Sound Politics: The Circus Comes To Town

March 22, 2008

The Circus Comes To Town

In an attempt to try and close the loop on the infighting between state Senate Republicans, let us examine the further development of Sen. Don Benton rallying to Sen. Roach's defense, while excoriating Senate GOP leadership.

To review, we have:

A member of the legislative body being chastised for repeated, egregious and over-bearing behavior toward staff. Check.

Hyperbolic, public counterattacks. Check.

A legislative caucus apparently lacking a respectable slate of candidates, let alone the funds to help support them. Check.

Unrealistic expectations for plausible electoral success in key battlegrounds absent an all-star GOP candidate (look at Benton's list of districts he thinks Republicans abstractly "stand a good chance"). Check.

Don Benton and/or Pam Roach being involved in a controversial public incident that makes the casual reader think less of the GOP. Double check.

[Walking away, shaking head...]

Posted by Eric Earling at March 22, 2008 01:07 PM | Email This

Comments

1. It's a hopeless cause in this State, why don't you'all just give up...ooops I guess you have. :)

Posted by: Duffman on March 22, 2008 01:10 PM

2. Pam Roach is showing herself to be a "wee bit nutty" me thinks.

It's hard to defend WA state having one party rule when the limited opposing party has inner catfights that reach the public domain reminiscent of Jr. High school antics.

My advice? Grow the hell up.

Posted by: Rick D. on March 22, 2008 01:14 PM

3. Is all the emphasis on the messanger, instead of the message? If Senators Roach and Benton are soooooo wrong, why is this a one-party state with few prospects for changing that? Just asking.

Posted by: WVH on March 22, 2008 01:16 PM

4. When the messenger is wearing a red nose, funny hat and big shoes - the message gets lost.

Posted by: BA on March 22, 2008 06:38 PM

5. Aargh. This whole thing is pretty sad and is something they should have been able to work out over a glass of juice instead of dueling press releases. We've got to start working more closely together and stop trying to persecute one-another (w.i. the Republican "tent") if there is going to be any hope for returning to a competitive two-party system.

Posted by: Maximus Vininkio on March 22, 2008 06:52 PM

6. "A legislative caucus apparently lacking a respectable slate of candidates, let alone the funds to help support them."

This is not surprising. Most people I have talked to will not donate to the State Party as the feel that the State Party does not spend it wisely (i.e. spending the majority of funds on the McGavick campaign while leaving the rest of the candidates high and dry). You cant get very good funding from the National Party or PAC's unless they feel that you have a good chance of winning and for them to feel you have to have a good chance at winning the state party needs to be showing gains in the state and you can't do that when the elected officials are fighting eachother instead of coming up with a cohesive plan to make gains.

Posted by: TrueSoldier on March 22, 2008 10:00 PM

7. This type of behavior is common with these two. Has been for years.

Years.

Posted by: jimg on March 23, 2008 09:58 AM