Andy McGuire not only contributed to republicans she voted for them too

[Debi]

Two articles:

<snip>

Good, but she was also a reliable Republican donor in the 1990s and has been a registered Dem since only 1/05.

GOP Rep. Jim Nussle's campaign noted that McGuire contributed $400 to Nussle's congressional races against beloved Dem congressman Dave Nagle, the founder of the IA caucuses.

The campaign of Sec/State Chet Culver (D), who's competing with Blouin in the primaries, sent out research noting that McGuire has voted as a Republican and a Democrat. She voted in the GOP primary as late as '04.

<snip>

http://hotlineblog.nationaljournal.com/archives/2006/03/did_mike_blouin.html#comments

AND

Blouin running mate has been a Republican
Voting records show Andrea McGuire has often been registered with the GOP in the past decade.


The woman whom Democratic gubernatorial candidate Mike Blouin has tapped to be his running mate was a registered Republican for most of the past 10 years, according to Polk County voter registration records.

But the 49-year-old chief medical officer for American Republic Insurance Co. has changed her party affiliation five times since the Polk County auditor's office began keeping computer records 11 years ago. Since 1995, McGuire's party affiliation was listed as Republican for roughly 8 1/2 years, the records show.

<snip>

The disclosure of McGuire's voting record comes as the candidates are vying for the endorsement of the state's largest labor union federation and as Culver has stepped up his attacks on Blouin's commitment to core Democratic positions, such as a higher minimum wage and abortion rights.

<snip>


http://desmoinesregister.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060301/NEWS09/603010385/1056

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Again, I welcome all republicans to become Democrats and join in on our fight for working families, health care for all and a solid and affordable education. But why should republicans be able to join our party and then run to become the second highest elected official in Iowa? And for God's sake....she gave money to JIM NUSSLE? Explain that!

[ISUGRADIA]

1. But what about what Tom Miller said?

"She was a Republican, but the Republican Party left her."

As we all know the Republican party was so much more moderate in 2002 and 2004 when she was still registered as one.

:eyes: :eyes: :eyes:

[Debi]

6. When?

Right after she was notified she could be the Lt. Governor for Mike Blouin? Whatever!

[ISUGRADIA]

15. It never ceases to amaze me the spin Blouin's ppl can put on this

Apparently pointing out that she has had some contribution and registration ties to the Republicans is dirty pool.

I think M Blouin needs to be reminded he is running as a Democrat. The background check on her apparently did not include a quick contribution history search online.

[Debi]

17. Or voting history either

What did he do? Ask Shelia and when she was busy did she just say "Hey, my sister's not doing anything for the next four years and she's kind of a Democrat"?

For what it's worth, I would have welcomed Shelia McGurie-Riggs as a candidate. Last time I checked she was a Democrat (but maybe I should do some looking......:crazy:)

[Rambis]

2. Blouin is a republican so whats the big deal

Looks like I am voting for Chet after the primary that is:)

[Debi]

7. !

;)

[IA_Seth]

3. Ridiculous!

"GOP Rep. Jim Nussle's campaign noted that McGuire contributed $400 to Nussle's congressional races against beloved Dem congressman Dave Nagle, the founder of the IA caucuses."

My lord! The press, and Nussle's campaign, will have a damn field day with this. I can understand that we should support newly-declared Dems, but I can't support a newly-declared Dem who donated to her potential opponent!

What the hell?

[Debi]

9. And to think that you were laughing at me just one day ago

Now your panties are in a twist as well! :blush:

[IA_Seth]

11. Lol

I wasn't laughing AT you silly ass. I was laughing because I could picture the steam coming from you as you sat there typing your post!

[Debi]

16. So you admit you wear panties?

:blush: WAAAAAAY too much information for this board Seth :rofl:

Yeah, this does have me riled up, and I wish I could put it into perspective. I guess I'm just embarrassed for Blouin that this is the best he could do. There are many Democratic activists that would have been a better choice and instead he blows it all to raise some cash.

Whatever, I'm sick of the party leaders telling me that years of service as a Democratic activist doesn't mean shit when it comes to picking people to run for our highest offices. The only thing that matters is 'can they raise me some money?'

:eyes:

No smoke at the moment, but the night is young!

d.

[IA_Seth]

20. only on special occasions!

Politicians wives and there dang double-speak. I...must...keep....quiet.

[Debi]

23. Actually my husband is impressed that you are so confident

about your personal choices! :bounce: This back and forth made him laugh!

[IA_Seth]

25. Well hey...

I am glad he got a kick out of it, but for the record I am a strictly boxer-briefs kind of guy!

Except that one time...

hee hee.

[Debi]

26. And now Seth will never be able to run for office in this state....

Another good Democrat bites the dust :rofl:

[IA_Seth]

27. That's what YOU think...

I don't think anyone here knows my last name do they?

Lol, and why would a pretty little thong take me out of the running anyway?

[Debi]

28. THONG???? TMI SETH

:wow:

Alert, alert, alert!!!

[progressoid]

4. Blouin certainly seems to be playing toward the center

In fact one of his people described him as a "moderate". This may be a good strategy to win the election. If he wins the primary, he may be able to draw some of the repubs that are straying from the ultra-right wing of the GOP (compared to Nussle he may seem like a liberal). Given a choice, many independents might also go for him (except in NW IA!!).

[Debi]

5. republicans ALWAYS go home.

That's what my husband tells me at least. They may whine and complain and even show up at a Dem. caucus or vote in a Dem. primary, but the always, always end up voting republican in the general election.

Blouin moving toward the center may work in the general, but I wasn't aware that he had the primary all wrapped up. I guess he knows something the rest of us don't.

[progressoid]

22. Oh I don't think he has it wrapped up.

Just speculating.

[rurallib]

8. While this looks bad on the surface

I am going to wait and hear what she has to say. In the last 1.5 years there has been a spate of folks who have seen the light. I haven't heard her positions as yet. Maybe I am behind times. But on the surface she looks like the epitome of a carpetbagger.
That's just about McGuire. I would be hard pressed to vote for Blouin anyway.

[Debi]

10. This isn't just about my supporting Culver

This is about what we want out of our Party leaders. I still believe in loyalty, maybe I'm on the wrong track

She gave money to Nussle against Dave Nagle, she gave money to Ganske against Neal Smith and Tom Harkin. She gave money to the Iowa GOP for what?

NOW she wants to serve as the second highest elected official in the state as a Democrat? Is it only because Nussle didn't call her first? (ewww, THAT was catty).

How far do we bend?

[rurallib]

21. I know it is not about your support of Culver.

Maybe I am taking it a little lightly because I have no intention of supporting Blouin. If he wins the primary, I suppose I will vote for him, but will be glad to join any group that will watch him like a hawk.

[Debi]

24. Sorry if I jumped so quick

I am REALLY pissed about the Nussle support - I mean really pissed. There is no excuse for supporting such a hateful disgusting piece of crap! NONE.

Other than than, I'm fine...really. :hi:

[Hardrada]

29. What are these doofuses (doofi?) thinking about when they

blather on about the **ing center? WHAT center? Has anyone tried a rational discussion with a repuglican about any major issue? Could they convince us (well, they can't convince me since I am always the only right one) but, seriously, what are they talking about? I'm starting to wonder how well armed my Bushie neighbors are and here people like Blouin (who, by the way, obviously hasn't missed too many meals since 1978) are babbling about some mythical consensus.

[rurallib]

30. The so-called 'center' is far to the right of Nixon and

Goldwater now due to the media. I used to be considered center, Now I am way left. My views haven't changed that much over the years.

[Hardrada]

31. I am actually an anarchist!

Where would I be now??

[rurallib]

33. Libertarian Party.

[Hardrada]

37. You mean I would go so far left

I would end up in the right wing? But I don't think they'd have me since I am not a fan of corporate capitalism.

[Debi]

35. We are being told to conform, and I will dissent

and I will do it VERY LOUD and with great emotion.

Mike Blouin can join Tom Vilsack in selling our Party down the Great Mississippi River.

I'd rather be a Democrat! :patriot:

[Hobarticus]

12. FIVE party swaps in 11 years? Why?

What would be served by that?

[IA_Seth]

13. The only explanation..

That I could even fathom would be if she was party swapping to vote in primaries to influence who was in a general election. I have heard of lots of repubs doing it, and quite a few dems.

That or she isn't really committed to one side or another, and registers and votes at whim.

[Hobarticus]

14. Breaking: Blouin hand-delivers own head to Nussle campaign headquarters

Fine job.

[Debi]

18. Well, I certainly want a person who votes at whim

to run for Lt. Governor on the Democratic ticket...who will she vote for in the general? Hell, who will she vote for in the primary? :shrug:

[Hardrada]

32. These are all questions which, alas, will inevitably

"twist our knickers." A success for Culver will spare us such contortions.

[Debi]

34. But read post #16

:rofl:

The more I think about the whole thing the more angry I get.

This is not just about people who are new to the party or who vacillate between parties or who 'vote for the person not the party'. They are VERY welcome to join the Democratic Party and to financially support Democrats, come on board.

But Mike Blouin chose and 'independent woman' who believes that's how most Iowans are to be the Democratic Party standard-bearer. She will be the representative of Democratic women across Iowa. Well screw that. Give me a Democrat, give me a woman who has marched in parades, protested, made phone calls, wrote LTTE, dammit who earned her spot as the would-be Governor's #2. Who the hell is Mike Blouin to tell me that the new standard of the Democratic Party is to muddy the waters so much that we don't know who or what we stand for.

And one more thing before I jump out of my seat. How DARE Mike Blouin be MAD that I question his choice???? He is asking for MY vote and for YOUR vote and for EVERY Democrats vote in this primary and maybe the general. He'd better quit telling me how I will FEEL about his DECISIONS and answer my questions. (Gotta tell you, I felt like I was at a Whitehouse press conference yesterday....being admonished for questioning the emperor.) DAMMIT. I've been pissed off for three days now, I need to just step away from this whole deal!!!

:grr:

[Hardrada]

36. We had a race over here with Anne Hutchinson

who was a repug Mayor of Bettendorf who turned Dem to run against Nussle. He had a field day with her record and won of course. She had staffers also who were not from Iowa but Chicago and DC and didn't know the territory or local folkways. This is another problem. The staffers we so often see are often from elitist backgrounds and very young and obviously using campaigns as stepping stones to permanent DC jobs and could really care less about the towns whose names they mispronounce. Anyway Nussle would love to have her to run against.

[Debi]

38. I know that race TOO well

And THAT is exactly what I'm talking about.

While Hutchinson handily won the primary (through support of the Governor's office and the UAW - and some nice back-stabbing whisper campaigning from Lynn Cutler and UAW supported electeds)AND nasty intervention by the DCCC....ahhh where was I? Oh, yeah, Hutchinson won the primary. It didn't matter that she was registered republican, had voted republican and had contributed to republicans, she decided she was a Democrat and the Party supported her.

So, how'd she do against Nussle? She lost every precinct in every county in the district (that means that even her nearest neighbors and home-town constituents did not vote for her). While Vilsack garnered 20,000 more votes in the 1st District and Harkin garnered 30,000 more votes in the District than Hutchinson in the same election. THAT is what I am talking about. (FWIW Culver received 20,000 more votes in the 12 counties that make up the first district that Hutchinson did). Democrats voted, they just didn't vote for Hutchinson - either by leaving the ballot blank, writing in a name or (gulp) voting for Nussle (freakin nightmare).

The race was in 2002, after redistricting, and there are about 6,000 more Democrats than republicans in the District. The First District should have gone to the Democratic candidate. BUT the Governor got cute and recruited Hutchinson to run (two reasons come to mind - he didn't like Nagle's chances against Nussle OR having a woman run would turn up turn out and help him get reelected). Either way it backfired. Gluba tried in 2004, but running against an incumbent is always a gamble.

Now the Governor is just getting cute again.

(I wonder, though, since Planned Parenthood and Emily's List wouldn't support Judge will they now support McGuire? Wouldn't THAT be a hoot - PP and EL promoting a Gubernatorial Candidate who is against women's choice!!!)

[Hardrada]

39. She was up campaigning here quite a bit

but I recalled how she had been opposing a PP clinic in Bettendorf not long before and the smoke of that battle had not yet cleared when she appeared in the lists against Nagle. It was at that point I began to wonder why the Dems seem to be unable to come up with viable candidates for national election outside of the remarkable victories of Tom Harkin (which are ALWAYS cliff-hangers because they round up the old RC priests who have not yet been accused of molestation to spout off against Harkin's pro-choice stance. And it is remarkable Harkin's elections are such cliff-hangers since he has thus far received over $500,000.00 from AIPAC, the sinister Israeli-front committee!!)

[ISUGRADIA]

19. Possible campaign ad for Nussle with Blouin as a nominee

"Iowans have come to depend on and support Jim Nussle over the years. Andy McGuire the Democrat (sic) Lt. Governor candidate even contributed money to Jim during one of his campaigns..."