Oz and Walker

[Dill]

(10-04-2022, 10:33 PM)samhain Wrote: I think Fetterman wins pretty handily and would bet Warnock as well (although not as decisively) if I had to put money on it.  The domestic violence/abortion/mental illness rumors around Walker will be tough to overcome.  I also think that Warnock, if he wins, will start to become a popular potential candidate for higher office.  His reputation as a worker is well noted, and a Democratic Senator from a southern state will always be a prime option for the party nationally.

I think that people voting for Walker will not be much affected by his hypocrisy. Their concern is with 1) taking the Senate, and 2) doing so with people who will vote with GOP herd, as instructed. No Romneys or McCains susceptible to ethical principle. 

One of the effects of Trump's domination of the GOP has been first to force people to choose--knowingly--an unethical person for the top job in the nation, a job which put him in charge of law enforcement and made him the international face of the U.S., and then to gradually accomodate themselves to rationalizations which vitiate older conservative demands for character and moral propriety in candidates. That's why we hear claims that Biden is a liar too, and anyway all politicians are. Anything to secure the appearance that Trump, who sought to overturn a legitimate election to stay in power, was really no different or worse than any other politician. 

Add to this the deformation of the GOP as it has become a regime party loyal to a dear leader rather than to the nation or to democratic principles. Walker's character doesn't matter. The question is really will he do what the far sharper and more strategic party leaders want him to do, like vote down any new voting rights bill and support a national abortion ban.  It used to be that being a recognizable tool for other interests was the kiss of death in U.S. politics. Now it is an advantage to candidates who lack the competence and knowledge of government usually expected of representatives. 

But this tolerance of imperfection is not extended to the other side. Pennsylvanians now are deluged with ads about Fetterman relying on his parents for support until 49 and pulling a weapon to chase down a black guy he mistakenly thought committed a crime (which would be a positive for a law and order Repub), not to mention his stroke. Also, commentators like Brian Kilmeade, who normally go off on how "liberal elites" think they are better than the average working Republican, have been attacking Fetterman's low class appearance with the hoodie and tatoos and bald head. I expect Oz to close with him in the coming weeks, even if he is a rich out of stater.