Reply #8: Loose Canon [View All]

[orwell]

Actually I don't think it is a matter of "intestinal fortitude." Politics at this level is all strategy and tactics. The Cons understand this. This is why they are able to get people to vote for candidates who later screw them royally. Have you ever wondered why a blue collar southern factory worker would vote Repungnant when their job is getting outsourced?

The mainstream candidate has to speak to the swing voters while appeasing his base only when required. Both Edwards and Kerry understand this.

Ralphie on the other hand has been effectively shunned by all. He is a loose cannon and therefore quite unpredictable. Of course there is a possibility he is shilling for Niccolo Rove, but that should become apparent quite early on in the "Crusade." I think his attacks on either Edwards or Kerry will fall on deaf ears. Nobody has forgotten 2000. But his attacks on Bush tonight were some of the most brutal I have heard on mainstream TV. Russert was allowing him to unload without the "slapdown" that any other "serious" candidate would have received.

In essence, my assertion is that a "loose canon" may hurt the incumbent more than the challenger. In 2000 Gore was effectively the incumbent. Now Bush is "big gubmint."

Of course I could be totally wrong. It wouldn't be the first time...

O