Campaign Evaluation: Nick Zoller (U.S. House, FL-13)

[Brian4Liberty]

RLC of Tampa Bay @RLCTB
@NickZoller , I understand you consider yourself a Moderate Republican. How do you define Moderate? What issue stances?

Nick Zoller @NickZoller
@RLCTB I have said that, I'm moderate on social issues compared to most republicans because I don't believe govt should be involved in them

Interesting. His use of the term "moderate" without any qualification was very vague, and could mean many things. In the interview I posted, he used the term "moderate" while talking about the problems of gridlock, finding "common" ground and solving problems, along with mentions of Bobby Jindal and Jeb Bush. Around here, that would lead one to believe that this is the Jeb Bush version of "moderate", which means big government, establishment, socialist and a neoconservative foreign policy.

Is that interpretation a result of looking through a "libertarian" lens though?

In the LGBT community, is "moderate" a code-word for a Republican that is also gay friendly and maybe socially liberal? That's interesting. So when Chris Christie and Jeb Bush call themselves "moderate", they may be using that to gain support from the LGBT community? And extrapolating from that, it probably also has some kind of racial meaning too. Does it say "I am not a racist like some of those bad Republicans"?

Hmmm. Learn something new everyday. This gives new meaning to the political use of the term "moderate". Chris Christie and Jeb Bush can use it, and it can mean big government, establishment friendly to some people, and at the same time cater to other groups as well. I wonder if Frank Luntz has tested the use of that term? Maybe Nick is putting his political consulting knowledge to work.

Should we call ourselves "moderate" if we support government staying out of our social/private lives altogether?

 

[neverseen]

Interesting. His use of the term "moderate" without any qualification was very vague, and could mean many things. In the interview I posted, he used the term "moderate" while talking about the problems of gridlock, finding "common" ground and solving problems, along with mentions of Bobby Jindal and Jeb Bush. Around here, that would lead one to believe that this is the Jeb Bush version of "moderate", which means big government, establishment, socialist and a neoconservative foreign policy.

Is that interpretation a result of looking through a "libertarian" lens though?

In the LGBT community, is "moderate" a code-word for a Republican that is also gay friendly and maybe socially liberal? That's interesting. So when Chris Christie and Jeb Bush call themselves "moderate", they may be using that to gain support from the LGBT community? And extrapolating from that, it probably also has some kind of racial meaning too. Does it say "I am not a racist like some of those bad Republicans"?

Hmmm. Learn something new everyday. This gives new meaning to the political use of the term "moderate". Chris Christie and Jeb Bush can use it, and it can mean big government, establishment friendly to some people, and at the same time cater to other groups as well. I wonder if Frank Luntz has tested the use of that term? Maybe Nick is putting his political consulting knowledge to work.

Should we call ourselves "moderate" if we support government staying out of our social/private lives altogether?

Good points.

Some people would consider Small L Repub's far, far right... "extremists" even. But, when I hear far right extremist my ONLY thought is banning gay marriage and blowing up abortion clinics. I don't think you can define a small L as far right because of that. At the same time, if you say moderate you think about fiscal issues, not really social.

So are small L repub's left, right, or moderate?

I am personally a social/fiscal conservative republican that doesn't want the government to have ANYTHING to do with social issues, and I'm hard core far right on economic issues. I certainly don't relate to the crazy tea party people with the whole iran out to get us, back Israel at all costs, shiara law stuff. I'm sure many of us are like that. Personally we may not want to get married to a gay person or kill a baby, but don't want the gov telling me if I can or can't.

Maybe us small L's should be calling ourselves something like, "Fiscally conservative, socially irrelevant" lol.

 

[CG1976]

Interesting discussion. I guess everyone has their own interpretation of conservative or moderate or liberal.

 

[compromise]

Is he pro-choice/anti-life on abortion?

 

[CG1976]

Per his website:

Life, Faith & Family


The proper function of government is to protect individual rights. I believe life begins at conception, and it is unconscionable that government would sanction the taking of the helpless and innocent. I will always vote against government funding of abortion.


Our most important unit of government is the family. When larger units of government attempt to supplant the family, we must say no. I believe that marriage is a private, religious institution that should not be defined or redefined by the federal government.

 

[Anti-Neocon]

About "moderates", "centrists" and the like.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Radical_center_(politics)

I don't like using the word "radical" to describe myself, but there's a lot of gray between "left" and "right", and nobody even knows what the hell "left" and "right" mean anymore.

If we're able to claim the center and look like the ones who have the people's interests in mind over politics, more power to us. Right now, the Democrats are playing that card against the Tea Party.

 

[neverseen]

Been working crazy hours, so I've missed the last couple of political events this week. Jolly is out there courting everyone hard core and Pinellas County King Latvala has anointed Kathleen Peters to be the next CD13 winner. Of course, I expect to see the people in the special election out there more so than Zoller since he's got another year. I'll track him down eventually.

In the mean time, RLC of Tampa Bay has produced a questionnaire that's going out to the candidates. I'll be sure to update you with Zoller's responses once they come back.

 

[CG1976]

Nick Zoller sent out this plan Friday: http://www.zollerforcongress.com/small_business_regulatory_plan

 

[neverseen]

Someone asked about DHS I think. Here's his reply:

RLC of Tampa Bay @RLCTB
@NickZoller what should we do with the Department of Homeland Security? What is their proper role?


Nick Zoller
@NickZoller
@RLCTB Abolish. Their proper role is to not exist, waste of money and another dept that bloats the huge bureaucracy.

 

[CG1976]

Radio appearance 11/23: http://www.zollerforcongress.com/nick_on_bill_xam_s_radio_show_11_23_13

 

[CG1976]

Just thought I'd give an update after looking at the year end FEC filings. Zoller raised just north of $13,000 in two months.