Hogwash! Corker simply got started sooner and got his plan for victory in front of most all of the prominent Republicans who can raise money by hosting $250, $500, and $1000 a plate receptions. I have talked to several local power politicians who said that Bryant got started too late and they had already pledged their support and money to Corker. Hilleary even started later than Bryant, if memory serves me well. When Bryant and Hilleary started trying to raise money and get support Corker had already sewn up most of the movers and shakers.
Now, before you whine about powerful movers and shakers, you have to realize that this is the mother's milk of running for a seat: raising money and getting support from key people with influence. It is a fact of political life. Corker saw that and like a smart tactician took advantage of the opening provided by being the man with a plan earliest.
If you don't like it, buy a radio station, newspaper, or television station and offer free time to whomever you want. Or, donate money and/or time to whomever you want. If you get real efficient and successful at recommending a candidate to alot of eligible voters, you become a powerful mover and shaker that everyone wants to court.
That's been tried before as well. Ever hear of N.E.T.? It was the best Conservative television ever created. It was a brain child of Paul Weyrich actually. Weyrich started stepping on big toes like Lott's and a few others. Next thing you know he's voted out by the board and a kinder gentler more Liberal and I do mean Liberal network agenda that took it's place called America's Voice. Instead of Bob Barr there was Bob Beckel. The Armstrong Williams and Ellen Ratner Hour was a pukefest as well.
I am saying there is an organized effort by the controlling faction of the GOP called the Rockefeller Republicans to force out the Conservatives. It has been an ongoing effort. Don't you find it odd that one of the persons who help derail the GOP Conservative Majority agenda in 1995 was a keynote Speaker at the 1996 GOP Convention? Yea good old Susie along with another RINO former governor of New Jersey who is as Liberal herself as Al Gore but no Republican will admit it. I was wrong about one thing the Conservative Movement GOP died in 1996. Bob Dole put the nails in it's coffin. That Convention was the most repulsive thing the GOP ever put together and was down right sickening to hear and watch the GOP being destroyed. The GOP never recovered agenda wise.
The GOP is a split party that I don't see as any hope of ever again being reconciled. Many in the GOP now have more agenda's in common with the Dems than they do the Grass Roots Conservatives who put them in office to start with. If the GOP finally kicks the bucket great that's fine by me. The Specters, Frist, Hatch, Warner, Stevens, and the rest of the crowd including McCain can join the DEMs whom they share values with.
Bryant started too late ? Bryant never STOPPED campaigning for a Senate seat that was stolen from him from Lamar! in '02. Unlike these fat-cat wealthy RINO dilettantes, Bryant actually is of modest means. When you have powerful rich people out to steal something from you, it's hard to stop them.