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Ben Quayle Says His Election Would Be a Referendum on Obama
At a Scottsdale, Ariz., bakery on Sunday, Ben Quayle proclaimed to me that his race for the open seat in the state's 3rd District "is a referendum on Barack Obama and his administration."
Quayle, the son of the former vice president, is a candidate in the crowded primary field to replace retiring Rep. John Shadegg. In recent days, the campaign has turned nasty, but Quayle chose to turn much of his firepower not on the Republican opponents he will face this Tuesday but on president of the United states.
To be sure, it sounds ambitious for a 33-year-old congressional candidate to believe his election might send a message to the White House. But few congressional candidates have run a TV ad, as Quayle did, calling Obama the "worst president in American history."
The ad, which was the candidate's idea, has sparked controversy. But it has also gotten him attention, and positioned him as the anti-Obama candidate, which can't hurt in a Republican primary election. Quayle tells me he has actually had Democrats telling him that the commercial expresses "what they'd been feeling -- they're just glad someone had the guts to finally say it on camera."
Quayle, who comes across as a friendly guy -- not the stereotypical "spoiled, rich kid" his opponents might like to portray him as -- believes other candidates around the country may replicate his ad idea.
"Maybe my commercial was the last thing to open the door and make this a referendum," he said. As to whether the election will be determined around local or national issues, he told me: "This is more of a national year, I think."
You can watch the controversial ad here:
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Another person who is going to go to Washington to 'change' the way things are done there. I'm not sure why we fall for that message time after time, shouldn't we be looking for someone who understands how the system works? Change will only happen if we promote the common interests of the country. As long as political power is granted to those who promote partisan ideology we'll be in this mess.
August 24 2010 at 1:50 PM Report abuse Permalink +3 rate up rate down ReplyThis is as stupid a comment as a comment can be. Obama is as great an intellect and speaker as has ever been in the presidency. To say this is to demonstrate a complete lack of awareness. This has been done only to gain favor in a political race. This is total stupidness. It is hard to believe that a human could say such a thing
August 23 2010 at 7:22 PM Report abuse Permalink +1 rate up rate down ReplyLike father like son - enough said.
August 23 2010 at 4:45 PM Report abuse Permalink +3 rate up rate down ReplyI don't agree with Mr. Quayle on his positions that Mr. Obama is the worst president in history. In my life time yes, but in all of our history maybe going too far a field. Mr. Quayle has the right as all candidates have to campaign on any issue they feel will motive the electorate. We as the electorate have the right by our vote to show if we agree his pronouncement.
August 23 2010 at 4:22 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Replytahaneline: I am sorry but I must have missed the part where Mr. Quale SAID and wrote that those children were his. Please tell me where to find it?
August 23 2010 at 3:53 PM Report abuse Permalink -5 rate up rate down ReplyHe is the uncle of those kids. Doesn't that count as a family interest?
August 23 2010 at 4:13 PM Report abuse Permalink -4 rate up rate down ReplyQuayle for PRESIDENT..Finally, a person with some guts
August 23 2010 at 3:15 PM Report abuse Permalink -18 rate up rate down ReplyNice going, Ben Quayle!
August 23 2010 at 3:13 PM Report abuse Permalink -7 rate up rate down ReplyRepublicans, please put an ad on Craig's List and find yourself some decent, honest politicians.
August 23 2010 at 3:11 PM Report abuse Permalink +9 rate up rate down ReplyGood idea. And plese, not Newt the serial wife hunter.
August 23 2010 at 4:28 PM Report abuse Permalink +4 rate up rate down ReplyJimmy Carter was the worst President ever but Obama will catch and pass him before his term is up.
August 23 2010 at 2:46 PM Report abuse Permalink -8 rate up rate down ReplyBet you just loved Bush and his flub-a-dubs like Katrina and Iraq....
August 23 2010 at 4:29 PM Report abuse Permalink +2 rate up rate down ReplyThe only thing worse than the Democrat party is the Republican party. Both are pumping out lies for only one purpose - to get power from you.
August 23 2010 at 2:39 PM Report abuse Permalink +3 rate up rate down Reply
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