[rlmorel]

"...I do not believe that local politicians are intrinsically more virtuous than Washington-based politicians..."

They aren't. They are just easier to get your hands on.

And at the heart of conservatism is a healthy awareness that people are flawed, and are susceptible to temptation, corruption and power, and you allow yourself to be governed while knowing man is imperfect. Liberals don't see it that way, hence people like Obama in government. The founders surely saw it that way, and it is why the Constitution was created as it was. A wonderful document when followed, a great cover for people to wrap themselves in for protection when they deliberately flaunt it, and profess to abide by it. And aren't called out on it.

[nathanbedford]

And at the heart of conservatism is a healthy awareness that people are flawed, and are susceptible to temptation, corruption and power, and you allow yourself to be governed while knowing man is imperfect. Liberals don't see it that way, hence people like Obama in government.

An important insight that and one which explains at least in part why the left is always whoring after the new Messiah. As Dennis Prager says in so many words, one's political convictions are determined by whether one sees man as inherently evil or inherently good.

We conservatives acknowledge the flawed nature of man and yet by virtue of some miracle I do not fully understand it is conservatives who vest in man the dignity of liberty while liberals despise the individual and would deprive him of choice (outside of the bedroom) and consequences.

Anyway, a flawed man as local politician is at least under closer scrutiny than a phony Messiah in a bubble.