Dick Morris: Immoderate Is The New Moderate

Hm. Well. He makes the case that what would be called "extremism" in another year -- on fiscal issues -- is no extremism at all this year.

In this environment, purists of the right have a big advantage because nobody doubts the sincerity with which they embrace the goals of limited government, low taxes, and reduced spending. Politicians of all stripes - including most Democrats - vow allegiance to them as does the overwhelming majority of the electorate. In this environment, the distinctions of left and right give way to the difference between sincerity and insincerity, leaving the voters to judge. With candidates like Sharron Angle in Nevada or Christine O'Donnell in Delaware or DioGuardia in New York, voters don't have to guess. They know real conservatives when they see them.

Of course, Congressman Mike Castle had a big advantage in the Delaware Senate contest because of his name recognition and voter support after having run successfully statewide more than a dozen times (Congressmen in Delaware serve at large). But don't count O'Donnell out. She is the real thing - a conservative small government devotee whose advocacy of low taxes is sincere and heartfelt. The national Republican establishment was stupid and short sighted in the negatives they threw at her during the primary. Now they will have to eat their words at great financial and political cost.

But, in a way, their obduracy gives O'Donnell a great opportunity to run as the anti-establishment candidate, putting a plague on the houses of both parties and calling attention to the corruption of each.

That's a good point. So, Delaware doesn't like Republicans. Well, as the last two weeks have made clear, Christine O'Donnell isn't really a Republican, at least not one that the establishment likes. So: A possible way to sell herself to a skeptical blue state.

To some extent, I sorta think that Dick Morris is doing a little pandering -- wishcasting -- but okay. I can dig some pandering.

He goes on to say that Kirsten Gillibrand may be taken down by New York's new Republican Senate candidate, Joseph DioGuardi.

posted by Ace at 06:14 PM

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