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Oct

14

The Blackwell Effect


Someone is going to need to explain to me why Virginia Republicans would continue down a path that could lead to the nomination, for one of its U.S. Senate seats, of a conservative (former governor, Jim Gilmore – who keeps a blog that uses the same template as WLST), over a moderate (Rep. Tom Davis), when the conservative is polling 35 points behind the Democratic incumbent (Mark Warner) and the moderate is polling 22 points behind.

Is it just to say, we’re more conservative than you are and can nominate whomever we want even though we know we will lose, so there?

Or what? I do not get it.

Why are moderates so abhorrent?

These folks must think that they are immortal or something and will live long enough to see such behaviors pay off. Because it sure isn’t going to happen in their life time.

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By Jill Miller Zimon at 9:43 am October 14th, 2007 in Elections, Government, Politics 

Comments

6 Responses to “The Blackwell Effect”

  1. 1 Too Conservative on October 14th, 2007 2:43 pm

    It’s becasue the VA GOP IS CRAZY.

    Seriously.

  2. 2 Jill Miller Zimon on October 14th, 2007 2:50 pm

    Hey, Too – thanks so much for reading and commenting. I like your blog and esp. your most recent post about the decision to go with nominating at the convention.

    So – seriously – does what happened with Blackwell and how Ohio ended up with a Dem. gov. have any meaning in VA? I supported Strickland easily over Blackwell, but I had a chance to meet Jim Petro and I still can’t really grasp the alleged principle stand for Blackwell by the right when Petro would have been a tough win for Strickland.

    What am I missing in figuring out the equation? What are others missing? Is it just bullheadedness or dementia? :) (sorry just trying to be cute)

    Thanks again.

  3. 3 Anon on October 14th, 2007 3:39 pm

    Why are moderates so abhorrent?

    Here’s my take.

    Many conservatives believe that “moderate” is a synonym for someone who’ll go whichever way the wind is blowing. Because moderates are assumed to lack guiding principles (other than going along to get along), many conservatives believe they’ll be sold out by moderates whenever the going gets rough.

    I also think you’ll see some of the same sort of thinking on the other side of the political spectrum. Would you agree that many Democrats who are “moderate” (say, on Iraq) are anathema to many on the Left?

  4. 4 Jill Miller Zimon on October 14th, 2007 3:49 pm

    Anon, you asked, “Would you agree that many Democrats who are “moderate” (say, on Iraq) are anathema to many on the Left?”

    It is with great, great sadness that I say, yes, I would have to agree with that.

    HOWEVER, to have a moderate of either party be an anathema is, in reality, a horrific misappropriation of an identity that those of us who hold different positions on different issues, as opposed to being monolithic and one dimensional in support of all things “lefty” or all things “progressive” (or fill in the blank from wherever on the political spectrum) really dislike.

    I am constantly urging people to take back that word, because it does have meaning. And it’s the people who personify being moderate that need to re-assert that meaning and not allow others to hijack it for the purposes of polarization.

    Can you tell you hit a real note with me? :)

    Thanks for reading and commenting. The bright line distinctions people on either end of the spectrum seek fails to mirror how many people really feel and behave. To try and force people into a stereotype, to me, is practically a sin.

  5. 5 Ben on October 15th, 2007 1:24 am

    The other poll I saw had Gilmor actually closer to Warner than Davis. Probably wont matter in the end in this race.

  6. 6 Jill Miller Zimon on October 15th, 2007 8:43 pm

    Really? Interesting but yeah, you’re probably right. Still – on principle, an important issue to understand, which I don’t, obviously. :(

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