send to a friend | print | comment
Watkins formally declares for Lt. Gov.
A couple weeks after confirming his intention to run for Lieutenant Governor, longtime Republican political operative Joe Watkins on Thursday officially announced his candidacy, saying it as time for the GOP to move back to “our founders’ principles of limited government and fiscal responsibility.”
Watkins, a frequent MSNBC commentator who recently took a leave from the network to focus on his campaign, has run his own small businesses and is also pastor at a North Philadelphia church. Over the years he’s worked for former Senator Dan Quayle and the White House under former President George H.W. Bush. The breadth of experience has some Republicans enamored with his potential political appeal and how he could complement top-ticket front-runner Tom Corbett on a GOP ticket.
Watkins will take the first step toward rallying support from party insiders who have been mostly supporting elected officials from the southeast when he holds a “meet and greet” reception Saturday afternoon during the Pennsylvania Society weekend.
“Small businesses are the driving engine to create new jobs—the foundation of ‘economic security’ for families,” Watkins said in a statement Thursday. “Government must foster the economic conditions necessary for those businesses to thrive by limiting regulations and by keeping taxes low.”
As someone who found, owned and sold a small business and as one whose wife headed the Regional Office of the Small Business Administration,” he added, “I’ve seen the everyday problems and concerns of small businesses. I’ve seen the practical challenges that a small business owner faces just to keep the doors open. As Lt. Governor, I would put that experience to work as an advocate for small businesses in Harrisburg.”
Watkins joins close to a dozen other Republicans seeking the party’s nomination, in what is shaping up to be the most crowded primary of 2010.
December 10, 2009 at 11:01 am
Tags: Joe Watkins, Lt. Gov., Pennsylvania Society
Leave a Reply
pa2012.com blogs
Red in a Sea of Blue
Purple in Pennsylvania
The Latest from @pa2012 news
More UpdatesStay connected with pa2012.com:
advertisement
advertisement
advertisement
dave
Dec 10th, 2009
Interesting, a pro-choice candidate for Lt. Governor. Should shake things up a little.
Anonymous
Dec 10th, 2009
Joe Watkins, is Pro-Life. I’ve been following him for years. Even in 1994 when the rumor first came out. Turns out the organization that put it out there was rumored to be biased to Santorum. Was proved wrong then and I believe on both counts, the bias to Rick and that Joe is pro-choice. I thought I’d see it again if Joe ever ran for office, and you just proved it. Such a joke. Nice try.
Hey Dave
Dec 10th, 2009
Dave, I actually spoke to Joe about this once. He laughed. He said point blank that he always has been Pro-life. Where this comes from is a mystery to him. Maybe you should go to Pa. Society and ask him yourself. I hear there is a large number of folks who are crystal clear where he stands going up to support him.
No Joe
Dec 10th, 2009
Too little too late for Watkins. All flash, no relevant executive expereince. Corbett will not pick him and the GOP will not endorse him.
Here's the thing....
Dec 10th, 2009
Insiders have a dilemma. No person denies that Aichele, Killion, Cawley or Watkins is ready for the 2 slot. But the math always comes down to who can excite the primary voters AND the general electorate and help get Corbett into the executive mansion. And a video like this makes them do the math again. That Watkins Pa. Society event ought to be fun to attend:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5T5ZPUceZgk&videos=eOuywvB96YI
A Thin Resume
Dec 10th, 2009
To Here’s the thing:
A couple of goofy videos, being a talking head at MSNBC or speaking at a GOP convention doesn’t make someone Lieutenant Governor material in one of the largest, most diverse states in the country. Watkins isn’t a contender. Corbett will ask someone with experience to be his running mate.
Mr. Excitement?
Dec 10th, 2009
If Joe Watkins couldn’t “excite” the voters when he was trounced by Santorum in 1994, why do his supporters think he can “excite” voters in 2010? Sounds like his followers think he’s Reagan. Delusional.
Here's the thing....
Dec 10th, 2009
Resumes are thin if looked at as only a sheet of paper. Check the facts behind the resume and you’ll see exactly what one would want in a leader, diversity in a diverse world. Joe is nothing if he was not diverse. From the obvious to the subtle, the man is a triple threat…successful in business, in politics, consider the consulting firms he’s worked with and, the succesful money management firm and the White House stint, and a successful spirtual leader to his church. Lots of people know him as a “nice guy”, but real players know him also as an effective deal maker, bridge builder and power broker. The problem with Joe is that he has not widely shared his experiences and tooted his or his families horn. He’ll have to become less subtle to get the attention of the Pa voter. Forget delusions. Watkins is the contender that NOBODY knows. His team will have to aggressively change that to win. National people and many State people who appreciate the value proposition have been wondering when the hell he was gonna get off TV and run for office. Now we’ll see.
In The Know
Dec 10th, 2009
Corbett and the GOP powerbrokers won’t pick Watkins. The endorsed ticket will crush him if he decides to run against the party in the May primary.
Anonymous
Dec 11th, 2009
To “In The Know”,
Based on what I’m hearing, I would not bet the farm on any of that.
In The Know
Dec 11th, 2009
To Anonymous:
If Watkins is a contender for the GOP endorsement, exactly which Republican leaders are supporting him? Since you are “hearing” good things about his chances, let us know who is helping him gain traction. I’ve seen no evidence of this, but I’m sure PA2010 readers would be curious about his level of support.
Anonymous
Dec 11th, 2009
Stay tuned.
In The Know
Dec 11th, 2009
To Anonymous:
Translation: Lots of spin, no significant support.
Walsingham
Dec 11th, 2009
The Republican Party endorsement meeting is eight weeks away. Joe Watkins has a very steep hill to climb to even come close to getting the Party’s endorsement. He will need Caucus Chairs and County Chairs in all regions to endorse him to get any momentum. I just don’t see it happening.
Anonymous
Dec 11th, 2009
It will all be interesting to watch, indeed. Walsingham has the fine point correct. But not necessarily the outcome.
Could Be
Dec 11th, 2009
Well Anonymous, whatever you hear and no matter how interesting, at least your guy is being noticed, will give him that. May mean absolutely nothing.
http://www.politicspa.com/politicspa-interview-with-lg-candidate-joe-watkins/3519/
Calvin R. Tucker
Dec 12th, 2009
Joe has a great message to tell and I believe that the primary voters will respond to it. Also as a southeastener, Joe is the only candidate, so far, that seemingly balance the ticket with Tom Corbett’s candidacy.
NO WATKINS
Dec 14th, 2009
Joe Watkins ran against Santorum. Nuff sed. He must be a RINO to challenge Santorum.
Anonymous
Dec 15th, 2009
Joe Watkins is no RINO. The RINO label is pretty tired. Name calling vs. policy debates is equally tiring. Ask Santorum this, how many times did Joe back him from 1994-2006?? Everytime save the primary of 1994. Joe is not known by a lot of people out there, last post shows this.