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.