bobbyw24
11-11-2009, 07:02 AM
A brash, young political newcomer is causing a fuss in GOP circles in the race against Rep. Alan Grayson (D-Fla.).
And what else would you expect in a district that has produced the most colorful member of Congress?
Armando Gutierrez has made a name for himself as a 28-year-old with a supremely ambitious campaign that features an aggressive endorsement-seeking effort.
The businessman has used his family ties and connections to garner an impressive list of endorsements from elected and party officials, including Reps. Aaron Schock (R-Ill.), Tom Rooney (R-Fla.) and Gus Bilirakis (R-Fla.). And, so far, he is the only major candidate to challenge the top-targeted Grayson.
But GOP operatives in Washington and the district say he is running a destructive primary campaign, and national and local leaders are doing just about anything they can to avoid having him as their nominee.
Hes offending a lot of people, said attorney Will McBride, who opted out of the race last week. Hes rubbing people the wrong way. He needs to be a little more professional in his approach to reaching out to local leaders in our party.
Hes pissing people off a lot, said a leading local GOP operative. Hes very pushy and is an unknown commodity, and people are jealously guarding their prerogatives.
http://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/67279-gop-concerned-with-ascent-of-young-florida-candidate
And what else would you expect in a district that has produced the most colorful member of Congress?
Armando Gutierrez has made a name for himself as a 28-year-old with a supremely ambitious campaign that features an aggressive endorsement-seeking effort.
The businessman has used his family ties and connections to garner an impressive list of endorsements from elected and party officials, including Reps. Aaron Schock (R-Ill.), Tom Rooney (R-Fla.) and Gus Bilirakis (R-Fla.). And, so far, he is the only major candidate to challenge the top-targeted Grayson.
But GOP operatives in Washington and the district say he is running a destructive primary campaign, and national and local leaders are doing just about anything they can to avoid having him as their nominee.
Hes offending a lot of people, said attorney Will McBride, who opted out of the race last week. Hes rubbing people the wrong way. He needs to be a little more professional in his approach to reaching out to local leaders in our party.
Hes pissing people off a lot, said a leading local GOP operative. Hes very pushy and is an unknown commodity, and people are jealously guarding their prerogatives.
http://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/67279-gop-concerned-with-ascent-of-young-florida-candidate