The son of former President Ronald Reagan is revoking his endorsement of Vernon Robinson's bid for Congress in North Carolina's eighth district.
"I was unaware that this was a multi-candidate primary and I have made it a practice not to endorse in those situations," Michael Reagan wrote in a Dec. 28 email to N.C. Republican Party Chairman Robin Hayes.
As requested by Michael Reagan, Scott Laster, the executive director of the party, distributed the memo Thursday to all GOP candidates in the race to unseat Democratic Congressman Larry Kissell in one of the most competitive districts in the nation. The district stretches east from Charlotte to Fayetteville.
Michael Reagan notes the primary as the reason for yanking his endorsement -- but his message comes weeks after Robinson released a controversial television advertisement that noted the prominent Republican's endorsement.
The ad -- which also highlights support from the family of former U.S. Sen. Jesse Helms -- was condemned by the nonpartisan Helms Center director as "disgusting."
In the television piece, which Robinson's campaign aired on Fox News during coverage of a recent GOP presidential debate, uses inflammatory language and pictures of President Barack Obama.
Robinson's campaign said it was aware of the memo the party distributed but it had not heard directly from Michael Reagan. Robinson could not be immediately reached for comment.
Robinson campaign manager Steve Arnold seemed miffed by the revoked endorsement -- especially considering that Michael Reagan recently backed the presidential campaign of Newt Gingrich, a move that apparently violates his own policy.
Michael Reagan said in an email to Dome that he "had nothing more to add" to explain his decision.
Comments
Congrats Larry
January 8, 2012 - 12:58pm — AwesomeSuaceOnly Robin Hayes could screw up this bad in a gimme year. Hate to say it, but Kissell wins again all thanks to Robin Hayes' foot flavored mouth. Hope his boy Friday has a back-up plan.
Maybe Hudson coud run for Congress in Central America. Free trade and all.
Jump Ship Vernon! Become A 99% Ron Paul Candiate
January 7, 2012 - 3:19pm — ConMaxAnd lose a 100 lbs..Send a e-mail to Kid Reagan and tell him his Pop past away 100 years ago. while still alive..and be sure to tell 1% Hayes you will occupy his 1% Wall Street terrority without his 1% Buddies.. Be a man of the masses..
When did NC Rep. Party start Playng Dem Pol. Machine Politics?
January 6, 2012 - 5:57pm — RASpake1971This is ridiculous… since when did the NC Republican Party start acting like the Democratic Political Machine? The Democratic Party Machine is so corrupt that it’s not even funny, the fact that our state government has been repeatedly investigated for corruption that has plagued the past several and present governor’s administration . Robin Hayes should be ashamed of himself for acting just like Gov. Bev Perdue and the rest of the morally bankrupt Democratic Party Political Machine in this state.
Vernon Robinson is a good man who will make a great representative of our beloved State by standing up for the traditional values that had built this great Republic. Not only is he the son of a Red Tail… he’s served our nation himself. As a Disabled American Veteran who has met with, and talked with Mr. Robinson on several occasions… and was impressed with his stances on the same issues that cause me a great deal of concern.
Our nation is at a precarious crossroads, we have a President who plays fast and loose with the laws he is suppose too be enforcing… and Obama holds the US Constitution in utter contempt as has been shown by his own repeated statements and actions over the years. Our State needs more men and women like Vernon Robinson in the House of Representatives and Senate to stand up for our rights and ideals.
Michael Reagan gave his endorsement to Vernon Robinson, and it seems that the NC Republican Party Chairman has forced his hand to withdraw his endorsement and support for the right man for the job representing our state in Congress. And that is a shame, because it means that the Republican Party is taking a page out of the corrupt and morally bankrupt NC Democratic Party Political Machine. And it really saddens me.
The Republican Party has stood for both equal rights and the rights of each individual to stand with personal accountability is acting like the Democratic Party that has gained its political power trough divisive identity politics with its focus on building walls that separates all Americans into easily control and exploit groups.
Are these the American Values that we want to embrace now? Do we really want to go down this road that our founders warned us against? Did not our founding fathers say “That United We Stand, Divided We Fall…” No matter what our ethnic origin, religious affiliation or sexual orientation is… we are all Americans. We must all stand together as a nation. We must stop allowing ourselves to be divided by petty party politics and come together with a single goal of returning the power back to WE THE PEOPLE and putting the shackles back on the Federal Government and its out of control spending.
Vernon Robinson Ad
January 6, 2012 - 4:08pm — JustinSmith<REMOVED>