Hi: I’m Steve Maloney from Ambridge, Pennsylvania, and I have a blog on Townhall.com. It’s accessible at
http://www.camp2008victory.townhall.com. I hope you’ll visit it as I’ve visited your blog or other site. I’m very interested in supporting bloggers from PA and adjoining states. Tell me how I can help you build up the number of visitors to your site. My blog talks about political and social issues, with an emphasis on electing conservative candidates in Pennsylvania and elsewhere. Over the years, I’ve written on political subjects for many publications, including Fortune, Newsweek, and The National Review. I was heavily involved in Diana Lynn Irey’s 2006 campaign against John Murtha. Many people ask me what Diana’s up to these days, and you can check that out at
http://www.irey.com. Please visit my blog and leave your comments if you’d like. Here’s the excerpt from today’s column.
If you’re a Democratic candidate statewide or in a district outside Philadelphia and Pittsburgh, how do you get elected? You run on the proposition that you’re in favor of the rights of the unborn, gun owners, and labor unions. You’ll also say regularly that you “support the troops,” although you’ll be vague about how you can do so while denigrating their mission. You’ll talk about the need for fiscal restraint, but that won’t apply to “pork” projects benefiting either your district or that of a political ally. In most cases, you’ll proudly note that you’re a Christian, usually a Roman Catholic (like Congressman Jason Altmire, Senator Bob Casey, and even yours truly). You’ll demonstrate regularly that you’re a big fan of the Pittsburgh Steelers (like Altmire) or the Philadelphia Eagles (like Governor Ed Rendell). When you cast a vote in Congress that your constituents might not like, you’ll remain silent about your reasoning on the subject. You’ll maintain extremely close relations with Nancy Pelosi and the rest of the Party’s liberal leadership, and you’ll vote with them on critical issues. In cases where your vote is not needed, they'll let you cast a vote that establishes your credentials as a “conservative.” You’ll look at your elected office as a lifetime position, and you will do everything necessary to retain it. During your many years in Congress, you'll never do anything to offend John Murtha, who has a long memory. You will have long and relatively happy life. Is this a caricature? No, it's very reliable advice on career planning.