The very same Thunder Thornton who is also Zach Wamp’s Finance Chairman? Spreading the family name a little thin? Hope Robin does better than Zach (who came in third in the fundraising competition, despite raising money for a longer period of time than Ramsey or Haslem.)
Of course, the last time Robin tried to take advantage of someone else’s family name, she succeeded in getting Oscar Brock defeated as state party chairman.
The first thing her campaign needs to get is a good map of the district. At least one of her announcement sites (Harriman) is in Lincoln Davis’ district and about 18 miles outside of the 3rd.
Wonder why Robin waited until July 1st to make her announcement? Could it be that the current fundraising reporting period ends at midnight tonight, giving her three months until she is forced to report on her fundraising?
Let's see what Gobble, Fleishmann, et al show on their reports. If they haven't raised much money, then her strategy is a good one. If they have amassed an early warchest, then she has got a problem.
Again, let's see how quick (or if) the powers that be in the business community gravitate to her campaign.
Robin Smith has a problem. Watson was being recruited by the Lookout/Signal Mt. types who are very uncomfortable with Smith as a candidate and they are unlikely to gravitate towards her no that he is out. They think she is politically unsophisticated and too militant(her ineffective fuming over Kent Williams and her disasterous quiet backing of Oscar Brock as her successor are prime examples). She has demonstrated no personal fundraising skills (state parties raise money through professionals and rarely through personal solicitations by party chairs, despite their proclivity for taking credit for such things), has no base outside a small coterie of Republican "activists" (which total in the scores, not the hundreds) and has never run for elective office. Her most significant previous constituency consisted of 66 state executive committee members of which about 8 live in her district (and she was unopposed). In short, the Luptons, Probascos, Decosimos, Corkers, Friersons, et al of the third district think she is a hack.
That may be unfair to Robin, but that is the perception. Deserved or not, she has reaped the benefit of her reputation of being party chair during a successful time for the GOP. The real question is whether that can translate into real support. The powers that be have real reservations about whether that is possible.
Smith names campaign finance director
The very same Thunder Thornton who is also Zach Wamp’s Finance Chairman? Spreading the family name a little thin? Hope Robin does better than Zach (who came in third in the fundraising competition, despite raising money for a longer period of time than Ramsey or Haslem.)
Of course, the last time Robin tried to take advantage of someone else’s family name, she succeeded in getting Oscar Brock defeated as state party chairman.
Watch your back, Dori.
Tennessee: Robin Smith jumps into 3rd District contest
The first thing her campaign needs to get is a good map of the district. At least one of her announcement sites (Harriman) is in Lincoln Davis’ district and about 18 miles outside of the 3rd.
Tennessee: Robin Smith to make ‘major announcement’
And so it begins.
Wonder why Robin waited until July 1st to make her announcement? Could it be that the current fundraising reporting period ends at midnight tonight, giving her three months until she is forced to report on her fundraising?
Let's see what Gobble, Fleishmann, et al show on their reports. If they haven't raised much money, then her strategy is a good one. If they have amassed an early warchest, then she has got a problem.
Again, let's see how quick (or if) the powers that be in the business community gravitate to her campaign.
And who is paying Winslow these days?
Watson out of race for Wamp's House seat
Robin Smith has a problem. Watson was being recruited by the Lookout/Signal Mt. types who are very uncomfortable with Smith as a candidate and they are unlikely to gravitate towards her no that he is out. They think she is politically unsophisticated and too militant(her ineffective fuming over Kent Williams and her disasterous quiet backing of Oscar Brock as her successor are prime examples). She has demonstrated no personal fundraising skills (state parties raise money through professionals and rarely through personal solicitations by party chairs, despite their proclivity for taking credit for such things), has no base outside a small coterie of Republican "activists" (which total in the scores, not the hundreds) and has never run for elective office. Her most significant previous constituency consisted of 66 state executive committee members of which about 8 live in her district (and she was unopposed). In short, the Luptons, Probascos, Decosimos, Corkers, Friersons, et al of the third district think she is a hack.
That may be unfair to Robin, but that is the perception. Deserved or not, she has reaped the benefit of her reputation of being party chair during a successful time for the GOP. The real question is whether that can translate into real support. The powers that be have real reservations about whether that is possible.