Tuesday Big Surprise for Pundits, Not Us
by Robert Russo
Tuesday's exciting outcomes (or a lack of outcome) are making political soothsayers recheck their crystal balls. (I myself pretended to be a pundit last month by making a wrong prediction.) Reporters are giddy, calling this the most interesting election of our lifetime, but why? Mike Huckabee is a mainstream candidate both politically and verbally with full coverage, and yet he was discounted just last week with calls for him to drop out in futility. McCain too was discounted before New Hampshire. They look for the so-called signs and slate underdogs for defeat. To those who strive for simplicity, democracy is an unexpected fluke.
It's true that Super Tuesday "decided nothing" in the words of those who think there is an easy street to the White House.* Clearly Huckabee's strong base in the South didn't care for the predictions of his demise. It's like Survivor, McCain is neither the most outspoken nor politically ambitious of republicans but has a record of conceding his position and is the most-liked by his opponents (and Joe Leiberman). Apparently an election year without a single monopoly taking over is serendipitous. We call it normal.
Ron Paul favored as expected at best, so as we Virginians head to the polls next week the task of his supporters is now to make their choice known, watch the results and start considering some alternatives. Huckabee vows to abolish the IRS and protect the second amendment, while Obama has been called "the first black Kennedy".** We'll be exploring these possibilities as well as our own LP candidates as the year progresses and more libs discuss it.
Every state and citizen has their equal right to make this decision, but it is null unless candidates stay in the race in spite of polls and commentators. Ron Paul's loyalty to his base makes one wonder what Mitt Romney's supporters feel about his dropping out today, especially those who haven’t voted yet.*** I will agree that this election year is fascinating, but underdogs taking the lead and voices/positions that haven't been heard before getting the mike is not the "singular" political year of our time, it is a sign of greater things to come. We cast our ballots next Tuesday, for information on polling places and times go to http://www.sbe.virginia.gov/cms.
*http://www.donkephant.net/2008/02/06/super-tuesday-decides-nothing/
**http://www.doonesbury.com/strip/dailydose/index.html?uc_full_date=20080206
***http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/02/07/romney.campaign/index.html
Richmondliberty Poll: Who do you intend to vote for next week? Send your responses to russo@richmondliberty.org.
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