Election Road Trip, Day 21: Ghost Politicians

By Joe Klein | @JoeKleinTIME | September 27, 2010 | +

Napa, California

Traveling Companions: none

Event: the lack of events

An astute commenter noted that I passed through Nevada without a word about the Harry Reid-Sharron Angle Senate Race. There is a reason for that. This trip is about things I can actually see with my own eyes. For all intents and purposes, Sharron Angle is invisible–and Harry Reid was out of state for the days I was there. Angle is part of a growing legion of (mostly Republican) ghost politicians. It’s a trend that has been building for years: why risk actually meeting with the public, or dealing with the media, if there’s a chance you might say something makaka. If you’re an inexperienced extremist like Angle, Rand Paul or Christine O’Donnell, there’s a very good chance you’re going to screw up. If you ran a primary race as a right-wing scorcher, like Ken Buck in Colorado, there’s always a chance you’re going to get caught modifying a position. (I’m therefore grateful to Buck for the courage he showed in meeting a politically unreliable columnist like me–really!)

In fact, I went to a Buck event for veterans in Denver that consisted of the following: Candidate walks in, shakes every hand. Candidate announces that he’s not going to say anything of substance because of the presence of a Democratic Party tracker (with videocam). Candidate leaves.

Now I’m in California, which led the way on the evaporation of political events. The state’s so big that the only way to communicate is via TV ads, plus the occasional debate. Campaign stops are photo ops. There will be a gubernatorial debate here Tuesday. But I’ll spend most of my time meeting with the friends and respected members of the community whom you, dear readers, recommended.

This post is part of my Election Road Trip 2010 project. To track my location across the country, and read all my road trip posts, click here.

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afguy

Hard to tell what this situation reflects worse on:
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(1) The candidates, who believe it’s all about winning any way you can, and not about giving the electorate the chance to make an informed decision on election day.
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(2) The public, who it appears is willing to reward these candidates for their “trust us… we’re a lot better than the fool already in office… just trust us” electioneering.
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or, (3) the media, for turning everything into a “horse-race” issue, and failing to make the attempt to “flesh out” platforms made on past speeches and stated positions.
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I think the correct response is (4) All of the above, with special emphasis on (2).
.
I just listened yesterday to a SS teacher rail for 5 minutes on the shortcomings of one political party. My advice to them has always been the same – be VERY careful about endorsing the positions of one party and poublicly identifying yourself with them.
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You may find yourself identified with ALL of their positions, either social or financial, and the result MAY not reflect well on you religiously or civicly.
kchuk

Joe. Do us all a huge favor and swing through Folsom California!!! We’d love to meet ya.
apr2563

kchuk: How about he stops in Rocklin. Actually, I don’t think Joe or I would be happy about meeting each other. Now, I would like to meet Jon Stewart and Stephen Colbert and speak some truthiness.
herby002

Joe,

Please reconsider. You could stop in Las Vegas for a couple of days while you take the temperature of the local voters. Besides, I’m sure a man of your vast expense account experience could mask some slots losses & shows & dinner as “miscellaneous research expenses”, right?
Just sayin’.
brittanicus01

LET THE GAMES BEGIN

The parade in to the political gladiatorial arena has began, as Sen. Harry Reid attacks Sharron Angle, Senator Boxer stands against Carly Fiorina, and in the most dramatic race for the governor of California Brown battles Meg Whitman. The battle is not between swords and Retiarius Trident, but between issues and ideologies?In one month the citizen-crowds will descend on the voting booths, but the big difference is that a third party has emerged called the Tea Party. Under the banner of the Republican, this is a clash of the elites and the moderate conservatives. Although jobs is the main event in this Coliseum, second to this must be the economy that is still writhing from the downturn. Main street banks are reticent on loaning money for mortgages, even the Democrats bailed out these institutions with billions,

Questions have not been asked by Andrew Coumo in New York, who had some nefarious dealing with Freddie Mac/Mea over pushing hard to give mortgages to unqualified low income home buyers. Third in line of issues is illegal immigration that Democrats are the major contenders in forcing through a path to citizenship or Amnesty. Sen. Harry Reid has been consistent in trying to enact laws on allowing illegal aliens a right to stay here, after breaking the law. Each time the Reid has authored a bill for any immigration reform, his bills in the Senate has been shot down in flames. Yet when it comes to enforcement of the “rule of Law” he has interceded with law enforcement laws such as E-Verify and 287 (G). Both federal laws for local police to question suspicious persons, same as the Arizona law SB 1170.

Almost all Liberal-Democrats Senators like Reid, Boxer as incumbents must not remain in Washington, as they have completely ignored the 15 millions of Citizens-Residents out of work, and have not stop soliciting for more cheap labor from the other side of the border fence, or one way flight tickets from foreign lands. The Democratic Party and even many of the staunch Republicans have allowed the illegal invasion, get out of hand as thousand s are still slipping past the border fence and there is no real way to know who is a true tourist or student at the airport?

After November in the likely lame duck sessions or perhaps before, the Democrats are searching for more votes. Liberal-Dem’s are hoping that the potential of passing some kind of immigration reform will bring more major minorities into the party’s power. so not–only–must we be very observant of any secret sessions behind closed doors executive law, but be very aware that illegal aliens can and have violated the law in voting in these coming federal elections. Many states still have no strong security measures to check who is voting? Utility bills and other easy fraudulent paperwork are easy to produce. A small group of other states are showing federal picture ID and extensive checks must be performed, specifically where absentee ballots are concerned. Combat between Brown and Whitman in California has illustrated the reality in this Sanctuary State as only Meg Whitman said she would enforce immigration laws and attest that she is against any Amnesty.

Billions of dollars are being drained in California in illegal alien welfare, as in Reid’s Nevada. Instant baby citizenship is a major problem that must be solved, because pregnant Mothers are intentionally arriving here, as they can immediately get post natal care along with a wide range of freebies and cash payments. Once here the fertility of foreign mothers escalate bringing for each child born at least six hundred dollars,. Those with more than three or four children can move into low income housing, to which other family members–legal or illegal–move right in. Then Guess who is paying for this–California taxpayers and the federal government. Schools are another major problem–that is overwhelmed with illegal alien children–again the taxpayer pays for it all. Under the Democrats this give-away is only going to get worse. Nevada is not that better off, as now illegal aliens are collecting unemployment benefits from the slide of the building construction.

Nevada with all its entertainment industry under Reid is falling into financial red ink. All states need to reconsider the massive costs of illegal immigration and take a minute to GOOGLE–Illegal alien–costs. You will be stunned at the expenditure by the US government, county and city welfare and public services and with not enough monetary returns. Business use cheap labor and the farming industry, but leave all the costs of health care and education to the unaware taxpayer. But this is not just a uncontrolled problem in border states, as in the last thirty years the invasion has spread across this soil. It is time for a reevaluation of our laws, which make it a felony to enter America without permission. Mandatory prison terms for business who hire illegal labor, with a uniform Guest Worker program that has not been fraudulently used as it is today.

We should welcome the highest skilled professionals from other countries, but not mediocre job seekers from other countries, who become contingent on welfare and other social programs. Just Remember that reelecting Senator Harry Reid, Nancy Pelosi, Barbara Boxer, or any Governor, Major and elected officers will relieve you of more taxes to pay for illegal immigrant households–will be a repeat performance. You can shadow your Senator or Congressman at the Washington switchboard at 202-224-3121 NumbersUSA can enlighten you about the reality and costs of illegal immigration.