I couldn't agree with you more. Hunters actions are reprehensible. I seem to recall party insiders at the convention bemoaning Kim Lehman stating that she would only support pro-life candidates. Now a party insider is actually doing what they claimed Lehman would do. Isn't irony grand.

Emily--you love LAW...

How's that whole, basing your posts off hearsay workign out for you?????

So are you saying Reed lied? Or the multiple people who told Reed about this lied? Did this party guy not really say what is claimed?

> Let me be clear, I don’t think Hunter was telling people not to vote for Reed, but he was certainly telling people he doesn’t think Reed has a chance, so people should send their money and their volunteer hours over to Rants.

Maybe we don't want to hear it, but Reed does not stand much of a chance. If he can't raise money --- that's NOT the party's fault, it is largely his own.

He may be exciting to social conservatives, but he's pretty unappealing to the moderate democrats (who he needs to convince to vote for him).

Also, there are small (yes these are nitpicking) things that concern me about him, such as the numerous misspelling of words on his website (c'mon, God is in the details), and his lackluster debating ability. He's new to politics, and I'm sure he'll improve. Maybe in 6 years when Harkin hopefully retires, this will be a competitive race again. But for now, the sad reality is that Harkin will win by a landslide and Reed will apparently blame the party for not supporting him. Maybe it's true, or maybe it's his campaign. The truth is probably somewhere in the middle of all that.

This is a garbage post...

No I don't think that Hunter was telling people not to vote for Reed. What I do think that he has been telling them is to not give financial support to Reed. This may be the reason that he has had so much trouble in raising money. The point in all this is that Caleb Hunter's urging people not to support the Reed campaign exercised poor judgment. He has failed as a leader in the Republican Party. A party leader should not be telling people not to support a candidate. Instead they should be promoting his candidacy.

Caleb Hunter is so, so far in over his head he can't even begin to understand what a mess he's made for himself. But that being said, he's a perfect poster boy for the RPI now. He does what he's told, so the fault isn't his alone.

I find it interesting that no one is denying what happened. Makes me think its probably all true.

If the party doesn't want to go out of its way to support him due to financial problems, fine, whatever. But don't work against the guy. That's just tacky and looks really bad.

Hey Christopher Reed, quit spewing this complete bullshit and go buy yourself another suit or haircut with your campaing funds.

Christopher is a disgrace to our party to our state and to every other candidate who is actually trying to get elected.

When you, Christopher, have raised less than $20,000 for your campaign for US SENATE - you need to just curl up a hide your pitiful, pitiful self - you are an embarassment.

You don't even have a phone number for your campaign - wow...

I truthfully don't think you could even win a seat on the city council.

This is a joke, right? There's no explaining anything. The Republican Party doesn't raise money for any federal candidate BECAUSE IT WOULD BE ILLEGAL TO DO SO.

Take a look at campaign finance law, Christopher! Oh, wait, if you had you wouldn't be buying clothes and haircuts with campaign funds! Bet Steve Deace never asked about that...

Way to throw out a red-herring Jack. No, the party may not be able to directly give money to Reed, but they can encourage individuals to do so, or at least not discourage individuals from doing so, which is what happened here.

I can't believe there are actually people making excuses for the party on this one.

What county meeting was this so called anti-reed rhetoric said at? Can anyone answer that?

When was this meeting held? Can anyone answer that?

Who has substantiated (other than Reed) what appears to be a blatent lie? Can anyone answer that?

Just seeking truth. Not assuming the fools who spread unsubstatiated rumors know what they are talking about.

This is awefully remeniscent of the 20k that the RNC was going to illegally funnel through the state party for Reeds campaign. I heard that on Deace too.

Oh fer christ's sake. Listen to you bunch of whining crybabies here.

1. Its not RPI's job to raise money for Chris Reed's campaign or do grassroots organization work..or anything like that for him. If you're a candidate..YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE for raising the funds you need to run a campaign.

2. Has anyone else noticed that the two worst run campaigns in Iowa right now are being ran by Chuck and Stephanie Laudner? Chuck Laudner was out there bragging about how he was going to raise a million bucks for Hartsuch..well..he's 985,000 short so far..

3. When has RPI EVER directly donated money to federal candidates..answer..THEY NEVER HAVE...the FEC doesn't permit it.

4. Hunter's right--State Party's focus has to be on recapturing seats lost in the State Legislature. Let's think about this kids...if the Dems keep the majority for another 2 years..think of what's gonna come down the pipe..FairShare..repeal of the Eminent Domain law...more nanny state spending..higher property and income taxes..

5. RPI isn't giving money to ANY of the federal candidates..and in fact..they arent giving money to many of our legislative candidates, especially ones not in targeted districts. For example..should RPI blow 5-10 grand in say..ads for a guy running in Pat Murphy's district in Dubuque? Or would that money be better spent towards Jared Klein or Jim Hahn's campaigns?

Lastly..Mr. Reed..the fact that you're complaining about this proves to me that you were utterly unprepared for running for office. To be a successful candidate, you had best be able to raise money..communicate effectively..and build a grassroots support base. So far, its clear you haven't come close to doing any of that. That is why sadly, you will lose in November.

Anyone want to call Christopher Reed now?

Turns out the information he was given was a complete lie, Hunter wasn't even at a county meeting and never said those things, and all of you (this blog included) so yearning to tear the party down have shown what irresponsible and mean spirited children you are.

Hope that the good people of this blog and others will apologize as Reed has.

I'm far more interested in Reed's comments in the Gazette today about how he feels the flood aid is unconstitutional. I'll write in Emily Geiger or Krusty or Yoda etc. now that Reed is completely off his rocker.

Jesus, what exactly does he think the role of government is if it isnt to help those suffering from a horrific natural disaster? Isnt he from Linn County too?!?!?!

Yes..he is from Linn County. If I were a flood victim in Linn County...I'd be telling Christopher Reed to stick it where the sun don't shine.

Hey..Chris...Even Steve King...pushed for federal flood relief...and you can bet that Steve King wouldn't be stupid enough to try to make the argument that providing flood relief is "unconstitutional"...

So do us a favor Chris..who are working for candidates who are actually TRYING to win elections..Sit down..and BE QUIET...you're NOT HELPING.

What a lost opportunity we have in Reed. I would be glad to open my wallet for a real challenger to Harkin. As I'm sure many others would be. Unfortunately we have a candidate who uses his time to tear down the party on the state's biggest radio station. Way to use that free air time!

I have gone from dissapointed in Christopher Reed, to outraged by him. I hope I don't see his name on a ballot again.

I was really hoping that he could use this campaign to propel himself to challenge Braley, or even Senator Dakender, or that hot blonde thats the Rep there in Marion.

But this is just too much. It is a really bad year for the IRP, and truly, they only have themeselves to blame. The smoking ban really should have been our ticket back.

Not only do I blame Reed, for being a horrible candidate, but I also blame McCain for not doing more in Iowa. and everyone in the 2nd CD, for not fielding a decent candidate.

Being here in the 4th CD, I must say that I think Latham is a coward, he had a great chance of getting into the Senate, but now he never will, he will be lucky to keep his job as it is.

I dont know, I think we seriously need to think about a purge and a real conservative in-party uprising

Hunter was NOT at that event Reed is talking about. This is pure slander. If I was Hunter I would consider a lawsuit. Going on the state's largest radio station to spew lies? F'ing ridiculous.

Laudner better rein this guy in...unless he's the cause of all these problems.

Hmmmm...bitter, table of one?

Why didn't that guy who worked for Ron Wick challenge Senator Dandekar instead of running for a county job?

Hey "Speaking of Cowards" (alias for Cedar Rapids most well known political enemy of everyone)

You really don't understand the political process very well do you. First, Swati Dandekar is a State Representative, not a Senator. Second, Joe Childers is the GOP nominee for Senate District 18, because he won a contested primary. Swati Dandekar is the Democratic nominee for District 18 (unchallenged in the primary). Third, on June 3rd, all the nominees were set in both parties for state legislative races and county races. Any replacements since then (post June 3rd) have been filled by local county conventions. So, no one else could have run against Swati. You see how that works "speaking of cowards".

Please, why don't you start working for those who have put their name on the line, who are representing our party by working their hearts out on the campaign trail, instead of engaging in your usual envy driven angry blogging.

Linn County Republicans are proud to have Joe Childers working his guts out to defeat the liberal Swati Dandekar. Are you?