The Republicans went and did it--endorsed the crazy guy, Tom Emmer, for governor of Minnesota. I hope that makes it more likely that the Democrat will win, because it certainly makes it more likely that Emmer will win. Did I mention that he's crazy? During the Democrats' convention, there was a lot of talk about which candidate was most "electable." The Republicans evidently are not oppressed with such calculations. Even if Emmer loses, the high profile of him and a million other nuts has the effect of moving that holy grail, "the center," rightward.
Lori Sturdevant, a consistent voice of reason on the editorial page of the Star Tribune, today compares Emmer's views with those of Marty Seifert, his opponent for the Republican endorsement:
[Emmer] was the one who wants to eliminate state aid to cities; Seifert wouldn't quite go so far. Emmer said he wants to replace government subsidies for health care for the poor with tax incentives for charity care; Seifert wouldn't go that far either. . . . Emmer has signed on to a proposed state constitutional amendment that would require a two-thirds vote by the Legislature and a gubernatorial signature before a new federal law could go into effect in Minnesota. Seifert knows his U.S. constitutional law better than to do any such thing.
Meanwhile, Katherine Kersten inveighs against pornography, which "may even have influenced rogue American soldiers' abuse of prisoners at Abu Ghraib." Yes, and President Bush was surfing the Net one-handed when he should have been getting briefed. The wingnuts don't always want to let the market work its magic. They're in favor of freedom, except for when they aren't; and against excuses for bad behavior, except for when it helps the cause. Just make sure the government doesn't help the uninsured get health care!
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