Republicans in Virginia’s 10th Congressional district are wondering whether Capitol Hill careerist Rob Wasinger is actually a real candidate running to replace retiring Rep. Frank Wolf. Known most widely for the amateurish astroturf rollout of his campaign by a handful of sock puppets, one can be forgiven for wondering if Wasinger is actually Virginia’s first “catfish” campaign.
To translate that into standard English: the Wasinger campaign has distinguished himself by faking grassroots support, and by doing so in some cases through fake online identities. Now, The Bull Elephant has learned that Wasinger has not had a presence at the most recent local meetings of the two largest Republican committees in the 10th District (those in Fairfax and Loudoun counties). None of the 10th District sources with whom The Bull Elephant has spoken has seen Wasinger or any staff members at any events or GOP functions. Further, today brings proof that Wasinger has not made required filings with the Federal Election Commission.
Under FEC rules, any candidate for a federal office who raises $5000 or more must make an initial filing with the FEC disclosing the fact of their candidacy within 15 days of their having raised such a sum. In the 10th District, so far four Democrats, three Republicans (Comstock, Hollingshead, and now-former candidate Dick Black), and even an independent candidate have each made these filings. But not Wasinger, despite claims by Wasinger’s press secretary 15 days ago in comments on The Bull Elephant and Bearing Drift that the campaign had by that time already raised in the neighborhood of $100,000. (Surely his campaign would not have lied about that, would they?)
Where’s Wasinger? (Click to Enlarge)
So is Wasinger actually in the race (meaning the missing filing is yet another example of #HARVERD in action), or is he a catfish candidate? From Urban Dictionary:
catfish
A catfish is someone who pretends to be someone they’re not using Facebook or other social media to create false identities, particularly to pursue deceptive online romances.
Did you hear how Dave got totally catfished last month?! The fox he thought he was talking to turned out to be a pervy guy from San Diego!
So, if you see a real live person in the 10th District who claims to be Wasinger, let us know. And then let us know how accurate that online profile pic is, otherwise we might continue to wonder if this would-be paramour of 10th District pro-lifers is actually some overgrown adolescent in the downstairs rec room of his parent’s house in Overland Park, Kansas, living out his Congressional fantasy online.
Cross-posted to Virginia Virtucon.
10 comments
[…] Wasinger. Running for Congress is HARD! There are so many things to have to try to get right, like campaign finance filings, hiring staff who aren’t unhinged lunatics, sending out competent emails, and so forth. […]
Wasinger did not appear at the Loudoun County Republican meeting on 2/24/14 nor did he have a representative speaking for him. He doesn’t exist. He is the Catfish Candidate.
It’s true, Lamb Chop is not real.
This is strictly heresay, but a source of mine (I won’t reveal his name) believes Wassinger is a plant. My source has heard this through various connections of his, so this is speculative and there is no hard evidence. However, given this revelation, I think that rumor might have some legs. Wassinger worked for Huntsman, who had many liberal friends and positions. Is it possible, just possible, Wassinger is a Dem plant in the race to lie about and damage the other candidates? I guess we will find out in time.
Dem plant? I don’t know about that, but given the track record of this campaign, I wouldn’t be shocked to find out he was “in” this race for reasons other than to win.
Just to speculate here, what are some of the reasons why you think he is doing this Steve? I am not intending to be confrontational, I am just curious as what you think his reasons are. I wonder if he will even file and pay the filing fee by March 1st. All of us are probably scratching our heads wondering what he is thinking.
Honestly I can’t figure it out. He’s calling himself “the” pro-life candidate in a race that includes Bob Marshall, for goodness sake. He does appear to be running exclusively against Comstock, and frankly hasn’t been helpful to her, so I can’t say that he’s a Comstock “plant” either. (And I don’t think their reaction to him does anything but dispel that notion either). So, it is indeed a head scratcher.
But he at least provides comic relief I suppose.
not anymore, as we all know he is now attacking Marshall on Bearing Drift…
Ummm……….Neither Wasinger or a representative for him appeared at the recent Loudoun County Tea Party meeting. Nor was he or a represenative at last night’s 10th district committee meeting. Hollingshead was at the Tea Party meeting and his campaign manager was at the 10th district meeting. Howie Lind was at the 10th district meeting and Barbara Comstock’s campaign manager. Comstock also had a rep at the Tea Party meeting, You may be on to something here. No one has seen Wasinger or any representative or campaign manager at any event. Loudoun County republican committee meeting is on Monday night, the 24th. If he doesn’t show up there, I think we can assume him to be the guy in the basement in Kansas.