Wednesday, June 27, 2007

Why is Senator Dillard getting criticized for helping Barack in a primary?

I don't get it.

Now, I'm certainly not qualified to advise the Republican Party on anything related to 'how to be a good Republican' but I really don't understand the blowback against Senator Dillard appearing in a Barack Obama television commercial for a primary election.

First, I think Senator Dillard has made it clear that he prefers a Republican candidate to Barack Obama in November.

Second, wouldn't we all benefit in Illinois if an Illinois resident were the President of the United States? Doesn't it make sense -- from the perspective of helping out the people of Illinois -- to prefer that the only Illinois candidate in either party primary get a nomination?

Third, if there's a Democratic candidate who has made a habit of reaching out to Republican colleagues and forging good, bipartisan solutions, wouldn't Republicans prefer that type of a Democratic President instead of one who governs like George W. Bush and essentially steamrolls the other side?

All of those good reasons for a former Republican colleague of one of the leading presidential candidates to appear in a primary campaign ad are apparently outweighed because, perhaps, in October or November (16 long months from now), if Barack is the Democratic nominee, then perhaps Senator Dillard's comments could be used to undercut the Republican nominee's chances, particularly if that Republican nominee doesn't have a history of forging bipartisan solutions.

Except, Senator Dillard's preferred nominee, Senator John McCain, does have such a history.

And to a certain extent, so do the other leading GOP candidates (Rommey who worked in an overwhelmingly Democratic state and Giuliani who worked in an overwhelmingly Democratic city).

If some New York City Democratic politician appeared in a Giuliani ad in Iowa or New Hampshire congratulating him for working well with the Democratic City Council (assuming that he did), who cares? Or if Senator Feingold appeared in an ad for McCain congratulating him for trying to lessen the clout of big business in political campaigns, so what? People deserve to get credit for their good work and if it means the politicians who work to reach consensus end up winning primary elections, that's a good thing.

I can understand why Republicans would be upset if Senator Dillard supported Obama's presidential campaign in the November general election. But to support the best candidate with a record of building consensus who is from Illinois and understands state legislatures in a primary election seems like smart politics rather than a partisan betrayal to me.

2 comments:

Hiram said...

While this is probably always a little touchy among party faithful, I think there's also the issue of Dillard's endorsement making it harder for the GOP to demonize Barack in the general election (which may be wrong and short-sighted, but it's hard to imagine it won't be the strategy).

As a general statement, however, I'm not 100% sure I can adhere to the principle you seem to invoke about cross-party endorsements always being positive. Coming from the New York area, I know I have often disliked Ed Koch for his endorsements of Republicans - because Ed himself is so objectionably conservative. I find Ed's picks often anti-Democrat - not to mention his GOP general election picks.

Unknown said...

I love Ed Koch, personally. He is a friend. Ed was gay and served well. A creep beat him. The NYC begot Benito Amilcare Andrea Mussolini as Mayor and everyone loved Ed Koch.

DJ, you were on the screamers camp (Gov. Dean) and this guy Barack is a bigger time bomb.

So far I have seen so NO loyalty out of this guy Berry Hussian. Kirk Dillard will get nothing from his friend Berry.

The only thing, Mr. Dillard will procure from this is grief from his Republican supporters.

Dr. Goldblatt has had a liver transplant and is a drunk; and a man who hates children including his own, cats, and women, unless they are hot and easy.


Shalom,

Prof. Goldblatt has had a liver transplant and is a drunk; and a man who hates children including his own, cats, and women, unless they are hot and easy.

I was born in Brooklyn.

Shalom,

Leland Milton Goldblatt