[Arkinsaw]

Great thinking. I'm impressed by yet another FR poster.

Republican hardliners in Arkansas threw out Tim Hutchinson who was a 100% guaranteed to vote against abortion and 100% guaranteed conservative vote on every issue and replaced him with Mark Pryor who is the exact opposite.

Why?

Because Tim divorced his wife and married another and they could stick up their noses and say "I did it for the principle of the thing, damn the consequences". Unfortunately the consequences are Mark Pryor votes against Catholic judicial nominees who are against abortion, votes against partial birth abortion, and votes on the wrong side of every issue. Things Hutchinson would never vote for.

But its not about actual votes and real things, its about feeling good about yourself because you acted out of "principle". Thats a lot more important than political reality and actual votes in the Senate, or real babies lives......isn't it?

In California we know Schwarzenegger can win if everyone falls in line with him. We are pretty sure that McClintock can't win as it stands now even though we favor him. But its better to have Bustamante in office than ever vote for Arnold.....isn't it?

[Jay D. Dyson]

We are pretty sure that McClintock can't win as it stands now even though we favor him.

How can you reconcile this view with the reality that a badly-bungled campaign by a lackluster Simon manage to come >this< close to ousting Gray Davis?

If the Republicans in California would simply get over their starstruck apoplexy and focus on a candidate that supports genuine conservative principles and values, we wouldn't be having this discussion.

-Jay