Rodney Alexander's Chief of Staff to Join Ginny Schrader's Campaign

by Chris Bowers, Fri Aug 13, 2004 at 09:26:46 AM EDT

This morning, in addition to traveling in a press van, interviewing Joe Hoeffel aboard his new campaign bus, watching him give three stump speeches, and talking with almost every member of Hoeffel's campaign staff, I also received a genuine scoop from Virginia Schrader's campaign manager, Brian Welsh, that Ginny herself confirmed to me. Brian Smoot, Rodney Alexander's former chief of staff, will join Schrader's campaign after they finalize the details on Sunday. Just in case you hadn't heard, Smoot resigned along with the rest of Alexander's staff, when Alexander switched parties last week.

Also, Schrader finally has an opponent. Last night the GOP chose conservative county commissioner Michael Fitzpatrick instead of the more moderate, pro-choice state Senator Joe Conti. This should improve Schrader's chances, as it will make the ideological gap between the candidates more stark and offer her an opportunity to exploit the ever-widening fissure in the Bucks County Republican Party.

Lots more on all of this later on. I will provide a detailed post on Hoeffel, and hopefully a short conversation with Brian Smoot about both Schrader and Alexander. Stay tuned.

Update( Jerome, from the comments):

"I believe we can take this baby and win big," said Rendell.

"This is a big priority for us," Speed said. "We have staff working with her already."

That's good enough for me. $50.02 more to Ginny.

Tags: House 2006 (all tags)

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8 Comments

4a2fab88-ed3b-47a4-8f14-3ec8a24504ac_normal
That is soo cool
Great news. I read the Philly papers today, and they are both saying that Fitzpatrick is out of step on the issue of abortion, and Conti himself says the ultra conservative Fitzpatrick is going to mean trouble. Here's the bonus line:

First:

"If elected, Mr. Fitzpatrick would be one more rubberstamp for Tom DeLay's special interest agenda, which has sent jobs overseas, failed our schools and created a sham prescription drug plan that does nothing to lower costs for seniors," said Matsui, the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee chairman in a statement.

Democrats from all over the county stood behind Schrader Thursday, including state Rep. Anthony Melio of Levittown, who said the biggest tragedy of Ginny's opponents is not denouncing the country's failed policies, referring to the economy, the deficit and terrorism.

And Schrader got her call from the governor. "Ginny's views are the views of a significant majority of people in Bucks County," Gov. Ed Rendell said via phone on his way to Erie. "There is something happening here in Pennsylvania. The political environment in 2004 is going to be great for Democrats," he said referring also to the presidential election.

"I believe we can take this baby and win big," said Rendell.

Second

Conti, who will now be the central Bucks coordinator for Fitzpatrick, warned the delegates before the vote that the race would receive "attention and involvement from our opponents that we have not seen in decades."

Then he criticized the selection process, which he felt lacked the proper debate because of Fawkes' power play.

"It is appalling and indefensible that the endorsement for a replacement candidate for Jim Greenwood was shut down early and publicly before Jim had even withdrawn from the race," Conti said. "However, the last thing we need tonight is a divisive vote, one that I cannot win."

Greg Speed, spokesman for the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, said his organization planned to fund Schrader in a race initially seen as a losing battle against Greenwood.

"This is a big priority for us," Speed said. "We have staff working with her already."

by Jerome Armstrong 2004-08-13 09:36AM | 0 recs
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Re: That is soo cool
Ginny's campaign manager looks almost exactly like you Jerome. It is remarkable.
by Chris Bowers 2004-08-13 10:37AM | 0 recs
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unrelated to post
yo! i got an account on here now!
-LMAC
by lauren s 2004-08-13 10:39AM | 0 recs
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Re: what's with the $.02
So they know it came from MyDD
by Chris Bowers 2004-08-13 11:17AM | 0 recs
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Re: what's with the $.02
folks at dkos go .01, here its .02 - at least thats what i've gathered
by DreadPirateKing 2004-08-13 11:48AM | 0 recs
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Re: what's with the $.02
Wouldn't it make more sense to create a team over at http://actblue.com/orgs? It seems to me that that would simplify billing and help motivate people as well.
by storme 2004-08-13 02:21PM | 0 recs
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Losing Moderates
Once I saw this post I e-mailed my brother who is a young professional / moderate republican type in the district. I gave him the story describing Fitzpatrick and he responded:

"yeah i know all about him.  i was hoping they would choose conti.  he's a good solid moderate.  pro-choice and all that stuff.  i don't think i can vote for this guy."

It looks like the GOP blew an opportunity to attract moderates in this district.

by Matt42 2004-08-13 02:47PM | 0 recs
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wait until i get involved
ill keep you guys posted

alot of political corruption in repub bucks county

by jeffrey 2004-08-13 08:21PM | 0 recs

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