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Everybody knows that one of the familiar definitions of insanity involves doing the same thing over and over again but somehow expecting a different result each time.
By that standard, Senator Sam Brownback and Congressman Duncan Hunter ought to reaffirm their sanity by withdrawing from the Presidential race.
Both these veteran Republicans count as distinguished, thoughtful public servants and admirable patriots. They’ve both compiled formidable records on Capitol Hill. And they’ve both been running for President for several months, participating in all televised debates and, particularly in the case of Duncan Hunter, impressing many observers with their articulate and accomplished performances. Both candidates have also joined me on my radio show and answered questions in a forthright and effective manner.
But both Brownback and Hunter have failed utterly in generating momentum, enthusiasm or grassroots support for their Presidential campaigns and after last Saturday’s Iowa straw poll it’s time for them to help clear the field to provide more breathing room for viable candidates.
Hunter, the veteran House member from San Diego County, campaigned actively at the Iowa State Fair, proudly telling my radio audience that supporters had congregated from across the country to help him campaign.
The result? He drew only 174 votes – barely clearing 1% of the total – and finishing behind even Rudy Giuliani and Fred Thompson, who had announced that they wouldn’t even compete in the straw poll. If anyone counts as a Turkey in the Straw, it’s Hunter: sadly, he got less than one-fifth the support of former Wisconsin Governor Tommy Thompson, who felt so embarrassed by his Iowa showing that he’s already withdrawn from the race.
Congressman Hunter, a smart and decent politician, should follow his example. Despite his energetic efforts, he’s generated scant support in Iowa or anywhere else. No new strategy, no fresh, commanding debate performance, will alter the brutal reality: as a serious candidate, he’s through. On what basis would he expect to build more support in the future?
Sam Brownback should ask himself the same question. He spent more money and energy on the Iowa Straw Poll than any other candidate besides the winner, Mitt Romney. He paid for mean-spirited attacks on his two chief competitors, Romney and former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee. One robo-call telephone solicitation urged voters to “Stand up for Life! Say No to Mitt Romney!!” – as if the former Massachusetts governor, who now embraces an anti-abortion platform, represents the nation’s chief threat to the unborn. A press release from Brownback’s office also tried to tar Governor Huckabee, a Southern Baptist Pastor, as anti- Catholic because one of his volunteer supporters (without any authorization from the campaign) sent out an e-mail questioning Brownback’s conversion to Catholicism.
Despite these desperation tactics, and costly efforts to lure supporters with free ice cream and an air-conditioned tent, Brownback took only 2,192 votes (15.3%), some 400 less than Huckabee and less than half the total for Governor Romney.
If, in a farm state neighboring his native Kansas, after frantic efforts, substantial monetary investment, and bitterly negative tactics against his rivals, Brownback could manage only a feeble third place showing, why should he expect to perform better in some other corner of the country? For the sake of Uncle Sam, it’s time for this Sam to say “Uncle,” before he does lasting damage to his honorable reputation by further pointless and slashing attacks on his fellow Republicans.
Two other also-rans in the Iowa Straw Poll, Tom Tancredo and Ron Paul, will no doubt continue their campaigns regardless of their non-existent chances of future success. Both men seek to publicize issues about which they’re passionate: a hard line on immigration for Mr. Tancredo, and an isolationist foreign policy for Mr. Paul. Their continued campaigning can actually provide a public service: demonstrating that their angry, alienated (and alienating) fringe perspectives draw scant support within the Republican Party.
Meanwhile, two of the other long-shot candidates (Tommy Thompson and former Virginia Governor Jim Gilmore) have already dropped out of the race for the White House. If Hunter and Brownback do the right thing and follow their example, that leaves a much more focused campaign where the GOP candidates no longer resemble the seven dwarves (you can draw your own conclusions as to the identities of Grumpy, Sleepy and Dopey). With Brownback and Hunter gone (soon, please!) that leaves the two single-issue candidates (Paul and Tancredo) and five serious contenders: Giuliani, Fred Thompson, McCain, Romney – and Huckabee.
With his strong second place showing in Iowa, Huckabee should be able to raise enough money to re-energize his campaign and to begin to consolidate the currently splintered support of social conservatives. At that point, with the distractions and diversions largely cleared away, the citizens of key primary states can help to determine whether people of faith and values voters still dominate the Republican Party, while the race for the nomination gets vastly more interesting – and important.
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