-
SEQUESTER: The Horror!
March 1, 2013 | 4 comments
-
SOTU Preview: Human Props, Budget Fights, and Wedge Issues
February 12, 2013 | 0 comments
-
Hello, I Must Be Going
August 14, 2012 | 18 comments
-
Weekend Political Wrap-Up, Paul Ryan Edition
August 12, 2012 | 16 comments
-
Esquire Blogger Sees Paul Ryan, Shreds His Safety Net
August 11, 2012 | 13 comments
The Spectacle Blog
In addition to what might be a stunning upset of Sen. Lisa Murkowski in Alaska, Rick Scott’s narrow victory in the Florida GOP primary for governor upsets the narrative that the establishment was striking back against Tea Party-style insurgents. Personally, I’m more surprised by Scott’s win than by Joe Miller’s performance because the polls seemed to be trending Bill McCollum’s way.
And McCollum was different from a lot of establishment-backed Republican candidates in that he was actually a principled conservative with a proven track record. When McCollum visited the TAS offices this summer, he was smart, engaged, and willing to delve into the depth of policy issues — often much to the obvious consternation of his aides. McCollum reminds me a bit of Jim Talent of Missouri. They were both conservative standouts in the House who have struggled in statewide races, in part because they lacked charisma, and seen uneven results.
As I noted in my column Monday, the Scott-McCollum primary got very heated and there was a lot of negative advertising by both campaigns. One of Scott’s challenges will be to unite the party around his candidacy in order to win in November.
View all comments (9) | Leave a comment
More Blog Posts by W. James Antle, III
http://spectator.org/blog/2010/08/25/great-scottin
Follow us:
ADVERTISEMENT
SPONSORED LINKS
FLASHBACK TO: 1995
-
Pope Culture
A man of faith in a godless age is hitting Americans where it hurts.
-
Why the GOP Does Not, Like, Totally Suck
Mr. and Mrs. American Spectator Reader, let P.J. O’Rourke talk sense to your kids.
-
Dames at Sea
-
In the Absence of Guns
In Britain, defending your property can get you life.
-
The Metaphysical Martini
-
Counting the Costs of Clintonism
The debacle of this president’s administration is both a cause and a symptom of the decline of American values. Unless Congress impeaches him, that decline will go on unchecked. An eminent jurist surveys the damage and assesses the chances for the recovery of our culture.
-
Chuck McHagel
It won’t take long for conservatives to scratch this presidential wannabe off their 2008 scorecard.
-
The Legacy of Old John and Mother Fresh-Roasted
-
It’s the Best Time of the Year
The American Christmas, like the songs that celebrate it, makes room for everybody under the rainbow. Is that why so many people seem to be hostile to it?
-
The Bush Crack-Up
Was the President done in by the economy, or by the politics of the economy?
Clip of the Day
ADVERTISEMENT
ggoblue| 8.25.10 @ 12:11PM
tic tic tic...69 days....
rino season is just about over...now its open season on dem commies until november....
SIRJASON | 8.26.10 @ 9:23PM
YEAHBOY! We got`em on the run and we are gonna keep`em running with tar & feathers `til they are in jail or back home to face Americans they did NOT REPRESENT!
Fire RINOs| 8.25.10 @ 12:44PM
Only those outside Florida are surprised Rick Scott won. During the compaign, conservatives in Florida increasing began to view McCollum as a political hack and career politician. McCollum won the majority of the votes of RINOs. His track record is not as solidly conservative as you suggest in your article. The only reason the vote was even close was due to the party establishment and thus financial backing of McCollum and the attacks on Scott's former role at the commpany that committed medicaid fraud. Now McCollum can finally go get a private sector job and quit living on the tax rolls.
WC Green| 8.25.10 @ 12:59PM
You didn't have to sit through dozens of McCollum TV ads telling you how awful Scott was nor was your mailbox filled with the same in print. It's as though McCollum lost all ability to tout himself and his accomplishments, and he only could rant about his opponent. All attack all the time--if that's how McCollum handles adversity, he's better off out of politics.
mIAMI dUDE| 8.25.10 @ 4:45PM
McCollum unfortunately for him comes across as an unlikeable smarmy professional politician.
JohnInFlorida| 8.26.10 @ 8:11PM
That's only because he is an unlikeable smarmy professional politician.