This relates back to this story (first here, commentary from a prior Marine here, deflection here, more commentary from prior Army here, his views on the 9/12 Project and TEA Party here, the “no apology” here, more commentary here, and back to me here). It brings up a question, a serious question:
If it was so important to NOT apologize during the primary for his teabagger comment, why is it so IMPORTANT that Havenstein is reaching out and apologize to the TEA Party type folks NOW?
During Saturday’s NHY GOP Annual meeting, right after the “Point of Order” fiasco at the beginning of the meeting, I came to the conclusion that the fix was in. So I gathered up my stuff and proceeded to walk out (yes, in front of the podium) so as to not waste any more precious time (actually stopped at Shooters Outpost and scored some .22 rounds – impossible to find up my way!). As I was almost out the door, I was stopped by what was immediately recognizable as a young campaign intern – they all wear the “formal Republican campaign uniform” of blue blazer, button down shirt, tie…you know what I mean. He politely asked if he could speak to me for a moment (hey, if he wants to call me Mr. Murphy, I’ll stop) and introduced himself as part of Havenstein’s campaign staff. A couple of He then said it was really important that I knew that Walt wished to apologize to me and that Walt was very sorry for his poor remark. Head cocked at this nattily dressed young man in the usual Republican Campaign uniform, knowing he was only the short strawer drawer, I merely asked him “Then why are you here if he is apologizing? Why isn’t he doing this in person if you tell me that this is so important?”
You see, on my way out, I passed right by him and his wife; I saw him and I know he saw me – why else would the nice intern have been sent out on such a mission so quickly? It would not have been all that much effort for this to be done personally – I deliberately was not moving all that quickly.
I politely kept the conversation going (and yes, politely – Havenstein put this young guy into a real difficult position unnecessarily) and described that Walt had had multiple chances to apologize before the primary as he had been asked by multiple people on multiple occasions in multiple places and in terms that made it quite clear what teabagger really meant; would not the right thing to have done been to apologize then? After all, several of these folks that had tried before and after my attempt had relayed back about their attempts and he blew them off as well at those times. So why is he circling ’round now?
Non-responsive answers ensued. Which I anticipated would be the responses – heck, it wasn’t this young gentleman’s fault but I did hope that he relayed that back to his boss that had sent him out on a kamikaze mission.
So, why IS Walt Havenstein now trying to apologize to lots of L&F folks in the base – with (hint hint!) the General Election coming up in the near term? I’m just an ordinary schlub and no deeper thinker than the next guy, but I figure:
- Maybe he is being authentic – but again, why now and not then? Simple politeness and after-the-fact contrition would have mandated such earlier as many folks asked for it
- Maybe this was for show – as in “See, I apologized!”
- Maybe this was an F.U. Moment in a round about fashion – say sorry but deliberately not do it in person to send that F.U.M.
- Maybe a certain kind of realization is sinking in (and so is the pandering)
To that last point: I was told BEFORE the meeting that panic is starting to set in and then had it amplified a couple more times by others. The Establishment, after running recruited candidates to beat Liberty & Freedom candidates and spending GOBS of money in doing so and TELLING us that it is our duty to vote for their candidates, is now getting the message that we aren’t gonna play the game by their rules anymore. We are no longer fazed by the “But the Dems will win” and “You lost the primary – you have to play by the rules” (even as they don’t). We demand better. We expected to no longer be treated as merely votes when important and to be despised all the other time in between. And now the rules are about to be changed – two sides can play this game and you all (the Establishment) have taught us well. They have severely misjudged our outlook on the past, current, and future of the Party.
Thus, the Establishment Rs are starting a reach out campaign to folks like us because they are starting to believe they ARE going to lose without us. Heck, how long have I been saying “we may not win but you will certainly lose”???” – what took you so long when we were open about it? Why else would Havenstein and Brown and [drunk] Boutin be scrambling, begging, and pleading for the base to please, please, please show up?!?!?!
And yet, with all this going on, why did politically tone-deaf NH GOP Chair Jennifer Horn decided to raise that growing ire with her antics at the beginning of the meeting on Saturday? What a wonderful example – the royal “WE” are not going to listen to you as WE have business to attend to in which WE have decided to do – get out of our way”. How much would it have taken to just simply listen to everyone in line (including moi) before having Matt Mowers and Matt Mayberry (both standing behind the soundboard in the AV alcove of the meeting room) cut the audience mic while Steve Hellwig was speaking? That she wouldn’t even let Fran Wendelboe speak on her Point of Order?
Tone-deaf and full of herself – great way to convince us all “yeah, sure – we’ll vote for all your candidates after that”. Sure will -> when Purgatory is annexed by Heaven. After all, if you keep telling us you don’t want us, maybe we’ve taken the hint.
Oh, by the way, I heard a new nickname for the first time: Havenbagger. Heh!
