Fundamentally Incompetent!

Maryland's Gilchrest Has Harsh Words for GOP

The recently unseated Republican congressman from the first district of Maryland, Wayne Gilchrest, presented a lovely gift to Democratic nominee Frank Kratovil, Jr. and the Democratic Party yesterday. His exact words were, "The Republican Party has strayed from the mainstream and from being fundamentally competent." This was part of his endorsement of Kratovil. Gilchrest, who lost his reelection bid in the primary to Republican State Senator Andy Harris back in February, made this announcement on the second day of the Republican Convention. Pow!

According to CQ Politics, Gilchrest made the argument that the GOP has wandered far from its true purposes and, in its extremism, has contributed to the acrimonious and unproductive atmosphere in Washington. And he wasn't shy about naming a few issues from which he thinks the Republican Party has strayed, including the environment, foreign policy, agriculture, energy, and health care. How lovely!

I have argued and still believe that choosing Palin as McCain's running mate was a stroke of genius. However, this does not mean that she is indestructible or that they cannot be beat. One of the best arguments Democrats and the Obama campaign will be able to use against the presidential candidates is Palin's conservatism. She holds opinions and beliefs not held by a majority of Americans and Americans are pretty sick of being represented by people with extreme views. So, while Palin's right-leaning tendencies might rally the Republican base . . . if used properly, they can also really piss off the rest of us. And now "the rest of us" can be defined to include a Republican or too. Thank you Congressman Gilchrest.