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.
