Comments on: McCain Wins The Brownback Primary http://larison.org/2007/11/07/mccain-wins-the-brownback-primary/ n. the principle of good order "Observe the strange inversion of all order and sense! Dignity debased; how vilely is the function of a consul prostituted!" ~The Craftsman Thu, 24 May 2012 00:19:21 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.0.4 by: M.Z. Forrest http://larison.org/2007/11/07/mccain-wins-the-brownback-primary/#comment-8031 Wed, 07 Nov 2007 21:30:47 +0000 http://larison.org/2007/11/07/mccain-wins-the-brownback-primary/#comment-8031 I think Robertson's endoresement is more important b/c it provides cover to an existing demo, Evangelical Rudy Supporters. Needless to say, I think McCain supporting Brownbackians are a smaller demo. I think Robertson’s endoresement is more important b/c it provides cover to an existing demo, Evangelical Rudy Supporters. Needless to say, I think McCain supporting Brownbackians are a smaller demo.

]]> by: Daniel Larison http://larison.org/2007/11/07/mccain-wins-the-brownback-primary/#comment-8030 Wed, 07 Nov 2007 20:03:12 +0000 http://larison.org/2007/11/07/mccain-wins-the-brownback-primary/#comment-8030 I look forward to journalists asking Giuliani, "What do you think about Robertson's statement that the 9/11 attacks were divine punishment for homosexuality and abortion?" For the candidate who has made a large part of his campaign about his actions on 9/11, and who has expressed outrage at the mere suggestion that terrorism might be any kind of "blowback," allying himself with one of the most prominent spokesmen of the view that our moral corruption brought about the attacks is both deeply ironic (given Giuliani's own views on these matters) and the ultimate expression of Giuliani's utter lack of scruples. As for the value of the endorsements, I think Brownback's endorsement offers more than symbolism. Brownback does have a <a href="http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071107/UPDATE/711070445/1361" rel="nofollow">sizeable Iowa organisation</a> that he built up before he ran out of money. There's no absolute guarantee that all of those people will work for McCain, but it seems likely that Brownback can bring some of those people who supported him at Ames to McCain's side, and he will be campaigning with McCain there. McCain is already competitive in New Hampshire, and Brownback gives him some practical support in Iowa. What does Robertson have to offer? Maybe he boosts Giuliani a bit with some Christian voters in Virginia and a few of the Feb. 5 Southern states, but probably he doesn't bring much to the campaign. I look forward to journalists asking Giuliani, “What do you think about Robertson’s statement that the 9/11 attacks were divine punishment for homosexuality and abortion?” For the candidate who has made a large part of his campaign about his actions on 9/11, and who has expressed outrage at the mere suggestion that terrorism might be any kind of “blowback,” allying himself with one of the most prominent spokesmen of the view that our moral corruption brought about the attacks is both deeply ironic (given Giuliani’s own views on these matters) and the ultimate expression of Giuliani’s utter lack of scruples.

As for the value of the endorsements, I think Brownback’s endorsement offers more than symbolism. Brownback does have a sizeable Iowa organisation that he built up before he ran out of money. There’s no absolute guarantee that all of those people will work for McCain, but it seems likely that Brownback can bring some of those people who supported him at Ames to McCain’s side, and he will be campaigning with McCain there. McCain is already competitive in New Hampshire, and Brownback gives him some practical support in Iowa. What does Robertson have to offer? Maybe he boosts Giuliani a bit with some Christian voters in Virginia and a few of the Feb. 5 Southern states, but probably he doesn’t bring much to the campaign.

]]> by: Grumpy Old Man http://larison.org/2007/11/07/mccain-wins-the-brownback-primary/#comment-8029 Wed, 07 Nov 2007 19:46:18 +0000 http://larison.org/2007/11/07/mccain-wins-the-brownback-primary/#comment-8029 I've always been skeptical of endorsements, unless they come with money, campaign workers, or a sheeplike herd of voters such as a sect of Hasidic Jews who follow a particular <i>rebbe</i>. Where breathes the voter with soul so dead that he exclaims, "Ah, Sam Brownback has endorsed McCain! That's good enough for me!" A few unions still can mobilize phone banks and donations, but they're the exception. A counterintuitive endorsement might make some people reconsider their aversion to a particular candidate. Perhaps Robertson will persuade a few people that his adulterer is preferable to some other one. Perhaps a Dobson could persuade a few evangelicals that Mitt Headroom, though Mormon, is preferable to some other panderer, but I doubt it. On the other hand, Larison likes Ron Paul. Now I don't have to follow the campaign, just find the good Congressman's name and mark it with "X." I’ve always been skeptical of endorsements, unless they come with money, campaign workers, or a sheeplike herd of voters such as a sect of Hasidic Jews who follow a particular rebbe. Where breathes the voter with soul so dead that he exclaims, “Ah, Sam Brownback has endorsed McCain! That’s good enough for me!”

A few unions still can mobilize phone banks and donations, but they’re the exception.

A counterintuitive endorsement might make some people reconsider their aversion to a particular candidate. Perhaps Robertson will persuade a few people that his adulterer is preferable to some other one. Perhaps a Dobson could persuade a few evangelicals that Mitt Headroom, though Mormon, is preferable to some other panderer, but I doubt it.

On the other hand, Larison likes Ron Paul. Now I don’t have to follow the campaign, just find the good Congressman’s name and mark it with “X.”

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