Extremist Candidates Hurt GOP Chances

[babylonsister]

http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/michaeltomasky/2010/aug/11/us-midterm-elections-2010-colorado


The primaries and the limits of extremism
Michael Tomasky

Can you call a bicycle programme a UN conspiracy and be elected governor of Colorado?


So it's come down to this, in America in 2010. You can probably be a birther and become governor of Georgia, but can you call a bicycling programme a UN conspiracy and become governor of Colorado?

That, friends, is what has become of us. In Georgia, there was primary for the Republican nomination for governor. So far, it appears that Nathan Deal has a slight edge over Karen Handel, by less than a percentage point. The race attracted a lot of attention because it became a kind of surrogate battle between possible 2012 GOP presidential candidates. Deal was backed by Newt Gingrich and Mike Huckabee, while to Sarah Palin, Handel was the messiah the state needed.

Handel accused Deal of not wearing pants. Well, not quite. Of being a wimp, let's say. Deal, meanwhile, until recently a member of Congress, is best known in Washington for having sent President Obama a letter demanding his birth certificate.

Some call Deal an avowed birther, others say he's merely birther-curious. Whichever, it can't but help him in Georgia, one figures, where (if his lead over Handel holds up) he'll be facing Democrat Roy Barnes – a former governor going back for a second bite of the apple. Barnes was famous during his first go-round for bravely (I mean that) having the confederate stars-and-bars symbol removed from the Georgia state flag. This time around, he's for an Arizona-style immigration law.

The best winner Tuesday, by a mile, is Dan Maes, the Tea Party partisan who won the GOP nomination for governor in Colorado. Maes was the choice of state GOP convention-goers against a more establishment Republican. That candidate did earn a place on the ballot, though, so Maes faced him again, this time not against a hotel ballroom full of party insiders, but on the primary ballot before the voters – and he won again.

more...

http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/michaeltomasky/2010/aug/11/us-midterm-elections-2010-colorado

[Doctor_J]

1. I wish I believed that

There will be a lot of teabaggers in Congress next year. The Repukes become more reactionary every day and still gain seats.

[babylonsister]

2. I'm with you; I have my doubts, but we'll see. Maybe the

baggers will split the gop vote and Dems win!

[applegrove]

3. "birther-curious" LOL!