Grayson In Trouble?
I don’t think so, and neither does he.
The Orlando Sentinel is concerned about Alan’s future:
“I can tell you, I don’t think it plays very well at all,” said Darren Vierday, a Democratic strategist who worked on Grayson’s 2008 campaign. “Moderates will look at it and probably be turned off by it.”
So far, no established Republican has stepped forward to challenge Grayson, who is worth more than $31 million and is likely to tap his own fortune for his 2010 re-election run. A transplanted Miami developer; attorney Todd Long; and two Tea Party activists have declared to run.
“If this [approach to politics] was doing me harm, wouldn’t you see someone jump into this race who has won an election?” asked Grayson, who said he shared leadership qualities with Patrick Henry of the American Revolution.
“I draw the line in the same place where Patrick Henry drew the line — give me liberty or give me death,” Grayson said. “It’s what leadership is all about. It’s articulating the things that everyone believes but no one is saying.”
Another Central Florida freshman, U.S. Rep. Suzanne Kosmas, D- New Smyrna Beach, was quick to chide Grayson for his use of the term “whore” to describe Robertson during an interview on the syndicated “Alex Jones Show.” Robertson, hired by Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke to help with congressional relations, had criticized Grayson’s support of a bill to audit the Fed.
“Offensive and inappropriate comments hurt our political dialogue and make it difficult to bring people together to move our country forward,” said Kosmas, who faces two solid GOP opponents next year.
…“You have some members of Congress who may like his ideas, but they could be concerned about partnering with him and how that would play back home,” said Susan MacManus of the University of South Florida. “That’s the downside of being a headline-grabber.”
And his effectiveness as a legislator ultimately could have a far greater impact on Grayson’s chances of becoming a veteran lawmaker.
“You can make your point without being offensive. There is a point of diminishing returns,” said Dick Batchelor, an Orlando Democratic consultant.
Yeah, because we all know how being offensive hurt Dick Cheney, Newt Gingrich, Jesse Helms, Saxby Chamblis, Rahm Emanuel et al. Everybody knows how being invisible has boosted the career of Jeff Miller. 😈
One of the people cited as criticizing Grayson is New York Congresscritter Anthony Weiner, who had to explain to people that his “one fry short of a Happy Meal” remark was a joke. He was kidding Grayson. It is something that people raised in The City do to each other. 🙄
There is no magical pool of center right voters who have to be wooed to win elections. The next election will be a matter of turn out, because a lot of people skip non-Presidential elections. You don’t get turn out unless you can motivate your base.
I have a news flash for the pundits – the majority of voters don’t like bankers, insurance companies, or lobbyists. Attacking them is actually a popular strategy.
8 comments
…it is almost painful to watch what the Democratic party has become. There is no reason in an otherwise logical world for Democrats to not be striding across the political landscape like giants, yet we still see the sort of simpering ‘beaten dog’ attitude that has characterized Democratic behavior over the last 15 years even though Democrats have their hands on all the gears and levers of power.
No wonder why so many active voters have become either Independents or Naderites over that time…
They are reacting to the myth of the moderate independent voter.
Voters are just tired of politicians who don’t stand for or believe in anything. If you are willing to put up a fight for your own dignity, why would anyone believe you would fight for them.
Grayson is definitely over the top, but he needs to be given the political environment. There is no need to put up with the Republican garbage, and it won’t stop unless people push back.
It is something that people raised in The City do to each other.
actually, this is fairly widespread throughout the human population. 😀
i do appreciate his apology though.
Jack K., I believe you’ve just created a new category… Beaten Dog Democrats. There are far too many of them, but thanks to you, at least they now have a name.
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I notice Digby used the term “pimping” in describing lobbyists, a term usually applied to men. Is “pimping” OK as “whores” is not? I’m just askin’…
*shrug* As far as I can see, there is little to no real difference between the GOP and the Dem’s, the difference is only in degree. they both want the status quo left as it is, or improved. They both work for the Corporations and SIG’s. The public who elect them are nuisances at best to both parties, and largely immaterial. If the public as a whole ever decides to get off their collective asses and do something about it, that may change. Until then, not an ice cubes chance in hell.
As far as the *language* usage is concerned… To a self-deluded hypocrite, all is fair and right when they do it, otherwise, not.
Oh… I meant to add one of your “On This Day” quotes on the sidebar that’s highly appropriate… 😉
Of course, that would never happen in a *highly advanced* Western Nation of peace, love, happiness and prosperity! LMAO
Hipparchia, “cutting” or “the nines” is an actual street game in New York, competitive insulting, if you will. It doesn’t just happen, it is often an organized event.
I’ll second the Beaten Dogs, and the attribution to Jack.
I suggested the difference in a comment at Digby’s, Steve. That’s what lobbyists do, they pimp/sell their “whores” in government to the “johns” in special interest groups. The lobbyists have to know who is available for sale in the government.
You’re right, Kryten, it is up to the voters to throw out the rascals. Grayson doesn’t play the game, because he doesn’t have to. If no one sends him money, he has plenty of his own to campaign with, and the local Republicans are afraid of him.
The Beaten Dogs don’t seem to understand that Grayson is attacking people that the voters hate, so there is no downside. If the Repubs believed he was vulnerable, they would run someone against him, as is happening to the Beaten Dog from New Smyrna Beach.