In a September 2006 post here on the ‘Grok I wrote:
When I look at a candidate for any office, I always look behind the scenes to see who is in their circle of supporters, when they joined the team, and why. Senior Political Correspondent for the Union Leader John DiStaso writes of Tom Rath
Since 1980, Rath has advised the Presidential campaigns of former Sens. Howard Baker and Bob Dole, former President George H.W. Bush, Sen. Lamar Alexander and President George W. Bush. He has also been a strategist for current and former U.S. Sens. Judd Gregg and Warren Rudman.This guy Rath is a big party guy, eh? He must be quite the conservative with this resume. Well, er, maybe not- Lamar Alexander? Warren Rudman? Bob Dole? Conservatives? Not hardly. And neither is Tom Rath. He’s what I would describe as a "country club" "Rockefeller Republican". Always looking for the deal. The consummate party man. I guess I’m a bad Republican to feel a "party man" loyalist is in some way bad- so be it. When have I heard Rath say anything in defense of Republican principles lately? Has he defended the war? Supported the troops? Written a letter? Of course not- he’s too busy being that genteel diplomatic, deal making sort. Don’t rock the boat.
At the time, this was against the context of Rath being a key figure for the Romney camp, which, if you recall, was actively seeking to recreate its candidate as a plausible conservative figure following years of being known as a typical Eastern "moderate" Republican. We all know how THAT went…
Fast forward to today…
Republican sources have told GraniteGrok that Tom Rath will help lead her effort, but it’s unclear at this point what title he might retain within the campaign.
Uh-oh! As I implied in my previous post about Judd Gregg’s compromising with the liberals on nationalized health care, I am ALL SET with getting hosed by moderate Republicans driving us down the road to socialism, albeit a little bit slower than the Democrats. I want Republican candidates and politicians that will UNDO the damage being wrought, not "go-along to get along" types seeking "common ground" and "compromise." The time for that is over–We are on the brink.
Candidate Kelly Ayotte, with the support of people like trusted turncoat Sen. Susan Collins, faux-partisan hacks like Tom Rath, and the stimulus-supporter-loving NRSC led by the likes of Sen Cornyn, just doesn’t do it for me as a conservative. Sorry. Show me some solid proof that a "Senator" Ayotte will NOT hang me and my smaller-government friends out to dry, much like Judd Gregg has been wont to do as of late…
Oh, and as to Rath’s political prowess, ask President Alexander, President Dole, and President Romney how that all worked out for them. 
Hmm. I wonder if Rath’s dancing abilities have improved any since he last cut some moves on the campaign trail?
