Paul Hackett's decline and fall; Europe's similar path?
Paul Hackett - the rabble-rousing Democrat candidate who almost defeated Republican Jean Schmidt in a traditionally Republican district - yesterday bowed out of politics "forever" because Democrat leaders pressured him out of another race. "Thus ends my 11-month political career," he says.
Yes, it's old news because everyone was talking about it yesterday, but 1.) It's relevant to me because it's in my city and 2.) It speaks volumes about the political system in this country.
My comment at Dan Drezner's blog:
I'm not a registered Democrat, but as an Ohioan and (like Hackett) former Marine, it would have been great to see him in the race longer. I understand why the Democrats did it, but this populist-vs.-establishment struggle won't go away.
As McCain would have told you a few years ago (and still might today), the rigid two-party structure simply disallows candidates that aren't bought, paid for, and sculpted by one of two boring and bloated parties.
Perhaps re: McCain I should have said that even among sculpted candidates, the Party Leaders decide the primaries for the voters, selecting the one they like best.
I realize I run the risk of sounding like "just another" Naderite/Buchananite/Perotite bitter outsider, but such is life. It's refreshing to see a less scripted, less lobbyist-owned politician.
###
On a completely different topic, but same blog reference, Dan Drezner brings up another issue of interest with his "Decline and Fall of Europe" post. Good roundup of views; interesting subject. I always tend to be hesitant to accept doomsday scenarios, so I take some of the writing with a grain of salt. But Europe certainly is in a transition period. No one knows what it's transitioning to just yet.
Yes, it's old news because everyone was talking about it yesterday, but 1.) It's relevant to me because it's in my city and 2.) It speaks volumes about the political system in this country.
My comment at Dan Drezner's blog:
I'm not a registered Democrat, but as an Ohioan and (like Hackett) former Marine, it would have been great to see him in the race longer. I understand why the Democrats did it, but this populist-vs.-establishment struggle won't go away.
As McCain would have told you a few years ago (and still might today), the rigid two-party structure simply disallows candidates that aren't bought, paid for, and sculpted by one of two boring and bloated parties.
Perhaps re: McCain I should have said that even among sculpted candidates, the Party Leaders decide the primaries for the voters, selecting the one they like best.
I realize I run the risk of sounding like "just another" Naderite/Buchananite/Perotite bitter outsider, but such is life. It's refreshing to see a less scripted, less lobbyist-owned politician.
###
On a completely different topic, but same blog reference, Dan Drezner brings up another issue of interest with his "Decline and Fall of Europe" post. Good roundup of views; interesting subject. I always tend to be hesitant to accept doomsday scenarios, so I take some of the writing with a grain of salt. But Europe certainly is in a transition period. No one knows what it's transitioning to just yet.
posted by bp at
11:17 AM
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