MNpublius.com

A spokesman for the NRCC issued this statement yesterday about the committee’s rumored efforts to recruit Jim Ramstad out of retirement.

“If grassroots Republicans in Minnesota support the idea of Congressman Ramstad running for reelection, then Chairman [Tom] Cole [R-Okla.] seconds that sentiment,” Spain said. “The NRCC trusts local Republicans to decide who they believe would make the best candidate for Congress, not the other way around.”

So what has been the grassroots response to the possibility of Ramstad’s return? It’s a little less than enthusiastic…

State Senator Geoff Michel:

“(It’s) pretty hard to reverse course on that kind of decision.”

And then there is the less diplomatic approach offered by local blogger and MN GOP Senate District Chair (albeit not a SD in the 3rd) Andy Apilkowski:

I am firmly in the camp now that the people running the Republican party have absolutely no clue what so ever what the hell they are doing.

YOU HAVE TO BE KIDDING ME!!!!!!!

If the leaders of this party don’t figure out real damn quick that they can’t allow RINOs to run around setting the broader party agenda, and worse, lecturing the grassroots for standing on their principles, this party may as well start packing it in, because it will be destined for history.

Harsh. I put a few more “grassroots reactions” below the jump

Assorted comments on the big question…

“based on what i’ve heard of his voting record, he should go enjoy his retirement. Nice guy, but I think we could use a conservative in office.”

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“As a member of the 3rd, I’d be tickled to death if he hadn’t decided to retire, but I dont think he should reconsider merely “for the sake of the party”. He’d be doing us a disfavor, as it would apprear his heart is not really in running to begin with.”