Jesse Benton: Why I joined Mitch McConnell’s team

[SteveBierfeldt]

LOL!


My theory for a while now is that some running policy in his campaign were more standard southern conservatives of the 'regional block' variety. There are areas where we would agree, fiscally, for example and in the general nature of states' reservation of authority, but so much of the principled philosophy simply isn't there.

Ron really needs true believers or at least those who 'get it' and will implement it as their job description, at the highest policy driving roles. One reason I was sorry to see Bierdfield (sp?) and Gary Howard leave was that they 'got it'. I'm sure there are others in there who do, they should be in the policy making roles, imho. And seriously, Ron needs to get a handle on this fast, and unfortunately if he is leaving it to the same people to make business decisions, they are never going to recommend their own replacement. Which is a shame.

In a corporate sense it is possible a nuts and bolts only person could do simple business management stuff, but the people management and communication, and policy determinations really need to be by or at least run by a true believer.

Note, some states had great people. I want Forsythe in the US Congress, House or Senate, but if he weren't interested in that, he would b spectacular. That guy in Maine could do it. Marianne Stebbins, but I want her in Congress as well. There may be a bunch inside the organization who just are under the decisionmaking of those who don't get it, who do. There are tons of us. Pick one.

Sailing,

I'm not able to get on the forums as often as I'd like, but I do read posts from time to time. I saw one that you had recently written and mentioned my name in a favorable light, (It's Bierfeldt, but I have trouble spelling it myself sometimes).

It's very kind of you to say it. The campaign had some difficult stretches for a lot of people, including myself. And some of the things going on now are equally tough to take. I like to think that I do in fact, "get it," and have always, and will always, be involved in politics for the right reasons and with the liberty philosophy. It is always good to have some people who see that, even if much of what I'm doing is often behind the scenes. Thank you again for the kind words.

- Steve

 

[ninepointfive]

LOL!


My theory for a while now is that some running policy in his campaign were more standard southern conservatives of the 'regional block' variety. There are areas where we would agree, fiscally, for example and in the general nature of states' reservation of authority, but so much of the principled philosophy simply isn't there.

Ron really needs true believers or at least those who 'get it' and will implement it as their job description, at the highest policy driving roles. One reason I was sorry to see Bierdfield (sp?) and Gary Howard leave was that they 'got it'. I'm sure there are others in there who do, they should be in the policy making roles, imho. And seriously, Ron needs to get a handle on this fast, and unfortunately if he is leaving it to the same people to make business decisions, they are never going to recommend their own replacement. Which is a shame.

In a corporate sense it is possible a nuts and bolts only person could do simple business management stuff, but the people management and communication, and policy determinations really need to be by or at least run by a true believer.

Note, some states had great people. I want Forsythe in the US Congress, House or Senate, but if he weren't interested in that, he would b spectacular. That guy in Maine could do it. Marianne Stebbins, but I want her in Congress as well. There may be a bunch inside the organization who just are under the decisionmaking of those who don't get it, who do. There are tons of us. Pick one.

Exactly - and we need people who, "get it" because those that don't are always pushing out the ones that do.

 

[sailingaway]

Sailing,

I'm not able to get on the forums as often as I'd like, but I do read posts from time to time. I saw one that you had recently written and mentioned my name in a favorable light, (It's Bierfeldt, but I have trouble spelling it myself sometimes).

It's very kind of you to say it. The campaign had some difficult stretches for a lot of people, including myself. And some of the things going on now are equally tough to take. I like to think that I do in fact, "get it," and have always, and will always, be involved in politics for the right reasons and with the liberty philosophy. It is always good to have some people who see that, even if much of what I'm doing is often behind the scenes. Thank you again for the kind words.

- Steve

Don't thank me. Run for something!

If not this year, think about when it would be the right time. I am dead serious. I look at those in Congress and see few I see much in. I look at some, like you, who showed up in the campaigns and think we should be getting people like you there.

Pep talk over, thanks for all you did and are doing!

 

[RonPaulCult]

Got it. If you believe the federal government was somehow involved in 9/11 you are a conspiracy theorist, loon, fringe piece of shit. If you believe Jesse Benton is playing along with the most vile people on Earth only to spring a liberty trap on them in the future, then you are a respectable member of the Liberty Movement.

I don't believe the official 9/11 story. Benton would hate my guts. And odds are he's a d-bag. But....I was going to say how funny some of the conspiracy theories people are willing to believe around here are, but nobody can consider the things that I mentioned above.

I trust Ron Paul. And Ron Paul trusts Benton. I'm not giving up on these guys entirely. Things aren't always what they seem.

 

[low preference guy]

I don't believe the official 9/11 story. Benton would hate my guts. And odds are he's a d-bag. But....I was going to say how funny some of the conspiracy theories people are willing to believe around here are, but nobody can consider the things that I mentioned above.

I trust Ron Paul. And Ron Paul trusts Benton. I'm not giving up on these guys entirely. Things aren't always what they seem.

I trust Ron Paul but not always who he hired. He didn't hire the best people to write his newsletters.

 

[No Free Beer]

If Rand chooses Benton as his campaign manager in 2016, Rand will not get a PENNY out of me.

 

[Feeding the Abscess]

I trust Ron Paul but not always who he hired. He didn't hire the best people to write his newsletters.

Or Bruce Bartlett. Or Eric Dondero.

 

[devil21]

It's extremely clear that whether he listened to RP or not, he definitely didn't "get it".

I think that there is a serious issue that needs to be investigated as to who Benton was really working for while heading the Paul campaign, and whether there are one or more criminal acts of fraud involved.

Is it now safe to say that Benton did get it? He got it too well. He learned how to be a politician. His principles were for sale and he decided to take the money and build his own rep. He got it. He just wasn't committed to the movement, just the campaigns. He's gotta be known in political circles now as the guy that can torpedo an entire campaign with only well timed emails. That's worth a lot of money to politicians.

What I think is ironic is that he married into the family. There must be some Pauls that are PISSED at this guy. I wish they would come forward.

 

[Matt Collins]

Has it ever crossed anyone's mind that perhaps Jesse is setting up a 2016 Presidential run for Rand and is using Mitch to do it? Having the Senate Majority Leader backing your candidate is very powerful... just a thought..

 

[erowe1]

Has it ever crossed anyone's mind that perhaps Jesse is setting up a 2016 Presidential run for Rand and is using Mitch to do it? Having the Senate Majority Leader backing your candidate is very powerful... just a thought..

What's in it for Mitch?

 

[Carlybee]

Has it ever crossed anyone's mind that perhaps Jesse is setting up a 2016 Presidential run for Rand and is using Mitch to do it? Having the Senate Majority Leader backing your candidate is very powerful... just a thought..

Doesn't say much for appealing to the liberty base though to hitch one's wagon to a neocon. If this be the case I guess it's safe to assume we don't play into the equation much if at all.

 

[sailingaway]

What's in it for Mitch?

Nullifying a primary challenge that was potentially winnable on our side in 2014, or could at least tip the balance in the general.

 

[erowe1]

Nullifying a primary challenge that was potentially winnable on our side in 2014, or could at least tip the balance in the general.

I can see the argument about a primary challenge. But for winning a general election, McConnell can do 100 times better than Benton. Whatever Mitch is up to, I doubt that helping Rand become president is part of it. If anything he wants to stop that.

It would be naive to think a goof like Benton is the puppet master here, while a seasoned machiavellian politician of the highest order, like McConnell is his puppet.

 

[cajuncocoa]

Nullifying a primary challenge that was potentially winnable on our side in 2014, or could at least tip the balance in the general.

And once Mitch's seat is safe (thanks to Jesse and Rand) how much would you bet he stabs the liberty movement in the back for 2016?

 

[sailingaway]

And once Mitch's seat is safe (thanks to Jesse and Rand) how much would you bet he stabs the liberty movement in the back for 2016?

If Romney wins, I doubt Rand, at least, will challenge him, at this point. So from Rand's point of view he's hoping for McConnell's support in 2016 if Romney doesn't win this time, and in any event to make the Senate race a forgone conclusion. And for committee assignments, I assume.

At least that appears to be the route he is taking.

 

[Q11Q]

McConnell is a RINO. I have utter contempt for him as a politician. He is not true to upholding the values and principles of the US Constitution. Since he's not a conservative statesman, I find it entirely logical that he would seek out other like-minded people to help him advance his political career. Now that Jesse Benton is involved with this RINO, I'm now firmly motivated to help fund and support any Liberty candidate that runs against McConnell.

 

[cajuncocoa]

If Romney wins, I doubt Rand, at least, will challenge him, at this point. So from Rand's point of view he's hoping for McConnell's support in 2016 if Romney doesn't win this time, and in any event to make the Senate race a forgone conclusion. And for committee assignments, I assume.

At least that appears to be the route he is taking.

Yes, but between 2014-16 how much more will Rand have to compromise to get McConnell in his corner ... whether for a POTUS run or re-elected to the Senate? How much is this going to cost the liberty movement to get McConnell to uphold his end of the bargain?

 

[sailingaway]

I can see the argument about a primary challenge. But for winning a general election, McConnell can do 100 times better than Benton. Whatever Mitch is up to, I doubt that helping Rand become president is part of it. If anything he wants to stop that.

It would be naive to think a goof like Benton is the puppet master here, while a seasoned machiavellian politician of the highest order, like McConnell is his puppet.

I don't think many think Benton is in charge in the Benton/McConnell dynamic. We were discussing how the move fits in with the Rand/McConnell dynamic.

 

[sailingaway]

Yes, but between 2014-16 how much more will Rand have to compromise to get McConnell in his corner ... whether for a POTUS run or re-elected to the Senate? How much is this going to cost the liberty movement to get McConnell to uphold his end of the bargain?

I'll wait to see events as they unfold. My heart is in a different direction, clearly.

 

[cajuncocoa]

I don't think many think Benton is in charge in the Benton/McConnell dynamic. We were discussing how the move fits in with the Rand/McConnell dynamic.

Personally, I think this will only work in McConnell's favor. He holds us off of finding a primary challenger in 2014, and once he's re-elected, he will throw us (and Rand) under the bus. That's my feeling.