Comments on: Jacobson Does The RGA

By: Schmedley

Schmedley — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 17:13:09 +0000

I don’t think there is anything wrong with going, I just think it’s retarded to send a press release out celebrating it.

To your point that other candidates might have gone as well- of course. And so could anyone else. It is not an accomplishment to pay the airfare to fly to texas for a conference. No one in the GOP primary electorate will think better of Matt Jacobson because he went to a conference in Texas. No member of the press will consider him a more serious candidate because of it.

It may be great for him to make those connections, but it was foolish and seemingly desperate to send out a press release as if it were noteworthy.

By: john j bouchard

john j bouchard — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 22:09:59 +0000

I guess when you have a candidate like Bruce Poliquin who is
raising alot of money you have to go to Texas to try to catch up
(Jacobson}.

By: Dan Billings

Dan Billings — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 01:09:06 +0000

I think this is a smart move by Matt. It could help him with fundraising and learning from successful Republican Governors is good from a political and policy standpoint.

By: Matthew Gagnon

Matthew Gagnon — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 23:12:32 +0000

Paul,

I’m not sure what you are talking about.

What “requisite training” are you talking about? Christie was actually pretty positive in NJ, and stayed away from hammering on taxes – which is actually part of the reason it was as close as it was. Corzine is the one who went negative.

And honestly, looking at Bob McDonnell in Virginia – I’m not sure what this “negativity” sentiment is that you are talking about.

Haley Barbour is a political genius. He would never push a candidate to run a hard negative campaign in a state where that would be destructive (like Maine). National support stems from relationships and ability to win more than anything… what is this “negativity” nonsense you are talking about?

As for tax reform – I assume you are referring to the tax reform package passed by the Democrats months ago. I highly doubt that is going to be a very big wedge used by the Republicans in this campaign… but even if it is, I don’t see how that is an overly “negative” campaign – it is a policy disagreement… and one that really deserves to be discussed rationally.

By: Paul Kalkstein

Paul Kalkstein — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 22:51:54 +0000

Christie and Jacobson are quite similar in background, but the virulence of sentiment against the sitting governor in NJ goes way beyond what we have here, despite the general distaste Maine feels for Baldacci. However, if Jacobson gets the Republican “training” which may be required for national support, and follows through with the required negativity – especially to the income tax cut – he may win the nomination, but he’ll be crushed in the election. Maine is tired of “can’t do” and the hypocrisy of a Republican trying to undo the new-business-friendly tax cut that other Republicans have been calling for these many years won’t play with the voters.

By: Derek Viger

Derek Viger — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 21:52:06 +0000

I’m hoping that Maine ceases being so afraid of people and ideas from “away” and open up a bit. We’re only hurting ourselves by trying to defend “the way life should be”. If everyone agreed with that sentiment Maine wouldn’t be in such a sorry state. Clearly running this state “way life should be” is killing Maine.

We need people who will look for things that work in every corner of the country. Let’s drop the nativist bologna and get to work fixing Maine.

By: Matthew Gagnon

Matthew Gagnon — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 21:26:39 +0000

Shmedley,

Oh come on – that’s pretty weak. Setting up a strong network of donors, workers, consultants, etc is incredibly important. I don’t think the trip is all about money – I just think that is a potential positive side effect of it.

I think the REAL point/benefit is connecting with those types of people who have won in similar environments to Maine, seeing how they’ve done it, and building a relationship with Barbour and that entire network, which will be of huge importance after the primary, but also before it if he can push the right buttons.

And honestly, is Maine so nativist that going to an RGA meeting is sacrilege?

It is a great move that I think some of the other candidates should have taken advantage of.

By: Shmedley

Shmedley — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 21:04:59 +0000

Exactly how many Maine voters do you think he’ll get to talk to in Austin, Texas?

This is another rookie mistake, imho. Especially the press release they put out about it, like anyone cares that he is at a seminar.

Politics 101: If you’re going to troll for money out of state, don’t send a press release out to announce it. Jacobson has enough of a problem from the not-from-Maine angle to begin with.