What else can anyone do but that? Seriously? Can no ordinary person ever become a Senator in your eyes? Does not the fact that she did in fact beat Castle in the primary mean nothing to you regarding how she is regarded by the electorate?
The reason I ask is that the conservative movement needs LOTS of new, untried people to step up and run for office. That's the only way we can regain power locally, statewide and nationally. Those people are lurking here. But they read the kind of posts you make about ordinary people like Christine O'Donnell and they want nothing to do with having themselves and their reputations BUTCHERED mercilessly and needlessly by negative types like those on this thread.
Thousands and thousands of people read these threads and all that happens is that conservatives who try but don't quite make it are trashed on a personal level. This trashing does NOT help the conservative movement. You are personally responsible for part of this.
What do you have to say?
It seems silly to have to say this, but a closed party primary is not the same as the general election. Do you still not understand the difference, even after the pounding O'Donnell got on Nov 2?
I disagree COMPLETELY. First, you describe it as "trashing", I'll describe it as an after-action examination. It would be painfully stupid to not evaluate reasons why O'Donnell lost. In fact, it's the only prudent thing to do.
"Can no ordinary person ever become a Senator in your eyes? "
I certainly hope not. I don't want "ordinary" people debating, crafting and enacting legislation that will directly impact me and my family. I want extraordinary people doing those things. I want people who over the course of their life have accomplished great things - maybe in the private sector, or in a military career, or in charitable endeavors or other areas of political or governmental responsibility.
O'Donnell had NONE of these qualifications. She had an unremarkable academic experience, an unremarkable professional work experience, and no other government/military or private achievement to point to.
You shouldn't be asking me why I'm "trashing" her. You should be asking yourself why you'd want to follow her (ahem) leadership.
Untried people generally do not belong in a US Senate or House campaigns, any more than they belong in a race for the governor or president. Those are quite simply not entry-level jobs.
New, untried people need to learn the political ropes at a more humble level first, and demonstrate by a record of actual accomplishment that they're worthy of a higher position.
Either that, or they should be so obviously successful and able in real life, that their qualifications for high political office are obvious to all.
Christine O'Donnell had neither of those going for her.
The state and national party organizations have earned a large measure of blame for the serious lack of good candidates. Here in Colorado, for example, the GOP is doing an abysmal job of finding and supporting good candidates.
The Senate is no place for an ordinary idiot, or shouldn't be at least. The upper chamber, as envisioned by Washington, Madison, Monroe and Hamilton would be filled with extraordinary men of great learning, discernment, judgment, character and accomplishment. Many would be from quite ordinary backgrounds but their capabilities would be far from that station.
The conservative movement needs no leaders of the caliber of Christine O'Donnell. Let us all hope that we show better judgment with our support than we did in this instance.
BTW, she will not spend her remaining campaign funds on herself. Rather, she will use them to pay the rent on her “headquarters” apartment, undoubtedly nicer than the one she is living in currently, and to meet payroll to her various close relatives who will provide her permanent campaign with media and strategic consulting services.
If it is any consolation, she is very grateful to you all for your generosity.