Oh, My Bad! Obama IS a Nazi!

Maybe I didn't notice this because I don’t pay attention to writing that is “out there." But the reason the conservatorati like town hall folk who refer to President Obama as Hitler is because that's a thought pattern that comes straight from the playbook of Jonah Goldberg, the editor of the National Review.

His book, Liberal Facism from Mussolini to the Politics of Change has the following Amazon description, which I had to reread four times because it was so preposterous by implication:

Fascists, brownshirts, jackbooted stormtroopers - such are the insults typically hurled at conservatives by their liberal opponents. Calling someone a fascist is the fastest way to shut them up, defining their views as beyond the political pale. But who are the real fascists in our midst? Liberal Fascism offers a startling new perspective on the theories and practices that define fascist politics. Replacing conveniently manufactured myths with surprising and enlightening research, Jonah Goldberg reminds us that the original fascists were really on the left, and that liberals from Woodrow Wilson to FDR to Hillary Clinton have advocated policies and principles remarkably similar to those of Hitler's National Socialism and Mussolini's Fascism. Contrary to what most people think, the Nazis were ardent socialists (hence the term National socialism). They believed in free health care and guaranteed jobs. They confiscated inherited wealth and spent vast sums on public education. They purged the church from public policy, promoted a new form of pagan spirituality, and inserted the authority of the state into every nook and cranny of daily life. The Nazis declared war on smoking, supported abortion, euthanasia, and gun control. They loathed the free market, provided generous pensions for the elderly, and maintained a strict racial quota system in their universities where campus speech codes were all the rage. The Nazis led the world in organic farming and alternative medicine. Hitler was a strict vegetarian, and Himmler was an animal rights activist.

Thank God Mr. Goldberg came along in time to put a stop to this! Had I known my vote in favor of a bond initiative to get air conditioners into IPS schools was going to lead to the future extermination of six million American Jews, I probably would have voted against it.

This is the worst kind of disingenuous hack/hucksterism and the notion that a publication as renowned as the National Review would actually have an editor who wrote this is astonishing. How can an educated man not recognize that correlation does not mean causation? Yet there it is by implication…if A existed before B, B must come from A, and, accordingly, everything despised by Goldberg and his ilk is a secret Nazi stratagem being orchestrated by Democrats. Isn't that the REAL message of this book? Watch out!

You know another thing the Nazis favored? Air. Oh my God! Everyone stop breathing before we all become Nazis!

I won’t assume this gentleman is Jewish because his name is Goldberg, but if he is, he ought to be ashamed.

A Republican colleague of mine suggested that Goldberg never meant to actually equate any Democrat to a Nazi, but rather, was just saying “fascist” as a political insult should not stick because some on the left are more closely aligned with historical fascist than those on the right.
I’m supposed to believe Goldberg devoted four hundred ninety-six pages for what could be distilled in the phrase, “I know you are, but what am I?”

Bovine feces. This man intended to whip up the conservatorati, a task at which he has succeeded spectacularly well, given that a Google search of “Nancy Pelosi” and “fascist” gets you 310,000 hits (had to stop after the first 240, but all of them accuse Pelosi of being a fascist). Clinton only had 288,000 hits, but almost all of them were more acidic references to her fascism, if that is possible.

In short, I couldn’t find a single reference to any leftwing figure calling somebody a fascist since Woodstock. Nonetheless, Goldberg created a straw man book, refuting an insult seldom if ever made, so that that he could get a good portion of America to equate their president to Hitler while acting like he was being just a detached historian. This book is blatant political propaganda masked poorly as intellectualism.

While I didn’t agree with him often, William Buckley at least had integrity. Mr. Goldberg, I assure you Mr. Buckley is pivoting in his grave and cursing you polysyllabically.

You are now precisely who I speak of when I talk about the decline in civility in political discourse.

Oh, My Bad! Obama IS a Nazi!

Race Costs Obama Six Percent

An absolutely fascinating poll using inquiries about white people's attitudes toward black people suggests that Senator Barack Obama's lead over Senator John McCain would go up by six percentage points if America could be instantly purged of its racial animus.

The poll, which was conducted on-line because it is believed people will be more truthful giving non-PC answers to a computer screen, found that forty percent of all Americans, including one-third of white Democrats, held unfavorable views toward black people generally.

It is critical to note several findings so the wrong conclusions are not reached from this poll.

First, Republicans harbor racial prejudice as well as Democrats, but their opposition to Senator Obama is overwhelmingly based on a reluctance to vote for ANY Democrat for president, regardless of race.

Second, more white people say positive things about black people than those white people who say negative things.

Third, many white people who say negative things about black people are still eager to vote for Obama, meaning that they can assess Obama as an individual, regardless of the group labels they give black people.

And, finally, race is NOT the biggest factor driving away white Democrats from Obama. Many do not believe he is capable of bringing about the change they want.

Having said all of that, this poll makes it pretty clear that a close election will be decided by race, just as race affected the Democratic primary outcomes. Among white Democrats, for example, Clinton supporters were nearly twice as likely as Obama backers to say at least one negative adjective described blacks well.

In addition, a quarter of white Democrats agree with the statement, "If blacks would only try harder, they could be just as well off as whites." Though, to my knowledge, Senator Obama has never embraced a contrary notion, those who agreed with that statement curiously were much less likely to back Obama than those who didn't.

Finally, despite our progress in race relations, over half of white people gave a more negative impression of black people than they did of their own kind.

In short, if Obama had begun in the U.S. Senate ten years before he actually did, right now he would be a sure thing. But this would only be because he could more easily overcome the votes of a sizeable segment of the white American population that harbors subconscious racist sentiments.

Were Obama a white man with the same resume with such an unpopular opposing party president? Yeah, he'd be crushing McCain.

Race Costs Obama Six Percent

The Woman Who Destroyed History When She Couldn't Make It

The Clinton sabotage saga continues...

Mary Beth Schneider of the Indianapolis Star reports that only 47% of Hillary Clinton's supporters are "solidly" behind Obama. One Clinton delegate from Wisconsin already appeared in a John McCain commercial in which she urges Clinton supporters to defect. Given how clearly McCain's policies contradict Clinton's own, this reaction is can only be characterized as irrational, emotionally-driven "taking my ball and going home." Even ardent Clinton supporters, such as Indianapolis City-County Councilor Joanne Sanders see that.

(Am I going to be branded a sexist now because I called this woman's reaction "irrational?")

Now Clinton is set to take the stage to mend fences. I hope I'm wrong, but I detect "too little, too late." In cruel irony for Obama, the more spectacular Clinton is on the podium, the more she will fuel the discontent at what could have been. Clinton could have been on the phone all along directly to her key supporters, including this Wisconsin delegate, but did she do that? No. She just kept leaving the bread crumbs.

And that's why, according to the Star:

Republicans were hosting a "Happy Hour for Hillary" party Monday in Denver, inviting "open-minded Democrats" who might see McCain as the better qualified candidate.

In what other universe has one party's nominee been so easily torpedoed by its own people?

Respectfully, I must remind Councilor Sanders and those Clinton supporters who are upset that Clinton was not considered for VP of the divisive and insulting fear mongering that characterized the Clinton campaign. Had HRC wanted to be VP, she could have evened her tone and made it palatable for Obama to work with her. Instead, SHE chose to go for the win with scorched earth (though, admittedly, not as scorched as her consultant Mark Penn wanted to make to it).

Clinton can't cry now when she has to walk in ashes.

The Woman Who Destroyed History When She Couldn't Make It

Some HRC People Are Losing It, and She's Paving the Way!

I said it because somebody had to say it.

Hillary Clinton could have CRUSHED Obama discontent among her supporters. But she knew it would be worth more if they stayed in a lather. When her supporters started pushing the idea of "casting a symbolic first ballot" for her at the DNC convention, she should have said the following:

"Look. We fought. We lost. Now we band together behind Obama. If you want to help me, that's what you do. I don't want to hear any of you talking about me anymore. Not a word. Don't hold on to grudges. Help me get Obama elected, maybe I can get appointed Secretary of State (or whatever), and from there, I'll become your next president."

INSTEAD, Clinton talked about the need for catharsis in a clip that went viral through YouTube to all her fans (who turned frenzied by her comments, as if to say NOT having that convention vote was a slight). I call it "dropping bread crumbs," and it applies to politics as well as relationships. If you want something to end, you unequivocally cut ties. HRC hasn't done that. Not even remotely. She's shrugged her shoulders and acted like it she had no control over her supporters. Bull (excrement)!

Respectfully, the catharsis remark might be the dumbest thing I've ever heard Senator Clinton make. Individuals compete every day and lose. Their proponents compete every day and lose. Only unadulterated arrogance makes Clinton (and her people) believe they're entitled to something special because they came close. Hey, New England Patriots....you lost to the Giants, but have a parade anyway! You need a catharsis!!!

Clinton and her higher ups have created an environment where everything that is done can now be churned by Republicans to make Clinton supporters even angrier.

You know how Obama was supposed to tell his supporters by text message of his VP selection BEFORE the media got the news. Well, when CNN leaked it, Obama's folks had to send out text messages in the middle of the night for fear of being perceived as liars. The Obama campaign 's thought process was, "At least our folks will have it first thing when they wake up."

How did it get spun? From CNN:

"Some Republicans and others suggested that Obama’s 3 a.m. ET email had been intended as a deliberate swipe at Hillary Clinton, who ran a primary season ad that referenced that hour of the morning to make the case she was more qualified to handle a breaking crisis."

I promise you, somewhere Clinton supporters will take this as an attack because Clinton let the "world against us" mentality fester instead of telling her people to "let it go."

Also, Clinton supporters are churning discontent because she was not on the Obama VP "short list." One quote from a "high ranking official" was that they knew she wouldn't be selected, but at least she should have been vetted. Ummm....was this the same person who came up with the catharsis comment?!? Why in the hell would you have a campaign devote time, money, and energy to vetting somebody who everybody knows will NOT be selected, just so Clinton can say, "Look at me! I'm being vetted! WHEEE!!!!"

I wanted Biden as president when this began, and when the primary came to Indiana, I voted for Obama. It was a VERY close call for me, though, because I've always had tremendous respect for HRC (she would have destroyed McCain in the debates). But now I lose more of that respect each day.

HRC is signaling through her actions and unspoken words that she would rather have Obama LOSE so she can fight McCain four years from now than to have to potentially wait for 8 years to go up against Biden.

To her credit, HRC has opted NOT to do the ceremonial first ballot. Let's hope that's the start of the REAL end of the HRC campaign.

ADDENDUM:

The Washington Post Live Wire reports the following from Denver:

Hillary Clinton struck back today at John McCain's efforts to woo her supporters in new television ads. “I’m Hillary Clinton and I do not approve that message," Clinton said of the ads that suggest Obama passed over the New York senator because he was threatened by his primary rival.

Had Hillary shut it down, this ad wouldn't have worked. In fact, it would have sounded stupid. But because Clinton didn't speak more emphatically to her supporters to "get over it," Democrats are now wasting mental energy deflecting this non-story. Of course, Clinton loves it because she's in the spotlight, which you have to believe is what she knew would happen. The woman is many things, but politically stupid isn't one of them, except in the following regard. Obama supporters were gracious in victory, but I doubt they will easily forget her tactics when she wants a turn.

Some HRC People Are Losing It, and She's Paving the Way!

Advance Indiana Takes Two Steps Back on Ludacris Story

Just when you thought Advance Indiana couldn’t get sillier. BLAM!

Hip hop star, Ludacris, wrote a song favoring Obama that called Hillary Clinton the “b” word and was questionable in some other regards that I can’t remember. I’m sure John Price is somewhere with a stenograph going over each word, so get a report from him. Anyway, because Obama said he had Ludacris in his Ipod, Advance Indiana thinks Obama shouldn’t be your president.

Is that what it’s come down to? Deciding our president based on who is in his IPOD?

That's the dumbest thing I've ever read, and as a regular at Advance Indiana, that’s saying something.

I'm tired of guilt by association rants. I don't believe, support, or imitate everything I see or hear. If you accept Gary’s argument, though, you must. So....I feel very bad for you, and I can only caution you to avoid packs of lemmings near cliffs because you might go over with them.

I have seen thousands of violent movies, but I don't kill. In fact, I've never even been in a fight. I listened to Pink Floyd's "The Wall," and somehow managed not to disrespect the public education system. I have Lynrd Skynrd's "Sweet Home Alabama" on my Ipod. Here are some of its lyrics:

"In Birmingham, they love the governor,
Now we all did what we could do,
Now Watergate does not bother me
Does your conscience bother you?"

In addition, the final chorus rhymes "where the skies are so blue" with "and the governor's true." The Governor of whom they speak? Rabid segregationist George Wallace. How am I not in the klan?

I’ve listened to Ludacris since he first came out. I challenge you to find ANYBODY who says I’m a misogynist or who has ever heard me use the “b” word. When I was in college, I listened to NWA's song, "F--- tha police," and guess what?!? I've publicly criticized those who disrespect police officers, and I've never been arrested. I loved Busta Rhymes’ song, “Pass the Courvoisier,” and yet, I’ve never drank it! How is this possible?

The next thing Advance Indiana is going to tell you is that watching Brokeback Mountain will turn you gay, so we should be worried about any presidential candidate with that movie in his or her DVD collection.

If AI is going to quote Ludacris lyrics, it can at least quote the good ones:

Shout out to Bill O'Reilly,
I'ma throw you a curve,
You mad cause I'm a THIEF,
and got away with words,
I'ma start my own beverage,
it'll calm your nerves
Pepsi's the New Generation -
BLOW IT OUT YA @ss!

Advance Indiana Takes Two Steps Back on Ludacris Story

Bayh Sizing Up JLT HQ for New Drapes?

If I were on Jill Long-Thompson’s campaign staff right now, I’d be getting accustomed to playing second-fiddle because every indication is that Senator Evan Bayh will be Barack Obama’s running mate if Bayh survives the intensive VP VP (vetting process).

You ask: “What does a Bayh vice-presidential campaign have to do with JLT?!?”

Just this. Indiana Code 3-13-3-1(b).

“The governor shall immediately fill a vacancy in the United States Senate by appointing a person possessing the qualifications required under Article 1, Section 3, Clause 3 of the Constitution of the United States. The person appointed holds office until the next general election, when the vacancy shall be filled by the election of a Senator in a special election to hold office for the unexpired term.”

In politics, assuming an office, no matter how long you hold it before an election, gives a leg up on retaining it, which is why Andre Carson’s supporters quietly orchestrated his succession before anybody else had a chance to mobilize. See how well it worked?

So, in addition to Hoosier Democrats, who might be interested in having a Democrat get the senate appointment, even if it’s only for three to five months? The Democratic Senate Campaign Committee (DSCC), which doesn’t want to see a D seat turn R, even for a minute. If Mitch Daniels is re-elected, it’s his appointment. If JLT gets elected, the right is hers.

In addition to DSCC interest, Bayh will make sure every political action in Indiana works for Obama. The very second the Bayh announcement is made, the JLT headquarters will look like a scene from one of those hostage crises movies. You know the one where the feds come in and take over for the local sheriff. JLT’s entire campaign will be commandeered because, quite frankly, even though she’s “out talking” on a run-ragged schedule, nobody I’ve polled can tell you “her message.” This is why, if JLT wants to survive politically, she’ll turn over the megaphone when the DSCC (and Senator Bayh) says she will.

(The first order of business will be getting JLT to stop talking about her principle campaign idea to date – a gas tax suspension - which Obama called “a gimmick” when Hillary Clinton proposed it on the national level).

But this is actually good news for JLT. In exchange for putting her staff (and probably consultants) on a raft and sending them over the waterfall, metaphorically speaking, JLT will get a LOT of D.C. money from sources other than Emily’s List and the SEIU. You think JLT has labor problems? See how long those last once the DSCC’s top brass starts leaning on people.

In truth, Evan Bayh’s succession to VP candidate is a win-win for JLT and her staff. Sure, it will feel like a demotion for some staffers to be moved from “(current title)” to “deputy (current title).” But they shouldn’t be distressed. For playing along without ego, they may find JLT holding a gubernatorial victory and all the employment-related spoils of war at her disposal. How does “Special Assistant to the Governor” sound?

Bayh Sizing Up JLT HQ for New Drapes?

Clinton Campaign Kleptomania

So back during the primary Hillary Clinton falls in love with a lectern lent to her by the Portage Park Department. Her campaign asks if they can buy it, but because of state procurement and disposition of public property rules, this can't be done.

A campaign staffer asks, "Well, what what if it disappears?" Park personnel say, "We'd have to bill you." With a wink, wink, the podium mysteriously disappears. But the check for $300 never comes.

Does Clinton (or more properly, here campaign staff) think the Portgage Park Department will be so ecstatic about WHO has the lectern that they'll just be content to put a "historic" sign in the vacated space that reads, "Former Lectern Stolen by Senator Hillary Clinton Campaign?"

If this is how her campaign took care of the little details, I'm not surprised she's outside looking in. These stories are just ridiculously embarrassing for Senator Clinton.

Clinton Campaign Kleptomania

The Return

I’m back with a vengeance on some thoughts on news from the past week….some whimsical, some serious. Like this little gem….

Dennis Haysbert believes his role as the black president on “24” got America “ready” for Barack Obama. (Somewhere in the darkness, Hillary Clinton curses the 2006 cancellation of Commander-in-Chief, a short-lived NBC series in which Gina Davis ascends to the presidency).

Haysbert (also known as the spokesman for All-State) states that people constantly tell him they want to vote for him. People, this is terrifying for democracy. Not because a bunch of idiots don’t know an actor from a politician (and look what that got us last time this mistake was made). No, no. Imagine how annoying listening to a State of the Union address will lbe when the Prez wraps up each issue plank in his State of the Union address by saying, “That’s my stand. Are you in good hands?”

The Return

Make Rush Limbaugh and Governor Mitch Daniels Eat It With "Mission Havoc!"

Rush Limbaugh orchestrated “Operation Chaos,” an effort to persuade Republicans to “cross over” and vote for Hillary Clinton in open primary states like Indiana, thereby prolonging the divisive and costly D primary fight.

While Democrats spun the high voter registration totals as “new” voters brought in by excitement about “the process” and Obama (absolutely true), they also claimed converts from legions of disgruntled Republicans. Sorry, but this can't be as true. There hasn't been that kind of mass defection from any organization since Dan Dakich took over as head coach at IU. In short, you HAVE to believe that Limbaugh’s tactic had at least some success, in particular in Pennsylvania, Ohio, and Indiana.

So how about a little payback? Let’s call it “Mission Havoc.”

The goal is to assist the gubernatorial campaign of Democrat Jill Long-Thompson by getting John Waterman, a rogue Republican state senator who is waging a third-party bid as leader of “the taxpayer party” on the ballot. He needs 33,000 signatures by June 30.

If Waterman becomes viable, I predict he will siphon both money and votes from Daniels. Sure, there is a chance he might take some protest votes from independents that JLT would have otherwise collected but for a “third protest option,” but I’m banking that, by virtue of the assistance from famed foe of Bob and Tom, Waterman will take even MORE votes from ultra conservatives who think an income tax is illegal and who think the right to have a tank in your garage is constitutionally protected. Those folks would NEVER vote for a Democrat. Ever.

People, including John Price himself, say the collection of 33,000 signatures might require a political miracle. I don’t agree. Look at the math. 33,000/12 days = 2,750 signatures per day. That’s 275 per day if you have 10 volunteers at Walmart. But WHAT IF, in addition to the Waterman campaign efforts, we could get, say, 1000 people to get 10 names each?

How about we find out, readers?

PLEASE go to http://www.taxpayersparty.net/, print out the form, and get 10 people in your circle of family and friends (or MORE if you’re Catholic) to sign. Then mail it to me at: Chris Worden, 225 N. Delaware Street, Indianapolis, IN 46204.

IF I receive it BEFORE June 30, I’ll take all of them to the Marion County Clerk’s Office. If you mail it, it MUST be received by the 29th, or I won’t have it in time to deliver by the deadline.

No, I’m serious. Really. I’m very serious. If you want to help JLT, and you’re thinking, “I can write a check for JLT, or I can spend my time getting signatures for John Waterman," get the signatures.” (And write the check as or donate on-line immediately. JLT needs a good campaign finance report).

As an incentive for your labor, I will give a $100 gift card to the restaurant of choice to the registered Democrat who delivers in a timely manner the most legitimate signatures (no "I.P. Freely" or "Seymour Butts").

LET MISSION HAVOC BEGIN! Bwaaahaha. Bwaahahaha! BWAHAHAHAHAHA!

Make Rush Limbaugh and Governor Mitch Daniels Eat It With "Mission Havoc!"

OBAMA TO STOP THE DRAMA...DAVID O. SAYS NO!

Rumors are like tumors ...they WILL grow until detected and treated. Sometimes they're benign, sometimes they're malignant but treatable, and sometimes you're just too late. They kill you.

Barack (Barry) Hussein (Muhammad) Obama (Dunham), a life-long Christian (former Muslim), born in Hawaii (outside the U.S. with no birth certificate), who was sworn in on his family's Bible (the Koran), has finally realized, no doubt from his education at a diverse (radical Islamic massadah) grade school, that he and his lovely (anti-Whitey speech giving) wife, Michelle, can be as patriotic (refuse to say the pledge or wear American flag lapel pins) and upstanding (snort cocaine before gay sex) as possible, but they'll get no peace against internet rumors that go "viral" unless they crush them, preferrably by touching their fists together (a/k/a "a terrorist fist jab").

(Use "The Google," as John McCain might say, and you will see how Obama has been subjected to an avalanche of allegations that would be defamatory were he not a candidate).

Karen Tumulty at Time reports that Obama ushered in a new style of answering rumors by creating http://www.fightthesmears.com/. The website features video clips and stories that counter the scurrilousness noted above.

In my opinion, this is (a) genius and (b) long overdue. The Internet is a mixed blessing. It provides easy access to a staggering wealth of information AND misinformation.

And, unlike "the old days" when you had to at least pay for copying scandalous fliers and you could get your @ss kicked for passing them out, a negative chain e-mail COSTS NOTHING to distribute, and it requires acumen most don't have to to track its source. The "cost" of disseminating bogus info is negligible.

This makes the cost-benefit calculus of "do it/don't do it" pretty easy if it works.

On that score, ask yourself how many e-mails you have received that claim Microsoft will pay you $500 for forwarding that same e-mail?

How many of you men have received a chain e-mail warning not to have drinks with an attractive woman or you'll end up in a bath tub full of ice with "Call 9-1-1" on your chest...only to discover after examination that you have stitches on your back because you were drugged before one of your kidneys was harvested for apparent sell on the black market?

Absurdities like this STILL circulate, though admittedly not as much. The decline is attribuate to "clearinghouse" websites, such as http://www.snopes.com/, that debunk all urban legends.

Stopthesmears is Obama's Snopes, and if he had made this available earlier, he would be up 15 points now on McCain instead of 7 because he would have staved off rumors that helped make legitimate stories seem bigger than they were.

Rumors are most effective when they plays into the voter's worldview. After all, if the man refuses to wear a flag on his lapel, and you're a flag-burning amendment proponent, why would you believe Obama when he says he doesn't share Reverend Wright's dismal view of America? Or let's say you're somewhat suspicious of Muslims. If somebody tells you Obama was sworn in on the Koran, and you're only semi-attuned to politics, how likely are you to actually investigate independently to see if it is true? I'd say even money at best. You see, some Americans are so excited about sharing something titilating with their friends, they certainly aren't going to let the facts get in the way of a good story. This applies to all ideologies, by the way.

Political rumor-mongering will also grow because, even when debunked, each rumor has a "shelf life." Unlike a flier that gets chucked in the trash, a rumor continues to be found at The Google until it so widely-debunked, that people will point and giggle (with emoticons) if you keep posting or IMing about it.

The rumor need not even be that effective to get the desired result. Hoosiers cast 1.27 million votes in the presidential Democratic primary, and the margin of victory for Hillary Clinton was 13,000. This means a rumor e-mail that makes 6,500 people (1 in 200) suspicious enough to NOT vote for Obama has just changed the primary outcome. (Maybe it already did???)

In honor of Obama's anti-rumor campaign, I want to put the final chemo treatment on a rumor I actually floated last week (shame on you, Ipopa!) about David O. supporters asking Ed Delaney to hand over his seat. I can now report that this is unequivocally false. Neither David O., nor anybody associated with David O. or the House Democratic Caucus has made this request of Ed Delaney, nor has Ed offered to step aside. David O. is comfortable being cheerleader for Ed Delaney's effort, and Ed is committed to winning his campaign.

See what happens when you actually investigate a story before you start churning it? You get THE TRUTH. That's as radical as Obama's grade school.

See how I got you on that one?!? IT'S NOT RADICAL AT ALL. Don't believe me?

http://www.fightthesmears.com/.

Mark it in your favorites next to Snopes...and help stop the madness.

OBAMA TO STOP THE DRAMA...DAVID O. SAYS NO!

Jon Elrod Abandons Ship?

Say it ain't so, Jo....n.

Sure, Bush's legacy in November will be as beneficial to downticket races as pizza at a Weight Watchers meeting, but I was floored to get wind of scuttlebutt that Jon Elrod, having lost to Andre Carson in the special election and seeing little hope of improving in November, is contemplating resigning his federal candidacy and jumping back into his old house district.

If he pops back into Indiana House District 97, Elrod would face Democrat Mary Ann Sullivan, who edged out city-county councilor Dane Mahern at the Marion County Democratic Party's slating convention.

The Republicans had none of that drama. In fact, nobody even filed a declaration of candidacy pre-primary. As a result, there is a candidate vacancy that must be filled by a Republican Party caucus. Ostensibly, the precinct committee persons covering HD 97 could appoint Jon Elrod, EXCEPT for one small detail. He can't run for congress and state representative at the same time, which is why David Orentlicher had to give up his state house seat. (More on that in a second).

Elrod is allegedly getting pressure from some Repubs to drop the lost cause congressional race and help the R's hold ground in the House by reclaiming a seat he won in a labor-intensive campaign against Democrat Ed Mahern in 2006.

While such a two-step of resigning the federal candidacy and getting appointed to fill the vacancy in his former seat seems completely legal by my cursory review of the election code, I'm skeptical it would be easy for Elrod to pull off politically. He basically told the folks in HD 97, "Your little pond is too small for me." I don't know how keen they'll be now to let him swim in it again just because he saw the piranhana that is the Carson machine coming at him in the congressional campaign stream.

This is a bi-partisan critique, by the way. There's a corresponding rumor that either Ed Delaney offered to withdraw his candidacy so David O. could take HIS seat back or that Delaney has been asked by some Democrats to do so. I find the former version highly suspect. Ed Delaney is no slouch, folks, and I seriously doubt he was running just because he thought it would be a fun thing to do. (I'll let you know when I sort this out).

In my opinion, the vanquished (or the "not even fully vanquished yet") shouldn't get to take their ball and run home. At least not until they regroup and come out swinging in the next election cycle.

Some may say, "What's the big deal? Presidential candidates all have other offices they hold, and they lose and go back without political fallout." First, there CAN be fallout if your state suffered a crises in your absence. Second, if there isn't fallout, it's because either:

(a) many people are wowed to see somebody from their home state playing on the national stage (Evan Bayh, for example...even as an Obama guy, seeing the Senator get national play was pretty sweet); and

(b) presidential candidacies are waged by people who gain FOR their constituents by having assembled national contacts. Hillary Clinton will have more political resources now as a Senator than she ever had before this campaign. That will make her more formidable in the Senate, and every one of her constituents will benefit.

In contrast, what can Jon Elrod say he got for HD 97 by virtue of running....er....starting to run....against Andre Carson? Yeah, I don't know either. Same for David O. Sit tight until the next go-round, lads. You'll come off more respectably.

Jon Elrod Abandons Ship?