Tuesday, September 29, 2009

Ganley stakes out right-wing voters

IF OHIO's ultra-conservative Republicans were looking for a David to slay the party's establishment-endorsed Goliath in the 2010 GOP U.S. Senate primary, they now have their man: Akron auto dealer Tom Ganley. Since Ganley announced his candidacy last summer to challenge Rob Portman, George Bush's former budget director, Ganley has busied himself with pressing all of the WOW buttons to lure right-wing voters who disdain Portman's stakeout on Ohio conservatives. Ganley has so impressed his targeted voters that he now boasts of the endorsement of Bay Buchanan on his home page. Bay, who shares a lot of ideas with her brother, Pat, needs no introduction.

Ganley's game plan to win over the Ohio electorate is looking more and more like Ken Blackwell's failed right-wing fling in the 2006 gubernatorial race. I'm beginning to wonder whether Blackwell, from his safe house at a conservative think tank, might be among Ganley's advisors inasmuch as Blackwell has a thing about advising other candidates on how to win elections.

When I asked one of Ganley's campaign aides in Columbus what he's been doing , she replied that he's been quite busy talking to different groups and attending Tea Parties. I could stop right there, but I should add a few essentials. He's also issued statements opposing health care reforms, noting:
"I do not believe any of the plans I've seen thus far will help us reach that goal without destroying the free market and lead us down the path towards socialized medicine and rationed care."
On the confirmation of Sonia Sotomayor:
"Had I been in the Senate today I would have voted against Judge Sotomayor's confirmation for the following five reasons:
Among these was her view on allowing her "views and experiences to influence judicial decisions". I could go on but you've heard them all before.

Well, Ganley has staked out his turf position in the GOP in the long track ahead. Should you want to hear it first hand, he'll be at the Akron Press Club in the Martin Center on Thursday for a luncheon talk. You'll need a reservation. ( Call:330-564-4211) As you've probably guessed, I already have my reservations. l

2 comments:

Mencken said...

Ganley's web site encourages supporters to Tweet President Obama Barack " to stop borrowing money we don’t have":

I wonder what Ganley's position is on his customers borrowing money they don't have to buy a new Toyota or Mercedes that will lose about 35% of its value in the first two years.

Grumpy Abe said...

Obviously the free enterprise system isn't that free for the consumers engaged in it! It all depends on whose wallet is being gored....