Tea party challengers’ favorite punching bags? Obamacare and GOP leaders
Step one: Take a hard-line stance opposing Obamacare. Step two: Run far, far away from Republican congressional leaders.
That’s a large part of the playbook for tea party contenders for Congress, at least if five such candidates who visited with reporters Monday in Washington are any indication. The consistency of their opposition on both fronts provided a glimpse at how conservative challengers generally believe they best can fire up the base ahead of the midterm primary and general elections on tap this year.
Speaking at the headquarters of the national tea party group Freedomworks, four of five congressional candidates quickly named the federal health-care law when asked what they are hearing about most on the campaign trail.
“It’s what people care the most about,” said Matt Bevin (R), a Louisville businessman running to the right of Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.).
Barry Loudermilk (R), a Georgia state senator running for the U.S. House, added, “As we travel around the district, of course Obamacare is the greatest concern we’re hearing because it’s affecting every demographic in Georgia.”
What about for the people of Mississippi? “There’s no more pressing issue than Obamacare,” said state Sen. Chris McDaniel (R), who is challenging Sen. Thad Cochran (R-Miss.).
Washington Post
2/11/14
Magnolia Tribune
