Now is the time to support Schiff!

[CapitalistSwine]

Now is the time to support Peter Schiff in his senate run if you have not already. Anyone that has been keeping up with things knows that Schiff was not doing so hot in the early polling/survey numbers due to people not knowing enough about him. To address this, Schiff has recently started off a new political campaign commercial as well as various other new aspects of his advertising campaign.

Better yet, I just received some great news from the Gary Johnson fan page on facebook via mass private message:

"As many of you who have seen the news today now know, Connecticut Democrat Senate candidate Dick Blumenthal has become embroiled in a scandal surrounding his claims to Vietnam military service.

Supporters of Republican Peter Schiff (who vocally supports Gary Johnson for President in 2012) are rallying behind Peter to launch his incredible campaign to victory.

If you have $10 or $20 (or more, if you want) to spare, please send some to Schiff For Senate at http://www.SchiffForSenate.com and let's bury Blumenthal!"

[Atlas51184]

Have there been any new poll numbers recently? The poll I recall was from March.

[khaight]

Have there been any new poll numbers recently? The poll I recall was from March.

While this revelation about Blumenthal has the potential to make the race winnable for the Republicans, I don't see that it alters the GOP primary -- and I still haven't seen any evidence to indicate that Schiff is competitive there.

[2046]

The last poll (two weeks ago) was very bleak for Schiff.

http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_con...necticut_senate

However, the next PPP will consider Blumenthal quitting:

http://publicpolicypolling.blogspot.com/20...-situation.html

But on the upside, Schiff's donations have surged up over $10,000 since the news. I think mainly his problem is that no one knows who the hell he is, and the Ron Paul people have been focused on Rand Paul's campaign thus far, which it looks like he will win.

It is a shame that my life will be affected (and probably the whole nation) by whether or not some drones in Connecticut decide to wake up and cast a vote for one actual honest man. Down with democracy, I say! Put Schiff in!

[khaight]

The last poll (two weeks ago) was very bleak for Schiff.

As far as I can tell that's yet another poll testing the various GOP contenders against Blumenthal in the general election. What I want to see is a poll of the Republican primary. I don't think Schiff is even going to get the nomination, which means his hypothetical performance in the general election is beside the point.

[2046]

As far as I can tell that's yet another poll testing the various GOP contenders against Blumenthal in the general election. What I want to see is a poll of the Republican primary. I don't think Schiff is even going to get the nomination, which means his hypothetical performance in the general election is beside the point.

Yeah I know, but that's the only kind of poll I can find. There's a new Rasmussen out today:

http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_con...necticut_senate

Blumenthal now leads Peter Schiff, a high-profile Wall Street investment banker, 53% to 37%. In the previous survey, he posted a 54% to 29% lead over Schiff.

Still, just 26% of voters say Blumenthal should withdraw from the Senate race. Only nine percent (9%) of Democrats hold that view.

[khaight]

Yeah I know, but that's the only kind of poll I can find.

That's sort of like the drunk who dropped his keys in the dark but looked for them under the street lamp because the light was better.

[Atlas51184]

How is Schiff polling in the primary? I only see info about him vs Blumenthal.

[Andrew Grathwohl]

Newest polling data by Rasmussen (March 18th):

Rasmussen

5/18/10; 500 likely voters, 4.5% margin of error

Mode: Automated phone

(Rasmussen release)

Connecticut

2010 Senate

53% Blumenthal (D), 37% Schiff ® (chart)

50% Blumenthal (D), 39% Simmons ® (chart)

48% Blumenthal (D), 45% McMahon ® (chart)

Favorable / Unfavorable

Peter Schiff: 44 / 29

Richard Blumenthal: 66 / 32

Rob Simmons: 54 / 37

Linda McMahon: 54 / 42

Job Approval / Disapproval

Pres. Obama: 59 / 39 (chart)

Gov. Rell: 56 / 53 (chart)

http://www.rasmussenreports.com/publ...te_may_18_2010

http://www.pollster.com/blogs/ct_201...mussen_518.php

Some good indicators here. Schiff has a much lower disapproval rating than Blumenthal, and just won the endorsement of the CT Tea Party movement, as well as the CT Grassroots Alliance.

[FeatherFall]

These numbers tell a tale of name recognition. Schiff's strategy right now is to focus on winning the primary by winning the endorsements of influential groups (Tea Parties, the republicans of particular cities/counties). If this strategy works, name recognition will be less relevant. It will be his message of capitalism and individual rights versus Blumenthal's character (I don't believe that Blumenthal has a message). I like Schiff's odds in that fight.

[2046]

The State Republican Convention just took place in Connecticut, and here's how it went down, at least according to Schiff's supporters over at the Ron Paul forums. Schiff was nominated first followed by McMahon and Simmons (though Schiff had "technical problems" and wasn't able to play his video.) Schiff handed out cowbells and received much applause and cowbell ringing when his name was announced.

Rob Simmons had announced that if he did not receive the necessary 50% for the party's endorsement, then he would drop out of the race. The voting proceeded with Simmons garnering a majority, as the rest was split between McMahon and Schiff (McMahon had about 47%, Schiff had about 8%.) Schiff made a deal with McMahon that he would get his delegates to switch their votes to McMahon in order to get rid of Simmons, with Schiff now having to recieve a number of signatures to appear on the ballot, while McMahon will be the party endorsed candidate, and McMahon would support Schiff's appearing on the ballot in a 1 on 1 race for the nomination.

So it was done, and McMahon got over 50% and the Republican Party endorsement, Simmons is expected to drop out, and Schiff supposedly already has the necessary signatures (or has a bunch of them) and has the Tea Party endorsement. I guess now he needs money and a hell of a lot of support.

[2046]

Okay, apparently that account is not entirely correct. According to an interview with Politico, Schiff thought he had the necessary 15% to be automatically balloted in the primary, but saw many of his delegates switching to McMahon. So he directed the rest of them to switch to Simmons in order to split their vote, so that neither would receive 50% or that the bar would be lowered for him, so to speak, but most of them bailed on him and went McMahon either because they were "pressured" or in order to try to eliminate Simmons (due to his statement that he would drop out, which he has now changed his mind and will primary.)

http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0510/37633_Page2.html

http://blog.ctnews.com/election2010/2010/0...s-hell-primary/

http://www.ctmirror.org/story/6084/simmon-vows-primary

“Well, the plan is to petition and I will beat whoever this convention nominates,” Schiff said in an interview on the convention floor.

For his part, Schiff said he thought that prior to the convention he had attracted the 15 percent of delegate support he needed to get on a primary ballot. He said he was dismayed that a number of his pledged delegates bailed on him.

Peter Schiff said he will gather petitions to qualify for a three-way primary.

"The convention is rigged," Schiff said, talking to a reporter as the Simmons' entourage emerged from its staff room.

http://www.ctmirror.org/story/6087/mcmahon...ns-vows-primary

Other Simmons supporters said privately that the allure of a GOP campaign backed by McMahon's considerable personal wealth was too much to overcome.

"I didn't like Linda's tactics," Schiff said as the vote-switching - an allowed procedure under convention rules - neared its end. "I thought a lot of pressure was put on our people to switch their ballots. I think the people should make their own decision without all of that."

Schiff added that he still plans to be in the Aug. 10 primary, and would take advantage of Connecticut's open primary system to petition his way into that contest. He also said he thinks his chances are better if it's a three-way contest including Simmons rather than simply a Schiff-McMahon match-up.

Edited May 22, 2010 by 2046

[Andrew Grathwohl]

Schiff's own account of the convention can be found on this video blog:

[2046]

Simmons is out, officially. Just Schiff versus McMahon. He still thinks he has a shot:

Tue, May 25, 2010

Economist, author, and Connecticut candidate for U.S. Senate Peter Schiff made the following comments about the recent end to Rob Simmons' campaign for Senate:

"Rob Simmons brought energy to this race and ran an honorable campaign. His voice will be missed in this debate. His service to our country and our state will not be forgotten. This is now, however, a two-person campaign and one to which I look forward and intend to win. There are many differences between Linda McMahon and myself, and over the course of the coming weeks, I will demonstrate to the voters of Connecticut who I am, what I stand for, and why I am the top choice among those who want to bring meaningful change to Washington. I am a true political outsider and real grassroots candidate. There is a reason why I am the choice of Tea Party leaders, political newcomers and independents, and why Linda McMahon, the darling of the establishment, has become the ultimate insider. Those reasons will become clear over the next several weeks."

[2046]

New poll out includes Republican primary:

http://www.quinnipiac.edu/x1296.xml?ReleaseID=1459

McMahon 49

Simmons 23

Schiff 11

Undecided 15

Blumenthal 56

McMahon 31

Blumenthal 59

Schiff 25

Favorables/Unfavorables

Blumenthal 61/29

McMahon 32/39

Schiff 15/6

Also note that most of Connecticut doesn't care that Blumenthal is a lying crook and consider the matter settled.

http://corner.nationalreview.com/post/?q=O...2EwODkxNjc0ZjY=

As far as Simmons who is still out, but will remain on the ballot unfortunately, he said McMahon can't win, and said of Schiff: "He’s an attractive, smart guy... He is much smarter on the economy,” but stopped short of any endorsement.

[Andrew Grathwohl]

Please make it a priority to check out this official campaign advertisement, and show it to everybody you know!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3ANiLcD8eIM

[Yes]

How pathetic that Schiff has to rely on the support of a bunch of right wing hippies to get the publicity he wants.

I won't contribute a dime to a bunch of libertarian losers.

[Atlas51184]

How pathetic that Schiff has to rely on the support of a bunch of right wing hippies to get the publicity he wants.

I won't contribute a dime to a bunch of libertarian losers.

What are you talking about?

[Andrew Grathwohl]

How pathetic that Schiff has to rely on the support of a bunch of right wing hippies to get the publicity he wants.

I won't contribute a dime to a bunch of libertarian losers.

Seriously, what are you talking about?

Peter Schiff's local grassroots support has been mostly consisting of registered and active members of local Republican Town Committees. Some of the financial support for Peter's campaign has come from libertarians and Ron Paul people who agree with his economic views, but his foreign, social, and legal policies are all distinctly objective - not wacky or libertarian-leaning in any respect. There has likely never been a Senate candidate as closely related to Objectivism than Peter - down to his philosophical views, which reject altruism and support selfishness, and which reject mysticism and support atheism. I find that he leads a rather heroic life.

[Rearden_Steel]

How pathetic that Schiff has to rely on the support of a bunch of right wing hippies to get the publicity he wants.

I won't contribute a dime to a bunch of libertarian losers.

Sounds like slanderous postulating.

In addition to what Andrew said he also doesn't recognize animals rights (stating they would never recognize ours) and is critical of environmentalist.

[brian0918]

Schiff gets a major endorsement from a state senator. But what's even more newsworthy is that the Hartford Courant is finally forced to mention Schiff's name in connection with the primary race. Until recently, these Connecticut newspapers have acted like he doesn't exist, always listing McMahon and Simmons as the only two candidates in the running. Then you look down in the comments, and everyone is shouting "What about Schiff?!?"

Now even in this article, they get caught making up a fact, trying to claim that this endorsement is not a big deal, because the Senator's city was a Schiff supporter. Note the crossed-out text (which may later be deleted):

Then again, Enfield is somewhat of a hub of Schiff activism: the Enfield Republican Town Committee was among the first to endorse him.

Edited June 12, 2010 by brian0918

[FeatherFall]

Schiff's campaign says it has enough signatures for a primary. This has yet to be confirmed by the state Attourney General, but I have no reason to doubt it.

This summary of the Quinnipiac poll is interesting:

http://supportpeterschiff.com/documents/06...ollAnalysis.pdf

It shows that Schiff's chances vs. Blumanthal are very close to McMahon's vs. Blumenthal. This bodes well for his primary run vs. McMahon because it diffuses the argument that he can't beat Blumenthal. The poll also shows that people who know about Schiff think of him more favorably than the other candidates.

He's still the underdog, but I think he's got a shot.

Edited June 13, 2010 by FeatherFall

[Andrew Grathwohl]

He's on the ballot!!!

http://www.ctmirror.org/story/6506/schiff-qualifies-republican-primary-us-senate

[Andrew Grathwohl]

Check out the Schiff campaign's latest email!

Hello Everybody,

The Norwich Bulletin has endorsed Rob Simmons because he has spent his entire life in service to his country. On the other hand, Linda McMahon and I have spent our entire lives in pursuit of personal wealth and self-interest. With that one observation the editorial board reveals their Marxist tendencies and demonstrates a complete lack of understanding of the free enterprise system upon which our nation is based.

According to the Bulletin the pursuit of personal wealth does not serve the national interest -- that the goods and services provided or the jobs created in the process mean nothing. According to the Bulletin guys like Thomas Edison, Henry Forbes, Bills Gates, Steve Jobs, etc. have done nothing to serve the national interest. I suppose the invention of the electric light bulb did nothing to improve the lives of Americans. That candlelight is just as good. That all the jobs provided by Edison Electric did nothing to improve the lives of their employees. They must have a similar view of affordable automobiles, personal computers, windows operating systems, or iphones.

If you believe in the free market and agree that innovation drives the economy, then I ask you to consider investing in my campaign. Please follow this link and make a contribution of $25, $50, $100, $250 or more today.

How many people does Microsoft employee? A lot more then Rob Simmons, who has never employed anyone. What did Rob Simmons ever invent ... nothing? How many millions has the Gates foundation given away in charitable contributions? Compare that to what Simmons is able to donate with his government paychecks.

Now, I have nothing against Rob Simmons. I also respect his years of military service. But that services pales in comparison to that of Bill Gates. Bill Gates' wealth was derived solely based on the pursuit of personal wealth and self-interest, the precise motivation that the Bulletin so readily dismisses. Yet Gates did far more to improve the lives of ordinary Americans then Simmons.

Rob Simmons has spent his entire life collecting government paychecks. He has never run a business; he has never produced a product, provided a service, or created a job. Yet according to the Bulletin that makes his uniquely qualified to be a United States Senator.

According to the Bulletin my ideas are so radical and out of touch that they have no chance of success. Well I suppose to a bunch of socialist journalist, free market ideas are radical.

Before they endorsed Simmons, the Bulletin interviewed all the candidates. Those interviews were video recorded and can be seen here.

Watch my interview and decide for yourself how radical and out of touch my ideas are. See if you think that Rob Simmons is the only candidate with the knowledge to be a senator. By the way, notice all the commercials in the video? For a paper so opposed to private profit, they certainly sell a lot of ads!

So if you agree with my "radical" free market ideas please follow this link and make a contribution of $25, $50, $100, $250 or more to my campaign today. The primary is next week, so please do not delay!

Now in fairness to the Bulletin, they are not the only newspaper to have endorsed Simmons. He has also won the endorsement of The Current and The Day. Linda McMahon won the endorsement of the Register Citizen. Not a single newspaper has endorsed me. In fact, each one basically dismisses me as a nut.

That is why I need your help to overcome the media advantages enjoyed by my opponents. We need to bypass the press and take our case directly to the people. We need more money to increase the size of our media buy, both radio and TV. Please follow this link and give generously to my campaign today.

Peter Schiff

Republican U.S. Senate Candidate

P.S. If you believe in the free market and agree with me that innovation drives our economy, please invest in my campaign by following this link and making a contribution of $25, $50, $100, $250 or more today

[IchorFigure]

The primary is this monday right? Hope he can pull it off.