idiots (some of whom are downright Socialists) in Washington.