More incoming: you know, if people were happy with the anointing of Juliana Bergeron, why would this even be a story?
The Nashua City Republican Committee Meeting was this past week and it was a heavily attended meeting. The invited speaking schedule:
- Radio host Jeff Chidester,
- State Senator Jim Luther
- State Senator Gary Lambert
- Jack Kimball
Well before it started, Juliana Bergeron swept in encircled by some of her supporters with JULIANA stickers. Some members immediately commented how “crass” the stickers were.
Me? A big deal? Stickers? Running for the NH GOP Chair and showing up at (gasp!) a meeting of Republicans where some might actually be Members that could vote for her on Saturday for NH GOP Chair? I’d be shocked if she didn’t…
Oh wait! Shades of a Christmas Card?
There were comments swirling around the meme that they were surprised to see Juliana again as she was not a regular attender of their meeting. In fact, the only other time she had appeared at their meeting was when she appeared as a speaker in at their previous meeting in December.
Some felt it was “disrespectful,” and was meant to “tweak” Jack (which it did not).
Sounds like some Republicans around here – show up for a couple of meetings just before an election, never see them again. However, as they say in the infomercials: "But wait – there’s more!"
The members became even more upset when Juliana Bergeron campaign manager, Liz Christoffersen approached the committee and “demanded” that Juliana be afforded “equal” time to address the audience (since Jack was there). Liz was reminded that Juliana had already had her turn as she had already talked to the group back in December; fair was fair and tonight was Jack’s turn to address the members. Liz then insisted that Juliana be given at least a few minutes to say “hi.” Again, Liz was reminded that Juliana already had her chance and that it would not be fair to Jack.
OK. That’s the job – persistence and advocating. I do think that the Committee had it right – equal opportunity. One try is fine, twice should have been enough; having done so, you’ve shown and done what you should have. The correct thing to have at that point was to accept "the loss", be polite, accept the fact that the Committee has made the rule, and abide by it.
Er, nope – that was not the reaction. Direct opposition to the will of the Committee:
Liz did not appear to like this answer, because she immediate “started to work the crowd,” claiming that Juliana was being denied a fair chance to speak, and that members should insist that Juliana be allowed to address the group. This only seems to frustrate the members.
Not "good form" as the Brits would say. This is an attempt to play the "victim" card. It also shows a blatant disregard and disrespect for the Nashua Committee in trying to make them to be bullies.
Sometimes "no" is really "no" – how hard is that to take? The members already know that Juliana got her chance – did Liz think that everyone has as bad a memory as I do? I think "chutzpah" pretty much covers it. The kvetching, in my opinion when I heard this, was also disrespectful to Jack. Look, politics is hard with sharp edges and a lot of gamesmanship is played. But when someone shows utter disrespect, people tend to remember.
Well, sometimes karma does make an entrance though:
Overheard in the halls: Prior to the meeting starting voting members were pointed out to Juliana. Juliana approached one member and asks them if they had “made up their mind?” This voting member indicated they had. Juliana asked “is it good news or bads news?” The voting Member (who can vote for her candidate or vote for her opponent, Jack) replied –
“it is great news for the GOP…I am with Jack!”
Juliana did not take the news well.
