This might be the biggest upset in the history of American politics and I am still trying to put it in perspective. I don't pay much attention to spectator sports anymore but someone asked me to watch The NBA game with them last night and I am glad I did. San Antonio put on a clinic. They made 16 of their first 18 shots including 5 of 5 on three pointers. They scored 41 points in the first quarter. For me, it was time well spent.
I was not informed of Dave Brat's victory until around midnight, EST. I immediately sought out the South Carolina results. George Lindsey Graham Cracker got his fifty per cent. Sad face.
Back to Virginia. This was a curve ball for the pundits. It was all about immigration. It was more than immigration. It was the resurfacing of the Tea Party. No wait!. Brat was so low on the food chain the national tea party people who send me fundraiser emails would not return his calls. Really?
It was Laura Ingraham who tipped the scales? Really? When did she become a kingmaker? They don't get Laura's show in South Carolina?
We can agree that Brat did not buy this primary. He was outspent by a factor of at least forty, possibly closer to fifty. In the almost 238 years of The Republic no House Majority Leader has EVER lost a primary. This was an upset of Biblical proportions.
Why did Cantor lose as McConnell and Graham cruised to victory? It might have to do with the viability of their respective opponents. Matt Bevin does not equal Dave Brat. Brat is an economics professor who also holds a divinity degree. He can articulate reasons to elect him. He can reduce his agenda to five or six bullet points ala Contract With America. Brat could have a bright future.
Then again, this might also have a lot to do with the hubris of Eric Cantor. What is it about Republicans--Scott Brown, Kelly Ayotte, Marco Rubio, Paul Ryan, Jeff Flake to name a few--who cannot wait to betray the people who elect them? Do they have to sell out their base to survive? That seems to be the conventional wisdom. If Brat wins in November, conventional wisdom might need an upgrade.
Showing posts with label Cantor. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Cantor. Show all posts
Wednesday, June 11, 2014
Saturday, April 12, 2014
Thursday, December 6, 2012
My Calls To Boehner, Cantor and McCarthy
To the Speaker's voice mail, I politely voiced my respect for the speaker and told him that I disagreed with the removal of four great representatives from Budget Comittees...Live polite person at Cantor's office...Live polite person at McCarthy's office.
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