The best candidate of the 2014 election

The Washington Post ^ | November 10, 2014 | Chris Cillizza

[right-wing agnostic]

The 2014 election is over! And, before the 2016 presidential race begins in earnest -- oh, who are we kidding, that's already happened -- we wanted to give out some Fix superlatives for the best (and worst) of the 2014 campaign. Today kicks off the Fix's award season with our pick for the best candidate of the cycle. Tomorrow, we "award" the worst candidate.

First, the nominees (in alphabetical order by last name):

* Shelley Moore Capito (West Virginia Senate)

* Joni Ernst (Iowa Senate)

* Al Franken (Minnesota Senate)

* Cory Gardner (Colorado Senate)

* Ed Gillespie (Virginia Senate)

* Mitch McConnell (Kentucky Senate)

* Michelle Nunn (Georgia Senate)

* Scott Walker (Wisconsin governor)

Looking at the list, it's immediately apparent that Senate Republicans did an outstanding job of recruiting this cycle. Capito ran one of the best campaigns in a non-competitive race in the country. McConnell was, as usual, outstanding. Gillespie came from nowhere to almost upset the single most popular politician in Virginia. And Ernst is a rising national star. But, when you look at the totality of the campaign, it's clear that Cory Gardner was the single best candidate of the 2014 election.

[smoothsailing]

Scott Walker was the best.

For worst, a tossup between Wendy Davis and Alison Grimes.

[Dave W]

Who cares - what a baby you are - a bitter, sulken baby - and massively immature.

[Viennacon]

Tie between Gillespie and Ernst for me.

Remember, when the camapign started, Republicans sort of gave up on Iowa. They failed to attract their top tier candidate and so got this obscure state senator. Over the course of the campaign, she deconstructed the fumbling Braley perfectly and came across as a real citizen candidate. Cruised to a blowout victory!

Gillespie’s near-upset was just... stunning. Nobody saw it coming. The best sleeper ground game I have seen in a longtime. He and Dave Brat prove that a solid Republican ground game can defy the polls!

[ExCTCitizen]

Both of them ran great campaigns.

[Tupelo]

re: Who cares - what a baby you are - a bitter, sulken baby - and massively immature.

Sulken?
Definitions
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Coining new words in your silly rant I see.

Is the word you are looking for?
S U L L E N

God knows I love it when silly little minds go on a rant.
Sleep tight.

[Dave W]

Actually, I did mean sulken. And yes, by your response I would have thought you are about 7 years old - probably a girl who likes pulling hair.

[Tupelo]

Sulken, huh? Snicker. I find it amusing that you and the other professional Republicans all seem to get your panties in a wad when any one has the temerity to question your party leader's decisions. Kinda reminds me of other parties.

However I am real sorry to have to be the one to tell you, but MY vote still counts as much as yours and if it cancels yours out so be it. No apologies. I do not vote party, I vote my conscience. With that in mind, please leave me be. Thank you