Just one last response… mostly because I really like the give an take and you have been gracious enough to debate with dignity. I appreciate that.
1. There are two ways to read knowing where the skeletons hide. The first is that you might have your own, and knowing where the other guy’s are becomes insulation against attack. The second is that once your closet is open, and all of your skeletons are known, there is a certain liberation that happens. There is also an equal massive fear from the other side. If my sins are public and the other guy’s are still private, and I have measurably overcome mine… The other guy has no leverage over the long run. Yes, this is hardball, but the old much repeated aphorism is that “…politics ain’t beanbag…” fits here. Most voters are well aware of Newt’s stumbles, so much so that Queen Nancy and her smear attempts (2 so far) of “things that she knows” have gone into remission. Newt challenged her to bring it on, she back down. When you have the courage to challenge smear tactics you are very troubling to your opposition.
2. I know from experience of almost 20 years in Virginia local politics, the ballot rules are tricky, and if you “own” the County Committees where the foot soldiers reside, you own the “fast track” to the primary ballot. Romney has owned the levers of access since 2008. (McDonnell finally came out of his closet and endorsed Romney- as expected- Bowling has been a Romney-ite since the beginning.)
Santorum and Perry also ran afoul of the law. It was written by the Democrats during the fading shadows of the old Byrd machine era, so that they could control who was on their ballot, since Virginia has no party registration, anyone can vote in on or the other primary. With the right “influence” it is difficult to get on a primary ballot here. RuPaul managed it because he has the “Ronulan Cult” that has been active for at least four presidential elections. Remember I said “FAST TRACK”, and a presidential campaign needs people – when denied the ready supply of folks from the various county committees, the Results are not enough signatures for the Primary ballot. What state law is doing governing ballot access to political party primaries is beyond me, parties should be setting their own rules.
So I am encouraging all of my friends in the Commonwealth to go out and vote for BLANK in the primary. Yup… put the card in the machine, and push done, unless there is another issue or office on that particular ballot.
It looks like we might finally get party registration in the Commonwealth. That, in and of itself will be clarifying.
God Bless,
John
