Cole Says There's 'No Strain' With Watts
UPDATE: Late Wednesday, Congressman Tom Cole told TMRO that he wants Watts to remain at GOPAC. He said, "J. C. and I, personally and politically...there's no strain. I'm hopeful he will return to (elective) public service in the future." Cole said he understands the dissention some Republicans have voiced over Watts' endorsement of Democrat Cody Graves, but he does not believe that detracts from Watts' role as GOPAC chairman. Former Congressman J. C. Watts, since 2003 the head of GOPAC, the Republican group that recruits, trains and seeks to elect and reelect Republicans nationwide, may be about to get the boot.
A source in Washington says Watts angered many last fall by his endorsement of Democrat Cody Graves, who sought to unseat Republican Corporation Commissioner Bob Anthony. The source confirmed word in Oklahoma that Watts is on his way out at GOPAC and said it may be weeks before it happens. He said one of those most concerned about Watts' endorsement of Democrat Graves was Watts' political mentor, Congressman Tom Cole, a former consultant who guided Watts' political career beginning with his race for the commission in 1990. Cole now heads the Republican National Congressional Committee (NRCC) and has long ties to the GOPAC operation. Another top-level source, however, says Cole needs Watts as his ally at GOPAC, and he is not at all concerned about Watts' endorsement of Democrat Graves. That endorsement apparently is not well-known in Washington GOP circles, but we're told a major D. C. publication is preparing an article about the dissention Watts' endorsement has caused.
Also involved in GOPAC is former Governor Frank Keating. TMRO is told Keating expressed his concern over Watts' endorsement of Graves last fall, citing Watts' role as the leader of a group dedicated to the election of Republican candidates and his break with that dedication in endorsing a Democrat. "Keating went bazonks," our source said.
Keating and Cole both apparently heard from some major GOP donors in the state who expressed their disappointment in Watts' action. Asked if he has been contacted, Cole said, "Frankly, I have not...to any extent."
Watts became chairman of GOPAC in March 2003. Founded in 1978, GOPAC is the premier training organization for Republican candidates across America.
Watts, who served on the Corporation Commission with Anthony, endorsed Graves as did former GOP Commissioner Ed Apple. Neither of them got along with Anthony, the no-nonsense veteran who easily defeated Graves last November. GOPAC Image: Watts with House Republican leadership in 2003.
A source in Washington says Watts angered many last fall by his endorsement of Democrat Cody Graves, who sought to unseat Republican Corporation Commissioner Bob Anthony. The source confirmed word in Oklahoma that Watts is on his way out at GOPAC and said it may be weeks before it happens. He said one of those most concerned about Watts' endorsement of Democrat Graves was Watts' political mentor, Congressman Tom Cole, a former consultant who guided Watts' political career beginning with his race for the commission in 1990. Cole now heads the Republican National Congressional Committee (NRCC) and has long ties to the GOPAC operation. Another top-level source, however, says Cole needs Watts as his ally at GOPAC, and he is not at all concerned about Watts' endorsement of Democrat Graves. That endorsement apparently is not well-known in Washington GOP circles, but we're told a major D. C. publication is preparing an article about the dissention Watts' endorsement has caused.
Also involved in GOPAC is former Governor Frank Keating. TMRO is told Keating expressed his concern over Watts' endorsement of Graves last fall, citing Watts' role as the leader of a group dedicated to the election of Republican candidates and his break with that dedication in endorsing a Democrat. "Keating went bazonks," our source said.
Keating and Cole both apparently heard from some major GOP donors in the state who expressed their disappointment in Watts' action. Asked if he has been contacted, Cole said, "Frankly, I have not...to any extent."
Watts became chairman of GOPAC in March 2003. Founded in 1978, GOPAC is the premier training organization for Republican candidates across America.
Watts, who served on the Corporation Commission with Anthony, endorsed Graves as did former GOP Commissioner Ed Apple. Neither of them got along with Anthony, the no-nonsense veteran who easily defeated Graves last November. GOPAC Image: Watts with House Republican leadership in 2003.
Labels: Bob Anthony, Cody Graves, Ed Apple, Frank Keating, GOPAC, J. C. Watts, Tom Cole
posted by Mike McCarville @ 10:32 AM
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