Home California Stanhope Declares Candidacy for Vice Chair of CA GOP

Stanhope Declares Candidacy for Vice Chair of CA GOP

by ECT

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Rodney Stanhope has decided to run for the Vice Chair of the California Republican Party upsetting many within the establishment after he publicly endorsed Jim Frazier (a Democrat) in the Assembly District 11 race this past November.

Now you have the Tea Party members and some within the Republican Party going crazy up and down the state over Stanhope endorsing a Democrat. This shows their hypocrisy of the party–especially the Tea Party Members who are neither Republican or Democrat, but are instead supposed to be a group that is guided by the US Constitution who wishes to reduce government, reduce spending and simply do the right thing on behalf of the people.

In the Assembly District 11 race, the Democrat was the most fiscally responsible and was more likely to do the right thing. This is nothing to get upset about but in an A-political seat on the local city councils, records are everything.

In early November, Mr. Stanhope explained how Jim Frazier (Oakley) was in his opinion a “blue dog democrat” who republicans could work with. He explained how they wouldn’t agree on everything, but he was the better candidate to create jobs and get our economy back on track rather than  Suisun City’s Mike Hudson.

While Stanhope was Mike Hudsons former campaign manager during the primary and a $25k invoice is still being disputed, it’s the endorsement of Frazier that may come back to bite him during his vice chair race.  Some may be upset,  but they shouldn’t be.

Ideology is nice, but right now it’s about jobs and the economy. We can worry about social issues later.  People want and need jobs to ensure their families are taken care of. Frazier had worked to put people back to work and has helped fund raise for people in need.  Frazier was always about people first and finding ways to help. Hudson was the exact opposite with his hand out.

Hudson would have actually hurt the GOP and all politicians at that with his behavior. Stanhope should be applauded for saying enough is enough with that fraud and here is a quote Stanhope gave me back in November o n why he decided to endorse Frazier.

“Frazier didn’t vote himself a pay raise and donated his entire council salary to local causes (Library and La Clinica). He didn’t vote to raise taxes every chance he got. Frazier also lowered fees. The other guy (Hudson) didn’t. I endorsed the candidate who is most fiscally responsible and could do better to create jobs,” explained Stanhope.

Our conversation was long, but the point is Stanhope didn’t endorse based off a  Democrat or Republican title, he voted on track record and fiscal behavior. So while people can be upset about it then I’d suggest the GOP put up a better candidate and vet their process better. If people are upset, its because they are small minded thinkers and hypocrites.  The Tea Party wants fiscal conservative, they got it, it just happens the guy is a Democrat. There is nothing to be upset about.

I’ll personally pick the guy (in this case Frazier) with the positive track record over poor tea party and GOP rhetoric. Before I upset my democrat friends, let me just say  I am not trying to make Jim Frazier out to be a Republican because he is not one  by any means, but it just goes to show you how much of a fraud Mike Hudson was and still is with his claim as a fiscal conservative. Hudson can claim to be a Tea Party candidate all he wants, the truth is he was the “hand out-me first” candidate.

For example, take his most recent Fairfield-Suisun Sewer Board vote where they voted to increase their pay yet again. Their $149.53 per meeting stipend just increased—Hudson voted to keep the automatic 5% increase in place.  Going back further, as one of his first actions on the Suisun council, he voted himself a 118% pay increase. According to the Daily Republic, during his five years on the Suisun City Council he has amassed $33,581.32 in CASA trips.  Suisun taxpayers could’ve sent him to a four-year college for a BA for that money. This list goes on, but you all get the point.

Meanwhile, Frazier donated his council stipends to local causes. He self-funded his trips. He lowered development fees. He found money for transportation. He also created 2,700 jobs. He was big in safe roads to schools. He also ran two non-profits prior to serving on the assembly. If that is not being responsible with the peoples money I don’t know what is.

Fiscal Conservatism is neither democrat or republican, but rather a belief on the deficit and spending of the peoples money! The records speak for themselves and should Tea Party folks and the GOP want to go after Stanhope for picking a candidate then it goes to show you why the party is doomed and the hypocrisy of it all.

Ultimately, Stanhope showed balls in doing what he did because he looked passed party lines which once someone does that they are through; but he went with what was best for Assembly District 11. He probably also protected the GOP from another menace in office making an ass of the party.  While the establishment won’t like the endorsement of Frazier, Stanhope got it right and they can all learn something from it.

As someone I consider a friend over the past year and a half, there is a lot to like about the guy. He is pro-military since he served in the Navy and his son is a Marine. He created the “Toys for Troops Kids” where he lives in a Tough Shed for 12-days of Christmas to raise money to provide toys for children of military troops deployed. This cause has raised over $200k.  Most importantly, he is a decent human being. You could argue and debate politics all you wanted with him until you almost exchange blows, but once that is over, he makes you out to be a good friend and all is forgotten as politics are left at the office—as it should be.

As someone who recently left the Republican Party, it’s not because of Republicans like Stanhope, but rather than establishment who I lost faith in. They continually put up poor candidates like the Mike Hudsons, the Ricky Gills, the Meg Whitmans, and John McCains and Mitt Romney’s of the world up for election. It’s a top down party who thinks they know best when they haven’t got a clue. I don’t want to hang out with those types of candidates anymore.

Instead, I’ll stick with the Jim Frazier and Mark DeSaulniers of the world who actually care and want to find solutions. Men and women that care about the working people of California and want to protect quality jobs while ensuring Government gets leaner and more accountable. I’ll stick with the Jerry McNerney’s of the world who are looking out for our veterans and firefighters while ensuring quality healthcare is available to all.  I’ll stick with Susan Bonilla who is fighting hard to ensure our education standards are improved and properly funded.  These are the folks who understand what the working families of California needed and are finding solutions. The solutions won’t happen over night and they take time, but they are fighting for the people.

The GOP had their chance and they finally blew it. If they want to continue to support folks like Mike Hudson then they are not being honest with their own values or GOP values because a guy like that has no business in any party if you ask me. He is out for himself, not the people of California.

As vice chair, Stanhope would be a nice asset not just to the party, but to the entire political system to help ensure the rhetoric stops and actual action takes place.  It could be a win for all.

Links:

http://www.examiner.com/article/gop-activist-rodney-stanhope-to-run-for-state-party-vice-chair

http://inedc.com/1-3378#comment-1544

http://scottiesrants.wordpress.com/2013/01/07/time-to-concentrate-some-on-party-politics-the-california-gop-needs-rodney-stanhope/

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8 comments

Chris Simpson Jan 7, 2013 - 10:04 am

I agree with the author, if Stanhope was wrong, why didn’t all the GOP big wigs get behind Hudson? Few actually did which says a lot for a seat that was supposed to be close. Just saying! This is a non-issue being made by non relevent people within the GOP. Many have left the party and have gone independent because of crap like this. Endorse who you want, its personal, it can’t always be party or nothing.

JimSimmons42 Jan 7, 2013 - 10:07 am

People actually supporting Mike Hudson is funny. He is a donkey! Great piece on showing how a democrat is actually more responsible than the republican. It’s so out there its almost unbelievable.

EastCountyReader Jan 7, 2013 - 10:48 am

This would be pure comedy if it actually made any sense.

However it doesn’t, and any (further) response would be more of a waste of time than the intitial read.

scottie1321 Jan 7, 2013 - 11:51 am

“When the debate is lost, slander becomes the tool of the user.” ~ Socrates

Mitchell Boggs Jan 7, 2013 - 12:19 pm

The author is right, Mike Hudson is no conservative and his track record proves it as the author points out. I am not sure if I am confused at Mr. Stanhopes public endorsement of a democrat or if the guy is just not smart. It was a stupid move to do that then run for state vice chair when you just backed a guy that took a seat away from the GOP. .

Confusing may not be the word for Stanhope, but stupid is the first thing that comes to my mind. Being down south, glad I won’t have to deal with him very much. As for the author, he looks just as stupid for defending it.

burkforoakley Jan 7, 2013 - 12:47 pm

We will not always agree 100% of the time. That is what makes politics fabulous! We disagree and then move onto the next issue. The GOP Vice Chair is not a high priority of mine anyway considering I am focused now on supporting Democratic candidates and issues.

Using GOP logic, the point of the article was to highlight how much better the Dem candidate was.

Richard Jan 7, 2013 - 12:56 pm

Whatever happened to supporting the best candidate regardless of party? That is what I’ve been doing and its working out very well so the political games are not played. Sometimes I support Reps and sometimes Dems, but I support on my values at the time. I appreciate Stanhope doing what he did, if the GOP wants to fight it, their loss. Burkholder is not stupid for defending it, he pointed out just how bad the GOP candidate was and how Mr. Frazier was both fiscally and socially the best candidate. Burkholder keep up the good work and ignore that malcontents and GOP trolls.

Mark Douglas Jan 7, 2013 - 3:41 pm

The GOP can’t get any worse, might as well try a grassroots guy instead of the establishment. Who cares if he endorsed a democrat. Frazier is the better candidate and isn’t a crazy nancy pelosi democrat. I can live with that. The tea party crybabies are what is wrong with the GOP anyway. Support Stanhope and lets work across the isle for the majority of california

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