Posted by (Saul Anuzis) – Conservatives have a number of opportunities for victories in 2010, but none is more important than the chance to defeat Senate majority leader Harry Reid. We must rally behind the right candidate to ensure that we not only defeat Reid but also gain a solid conservative senator. That candidate is Sue Lowden.
I have known Sue and her family for years. I know that she has the fortitude to take on Reid and withstand the onslaught that he and his allies will unleash against her. More importantly, I know that she has strong conservative principles rooted in her personal faith and her belief in free-market ideals. (Sue recently spoke with a group of Nevada tea-party activists.) She is a proven leader with a track record of success, who has earned every opportunity she has had. Many don’t realize that Sue is the daughter of a former coal miner. She and her husband both come from humble backgrounds but have succeeded in business through smart decisions and hard work, not through government handouts or their family name.
In 1992, Lowden won election to the Nevada state senate by defeating the incumbent senate majority leader. Her victory ended Democrats’ control of the chamber, and Sue’s colleagues immediately elected her senate majority whip.
Because of her strong fiscal-conservative principles, Lowden later served as chair of the taxation committee. When pro-tax legislators tried to push through higher taxes, she blocked their efforts. Her panel became known as the “no-taxation” committee. Lowden fought against higher taxes in the state senate, and she will fight against higher taxes in the U.S. Senate.
Today, labor bosses continue their efforts to kill a union member’s right to cast his vote privately without the bosses looking over his shoulder. Will we have a conservative U.S. senator with the fortitude to stand up to them? As a state senator, Lowden cast the deciding vote in the Nevada state senate to protect Nevada’s right-to-work status. She has had unions picket her home and businesses, but she has withstood their onslaught. Lowden will stand with conservatives against union bosses in the U.S. Senate.
On issue after issue, we know where Sue Lowden stands because she has been elected to office and championed conservative principles. She earned the endorsement of the NRA in her race for state senate. She is one of the original architects of Nevada’s charter-school law. As a pro-life advocate, she fought for parental-notification laws. Through her personal family experiences and decades of work with children with muscular dystrophy and Jerry’s Kids, I know Lowden values life. I know she will be a pro-life U.S. senator.
Lowden proudly signed the Americans for Tax Reform Pledge the week she announced her Senate campaign. She has pledged to join Senate conservatives to fight for earmark reform and tax and spending cuts. She is staunchly opposed to taxpayer funding of abortion. Lowden has stated that she would not have voted for President Bush’s TARP bill and is a strong opponent of the “stimulus” bill passed earlier this year. She was the first candidate running against Harry Reid to sign the Club for Growth’s pledge, and she has also signed the Americans for Prosperity anti–climate tax pledge.
Some conservatives have chosen to support Danny Tarkanian for the Nevada GOP Senate nomination. I say to my friends that they are mistaken in their support for the son of the former UNLV basketball coach. Tarkanian has used his campaign to falsely attack Lowden and try to trick us into believing that she isn’t conservative enough. If Sue Lowden isn’t conservative enough to be a leader in the conservative movement, than neither was Ronald Reagan.
As I’ve listened to Tarkanian ignore the facts and twist Sue’s words, I’ve been reminded of Reagan, who once spoke of what he called “the 11th Commandment”: Thou shalt not speak ill of another Republican. Reagan’s words highlight the contrast between Tarkanian’s rhetoric and Lowden’s conservative principles. It’s clear which candidate is best equipped to represent Reagan’s conservative movement.
I know that Sue Lowden is the proven conservative we can and should rally behind. Others do too. In the last quarter of 2009, Lowden raised more than twice as much money as Tarkanian. In fact, she raised more money in her first quarter in the race than he raised in the past two quarters combined. We all know that it will take significant resources to defeat Harry Reid — and defeating him with a legitimate, tested conservative is our ultimate goal.
Reid is hoping that Tarkanian wins the Republican primary. While Lowden knows what it takes to be successful, Tarkanian has been on the ballot in two of the last three election cycles and failed to win both times. In his last campaign, he earned the endorsement of Sarah Brady and the Brady Campaign because of his liberal positions on the Second Amendment. Instead of taking responsibility for his stance on gun rights, Tarkanian claims it wasn’t his fault.
This is a critical moment when we must have the good judgment to stand behind the right conservative candidates who can win in November. There is a great uprising coming from the American people. We are ready to work and ready to earn real change, not only in government but also in the direction our economy and our country are headed. There is no better leader to join us in this effort than Sue Lowden — the right candidate to defeat Harry Reid.
(Saul Anuzis is A former chairman of the Michigan Republican party)
This is all very neatly worded and superficially convincing but I’m not buying any of it. The author and Sue Lowden are representative of the good old boy Republican party. Unless you’re an insider, all they want is for us “proles” (see Orwell’s 1984) to shut up and march to their orders.
I’ll agree with “We must rally behind the right candidate to ensure that we not only defeat Reid but also gain a solid conservative senator.” Sue Lowden is not my idea of a “solid conservative senator”. Referring back to the 2008 state convention, her philosophy is “If you won’t fall in line with your betters and back John McCain, then we’ll force him on you.”
For good solid conservative bona fides, Sharron Angle stands head and shoulders above Sue Lowden.
I am saddened by the GOP/Conservatives/Independants and those in responsible positions getting behind one candidate this early in the game. The badmouthing of the other well qualified folks only gives fodder to the Reid camp. Those in a position to influence the outcome, regardless of their personal point of view, should refrain from public support of any candidate until the primary is over. To coin a phrase–stay fair and balanced until the primary is over. The go all out to support the peoples choice and defeat HRH Reid.
Al, I’ll take no issue with you about Sharron Angle’s conservative bona fides; however, anyone who doesn’t think Sue Lowden is a solid conservative doesn’t know her.
And you people have got to get over this stupid 2008 convention already. My God, people, Harry Reid and Barack Obama are taking our nation down the toilet and all you can do is whine about what was, in fact, a meaningless convention two years. Get a grip and get with the program, will ya.
I have to opine that all candidates of extraordinary wealth and business involvement are suspect. Such candidates didn’t become successful business leaders or real estate speculators by being principled but by being pragmatic. Hence Sue Lowden and her husband donating to Harry Reid when it was advantageous and Dan Tarkanian donating to Shelley Berkely when it was likewise advantageous. Lights-out-Lowden showed her true pragmatic nature by playing team ball with the State machine at the laughable Nevada Republican Convention. Get over it? It showed her anti-democratic, self-interested, opportunistic true colors. Conservatives learn slow but learn good.
Dustin, why would you want to show the world how ignorant you are by posting something this ridiculous? Let’s go with just one example to show how absurd your opinion is. From Wikipedia:
“John Hancock was a merchant, statesman, and prominent Patriot of the American Revolution. . . .Before the American Revolution, Hancock was one of the wealthiest men in the Thirteen Colonies. . . . As tensions between colonists and Great Britain increased in the 1760s, Hancock used his wealth to support the colonial cause.”
Sue Lowden and her husband have donated over a quarter MILLION dollars over the last 20 years to Republican candidates and the Republican cause. How much have YOU donated?
Sue Lowden volunteered to serve in the completely thankless job of Republican chairman without pay and without the support of Republican elected officials who were supposed to be there for her. What the hell have YOU done for the party? Have you ever been a GOP county party chairman? A GOP club president? Are you even on the Central Committee? If so, how long? More than 8 months?
Sue Lowden took out the sitting Democrat state Senate Majority Leader in 1992, in a Democrat district, which gave Republicans the majority in that body. What the hell have YOU ever done? What office have YOU run for? When did YOU ever get elected and serve in public office? Where the hell have YOU been for the last 20 years when people like Sue Lowden were ACTIVELY fighting for the cause?
Sue Lowden and her husband have created thousands upon thousands of jobs thanks to their “business involvement.” How many jobs have YOU created?
Sue Lowden and her husband stood up to organized labor goons and thugs and fought for their business while the Culinary Union did everything in their power to destroy their company. When did YOU ever stand up and fight for a principle as important as free markets when it would have been so much easier to just give in to a bully as big and bad and dangerous as organized labor?
Peanut gallery political blog trolls such as yourself ought to pay a little dues and actually DO something in politics before you start critizing people who have been in the arena fighting for the cause while you were sitting on your ass doing nothing.
And you might also want to consider the wisdom of keeping your mouth shut and be thought a fool than opening it and removing all doubt.
Mr. Anuzis, and John McCain should mind the business of their own states and let Nevada Republicans do the same. We don’t need to continuously be told who the best candidate is especially before they have filed; we might actually be capable of figuring it out ourselves. The media seems to be confused with their job descriptions, and therefore muddies the water a little. I hope those of you with strong opinions regarding the 2008 state GOP Convention were actually there, I was.
I repeat, folks who THINK will keep an open mind until they vote in the primary. Media should stay out of it-remain balanced and let the folks choose based upon the candidates campaigns.
I will say that the Convention was a mess, allowed to get out of control and mismanaged. Dustin is correct.
Sharron Angle has a consistent track-record of principle and conservatism, and as things stand right now, I support her as the candidate of choice to run against Harry. Sue would do well, and it might help, for her to get her message to the Nevadans outside of LV. We have so far heard little from her. I have decided that Tarkanian is certainly not the candidate of my choice as he came across as a “suit with a name” at a recent meeting in Reno. Re: Chuck Muth’s Feb. 7 posting, “me thinks he (Chuck) doth protest too much!”
I don’t know why people would be more inclined to take someones word for their Constitutional Conservative credentials when there is a candidate with the real deal and the experience necessary to do the job also running for the same office.
My vote will be an informed decision, based on who I think best represents my values and has the record to back it up. We are not electing the leader of the Red Cross, the best basket ball coach or Miss Congeniality anymore than we are awarding the seat to the person who has done great things for the Republican Party. This is not an entitlement or an award.
Are we holding a beauty contest or are we holding an election for one of the most powerful offices in the United States? I can’t take the chance on the candidate with the fattest bank account or the best lines anymore than I can vote for someone with the most name recognition. The NRA endorsed Harry Reid too. Big deal.
Every individual voting has the opportunity to make an intelligent informed decision, but will they? Look how Obama hoodwinked our Nation.
A meaningless convention two years ago? Just get over it?
I was there and the following is, briefly, what occurred.
One of the prime candidates in the upcoming U.S. senate election showed what I consider her true colors. Her party insiders had hand picked candidates for the national convention prior to the state convention. That process was overturned by a majority of convention delegates, allowing nominations from the convention floor for those national delegates. This was done legitimately per Roberts Rules of Order, the accepted rules of the convention. She had been legitimately outmaneuvered and had the convention chairman call a recess. At that point, she and the rest of the party notables got up and walked out. A reading of Roberts Rules notes that the DELEGATES own the convention and a majority vote is required to call a recess.
Chuck is right. It’s over and nothing can be done about it. It does, I think, reflect on the character of said senatorial candidate.
Would that reflect a philosophy of “The end justifies the means?”
Sharron angle is the best person for the job. You guys say quit looking at the past. SORRY, but baggage like that always comes back or they wouldn’t of done it in the first place. I want someone with a good solid record and someone who stands for the same priciples I want in gov’t. THE CONSTITUTION! Sharron angle can run on her record, she doesn’t have to waste time turning up dirt on others as one candidate who is running thinks it’s gonna do him any good. Also, money doesn’t say a thing to me unless thier record is as good as thier bank account. When I heard sharron angle was running I already made my decision. She’s the person I want representing me in washington.
(Sue recently spoke with a group of Nevada tea-party activists.) was touted in the article. Well, last April 15th, there was a GIANT Tea Party at the State Capitol. Just a few blocks over, Sue ran the GOP’s State Central Committee meeting/luncheon. Neither she, nor anyone else (except Juanita Cox,Chair of Storey County & Sharron Angle) in that room even MENTIONED the HUGE group of people who were protesting – just blocks away, in their remarks. The GOP was asleep at the wheel about this new source of energy for the party. It’s not like this protest at the Capitol was a secret, either. Sharron gave a rousing speech at that Tea Party & has been in the loop all along.
As far as the state convention, elephants have long memories, Chuck. Votes were stolen & there’s no way to whitewash that fact.
I can not get behind Sue Lowden. Her recent glamour shots in the RJ made her candidacy laughable. If she can’t do it with the right stuff she’ll resort to beauty pagent tactics…silly.
Geez Chuck, I’m new to you site and didn’t realize that you had a dog in the fight. We’re doing personal opinion here, not a root canal. I appreciate your proving to me that Sue Lowden is a machine politician what with all the money and activity you list as her involvement. And just exactly how does her battles with the culinary union reassure me that my interests as an average Joe will have as much weight as the casino business if she should be in a position of power in Washington? I keep flashing to Nancy Pelosi and her support of an increase in minimum wage as long as it wasn’t applicable to Star-Kist Tuna in Samoa in which she and her husband have a major stake. Oh, I forgot, she’s a coal miner’s daughter or something. Keep talking, but she’s no Dolly Parton.
Geez Dustin, you’re comparing Sue Lowden to Nancy Pelosi? You’re an even bigger ignoramous than I initially thought. And that’s saying something!
If you really want to argue against Lowden on the GOP politics angle, then the better issue to hit is the fact that she was Chair when we got clobbered. Perhaps there are good reasons for that happening and perhaps Lowden can show us she did all she could in a hostile climate, but that is certainly a better issue to argue than arcane things like convention credentials.
The key to victory is to enunciate a clear, populist-conservative platform and relentlessly attack the system – Scott Brown’s “machine”, as it were – headed up by Harry Reid. Anyone can do this and no one should be automatically excluded from consideration because of past actions, real or imagined. The past is past: we have the future to win and a State and Nation to restore.
Sue Lowden No thank you Sharon Angle yes indeed
To all you birdbrains who think your opinions matter, here’s what I have to say to you, in order of your stupid comments:
Al Hill: Your subsequent responses proved Muth’s point. You walked right into that. The 2008 Convention had more morons in attedance than any other event I’ve ever been to, led by the biggest short-us rider of all, your fearless leader, Mike Weber. I’ll bet you’ve got a picture of him on the ceiling of your bedroom that you “use” every night, idiot!
Richard Robie: Take a side and fight. Put another way, grow a pair, woosy.
Dustin Valle: Do some research instead of just repeatingthe comments of what others experienced. You were probably voted most likely to be a follower all your life in your high school yearbook, either that or most likely to make less than 35K/year.
Laura Hummel: “Mind your own business?” Really? Would you have said that to Ron Paul? How about President Reagan, when he came here to campaign against Harry Reid? Would you have told other visiting senators from other American states to stay out of Nevada when they came here to campaign for their favored candidate in Nevada? How about the Club for Growth, who came into Nevada from somewhere else outside Nevada to support Sharron Angle, shoud they have minded their own business? I doubt your capable of figuring anything out yourself so you ought to be thankful that they come here to help ding dongs like yourself. Get an education, dipshit.
Dave Mathewson: Ok, can’t argue with you there about Tarkanian being an empty suit.
Tony’s Take: The Miss America “Miss Congeniality” line is getting real old already, you sound like an ass continually repeating it. “Tony’s Take”with the Miss Congeniality thing is just a played-out line that someone other than you thought of. Whether you like her or not, Lowden’s got bona fides, she’s not just a beautiful lady. You’re a follower yourself, line up behind Valle and get ready to jump out of that plane without a parachute, stupid. Valle was voted “Most likely to jump out of an airplane without a parachute. You were voted most likely to follow.
Tim Marvin: “The Constitution?” What’s the point of bringing that up in this thread? Did anyone out there say they were against “The Constitution?” Are you one of that damn fools who don’t believe in the authority of legislatures to pass laws, courts to interpret them, executives to carry them out? There are so many “Constitutionalist” morons out there who don’t recognize lawful authority other than the constitution, and I think you’re one of them. I’ll bet you believe that flying a flag with yellow fringe means we’re still at war, and that it’s UNCONSTITUTIONAL to fly it. Go back and study the CONSTITUTION, if you even know how to read, loser.
Cynthia: I got news for you babe. Juanita Cox is a looney bird, and her daughter (you, most likely) ain’t flying too far from the cookoo’s nest either. You talk of the “Chair of Storey County” as if that’s a touted position. Readers, please understand that Juanita Cox is the only person who actually lives in Storey county. ‘Nuff said.
Donell: See my response to that dipshit who authored “Tony’s take” then line up behind him, follower.
Noonan: You might be the biggest turd out of all the poopys that posted here. Yeah, blame Lowden for all the losses in Nevada. She was responsible for the losses from county commission right on up to Obama taking the White House. You’re clearly one of those turds like Valle who like to write about things going on in the real word from your perch, but your too chicken shit to get down in it and get your hands dirty. I’ve read other crap you’ve written and I’m not impressed, wanna be “as it were” journalist.