Less than a week after supporting Louisiana governor Bobby Jindal’s assertion that the Republican Party needs to stop being the “stupid party,” Karl Rove is now taking stronger action against the right-wing fringe. Rove and his Conservative Victory Project now plan to back candidates in future primary elections who they believe best represent the traditional Republican ideology — and actually have a chance to win statewide elections.
Rove has already spoken out against Todd Akin and Richard Mourdock as examples of failed right-wing campaigns, Here are a few potential candidates that Rove and the Conservative Victory Project should target in the future. (Photo by Carol H. Feeley/Flickr)
Rep. Steve King (R-IA):
After Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA) announced his plans to retire from the U.S. Senate after completing this term, Rep. Steve King jumped at the opportunity to fill Harkin’s seat. But after a close 2012 race against Democratic challenger Christie Vilsack, King has done little to better his image. Comparing Mexicans to livestock, undocumented immigrants to lazy dogs, and his failure to understand that girls can in fact get pregnant from rape and incest put him right in line with the type of crazy Republican Karl Rove should aim at censoring in early Iowa Senate primaries.
Rep. Paul Broun (R-GA):
Following the retirement announcement of Senator Saxby Chambliss (R-GA), Rep. Paul Broun has signaled his desire to join the race from the right. Not only does he think federal employees should get “real jobs,” he also identified President Obama as a socialist, communist, and Marxist who will coerce all Americans into eating fruits and vegetables. Broun’s brand of hyper-paranoia is precisely what Rove and his new Super PAC are warning against.
Rep. Joe Walsh (R-IL):
In the wake of his November defeat, former Illinois Rep. Joe Walsh has hinted that he may run against Senator Dick Durbin in 2014. In the meantime, Walsh may be getting his own Chicago AM-radio talk show — a perfect platform for a Tea Party Republican who came to Akin’s defense (agreeing that abortion is unnecessary in order to save a woman’s life), called his opponent and Iraq War vet Tammy Duckworth not a true hero, and criticized President Obama’s commitment to women’s issues. Walsh is the very definition of an un-electable right-winger.
Joe Miller:
Joe Miller might be back for another round of campaigning in 2014, challenging his 2010 opponent, Sen. Lisa Murkowski. Miller is an outspoken opponent of women’s rights, and supports privatizing Social Security, phasing out Medicare, eliminating the Department of Education, and emulating East German tactics in securing our borders. Miller also believes President Obama is infiltrating the U.S. on behalf of the Muslim Brotherhood and giving Alaskan islands away to Russia. While entertaining, Miller may not be a candidate Karl Rove and the Conservative Victory Project want on any Republican ticket. (Photo by Ryan McFarland/Flickr)
Geraldo Rivera:
Fox News anchor Geraldo Rivera has publicly stated interest in running for Sen. Frank Lautenberg’s (D-NJ) senate seat in 2014. Rivera is not only inflammatory — associating wearing a hoodie with acts of aggression during the Trayvon Martin controversy, and accusing Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano of planning a lesbian plot to take over the department, among other controversies — he may not even be a Republican. Rivera admits voting for Obama in the last election. (Photo by Justin Hoch/The Hudson Union Society via Flickr)
