Dolley_Madison: The logical fallacy of false choice is also called the 'black-and-white' fallacy. And it is precisely that kind of simplistic analysis against which I caution.
Ray Horvath: Your reference to Reagan illustrates exactly the point I am trying to make --> Reagan is dead. And on my ballot there was Hart and Altmire. Now we have Altmire. Thanks. If that makes me a 'sarcastic ass' (and really, sir, that gratuitous ad hominem is unworthy of your excellent posts & comments) then I reckon I'll just have to live with it.
Ryan_in_Delco: I am a pragmatist. I would prefer to elect a conservative conservative, the very paragon of conservatives. Indeed, I would prefer a conservative who would pass every test members of the Ideology Inquisition might require. But I am a pragmatist, so I also prefer a Compassionate Conservative over a liberal; a lukewarm conservative over a liberal; a mediocre conservative over a liberal.
We should hope Onorato becomes the Democrat candidate for governor. Rendell won by piling up huge leads in the urban centers, especially the southeastern counties. But Onorato is not well known in Philadelphia. He won't be able to ride 0bama's coat tail. Union muscle has been weakened by the 0bama economy. And ACORN's ability to invent Democrat voters has been curtailed. So the GOP can beat Onorato if it can: 1) nominate someone plausible, and 2) keep the 'must be a perfect conservative or I'll stay home' crowd on their meds.
I appreciate all the helpful information regarding Melissa Hart's service on the House Ways and Means committee of the U.S. Congress. I have no desire to return to those dark days of tax increases and an economy in shambles. How could one support a person with that kind of experience? Oh sure, they passed the Bush tax cut; and contributed to the longest economic expansion since WWII. Big deal. The formidable Dolley_Madison's 'button-hole' encounter conclusively proves Melissa is guilty of many crimes against Ideology. So we have been set straight. Cast Melissa out into the darkness: Altmire is preferable. Hart is 'NOT ONE OF US!'
I hope Melissa Hart runs again. I thought she did a fine job as Chair of the Finance committee in the state Senate; and an excellent job representing the 4th District district in Congress, where she served on the Ways and Means committee. If Ms Hart does not run, I might vote for Mr Rothfus over Altmire. Of course, if Rothfus does not conform to the highest standards of ideological purity (as defined by me, of course), I will either abstain from voting, or cast a symbolic vote for an obscure, unelectable candidate. If that strategy contributes to the election of another liberal Democrat, well too bad. Such an outcome would be a small price to pay for the ability to strut about thumping my chest while crying out: 'Behold my integrity!'
I should very much prefer to see a mediocre conservative elected rather than allow an 0bama or Casey to win because the more conservative alternative was not perfect. Of course there are minimum standards we must all expect. My comments flow from the fury I feel toward those who contributed (directly or indirectly) to the election of a person that seems to hold the U.S. Constitution in contempt. Personally, I have sworn to uphold, protect, and defend the Constitution. I proudly served the fleet for 27 years in fidelity to that oath, which I take very seriously. I have stated on other posts that my preferred candidate for Governor will assert support for the 10th Amendment to the Constitution. But if no candidate will promise to protect us from an out-of-control federal government, I won't stay home in a snit. I fail to see the advantage in ceding elections to liberals because a better alternative fails to satisfy on every point.
Sir, I should very much prefer to see a mediocre conservative elected rather than allow an 0bama or Casey to win because the more conservative alternative was not perfect. Of course there are minimum standards we must all expect. My comments flow from the fury I feel toward those who contributed (directly or indirectly) to the election of a person that seems to hold the U.S. Constitution in contempt. Personally, I have sworn to uphold, protect, and defend the Constitution. I proudly served the fleet for 27 years in fidelity to that oath, which I take very seriously. I have stated on other posts that my preferred candidate for Governor will assert support for the 10th Amendment to the Constitution. But if no candidate will promise to protect us from an out-of-control federal government, I won't stay home in a snit. I fail to see the advantage in ceding elections to liberals because a better alternative fails to satisfy on every point.
Politics is not theology. Politics is the work of imperfect human hands. Imperfect people select among imperfect candidates. That's how the world works.
Some of the comments on this thread seem to suggest that unless a candidate meets the highest standard of ideological perfection, he/she is unworthy to be elected. That kind of thinking got us 0bama and Casey. How are they working out for you?
'Green jobs' is a strategy leftists employ in their quest for control. They are vampires who need to feed their lust for power through more taxes, more bureaucrats, more regulations. And, like all addicts, they will lie, mislead, and obfuscate to achieve their goal. They have evolved an arrogant set of rationalizations to justify their actions. But, in the end, they are destructive monsters. Their impulses differ from Stalin and Hitler and Mao Tse Tung only in degree, not in substance.
Hoeffel says he fears the Democrats may veer too far right. Does that mean he believes Rendell's tax increase proposals don't go far enough? Sure, Joe, raise those taxes. That'll bring jobs flowing into Pennsylvania. In fact, why not confiscate 100% of that evil capitalistic income. Let Harrisburg bureaucrats dole out a weekly allowance to citizens, 'invest' the rest in Progressive-friendly constituents. You'll have a friend in the White House -- until 2012.
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