Posted by Good and illuminating comments here about the Senate District 32 GOP Primary. One in particular caught my eye, “It is reported that the Guv is furious with Hubbard and company for making him look bad” (for endorsing Randy McKinney who lost the primary to Trip Pittman).
I asked someone with a better vantage point than I about this, and this is what I got:
Yeah he hit the roof. He was furious that his political advisors (Dax Swatek and David Azbell) had actually dragged him into making an endorsement in the primary. He was also a little unhappy with Mike Hubbard because he felt Hubbard was encouraging him to side with McKinney as political reward for McKinney’s strong stance on the Board of Education in the double dipping vote. This does not hurt the Governor politically though. More than anything it is very embarrassing for him because he put his credibility on the line and he got egg on his face. The Riley family hates things like this worse than an actually political defeat because they consider it a personal embarrassment.
Update: State party chair Mike Hubbard contacted the Parlor to set the record straight saying that, contrary to the information above, he had never spoken with Governor Riley about endorsing McKinney. Hubbard said that the state Republican Party would not have interest in getting involved in a Republican primary, but that the Governor apparently appreciated the loyalty McKinney had shown from his spot on the state Board of Education. Hubbard did not believe that Swatek and Azbell dragged the Governor into the endorsement, and doubted that the Governor was furious with Swatek and Azbell.
We appreciate Rep. Hubbard giving us the opportunity to get it right.
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Get it right or give his spin?
Mike Hubbard is a highly respected businessman and legislator, as well as being the state chairman of the greatest political party in the world. He would never “spin” anything.
Wow the Republican Chairman throwing the Governor under the bus saying he endorsed on his own- thats loyalty for you- Repubs are reeling. You got to love it.
Whoever your source is on this is absolutely wrong. Riley called Pittman on the night of the election, congratulated him and said he ran a great race. Pittman said he would be a big supporter of the Governor’s and understood that McKinney was a friend and had no hard feelings about the endorsement. It’s sad when a blogger gets used like you’re being used to spread crap like this.
both stories could be equally valid Anon 4
Well sure he congratulated him. What other choice did he have? “Hey Trip, sorry my PERSONALLY automated phone calls to nearly 2,800 households against you didn’t elect your opponent but I guess you are better than the Democrat.” Give me a break!
I think too much is being made of all of this. So the Governor endorsed the wrong horse. What’s the big deal? I am sure he did get a little upset, maybe a little embarassed but again so what?
I wonder why the Governor continues to use Azbell as a consultant after having to fire jim early in his administration for sexuial harrassment?
HIM not “jim” in the previous post – sorry . . .Azbell was accused of harrassment
Looks like Claire is up early this morning
When did this quit becoming a political forum and turn into a high school cafeteria? Can anyone raise the level of debate in the comment section?
[Note: This comment was made in response to a comment that has since been deleted.]
Everyone that I talked to in Republican circles had good things to say about both McKinney and Pittman. I don’t think this is an indication of a Republican civil war. This race was most likely a case of retail politics vs. wholesale politics. Pittman focused on grassroots and personal contact, which makes a huge difference in a low-turnout runoff. He also raised enough money to be competitive in the wholesale market.
I would suspect the Governor’s support of McKinney has something to do McKinney’s performance as a school board member, which also would explain some votes Pittman probably received from AEA members.
It’s difficult for me to believe the Governor being angry with anyone over this. I can’t think of anyone better at moving forward without holding grudges that Governor Riley. From what I heard about Pittman, he also has that talent. I believe the Governor will have a fine working relationship with Pittman, should he prevail in the General election.
I removed a comment that crossed a line for tastefulness in my book. Honest disagreements are part of any political discussion, but personal attacks are not necessary, especially of a tasteless nature.
I’d like to stay off this slippery slope.
Good job, Danny. I will endeavor to raise the tenor of any of my comments above the level of personal attacks and will avoid entirely any scatological references. Taste is probably a different matter, but I’ll do what I can. I suspect that much of this rancor was being drummed up by insiders with personal agendas on both ends of the political spectrum.
Disco Stu agrees with Roy..