Kicking the macaca out
Wow, the wire services and news outlets are calling the VA Senate seat for Webb.
While I'm thrilled that Allen is out -- and even more excited that the Senate is 49+2 for the Dems -- it's kinda shocking to see how quickly Senator Macaca spiraled out of control and killed his own political career. Webb didn't stand a chance at the beginning of the year, and he wouldn't have won if Allen hadn't repeatedly stepped in his own shit (what Allen could call "ma caca"). Truly, has there ever been a shoe-in who stepped in it more?
It's almost as amazing (but not quite) as the longevity of career that our own bad penny Marion Barry.
So, I guess that George Allen's political implosion is a lesson for the arrogant. Pride goeth before the fall and all that?
And as a complete aside, I heard some punditry today about the potential future poltical career options for ousted MD Gov. Ehrlich and his former Lt. Gov. Michael Steele who lost his bid for the Senate. The talking head was discussing their potential next moves, observing that they are both pretty young and might be able to run again and that Steele might try for a lower state-wide office to get back on his feet, either comptroller or attorney general.
First, I think Ehrlich is done because his eyes were on the prize of the White House. He was clearly setting himself up for that run, and well, I think his losing his re-election bid douses that fire.
Second, I don't think Steele has the drive to run for another office where he can't enjoy someone else's coattails. He hasn't achieved his own success in any aspect of his career, and I don't see him running in a situation where he didn't start out with an advantage. As for his running for another state-wide office... well, one of the criticisms leveled at his campaign this time is that no one knew a thing about what he stood for; all of his ads were personality-driven. Also, he can't run for attorney general because one of the criteria for that office is having practiced law in MD for 10 years (just ask Tom Perez) -- Steele never even passed the Maryland bar.
While I'm thrilled that Allen is out -- and even more excited that the Senate is 49+2 for the Dems -- it's kinda shocking to see how quickly Senator Macaca spiraled out of control and killed his own political career. Webb didn't stand a chance at the beginning of the year, and he wouldn't have won if Allen hadn't repeatedly stepped in his own shit (what Allen could call "ma caca"). Truly, has there ever been a shoe-in who stepped in it more?
It's almost as amazing (but not quite) as the longevity of career that our own bad penny Marion Barry.
So, I guess that George Allen's political implosion is a lesson for the arrogant. Pride goeth before the fall and all that?
And as a complete aside, I heard some punditry today about the potential future poltical career options for ousted MD Gov. Ehrlich and his former Lt. Gov. Michael Steele who lost his bid for the Senate. The talking head was discussing their potential next moves, observing that they are both pretty young and might be able to run again and that Steele might try for a lower state-wide office to get back on his feet, either comptroller or attorney general.
First, I think Ehrlich is done because his eyes were on the prize of the White House. He was clearly setting himself up for that run, and well, I think his losing his re-election bid douses that fire.
Second, I don't think Steele has the drive to run for another office where he can't enjoy someone else's coattails. He hasn't achieved his own success in any aspect of his career, and I don't see him running in a situation where he didn't start out with an advantage. As for his running for another state-wide office... well, one of the criticisms leveled at his campaign this time is that no one knew a thing about what he stood for; all of his ads were personality-driven. Also, he can't run for attorney general because one of the criteria for that office is having practiced law in MD for 10 years (just ask Tom Perez) -- Steele never even passed the Maryland bar.
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