A blogger at ResistNet.com asks who will run against Norm Dicks, Sixth District Democratic congressman from Belfair. From the site:
“Norm Dicks is a powerful man and it will take another strong man to run against him.”
The writer, Scott, then posts videos of Randy Neatherlin, who ran two unsuccessful campaigns for the state House seat currently held by Fred Finn. In the first he ran against a longtime incumbent. In the second he was outspent pretty handily, a point Scott makes. And Scott points out that 2006 and 2008 were bad for most Republicans. He then writes:
“The writer for the Kitsap Sun (Steve Gardner) called him the Republican Obama for his speech in Kitsap.”
No I didn’t.
What I did do is post an e-mail from someone who compared Neatherlin to Obama and in another post I agreed generally with someone who said he was the highlight of the county’s 2008 GOP convention. He was. By far he got the most applause of any of the candidates and probably more than the “Up with People”-like group that performed at the beginning.
Did I call him a Republican Obama? No, I did not. I would not. I can’t think of anyone besides Ronald Reagan who could move people with a prepared speech as effectively as Barack Obama. I would have taken this up privately with Scott, but ResistNet hasn’t yet approved my membership.
Could Neatherlin beat Norm Dicks?
Could Doug Cloud, who has lost twice but as yet is the only candidate registered with the Federal Elections Commission to challenge the longtime incumbent?
Given what’s happening in Massachusetts tonight (As of this writing, Republican Scott Brown was beating Martha Coakley, a Democrat, in the race to replace Edward Kennedy.) is this the year to try?
A Republican Obama?
Funny, that’s not how I remember it either. I remember Jan Angel’s speech was pointed concise and very professional. Steve too, has a grander recollection of the applause than the reality I witnessed. I remember a man standing before hundreds of people trying not to look like a fool. There were applause but nothing to generate any comment like the one listed above. I had a conversation with Steve about the original posting in 2007 and we both had a good laugh. What this new poster is now claiming, never happened. Steve’s current recollection of the applause is gracious but also overstated.
How do I know they are wrong? I am Randy Neatherlin and I was there too.
Steve, I am sorry you were miss quoted. You have always treated me square, unbiased and on the level. I will try to get a membership on that blog and tell them it never happened.
Good luck to you
Randy Neatherlin (Not a Republican Obama)
I tried to access the Resistnet site but it keeps freezing my computer. I will try it tomorrow from my office computer.
I looked up the article on the GOP convention. You never compared me or anyone else with Obama. I am including the comment from you article we laughed about. Talk about over the top.
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Steven Gardner’s
“Notes from the GOP Convention”
Monday, April 7th, 2008
Excerpt:
“I can’t pretend to know what it takes to win a local election. That someone is effective in front of 300 faithful may not mean as much as being eloquent on thousands of doorsteps. Nonetheless, I have to say I generally agree with story commenter peace98311 who wrote of Randy Neatherlin:
They became engaged, unified and completely supportive behind this one powerful young man. He took the room in a way that surprised everyone. After his speech the crowd exploded with applause and cheers. . . I can’t recall any Kitsap Republican speaker moving the crowd as well. Neatherlin was head and shoulders above the other candidates and speakers.
Neatherlin was the highlight of the speakers. No question. The crowd did get excited when he said he would tell Olympia, “Not one more dime.”
To me it looked like even Neatherlin was surprised by the response.”
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For the record; I was suprised there were any applause.
Randy
ResistNet approved me. Also, my comment was that the applause Neatherlin received was far greater than anyone else, which was true. I might have been too generous in saying I generally agreed with the writer, who probably exaggerated how much people applauded. I distinctly remember, however, being surprised by the applause Neatherlin received, because until that moment most of the applause had been slightly above polite.
Steven Gardner
Kitsap Caucus blog mover and shaker