28 Apr 6 Short Tales from My Campaign Trails
If nothing else, running for Congress gives even a losing candidate plenty of stories to tell. I did not kiss anyone, so I will not be authoring a “kiss and tell” memoir. But I do hope you will be entertained by the following brief anecdotes. Some might even educate and enlighten you, as they did me.
The Tale of the Medical Murders
A helpful fellow suggested I attend the next regular meeting of a group called the Liberty Tea Party Patriots. Because many politically active citizens would be there, I went. The large banquet room was jammed with 300 or more people, and I thought this would be a great opportunity to make connections with folks who shared my interest in freedom, low taxes, free markets, and fiscal responsibility (all of which the group’s website emphasized).
Unluckily for me, the topic of that particular month’s meeting – which, to my discredit, I should have noticed in advance – was “medical murder.” Speaker after speaker rose to the podium to tell how they had heard about a parent, friend, or other loved one who was intentionally killed by doctors or politicians during covid. The most common accusation was that barely-sick patients went in to have a little cough checked out, were wrongly diagnosed with covid (a “disease” that was concocted to get rid of people too expensive to keep around), hospitalized against everyone’s wishes, isolated, intubated, and never seen alive again. The attendees were outraged by these brazen “crimes.” The only applause of the night was for the speaker who introduced herself by saying, “I am proud to tell you that I never once caved in to the pressure to get vaccinated.”
After two hours of woe, I, as a candidate, was given the microphone and two minutes to introduce myself and my platform to the angry crowd. Being somewhat of a wise guy, I considered opening with “I have been a physician (or government health official) for the last 30 years …,” but I refrained.
The Tale of the Trump-Endorsement Timing
The day I sent out a press release declaring my candidacy was January 2, 2024. Unfortunately for me, that very same day, all four Republicans who represent Minnesota districts in Congress announced they were endorsing Donald Trump (who at that time was seeking the nomination against Ron DeSantis, Mike Pence, Nikki Haley, and several others). When the media called me, they mostly asked about whether, I, too, endorsed Mr. Trump. Soon, I was pigeon-holed as “the Republican candidate who does not like Trump.” That was not a good way to get nominated by the Trump-touting party faithful.
The Tale of God Speaking
Still on the “issue” of support for Donald Trump, a convention delegate told me that God recently had spoken directly and audibly to her. “I was standing in my kitchen,” she said, “and out of the blue God told me to forgive Trump, as he is a changed man.” A few others also advised me of similar input from on high. I wonder sometimes what God is saying to them now.
The Tale of the Tarantula Tosser
At the same time I was running for the U.S. House of Representatives, Marisa Simonetti was running for county commissioner, so we were at many of the same events. She would always make her stump speech about being a “small business woman.” Pretty soon, however, Ms. Simonetti was getting much more publicity than any of the other candidates running for various offices. Two things: (a) her business was reported to be as a paid escort (Google her if you want to know details); and (b) she admitted she threw a live tarantula down the stairs at a tenant who was renting her basement, in order to get that lady to move out. Criminal charges were filed, the “tarantula tosser” headlines were all over the news, and Marissa’s campaign, like mine, was unsuccessful.
The Tale of Royce White
I knew my campaign was doomed when Royce White got tremendous applause at my final convention a year ago – the one at which I lost. Royce was running for the U.S. Senate seat held by Amy Klobuchar, so he was invited to speak, and the crowd raucously welcomed him. Put succinctly, any delegate who supports the candidacy of Royce White is unlikely to support the candidacy of Quentin for Congress. You see, Royce turned out to have a few skeletons in his closet. (Again, Google it, this time with the search terms “strip clubs” and “non-authorized expenses”). Tellingly, Mr. White won his party endorsement, and Mr. Wittrock did not.
The Tale of the Flags
One thing I noticed as I traversed Minnesota’s Third Congressional District – basically the western suburbs of the Twin Cities – was that Republicans are proud of the U.S. flag. The Pledge of Allegiance is recited with great earnestness at all GOP meetings. The Stars and Stripes appear on everything from campaign ads to apparel. And, more than any other symbol, homes of Republicans are quite likely to fly the flag. Many, many times when driving to the house of a Republican, I could identify my destination because it was the only one on the block displaying Old Glory.
I will end with that patriotic tale.
Written by Quentin R. Wittrock, founder of Principle Based Politics.
Look for his periodic, principled political posts, as this blog will explore and promote the idea of principle in politics, both as to individual elected leaders and our federal government as an institution.
Principle Based Politics does not endorse or support any particular political candidate or party.
Gary Russell
Posted at 14:27h, 29 AprilGreat recap, Quentin. You had a front row seat to what would become the norm for the entire 2024 election on the Republican side. With very few exceptions, it’s no longer a Republican party or even platform. It’s a MAGA one and the voters signaled their intent clearly. Republicans wanted Trump and there were enough Independents that leaned that way. The only Republicans who will break from this are ones retiring. My own take on the current Trump “go fast” plan is to accelerate the craziness and then point to deals and perceived accomplishments as “it was worth it” successes by campaign time. It is a total unification – for good or bad and your campaign was proof. The Democrats are lost and it’s possible they will counter Trump (or JD Vance) with someone a little “out there” like a Stephen A Smith or perhaps someone we don’t even see now. It is difficult for us junkies – but many of us should just break from the news for about 8 months.
Quentin
Posted at 15:48h, 29 AprilGreat comment, Gary.
DKnight
Posted at 20:18h, 29 AprilThe delegates and party faithful on both sides tend to be more entrenched and less flexible. But–the disruptors are needed sometimes. For example, Royce White may never win an election, but he is the only speaker at our recent convention who mentioned Mpls/St. Paul. The GOP in MN has ignored the major cities/blue areas for decades–and the party has done the same all over the country. The GOP has the better policies–in the current era–it isn’t even a close call. Regardless, the dems own the power structures of the country–which is why Trump is freaking them out by challenging institutions controlled by the left. Ironically, contrary to many of your readers/contributors, Trump’s policies are more populist, (as noted in other responses to your blog–populism isn’t “right wing”), and are not traditional “conservative” positions. The GOP is now the party of the regular folks and the dems are the elites. Within reason, disruption is needed. The institutionalists/leftists/dems have been headed in the wrong direction for a long time. It is not easy to turn the ship around. It is puzzling how so many “republicans” are disturbed by a new administration that is moving in the opposite direction of the last administration–which was considered to be bad by a solid majority–including lots of dems. Change is messy sometimes–and we are too far gone to fix anything with incrementalism. Although we don’t agree on the political approach–and you trust institutions much more than me–I thought you were a good candidate.
Quentin
Posted at 22:46h, 29 AprilThat’s very thoughtful of you, Darren.
Brian Mundt
Posted at 11:58h, 30 AprilWhat’s next? For you? For the GOP?
Quentin
Posted at 12:09h, 30 AprilI will continue blogging and am contemplating a podcast. My focus will be on where both parties go when the Trump era ends. You will have to wait for that content—suffice it to say I have a lot of thoughts on “what’s next.” Thank you for asking.
James Loerts
Posted at 12:35h, 30 AprilI would imagine the stories you recounted are a lot funnier to you now than when they happened. Politics at the grass roots level is a wild business. It does make sane people question the whole process but it’s all we got. At least you have a lot of great conversation starters.
Quentin
Posted at 13:25h, 30 AprilIn addition to Watergate, your campaign was the start of my interest in politics, Jim. Indeed, the stories are more fun to tell after the fact.
Michael D. Bang
Posted at 13:07h, 30 AprilI enjoyed getting to know you better Quinton as I was CD3 Vice Chair and actively engaging with our candidates. You provide good insight and often a bit of a different take than the other candidates. But you are not fake. You are well versed and consistent albeit sometimes slightly controversial to the Coservative Christian GOP Republican. Yet, I find intellectual evaluation and participation quite valuable at all levels of our political system in our State. You certainly bring that to the table.
Best, and God Bless. Keep sharing your insights and experience. “Conversations,” as my friend Dr. Scott Jensen said many times during his Campaign for Governor, “Are important”. We perhaps will have to have a meeting and sit down in the near future my friend. Thank you for running and putting your voice out there.
Michael D. Bang
National Delegate
SCC Member
SD45 Vice Chair
CD3 Consultant
Quentin
Posted at 13:22h, 30 AprilI appreciate your encouraging words, Mike. You are a servant at heart.
Darrin
Posted at 17:01h, 30 AprilPeople support candidates for a variety of reasons, and we can’t really assume what data each delegate or voter has or even what they consider important. You likely shared delegate support with Royce and other candidates with whom you differ on various policies. We can legitimately identify trends, but sometimes generalizing is employed as an easy way to avoid a more comprehensive analysis.
Quentin
Posted at 17:07h, 30 AprilStyle wise, Royce was more angry, burn it down, throw Democrats in jail, whereas I was more willing to let my policies and votes do the talking.
Thanks for chiming it, Darrin (not to be confused with Darren).