JONATHAN CHAIT JUNE 9, 2010
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It's not very often you see a political party shoot itself in the foot by nominating an obviously terrible candidate when better alternatives are available. One exception is the Illinois Democrats, who turned what should be a safe seat into a competitive one by nominating Alex Giannoulias, whose family bank went under, for Senate. (Giannoulias hilariously said he would answer questions about the bank only after the primary, and Democratic voters even more hilariously decided to nominate him anyway.)
But the nomination of Republican Sharron Angle for Senate in Nevada stands on its own. This is a prime pick-up opportunity for the GOP. The incumbent, Harry Reid, is wildly unpopular in the state, and his defeat would be a prized pelt for the Republicans. Almost any warm body could beat him in a walk. But Angle appears to be a genuine lunatic:
* Inflammatory rhetoric: In an interview last month with the Reno Gazette-Journal, Angle had this to say about gun laws: "What is a little bit disconcerting and concerning is the inability for sporting goods stores to keep ammunition in stock," she told the newspaper. "That tells me the nation is arming. What are they arming for if it isn't that they are so distrustful of their government? They're afraid they'll have to fight for their liberty in more Second Amendment kinds of ways. That's why I look at this as almost an imperative. If we don't win at the ballot box, what will be the next step?"
* Abolishing wide swaths of the federal government: Angle believes the U.S. Education Department should be abolished, as she explains on her campaign Web site: "Sharron Angle believes that the Federal Department of Education should be eliminated. The Department of Education is unconstitutional and should not be involved in education, at any level." Angle went further in an interview with a Nevada online publication, writing that she favored the termination of the Energy Department, the EPA and much of the IRS tax code; complete elimination of the National Endowment for the Arts, Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae.
How crazy is Angle? Glenn Beck -- Glenn Beck! -- warned against her. She is at least somewhat tied to the militia movement. Moreover, she has undergone little scrutiny, and it's a good bet that more will produce of further radical views. Her nomination is just a staggering failure of the party establishment.
6 comments
She also supports eliminating social security and medicaid (though her website is vague about the timing). In an interview in 2006, she made allusions to bringing back prohibition -- though in fairness she's backed off this.
- PeteM
June 9, 2010 at 8:35am
Get the dang guv'mint outta our lives, except for outlaw'in booze and baby kill'in. Sounds like God, Guns and Nuts to me.
- desertdog
June 9, 2010 at 10:13am
It is strange but it is entirely possible that all of the women Republicans who won yesterday might go down in flames. Queen Megs millions might not be able to buy her Governorship (I see little evidence she is remotely equipped for the politics of the job) Carly has to walk back a ton of her own positions (and she is pretty uninspiring as well) Angle is a fruitcake. Haley is one leaked compromising picture away from oblivion. (and then you have the McMahon circus in Ct.) Tom Campbell would have beaten Boxer, being socially liberal and fiscally conservative is a no brainer for a Republican holding statewide office. Republicans very well might snatch defeat this Nov. even though events are playing out in their hands.
- blackton
June 9, 2010 at 10:46am
I am thrilled by yesterday's results. The Nation's candidate lost and mine won yesterday in Arkansas, Sharron Angle triumphed in Nevada, who I have been cheering on, and Mickey "The Mouth" Kaus got only 5 percent in the California senatorial primary, which didn't stop him from popping off, of course.
- liberal reformer
June 9, 2010 at 11:01am
Interesting: Her website is now completely blank, no more links to any of her views etc. There is only a button for donations. Seems she's rearranging her political furniture.
- lammersd
June 9, 2010 at 12:04pm
libref, perhaps you could explain again why "your" candidate in Arkansas was the one who is slightly less liberal and significantly less reformist? Kidding aside, I always have mixed feelings about supporting an "obviously" weaker opposition candidate like Angle. Viscerally, I love the result. But as a practical matter, an upset is possible in any election. Which is why I never succeed when I set out to engage in "strategic voting." Like yesterday; my congressional district had a primary for the GOP nomination to oppose my Democratic congressman. The choice was between the guy my congressman beat last time, an easily ridiculed Teabag punk with a criminal record; and a popular and reasonably competent but ideologically conservative county official. The former should be easier to beat, but the latter would make a better congressman if he actually wins. I would up voting for the latter over the former. (This being 2010, the Teabag stooge with the assault conviction on his rap sheet handily won.)
- rhubarbs
June 9, 2010 at 12:10pm