Politics

‘Double-Crossed’: NV Tea Party Chairman Resigns and Endorses Angle

LAS VEGAS (AP) — The chairman of the Tea Party of Nevada resigned Tuesday after a recording was made public capturing Republican Sharron Angle badmouthing GOP leaders during a meeting with the shadowy group’s U.S. Senate candidate.

The exit of chairman Syd James is another blow to the candidacy of Tea Party of Nevada nominee Scott Ashjian, who has been denounced by state tea party leaders who say he has no connection to the movement that advocates limited government and tightfisted public spending.

In a statement, James said he was endorsing Angle, whose uneasy relations with national Republicans were laid bare in the tape, which Ashjian recorded secretly and later released to the Las Vegas Sun newspaper.

James said he arranged the meeting to see if Ashjian would consider withdrawing from the race and backing Angle, who is trying to oust Majority Leader Harry Reid.

“I gave the Angle campaign my word that this was to be a private meeting and not tape recorded. I feel my personal integrity and honor was violated when Scott taped what was to be a private conversation and then made it public,” James said in a statement.

“I can understand why the Angle campaign feels that they were double-crossed. The Angle campaign trusted me and that trust was violated,” James added.

Angle has the support of national and local tea party groups, but Ashjian’s candidacy threatened to drain votes away from her, which would help Reid in a close race. There are several minor-party candidates on the ballot — a recent poll showed Ashjian with just 1 percent support — and Nevada voters can also choose “none of these candidates.”

In the recording Angle tells Ashjian, “I‘m not sure you can win and I’m not sure I can win if you’re hurting my chance, and that’s the part that scares me.“ She laments that the GOP leaders have ”lost their standards, they’ve lost their principles.“ She refers derisively to ”that good old boy thing” and depicts herself as an underdog David fighting Goliath — the constricting machinery of the national party.

On the tape Ashjian complains his reputation has been unjustly damaged in the campaign. He grumbles about the Tea Party Express, a national political committee that ran ads earlier this year questioning his credentials and supporting Angle. He declines to support her.

Comments (63)

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  • rookiewatcher
    Posted on October 5, 2010 at 4:55pm

    I wish I could be there to vote for her. Anybody but Reid or a RINO. Wonder how and why the Tea Party was born? This race is a prime example. Go Angle!!

    Report Post »  
  • VM
    Posted on October 5, 2010 at 4:55pm

    Ashjian turned out to be a dirty cocroach and in the genuine TEA Party movement around the country he has no place.Honesty and dignity are important to this movement of the people of America.

    Report Post »  
  • Scorpion
    Posted on October 5, 2010 at 4:53pm

    Any T E A partier knows we are out to oust PROGRESSIVE LIBERALS where ever they are,we are NOT looking for a third party(unless Republican progressives persit,then they will be the third party,and a minority one at that),so it should be obvious that Ashjian is a plant!

    Report Post »  
  • SND97
    Posted on October 5, 2010 at 4:47pm

    I don’t care if it was Mickey Mouse running as long as it got a insane person like Reid OUT

    Report Post »  
  • RobertCA
    Posted on October 5, 2010 at 4:23pm

    Watch out people for phony candidates even if they say they belong & support The Tea Party beware & examine them to the limits ,
    Seats in power positions will corrupt most of them just to get the SEAT .

    Report Post » Robert-CA  
  • RodT82721
    Posted on October 5, 2010 at 4:18pm

    Another October surprise! They will be dropping all over the place this year.

    The Democrats bent their lance, by taking off the mask and shoving all their wonderful progressive programs down the throat of the American voter. Now they notice that the voters are out to get even. Since they can’t run on their achievements, they have to run on their bombs. So stand by for incoming!

    Report Post »  
  • Down2TheC
    Posted on October 5, 2010 at 4:16pm

    Ashjian’s move was so not the actions of a Tea Party Patriot or 9-12er. There was no honor in that move. Glad to see the poser get outed.

    Report Post »  
  • TarheelNurse
    Posted on October 5, 2010 at 4:08pm

    She ought to use this in a TV ad – it makes her look strong and decisive and she is just telling the truth that everyone knows about the “establishment” GOP.

    Report Post » TarheelNurse  
  • ncmtnman
    Posted on October 5, 2010 at 4:01pm

    And who appointed this guy head of the Nevada Tea Party? Be careful of those who appoint themselves as a spokesperson of an movement with no central organization, i.e. grassroots

    Report Post »  
  • dlmarsh
    Posted on October 5, 2010 at 3:50pm

    Anyone checking into the fact that some states it is illegal, a violation of law to tape a conversation when only one party knows the recording is taking place. Maybe Scott Ashjian should be indicted and charged with a crime if he broke the law.

    Report Post »  
  • jb1972
    Posted on October 5, 2010 at 3:40pm

    BoooF’nnnnHooo. Get over your hurt feelings. This is not about one person but 300 million. I vote for straight shooters. If you cant stand the heat……………………………………….!

    Report Post » jb1972  
  • bailey08
    Posted on October 5, 2010 at 3:38pm

    I watched Angle on C-Span answering questions in a townhall setting. She’s not a wacko, very sharp and well-spoken. She could wipe the floor with Reid. He’s the real fruitcake.

    Report Post »  
  • bobupbob
    Posted on October 5, 2010 at 3:34pm

    It sounds like Scott Ashjian could have been funded by Prince Harry and his marry men? Could he have been a plant? If Reid’s camp could divide the GOP party, the dopes that vote for him could pull it off. Do your own research, check into this guy and where he comes from. I live in Illinois, and we have seen it first hand.

    Report Post » bobupbob  
    • LSX
      Posted on October 5, 2010 at 3:51pm

      Makes perfect sense for Prince Harry to pay of this guy to distract the voters.

      .

      Report Post » LSX  
    • gapch68
      Posted on October 5, 2010 at 3:57pm

      I think that is what’s happening. I think it came out about 6 months ago that in Harry’s previous election Scott was a fundraiser for him and that he was a registered Dem. up until he filed his papers to run as a tea party candidate. I think everyone should be leary of anyone running as a 3rd party candidate (especially under the guise of TP candidate or constitutional candidate) because I think it was not the intent for the tea party to run as 3rd party but to run on the Rep. ticket. And it seems all these 3rd party people are proving to be plants by the Dems. I mean even Markowsky in Alaska is getting most of her support from the Dems! Come on Alaska – that should tell you something!

      Report Post »  
  • MrButcher
    Posted on October 5, 2010 at 3:26pm

    Angle is still a weak candidate but Reid MUST go!!!

    Report Post » MrButcher  
  • NEL
    Posted on October 5, 2010 at 3:24pm

    Can anyone tell me why the articles are aligned all the way to the right in one skinny column?

    Report Post »  
    • Okpulot Taha
      Posted on October 5, 2010 at 4:08pm

      NEL asks, “Can anyone tell me why the articles are aligned all the way to the right in one skinny column?”

      Easy enough. We are right conservatives. No big government, no waste of resources.

      Okpulot Taha
      Choctaw Nation

      Report Post »  
  • LasVegas Lady
    Posted on October 5, 2010 at 3:24pm

    Get behind Sharron Angle and contribute to her campaign, I did. We need every vote to make sure “Dirty Harry” is removed and honor and the voice of the people is restored in Washington.

    Report Post »  
  • NEL
    Posted on October 5, 2010 at 3:23pm

    Steverino, I agree. I think this can only help her.

    Report Post »  
    • Contrarianthinker
      Posted on October 5, 2010 at 9:51pm

      Curious. lets role play. If you were a part of the NVGOP establishment and/or a RINO voter what would you do? If I was one, I would urge my firnds to STAY HOME or vote for Reid. What about you?

      Report Post »  
  • Iamtheoracle
    Posted on October 5, 2010 at 3:22pm

    Tea Partyers and repubs alike have got to work together to defeat the common foe – followers of Obamasatan

    Report Post »  
  • wodiej
    Posted on October 5, 2010 at 3:22pm

    Hmmm, someone w enough guts to call it like it is. The RINO party….

    Report Post »  
  • moelarrycurly
    Posted on October 5, 2010 at 3:20pm

    The Tangled web indeed…I sure wish that I could take someone involved in politics in any way at their word…wouldn’t that be nice???

    Report Post »  
  • Steverino
    Posted on October 5, 2010 at 3:16pm

    If Angle truly believes in the erosion of Republican principles, I say more power to her.

    Report Post »  
    • Marylou7
      Posted on October 5, 2010 at 3:26pm

      Me too! If she is dis-satisfied with the statis quo of the Republican party then maybe she will work to bring it back to it’s roots. More power to her. Don’t live in NV but would vote for her if I did.

      Report Post » Marylou7  
    • ggzobz
      Posted on October 5, 2010 at 3:45pm

      She believes it. She, as a state legislator, has criticized the republican establishment for years, about not truly supporting smaller government and lower taxes.

      Report Post »  
    • A1955Rosie
      Posted on October 5, 2010 at 4:09pm

      Yes. R is bad, D is bad on steroids. There are still some that believe in the “Original Intent” of our Laws. I believe Angle is as close as they come in that state.

      Report Post » A1955Rosie  
    • IntheKnowOG
      Posted on October 5, 2010 at 4:20pm

      Marylou7

      “. Don’t live in NV but would vote for her if I did.”

      Just send ACORN your SSN, I bet they could help solve that dilemma….

      Report Post » IntheKnowOG  
    • SamAdams25
      Posted on October 5, 2010 at 5:10pm

      I agree. The GOP has to be reformed from the ground up. That means that true conservatives have to get up off of the sofa and go to city and county meetings and vote. In my district, we have replaced 11 County Chairs, elected a bunch of our own Delegates, and replaced the “establishment” District Chair. It can be done. Usually, there are only a handfull of establishment Republicans running the local GOP. Remember: We Surround Them.

      Report Post » SamAdams25  
  • winterhawka7ac
    Posted on October 5, 2010 at 3:16pm

    Libturds on the run.

    Report Post »  
  • cruisemates
    Posted on October 5, 2010 at 3:15pm

    The main thing is getting rid of Harry Reid and taking control. Whoever is the most viable candidate is the one we all need to concentrate on – a lost vote has no meaning in the end – no one will ever know who you voted for. This is about our future.

    Support Sharon Angle – she has shown she can live up to the heat and deserves our support. Send money, Harry Reid has a huge war chest. NOW is the time people, not election day, not the day after, but NOW. Support our candidates.

    Report Post » cruisemates  
  • 5
    Posted on October 5, 2010 at 3:13pm

    Democrats are pushing this “Fake” Syd James who is a Lib-terd.

    Report Post »  
    • poverty.sucks
      Posted on October 5, 2010 at 3:21pm

      Socialist Communist and Muslim-Islamic extreemest are EVERYWHERE. Always question everyone and their intent. Tomorrow question them again.

      Report Post » poverty.sucks  
    • Alvin691
      Posted on October 5, 2010 at 5:30pm

      Ashjian is the Fake Tea Party candidate, and James did the correct thing by stepping down and supporting Angle.

      Report Post »  
  • 5
    Posted on October 5, 2010 at 3:11pm

    Good.

     
    • cubber
      Posted on October 5, 2010 at 3:22pm

      Talk about astro turf.

      Report Post » cubber  
    • docjake54
      Posted on October 5, 2010 at 3:44pm

      I think this only strengthens her position as an independent. She knows the establishment are not behind her. This should encourage both left and right to get behind the candidacy of an honest person who even has to fight the big shots in her own party. And as far as this low life Ashjian who secretly tapes a meeting and then releases the tape … well I think his actions tell us everything we need to know about his character, integrity, and what this weasel would do if he were sent to Washington. Obviously, judging by this contemptuous act he was not concerned about defeating Harry Reid – he childishly wanted to get even with Sharron Angle for beating him in this race.

      Report Post » docjake54  
    • solaveritas
      Posted on October 5, 2010 at 3:54pm

      This will end up HELPING Sharon Angle.
      Harry REID has already proved his corruptness,
      ASHJIAN has proved his deception and/or unreliability.
      Sharon is the only person left with HONESTY.

      Report Post » solaveritas  
    • Awakened One
      Posted on October 5, 2010 at 4:52pm

      For conservatives to take back Washington they must first take back the Republican Party. Sharron Angle simply told the truth. Only progressives and Marxists would fault her for that.

      Report Post »  
    • DaytonConserve
      Posted on October 5, 2010 at 8:52pm

      I agree. Sharron benefits from this as she appears to be the only candidate who is not a weasel and retains her integrity and principals.

      Report Post »  
    • TheWholeTruth
      Posted on October 6, 2010 at 8:48am

      Good for him standing up for what is right!

      Warning: The left has already admitted that they are ‘planting’ TEA Party candidates in hopes of splitting the votes so their candidates can win!

      Report Post »  
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