Political consultant unmasked.
Yesterday we suggested that the propensity of establishment Republicans in Iowa to be aggressive toward anyone upsetting their apple cart is on a par with how those inside the DC beltway are behaving toward Senator Cruz regarding his forthrightness in pursuit of what grassroots Republicans want. In Cruz’s case – stopping the funding of Obamacare.
We had no idea when we wrote it of the latest remarks by one of the preeminent Gold Dome establishment Republicans — Doug Gross — about conservative Republican Steve King. His comments were pathetic, but a validation of our point.
King spoke the truth challenging the kum ba ya naivete of those who think illegal emigrants are all saintly oppressed people just wanting to blend in in America. Not only was King factually correct in his statement at a recent political rally to the effect – – thousands of Americans have been killed by people who are in the United States illegally – and that the tally is higher than the number dead from the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks — only in the hand-wringing fevered fearfulness of people like Doug Gross is the statement out of line, in or out of context.
So Doug Gross went out presuming to defend Republican honor by insisting that King does not represent Republicans. Really Mr Gross? And you do? God help us if you do. Gross took to the airwaves intent on doing a number on King and essentially calling for a primary challenger, implying he or she would have establishment support. All for King’s crime of speaking the truth. Something the political consultant class has a lot of trouble with.
Gross’s comment was not a mere warning however. Warning’s come in private communications. Gross’s comments were both a threat and advocacy against King. We should keep that in mind when we contemplate the candidacy of anyone Doug Gross is connected to in a substantial way.
Read more about a liberal reporters spin on the matter in this report from the Des Moines Register. The Iowa Republican also has a good commentary about the matter which is available here. R Mall
Is Gross supporting Joni Ernst?
You are correct. From Omaha.com:
“Branstad has not made an endorsement. But when asked about the Senate race on a recent episode of “Iowa Press,” he spoke favorably of Ernst.
“I think we’ll have some exciting quality candidates. One from southwest Iowa, Joni Ernst, officer in the Iowa National Guard and served in Iraq and the local government and state government, she’s one I met with and encouraged,” Branstad said.
“Establishment Republicans will probably hear Branstad’s message clearly, said GOP fundraiser and Branstad confidant Doug Gross.”
“Because of Branstad speaking favorably of her, those folks would take a look,” Gross said. But he stressed, “I think the race is totally unformed and without any kind of structure in it.”
“Ernst’s candidacy could also draw attention for another reason: Iowa is one of just two states that has never elected a woman governor or to Congress.”
Reading elsewhere in the same article David Polyansky is mentioned as her campaign consultant, whatever that means. She would do better with Gross not prominent. She has Branstad and others.
How is Gross a GOP strategist? He hasn’t been relevant for a decade. Any poster on this site is as much of a “GOP strategist” as he is.