A Partial Washout

Yes, there was a Republican wave yesterday.

But it didn't wash away as much as it could have because some of the tea party candidates were just too crazy (Sharon Angle, Christine O'Donnell, and Joe Miller come to mind right away).


In Minnesota, which unexpectedly turned over both houses of its legislature to Republicans, the Democratic governor candidate has won (though narrowly, probably with a recount). Why? Because Republican party loyalists couldn't nominate even a slightly moderate candidate (Marty Seifert, the House majority leader, a well-credentialed conservative) rather than a foaming-at-the-mouth jerk (Tom Emmer). If Seifert had been the candidate, it seems likely he would have won.

When the tea party movement first arose, I was kind of interested in it, in the same way I was interested in the Rally to Restore Sanity. The old ways don't seem to be working, and a grassroots response seems more than appropriate to me.

Things are definitely broken in Washington, but it's not an excuse to bring in a load of loonies to bounce off the walls and get even less done. The tea party movement should have inspired citizen legislators who are thoughtful and bring new ideas that haven't been tried, who want to work together with respect.

But I'm afraid most people like that will never run for office in our polarized, witch-hunting environment.