[speedgibson] Speed Gibson: At Home With Friends

[Email subscription to blog articles]

Posted by Speed Gibson:
At Home With Friends
http://speedgibson.powerblogs.com/posts/1244177183.shtml


   There's a post now and then calling for GOP unity. You know the kind,
   that say we have to support candidates no matter what because, after
   all, they are not Democrats. We are not allowed to criticize a
   Ramstad, a Bush, a McCain, and certainly not a Pawlenty when they
   stray - again.
   So, when I attended the GOP state officers forum in Maple Grove
   tonight, I was pleasantly surprised. Everyone there clearly understood
   (or said they understood) that wandering and pandering does not win
   elections. As officers, they would be diplomatic about it, but they
   would also be honest. I can live with that.
   After Matt Abe's liveblog of the previous forum, I leaned toward
   Carrie Reid. Then I read that Craig Westover (who was present tonight)
   had endorsed Dave Thompson. I respect that opinion, but I came away
   favoring Tony Sutton. Maybe I was swayed when he came up with the line
   of the night, which I'll paraphrase:

     "How do you convince voters that limited government will make their
     lives better?

   Dave Thompson is right to talk of common sense, but it's not enough. I
   like how Rush Limbaugh puts it, again paraphrasing: "Why should I feel
   good if my neighbor's tax went up instead of mine?" That's the big
   challenge, especially now, to refute the muddled "What's Wrong With
   Kansas?" thinking.
   Anyway, I was above all so pleased to see all the energy on stage, for
   every office.