Four of the five Republican candidates for the 19th Congressional District addressed the Warwick Town Republican Committee in Orange County last night.
The public forum allowed Nan Hayworth, David McFadden, Kristia Cavere and Neil De Carlo an opportunity to almost start debating.
There were some surprises:
Dave McFadden came loaded for bear. Despite open criticisms of his legal and financial history by Republican Nan Hayworth, McFadden addressed the negative attacks fearlessly -- and didn't shy away from discussing his embattled term as mayor of Tuxedo.
Much of the Tuxedo Republican Committee were also there, almost giving McFadden a chance to head to the confessional.
McFadden was disgusted at how Hayworth's campaign had called him a "tax cheat" and said the legal/financial claims against him were an "absolute fabrication" (News Copy did note a few prior liens and judgments, though nothing yet to match the hyperbole by Hayworth).
"Let's keep it civil. Let's debate the issues. Let's talk about policy," said McFadden.
Pro-life, local, openly conservative and far more improvised than the rest of the candidates, McFadden's full-court press was a cross between an auctioneer and enthusiast. He also laced into Nan Hayworth about http://appalledathall.com and other negative attacks.
Ironically, Hayworth campaign manager John Hicks had preceded the meeting by distributing copies of Appalled's biased breakdown of all five candidates to district leaders.
The identity of appalledathall.com remains a mystery. Hayworth is certainly not distancing herself from it. She's embracing that blog's negative politics entirely.
Kristia Cavere was warmly received, staying above the fray. Cavere clarified her own resume; Pentagon experience, healthcare financial analyst, philanthropist. Cavere's surprise announcement was forecasting at least $250,000 on hand before the end of the month -- $100,000 on hand. The Orange County native also openly stated a pro-life stance.
Nan Hayworth held her ground too and has improved her presentation dramatically in recent weeks. She did not answer McFadden's charges but seemed keenly aware by the end of the night that she was surrounded by competition for the first time since September of last year. Longer in the race, already lining up personal endorsements by local chairs and local committee endorsements, Hayworth must still be viewed as the frontrunner in the 19th with over $500,000 raised.
Nan Hayworth also crossed a line in the sand that she might yet regret:
"I am a tea party candidate, a tea party nominated candidate," said Hayworth when describing how a Port Jervis-based tea party organization, the Tristate Sons of Liberty, had endorsed her.
Neil Di Carlo came across as a rainmaking populist and an enthusiastic religious conservative. Di Carlo's question to all the candidates about whether they had met with other committees -- in response to Hayworth's listing a dozen endorsements -- brought about the most dramatic moment of the night.
Di Carlo emphasized that it was too early for endorsements, that the committees and chairs deserved an opportunity to make an informed choice between all five candidates. He seemed the least concerned about findraising and the most strident social conservative, evoking a politically incorrect approach about D.C. politics that should at least add some entertainment to the race for the 19th.
Though apparently pressured by leaders aligned with former Orange County chairman John Hicks to endorse a candidate last night, the Warwick Republicans were reported by district leaders to be waiting until a larger multi-town and multi-county meeting planned for next month to make a final decision.
Nan Hayworth could not deliver a knockout punch last night and experienced a pushback by her opponents that has finally reminded Republicans that there will be more than one candidate on the campaign trail this summer.
One candidate missing from last night's forum, Tom DeChiaro, has been reported to be planning a comprehensive campaign that aims to raise $1.5 million in the 19th. Running for Congress is not cheap, as much as Neil Di Carlo rightfully reminding Republicans that this year will be about the people.
Now the only question is whether or not too many candidates have shown up ...
Did anyone ask Dr. Hayworth if her husband did abortions?
Posted by: James Dixon | Thursday, March 11, 2010 at 07:52 PM