Conservative blog declares ‘war’ on GOP leaders

The editor of a popular conservative blog declared “war” on the GOP House leadership following the decision of Republican members to appoint Rep. Ken Calvert (R-Calif.) temporarily to a powerful House panel.

“The House Republican Leadership just does not get it and they will not take us seriously until we flex our muscle against them,” wrote Erick Erickson, editor of www.redstate.com. “We must fight the House GOP and we must fight today.     

{mosads}“Today, I declare war on the Republican Leadership of the United States House of Representatives. … We must scalp one member. That member’s name is Ken Calvert.”

Erickson said in an e-mail to The Hill, “There were plenty of other Republicans who would have been eligible and good. Instead, they made a lateral move from [Rep. John] Doolittle (R-Calif.) to Calvert, who has not only had several questionable land deals, but also an arrest.”

In his blog post he outlined these allegations against Calvert. The post had attracted 17 online comments at press time, including one from Calvert press secretary Rebecca Rudman, who explained that one of the newspapers that initially reported the land sale later published an editorial saying the allegations were false. Calvert has denied any wrongdoing.

“Furthermore, all these matters were completely aired out before the Steering Committee and the full Republican Conference where my boss answered any and all questions thoroughly and in detail,” Rudman wrote.

Erickson responded to her post: “Thanks for stopping by Rebecca. The problem is that I just read the 38th e-mail from Republican staffers on the Hill and every single one is rooting for us on this matter.

“In fact, I know several members of the steering committee were loudly saying Calvert should not be on appropriations and were ignored.”

The House Republican Conference Thursday ratified Calvert as its choice to replace Doolittle on the House Appropriations Committee, even though the lawmaker faced stiff opposition from conference members concerned that ethics allegations against him could hurt the party.

Erickson told The Hill, “Leadership may be pleased with themselves, but I’ve heard from more than two dozen Republicans on the Hill thanking me for speaking out against Calvert’s appointment. … That tells me Leadership is not in line with those it represents.”