When good things happen to bad Republicans
Why the resignation of a Republican is bad news for the Dems
When good things happen to bad Republicans
Normally, you would think that the resignation of a Republican legislator coming up for re-election would be great news for the Democratic challenger, right?
You'd think.
But when John Ensign (R, Nev.) announced yesterday that he was stepping down before a Senate ethics investigation could be completed, the Democrats in the Silver State were not exactly popping the champagne corks.
That's because Ensign, the fellow who had an affair with campaing aide Cindy Hampton and tried to steer lobbying business to Hampton's hubby (keeping it all in the family, how nice), would have been an easy target for the opposition. The guy with the snow on the roof has now cleared the way for the Republican governor to appoint Rep. Dean Heller to the seat, giving the GOP an incumbent in 2012.
That hissing sound you hear is the air leaking out of the Dems' celebratory balloons. No Ensign means no adulterous Republican to kick around next year. It also means that the Democrats are going to have to come up with a real strategy, and not just fall back on the old 'he's a two-timing creep and, unlike our own two-timing creeps, he's a conservative!'
That's going to be hard in a state where Sharron Angle gave Harry Reid a run for his money last year.
So Ensign's resignation is no great loss for the GOP. In fact, it may just turn out to be his most felicitous gift to the party.
Such is life these days in our two-party system. Ensign is a loser. At least Bob Torricelli, Mark Dayton, and Larry Craig had the stones to finish out their term before bailing.- Philly, I'll give you Dayton and Craig. But Torricelli? In a state which is synonymous with patronage and corruption (ever read the book "The Soprano State"?) Torricelli is the second oiliest of them all, bested only by McGreevy (and followed closedly by Florio) When he left public office, Jersey had one less Superfund site to worry about. And I agree, Ensign is a pig. Although he is consistent in his taste in women, judging from that photo. The ladies could be sisters.— Christine
- Ha! You're right about the sisters. Not saying slimy Bob wasn't, just that he had the sense to (eventually) leave an open seat... which was I hope was fumigated.
- Oh... and David Vitter, the only thing stopping you from the door is a failure from the opposition to produce a viable candidate. Otherwise, it should have been bon voyage long ago.
- Totally agree. And if I see one more wife 'standing by her bank account' oops, I mean 'man' I think I will get Brioschi on auto-delivery.— Christine
- You are in rare form today and I love it. That being said, enough politics and issues for one day. I need to get psyched for tonight. LET'S GO FLYERS!
- Absolutely....and let's hope Ruff stops whining about us whining...I mean, a five minute major for Richards when he didn't do anything wrong? I understand Buffalo is desperate to have something other than exceptional snow drifts, but pulling bogus power plays is not the way to go about it. Go team!— Christine
Dear "Democrat" Flowers; Do I hear ya rootin fer the Republicans? Huh? I sure hope so.— retour- I'm rooting for the conservatives, wherever I find'em! (but not the kind of conservative who has affairs with members of the B-52s)...same goes for the Gary Harts of the world. ;)— Christine
phillycc74, may I call you philly? Of course I would consider "filly" as well but you may not see the compliment there.
You rock today. Here and on the OpEd column. You realize of course that I was anything but serious there. Other than my call to attention to the apppropriate reference to John 18 38.
Take good care. Keep posting. It is delightful.— PlumberJoe- WTF his wife is WAY prettier!!!!— Mackey Dingo
- Mackey, you are so right there. But again, that hair thing. She needs to borrow a little of Cindy's Aquanet.— Christine
- Hey, everyone, here I am batting my brains out on the op-ed page while the real party is here.
Chris, I am sure you know that just because someone seems to align themselves with the word "conservative" or mouths their views, it does not make that the be all and end all. I present the Donald as Exhibit A.
PJ is right. It is all about who is telling the truth, whether in politics or on a job application.
Pilate asked that question of the only One who could possibly know the answer. What is truth? Indeed.
This is not only Good Friday but also Earth Day and of course the playoffs.
Go Flyer!!! 8-)
— Magistra - Ah, yes. Earth Day. Hat tip to a Cornell law professor: President Obama declared today's 41st annual Earth Day proof of America's ecological and conservation spirit—then completed a three-day campaign-style trip logging 10,666 miles on Air Force One, eating up some 53,300 gallons at a cost of about $180,000. And that doesn't include the fuel consumption of his helicopter, limo, or the 29 other vehicles that travel with that car.
— Thoughtful&concernedvoter - T&cv, the hour is late and time for me to rest my weary body. But I give thanks that the illegal president will be spending the time from now to November 2012 campaigning and not MIS-leading the government and the country.
Although in every speech he will be misleading everyone.
Who is the bigger scoundrel- Obama or Ensign?— PlumberJoe
Email Christine M. at cflowers1961@yahoo.com Reach Christine M. at cflowers1961@yahoo.com.
