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Tuesday, April 28, 2009

Napoli & Specter

Arlen Specter, the moderate Republican Pennsylvania senator has switched to the Democratic Party at the same time our own Wild Bill Napoli has suggested he may run for Governor.

Napoli is quick on the draw when it comes to inviting Republicans to leave the party when they don't fall lock-step in line with his vision of what Republicans ought to be. Specter's defection leaves President Obama one senate seat (Al Franken) from a filibuster-proof majority.

"Power tends to corrupt. Absolute power corrupts absolutely."
– Lord Acton


Or democracy (or representative republic) does not work well when one party has absolute power.

Republicans like Napoli have brought this upon themselves. They are powerless in Washington and the country is at the mercy of the Democratic Party for at least two years, and more probably eight.

And Wild Bill thinks the Republican field for governor is too liberal to represent South Dakota's conservative values. His entry into the race would split the party along religious lines – those who want to move away from incendiary issues like gay marriage and abortion toward fiscal responsibility and those who wish to force their religious views upon others.

Such a split would almost assure Republican defeat if Rep. Stephanie Herseth-Sandlin chooses to try to raise up her youngun in the Governor's mansion.

When the Republican Party concerns itself with letting South Dakotans keep more of the money they earn, and spends less time figiting about other people's sin, they will gain back some of the power they lost with Specter's announcement today.

Former Sen. Napoli has it wrong. His entry into the Republican race for governor will accomplish nothing but defeat.

2 comments:

Bill Fleming said...

You're right Mike. SD may be a safe enclave for the GOP right now, but nationally it's not looking do hot. Who knows, if the Napolis, Howies and Sibbys keep this up, SD might be a blue state in 8 years.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/politics/polls/postpoll_042609.html

p.s. I agree that we need a good two party system, by the way. It's the American way, right?

Unknown said...

The Republican party has located its enemy but its not the Democrats its themselves or at least the bible banging right wing bastards. I do not understand why the middle of the road ones want to embrace these groups. I could care less if the gay couples want to marry....but i do care about anyone telling me that their "God" is right.