Common Sense

It turns out calls designed to oust moderate Republicans really were paid for by the state Republican party.

AUSTIN – The state Republican Party’s top strategist, after fending off questions for nine months, has confirmed that the party paid for calls gauging the popularity of moderate Republicans in the Texas House.

Also known as “lying.”

One lawmaker said Monday that the effort was designed to defeat moderate GOP incumbents in primaries. But Jeff Fisher, the party’s executive director, said it was an attempt to identify voters who support traditional values, so the party can court them in future races.

Also known as “complete f-ing wackos.”

Mr. Fisher said the calls measured re-election prospects of House GOP conservatives, not just moderates. He said he didn’t share the information with anyone. He denied any link to conservative San Antonio billionaire James Leininger’s $2.5 million bid to defeat five House GOP moderates.

Also known as “douchebag extraordinnaire.”

Rep. Carter Casteel, who was Dr. Leininger’s top target and who lost in the March primary, mocked Mr. Fisher’s account.

“If you believe that, you believe in the tooth fairy,” said Ms. Casteel, R-New Braunfels. “Why, sure, Leininger paid for it [and] they targeted certain people. And they certainly didn’t call me and say, ‘Carter, we want to help you build traditional party values, and I know this is your district and here’s what we’re doing.’ They never said a word.” …

“They targeted me and people who didn’t drink the Kool-Aid,” she said. “I’ve used my brain to think. I didn’t let the party think for me.”

Republican Reps. Tommy Merritt of Longview and Charlie Geren of Fort Worth, who survived primary challenges by Leininger-backed opponents, said they want to see the calls’ findings about themselves but that Mr. Fisher has dragged his feet.

“The party fails to be transparent with Republican incumbent legislators,” Mr. Merritt said. “They are continuing the attempt to cleanse the Legislature.”

The article says that Quorum Report broke the story, although I could swear I read it on PinkDome first. Anyway, it seems fairly obvious the Republicans want to eat their own. And before you go on about the Lamont-Lieberman race, remember we don’t like him because he’s too old, not for his political views. And he kisses President Bush… literally.

And the established party is doing the purging. There’s a difference between a bunch of bloggers raising money and the state party targeting their own moderates.