"Riding the Wave and Wiping Out", Washington Style!

Riding a political wave is one thing, not wiping out is quite another.

The wave began with the triumphant success of the Tea Party, limited government conservatives who gave the Republican Party the majority in the US House in 2010 and in the US Senate in 2014!  Unfortunately, not all newly elected members were up to the task, many "wiped out" in the eyes of their constituents as they compromised, replacing their campaign promises with promises to do as they were told by political leadership. Remaining principled is no easy task, which is why so many members of Congress fall short. 

This brings me to my representative, Renee Ellmers.  Like so many others Rep. Ellmers ran for Congress in 2010 during the Tea Party surge, to represent her constituents and campaigned on the Republican Platform of conservative, limited and fiscally responsible government.  But, winning an election is no guarantee  a representative will keep campaign promises. To gain power and influence to benefit the Second District  Ellmers believed it was more important to win favor of House leaders than to keep campaign promises.  So, in the eyes of many Renee who came in on this political "wave" on 2010, quickly wiped out!

"Wiping Out", Washington Style! 

Ellmers quickly  cozied up to former Speaker Boehener rather than do as her conservatives desired. She failed us by voting in favor of debt ridden budgets and doing the bidding of businesses and interest groups who did not want tougher  immigration laws or increased border protection, issues she ran on.  Ellmers does not yet seem to understand the conservative electorate refuse to accept duplicitous politicians, which is why once again she is being challenged in the Republican primary.

But, beating her is a formidable task.  She already has her 'supporters', groups most  constituents don't know of , groups that couldn't care less about North Carolina. These unnamed donors interest is in what is occurring in Washington, not Dunn, NC where Ellmers resides.

One such group is the American Action Network which sends out unsolicited mailings to constituents complimenting representatives it can count on.  You may have already received such mailings, these are 'thank you'. Most recent one suggests that I call Renee Ellmers and "thank her for making America Strong".  The American Action Network may not know that in the minds of many of her constituents Renee has already 'wiped out'!

As the March primary nears Ellmers will be up against several challengers.  But, I am sure she wll be ready. She'll once again adorn her  pre-election and infrequently used conservative outfit and remind voters of why they sent her to Washington. But, she'll avoid addressing why she failed.  Her literature will show her strong support for gun rights yet say nothing about voting for deficit budgets and then voting against raising the debt ceiling which is required to support the budget.  Like many politicians she tries to have it both ways.

Her one strong suit is health care yet she has done little more than talk about it rather than offer legislation.

Whether Ellmers can survive another primary challenge is anybody's guess. But, when an incumbent is challenged in a primary two elections in a row it demonstrates there is a growing sentiment against them.

Replies Welcome   ajbruno14 gmail