Captain Fix-it and Crew

Doug Roulstone, (aka, “The guy who has volunteered to lose to Rick Larsen this year”) apparently has chosen the campaign theme: “We need to fix things, and we need to fix things right now!” Well Doug, I might suggest that you start by re-thinking your “repair team”.



According to Seattle Times reporter/blogger David Postman , in his speech to the republican convention in Yakima earlier this year, Roulstone said, ”The first thing we have to fix is to instruct our Congress that we want no more dithering, no more exploiting our difference for its own ends, no more partisan harping. We want it to get to work. Now!” While I can agree with Roulstone’s assessment of the situation, I think Jerry Cornfield of the Everett Herald hits the nail on the head when he writes, ”Convincing voters that his rebuke of Congress and vow of reform are sincere won’t be easy. From the beginning, he’s sought the counsel of those in charge of Congress and the chief political brain of the party, Karl Rove.”

In fact, since Roulstone kicked off his challenge of three-term Congressman Rick Larsen in the 2nd CD, his cast of supporting actors has included current House Speaker, Dennis Hastert and Vice-president “Dead Eye” Dick Cheney – who, in one of the most infamous examples of restraint from partisan harping, is reported to have told Vermont Senator Patrick Leahy (while on the floor of the U.S. Senate) to go F--- himself. Most recently former House Speaker and author of the 1994 “republican Contract on America” Newt Gingrich came to sing Roulstone’s praises. Newt said of Doug Roulstone possible election to Congress he would, ”…feel safer if Congress had fewer lawyers and more people who know how to run an aircraft carrier." Roulstone was unrestrained in his praise of Gingrich when he called him, "The man with ideas"

Gingrich’s new political “strategy” by the way, is the have the republicans declare World War III. Again according to David Postman, from his recent interview with the disgraced former Speaker, ” "This is World War III," Gingrich said. And once that's accepted, he said calls for restraint would fall away:
There is a public relations value, too. Gingrich said that public opinion can change "the minute you use the language" of World War III.”

Considering that these are the folks who have been “in charge” since before Rick Larsen even entered Congress (as a member of the minority party), if he really wants to “fix” Congress, maybe Roulstone should be looking to help Rick rather than attack him.


Peace,
Chad (The Left) Shue