While it’s possible that Jerry Kilgore wanted to keep his distance from President Bush when the President visited Norfolk yesterday, there’s an equally-likely alternate possibility.
I think that the opposite has taken place. I think that it was President Bush who nixed the joint appearance, realizing that he can ill-afford a Kilgore loss. As Governor Mark Warner may have chosen to distance himself from Lt. Governor Tim Kaine, were Tim Kaine polling badly, President Bush surely realizes that, in a heavily Republican state, Kilgore should be 8% of Kaine right now, not 2% behind Kaine in three of the last four polls. Bush is well aware that power is rapidly slipping from his grasp; the last thing that he wants is to be associated with a losing gubernatorial candidate. Rather than take that risk, President Bush nixed having Kilgore join him, leaving the Republican candidate to campaign with lesser national Republican figures in the coming days.
Friends forever?
I thought it was because Bush wouldn’t agree to some nutty idea about whether he could use footage from the appearance in any campaign materials. Then Kilgore suggested they meet in West Virginia and Bush said he didn’t have time — had an appointment with somebody named Fiz-something or other. Bush also got upset because Jerry kept making laughing at the way he says “newk-liar.” Or some such silliness.
oops….kept laughing and making fun of …..
Lowell, is that you? When did you start blogging as Waldo?
Sally to TomJeff, Marilyn to JFK, Monica to Bill, ….
I just couldn’t resist the silly graphic. I wanted to make it heart-shaped, but time, alas, did not allow.
Bush is getting blown off by Republican Governors and Governor-wanna-bee’s with regularity. Schwarzenegger also hid from Bush last week when Bush went to California. It looks like Republican politicians feel Bush is “radioactive” now.
This is smart ball here. You only use assets not liabilities. If Bush is seen as anything other than a positive to the campaign then you don’t use him. Stanley was considered a plus, so they used his ads. Mock Bush if you feel like it. Mock Kilgore if you feel like it, too. Hell, mock me for all I care. But make sure that you realize that deciding not to appear with someone can be both strategic and brilliant.
Simon —
Of course, deciding “not to appear with someone can be both strategic and brilliant.” And, “political marriages” are not the same as “…for better or for worse, in sickness and in health …”
There is something, however, to be said for not running away in the midst of battle. When the going gets tough, some people stand by their “principles” and others duck and run for cover.
As easily as Kilgore’s actions (and Arnold’s), can be seen as “smart ball,” their actions (in this regard) give evidence to a lack of courage under fire and demonstrate just how deep their professed principles really are.
SoccerMom – isn’t winning and being able to influence policy the goal?
Simon —
History instructs that victories come in many varieties, each exacting a specific price from both the victor and the defeated.
And, yes, Simon, winning and being able to influence policy is the goal. The difference between a Pyrrhic, a pragmatic and a plain old principled victory sometimes entails the loss of one’s soul and principles, assuming one had them at the beginning of the campaign.
Sometimes ’tis far nobler to fight the right fight for the right reasons and fall on our swords. And, sometimes we need to sheathe our swords and live to fight another day.
How we answer these questions reveals who we are and what we value. Kilgore’s and Bush’s action tell us far more about who they are and what they value than all their “speechifying.”
And who we vote for on Nov. 8 will reveal who we are and what we value as individuals and as a society. It is up to us.
There was a guy at the Norfolk Bush rally (i’m from Norfolk) that stood up and said “War is Terrorism, Bush resign!” He kept yelling it until he was politely asked to leave (by the secret service) D’OH! haha! silly protestor.
There were also 100+ protestors outside with signs, and a rail ready to ride Bush out on j/k. The event only had about 1000 people watching. 10% of the people there were protesting the event! How embarrassing!
silly protestor
Silly, maybe. Moronic, definitely.
So, about that guy who was yelling for Bush to resign… What would be a good (i.e. non-moronic) way for a citizen to get such a message to the president? He can’t make a telephone call or write a letter to the president and have any reason to think his message would get through. He can’t write a letter to the editor and have a president who doesn’t read newspapers have any chance of seeing it.
This president (but, really not just this president – all presidents) is surrounded with people who fawn over him, defer to him and tell him what he wants to hear. Is it really so wrong, that every once in a while, some guy makes it through the protective wall that surrounds the president and speaks his mind? I think our democracy can weather that little storm.