BREAKING- "Campaign of Frist"
Brian Kennedy, former Iowa state party chairman, has joined VOLPAC and will play a major role in Sen. Frist’s Iowa Caucus campaign.
Kennedy just completed an unsuccessful bid for the Republican Nomination in the 1st District. He finished 3rd in a 3 way Primary, with Mike Whalen becoming the party’s nominee.
Kennedy started the Campaign of One, a grassroots organization designed to help Republicans in 2004. Before running for Congress, Kennedy lobbied for the influential (and Iowa heavy) DCI Group.
Kennedy also played a major role in the caucus campaign of Lamar Alexander (another Tennessean). It was widely reported that he was behind the attacks against George W. Bush, accusing then Governor Bush of past substance abuse.
It will be interesting to see if Frist employs similar tactics against the frontrunners in ‘08.
Clearly, Kennedy has lots of experience in caucus politics and he is very experienced in the grassroots style campaign that is so critical to winning in Iowa.
Kennedy joins Marcus Branstad, younger son of Gov. Terry Branstad on Team Frist.
Dr. Frist has a lot of hurdles, but these are two very nice pick-ups for him. Kennedy has a state-wide network from his days as party chairman and a good political mind.
It probably doesn’t help Frist as much in the 1st District as some might think, Kennedy failed to get a lot of traction during that Primary. He did have some loyal soldiers though and it would benefit Frist if Kennedy is able to fold them into the Frist machine.
posted by Caucus Cooler at 7/12/2006
6 Comments:
hmmmm.... One of the greatest political minds in Iowa, he has....
Strong with the ways of the Red side of the Force, Kennedy is....
Frist just got serious about Iowa...
WAR Brian Kennedy & his hot staffer
do you think the hot Kennedy staffer will become the hot Frist staffer?
Can't you guys let the staffer thing go? Especially you, Yoda, who tells us what a wonderful wife you have...why do YOU care?
uh, it's a joke. anon 11:37. chill
I wouldn't have expected dirty tricks from Brian. Is that stuff about the President true? Wow.
Looks like the CaucusCooler exclusive got the attention of some folks in DC. Thanks to the Hotline for the link.
VOLPAC emailed us theirstatement on Kennedy. Here's some excerpts.
"Washington, D.C. – Volunteer PAC, U.S. Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist’s leadership PAC, today named Brian Kennedy to serve as its Iowa Chairman. Mr. Kennedy is past Chairman of the Republican Party of Iowa and former Executive Director of the Republican Governors Association.
“I am looking forward to working with Senator Frist to lead a grassroots campaign across Iowa and the nation as we work to reelect the Republican majority to the United States Senate and win key races in Iowa,” said Kennedy.
Volunteer PAC also announced that Senator Frist will be traveling to Iowa July 29 and 30th to appear at events on behalf of gubernatorial candidate Jim Nussle, Congressional candidate Mike Whalen and several other GOP candidates."
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