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So...What's Going on With Norton's Campaign?

by: Colorado Pols

Wed Apr 21, 2010 at 16:36:41 PM MDT

It's taken us a few hours to sit back and digest the strange news that Republican Senate candidate Jane Norton has dropped her former campaign manager, Norm Cummings, and replaced him with Senate Minority Leader Josh Penry. As we think more about this move, there are a few things that become pretty obvious:

1. Norton's campaign is clearly very worried about something. You just don't make this move unless you have serious concerns about the direction of your campaign. Activist Republicans were not happy that Norton decided to petition onto the ballot and forego the caucus process, so that could be a reason. Or perhaps it's the "anti-establishment" momentum of fellow Republican Ken Buck. Or maybe the growing financial disparity between Sen. Michael Bennet and, well, everyone else has the campaign nervous about its chances at winning in November.

Most likely, it's a combination of things, but all point to the same conclusion: Norton and her advisors think a major change is needed NOW. If this isn't a panic move, it's damn close to one.

2. Josh Penry is not really going to be managing the campaign. This is no disrespect to Penry, but overseeing a massive statewide campaign is a particular skill; you can't just pluck some well-known legislator out of the Capitol and hand them the wheel to a multi-million dollar effort. Being a candidate and being a manager are distinctly different skills, and it's more likely that someone else is still going to be calling all the shots for Norton while Penry's role is really as more of a spokesman/message consultant/PR stunt.

In fact, it was a different announcement, buried in The Denver Post blog entry, that is probably more important than the Penry news:

Also helping the campaign is Rich Beeson, who is coming on board as a general consultant. Beeson worked on U.S. Sen. Scott Brown's win in Massachussetts earlier this year.

3. So who is really calling the shots for Norton? Well-traveled GOP consultant Shari Williams had originally been chosen to shepherd Norton through the caucus process, but that obviously isn't happening any longer. From what we understand, the true "manager" of the campaign remains husband Mike Norton, who will no doubt still have the final word, no matter what Beeson or Penry have to say.

The bottom line here is that the Norton campaign is most definitely in some form of disarray, and the Beeson-Penry changes signal something closer to a "panic" than just a general malaise. These are significant changes to make to a campaign that was long considered to be the frontrunner for the GOP nomination.

Colorado Pols :: So...What's Going on With Norton's Campaign?

Tags: rich beeson, mike norton, josh penry, jane norton, ken buck, (All Tags)

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So...What's Going on With Norton's Campaign? | 38 comments

One question remains unanswered about Ms. Norton

Until three weeks before she announced, there wasn't any indication Ms. Norton was interested in running for the U.S. Senate. She was recruited to run and never showed any previous inclination she really wanted to run. The question remains: Does she have the fire in the belly it takes to run a successful statewide campaign. I doubt it.

Because of that doubt, today's announcement seems to be an attempt to prop up a candidate and her campaign who don't really want to run this race. If that is true, she should withdraw.

by: Republican 36 @ Wed Apr 21, 2010 at 22:52:33 PM UTC

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I can't agree with the conclusion

For all that she seems to have been dragged into the campaign, she has done the real work necessary to run a successful campaign since she's gotten in. (Well, "successful" in that she's raised the money and attended lots of events and gotten her name out in front of the voters - you know, campaigning...)

"We're below sharks and contract killers." -- Rep. Trey Gowdy (R-S.C.), speaking on Congress's 9% approval rating

by: Phoenix Rising @ Wed Apr 21, 2010 at 22:58:31 PM UTC

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Another reason I question her commitment rests in the

fact she isn't running a disciplined campaign. Her messaging has been inconcsistent. She appears to be reciting talking points without any passion. Candidates who want to run have that fire from start to finish. They've thought through their message and they are absolutely committed to winning. When a candidate is in that frame of mind it rubs off on the staff and the volunteers. Admittedly, I'm looking at this from the outside without any inside information, but she just doesn't seem to have the fire in the belly for this.

by: Republican 36 @ Wed Apr 21, 2010 at 23:06:50 PM UTC

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weins....

Should a candidate admit that they are the ones posting?

by: ScottLewis @ Sat Apr 24, 2010 at 20:26:15 PM UTC

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Outing people is bad form here

Even if you're wrong.

Today, you're either going to get better or you're going to get worse, but you're never going to be the same. Which one will it be? --Joseph V. Paterno

by: Ralphie @ Sun Apr 25, 2010 at 00:41:05 AM UTC

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I dont question her commitment

I question her competence.

by: bluemountains @ Thu Apr 22, 2010 at 04:19:48 AM UTC

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Without any hidden story...

This does look like a "panic" move. It's not that the campaign appeared to be in disarray. And, as you note, Penry isn't someone you'd chose as campaign manager of a major campaign - he's more of a stunt spokesman appointment.

On the other hand, putting Penry up as the new face of the campaign is almost certainly a better panic move than adding Sarah Palin to your Presidential ticket.

"We're below sharks and contract killers." -- Rep. Trey Gowdy (R-S.C.), speaking on Congress's 9% approval rating

by: Phoenix Rising @ Wed Apr 21, 2010 at 23:01:18 PM UTC

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Pols has got this one right with #2. Beeson is a more than capable of running the show, and will be doing so. Adding Penry as a title-holder just gets a little more press. I actually think this was a pretty slick move.

by: Aggie @ Wed Apr 21, 2010 at 23:09:25 PM UTC

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I think this was a slick move, as well

Using Penry as political cover for firing a campaign manager is pretty damn smooth. Not one of the stories I saw (here being the exception) pointed out that Penry couldn't possibly run her campaign.

by: bluemountains @ Thu Apr 22, 2010 at 02:05:46 AM UTC

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My Republican friends say

That confidence in Norton among GOP insiders is rapidly deteriorating, and that Wadhams' anger over the situation is real and growing.

These are friends, reliable sources IMO, but it's secondhand. Take it for what it's worth.

Yo quiero gobierno medio!

by: JeffcoBlue @ Wed Apr 21, 2010 at 23:16:28 PM UTC

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You have Republican friends....

...other than me?

by: Laughing Boy @ Thu Apr 22, 2010 at 01:50:24 AM UTC

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I'm on the Republican "Friends & Family Plan"

Where all the cool kids will be on Saturday - Code War!

by: DavidThi808 @ Thu Apr 22, 2010 at 02:28:54 AM UTC

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That's what Facebook is for --

we can "friend" a Republican but not have it rub off too much on us.

by: The realist @ Thu Apr 22, 2010 at 15:08:21 PM UTC

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yeah...

Here's the thing. You may not want to admit to your young, hip, cool friends that you do have sensible conversations with people who actually take a concerned and informed approach to life and the world around them.

But then when you hang out with your Dem friends, you have to take that STD med again.

Sorry, couldn't resist. Too easy a target!

by: ScottLewis @ Sat Apr 24, 2010 at 20:28:59 PM UTC

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My question is this

Does this announcement help bolster Nortons support amongst GOP insiders because Penry is on board,

does this announcement create anger among GOP insiders with Penry because he's selling out to Norton ?

Maybe a little of both. Just curious.

" The webinar is free, however, there are only 250 spaces available "

Some douche

by: Fidel's dirt nap @ Thu Apr 22, 2010 at 16:16:46 PM UTC

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Very bad move

A campaign can only have elbow room for one prima donna, which would be the candidate. It can't survive two.

What is strange about this is that they seem to have deliberately brought on Josh to be a paid showboat. This will not end well for them.

by: Kiltartan Cross @ Thu Apr 22, 2010 at 04:39:29 AM UTC

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Late night idea

Is this moving men on the chess board so Penry could step into the US Senate candidacy should Norton happen to back out?

by: WestSloper @ Thu Apr 22, 2010 at 06:17:35 AM UTC

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"step into"

Why not just file and run ?
I see no advantage in taking over a listing campaign as the precursor to becoming the candidate.

by: MADCO @ Thu Apr 22, 2010 at 15:37:17 PM UTC

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Oh, excellent!

GOP consultant Rich Beeson looks like a super hire.

In 1994, Beeson got in a spat with a man in a duck suit working for incumbent Gov. Roy Romer. Beeson, who was working for Romer's challenger, Bruce Benson, "grabbed the duck's bill, spat into it, poked its feathered chest and yelled obscenities"

Right on. Why should we Dems be having all the fun? Looks like it is on for the Republicans, too.

The Buck campaign asserted that the hiring of Penry and Beeson signals that Norton is about to go negative.
"They're going on the attack. I think that's probably what they're going to do," said Buck adviser Walt Klein. "That's the Washington, D.C. move. Go on the attack, get the rusty knife out," he added.
Read more: http://www.politico.com/news/s...

But the Norton campaign said it was Buck that had taken the low road.
"The Washington 'thing to do' is let shady 527s do your dirty work for you, a strategy Ken has embraced from the beginning," said Norton spokesman Nate Strauch.
Read more: http://www.politico.com/news/s...

"I wouldn't characterize caloric intake as "professional development." c rork

by: Middle of the Road @ Thu Apr 22, 2010 at 14:28:27 PM UTC

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I agree with the Buck campaign

Penry is going to be an attack dog--against both Buck and Bennet.

by: redstateblues @ Thu Apr 22, 2010 at 15:52:24 PM UTC

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Isn't that going to be hard for Penry to do ?

I mean, he's on record on about just about every issue, which is quite different than a hired campaign manager or spokesperson.

Wasn't he shaking hands with Governor Ritter when he announced the signing of the natural gas bill this week ?

" The webinar is free, however, there are only 250 spaces available "

Some douche

by: Fidel's dirt nap @ Thu Apr 22, 2010 at 16:20:59 PM UTC

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Well, Ritter isn't running

And that bill had broad bipartisan support.

But I don't think it will be that hard for Penry to be the pit bull. He's unnaturally good at making Democrats look bad, and getting the press to say whatever he wants them to say.

Besides, Penry hasn't shied away from either completely contradicting himself (or his record) to score political points or just distorting the facts to create the necessary spin. I still think hiring him was a good move.

by: redstateblues @ Thu Apr 22, 2010 at 16:30:35 PM UTC

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Plus, Lynn Bartels

will be happy that her boy-toy is back in the campaign action.

Sometimes, I guess, you have to let the inner bitch out.

by: gertie97 @ Thu Apr 22, 2010 at 16:51:00 PM UTC

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The Norton campaign

can at least count on having every utterance amplified by Lynn Bartels. That alone is worth the price of hiring Penry.

by: RedGreen @ Thu Apr 22, 2010 at 17:22:51 PM UTC

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Yeah, that does make sense now that I think of it...

Forgetting what Penry has to say never gets run through the bullshitometer by gee golly gosh stenographer Bartels, and also that complete falsehoods have been the rule rather than the exception the past few years.

Reality sucks.

Is it so hard to say " But Josh, (insert time frame here) you said ... " ?

" The webinar is free, however, there are only 250 spaces available "

Some douche

by: Fidel's dirt nap @ Thu Apr 22, 2010 at 17:26:31 PM UTC

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Well then Penry should preemptiely

insist that the Norton campaign wants all 527s to stay the hell away from supporting ~~the true DC insider~~ its campaign.

"There are a lot of reasons not to elect me." Mitt Romney in a moment of clarity

"I'm Mitt Romney and yes, Wolf, that's also my first name," Willard Mitt Romney demonstrating 'policy flexibility.'

by: ClubTwitty @ Fri Apr 23, 2010 at 01:28:24 AM UTC

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I'm suspicious...

...and anxious to review the finance reports. Dispersals first.

by: It's Me @ Thu Apr 22, 2010 at 19:07:17 PM UTC

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Dispersals

I think you mean disbursements, but the notion of the Norton campaign scattering its expenditures to the wind!

by: RedGreen @ Thu Apr 22, 2010 at 19:17:33 PM UTC

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Wouldn't a strong endorsement from Penry be just as good as his being her campaign manager?

I mean seriously... has the guy ever even run a campaign for dogcatcher before?

What the hell's going on with Jane Norton?

"Why not do the right thing for the American people, even though it's not exactly what we want." - Speaker Boehner

by: Half Glass Full @ Thu Apr 22, 2010 at 23:53:08 PM UTC

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What the hell's going on with Jane Norton?

Now if she loses, she can blame Penry. "He was very enthused but just didn't know how to run a campaign." Until now she's had only herself to blame.

by: RedGreen @ Fri Apr 23, 2010 at 00:51:01 AM UTC

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That could be fun!

I'd pay extra money to see Penry go down in flames alongside Norton, with each firing away at the other...

"We're below sharks and contract killers." -- Rep. Trey Gowdy (R-S.C.), speaking on Congress's 9% approval rating

by: Phoenix Rising @ Fri Apr 23, 2010 at 01:20:21 AM UTC

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If Norton wins...

Penry is Norton's chief of staff, makes DC connections with money, then runs for Congress himself.

by: paulrosenthal @ Fri Apr 23, 2010 at 03:55:02 AM UTC

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I don't know if he runs for Congress himself

but he runs for something, that's for damn sure. You're right on the money about Penry, Paul.

"I wouldn't characterize caloric intake as "professional development." c rork

by: Middle of the Road @ Fri Apr 23, 2010 at 14:18:23 PM UTC

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That makes some sense.

"We're below sharks and contract killers." -- Rep. Trey Gowdy (R-S.C.), speaking on Congress's 9% approval rating

by: Phoenix Rising @ Fri Apr 23, 2010 at 18:20:44 PM UTC

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Didn't he already do that

when he worked for Scott McInnis?

by: RedGreen @ Fri Apr 23, 2010 at 18:42:42 PM UTC

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Sarah Penry appointed by NRSC?

I get it.
The NRSC has taken over and decided Penry is the next Sarah Palin. They are rerunning the McCain campaign that went so well.
Run away Jane Norton needs to be perceived as a fiscal conservative. She appoints as her spokesman someone who was opposed to Ref C,when she was in favor of it, so he can talk about how Jane is a fiscal conservative.
I was also trying to figure out how as a fiscal conservative she is going to become Senator Reid's worst nightmare. Her campaign spent over $700 in the last quarter at the Venetian Hotel-Casino in Las Vegas. They must be doing some serious research on Senator Reid.:)

We already know Bennet bought his win - that ability to raise more money is part of why many in our party love him. -DavidThi808
Michael Bennet - ineffective, dishonest and immoral - Democrat for US Senate

by: H-man @ Fri Apr 23, 2010 at 13:50:38 PM UTC

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So...What's Going on With Norton's Campaign? | 38 comments