| Garry South has appeared to be very bitter since his DLC candidate failed to buy the gubernatorial primary. In one of his recent whines, the first comment is from the Flash Report's Jon Fleischman:
Now, Garry, I think it might be more effective if you had told Phil NOT to do these things. Now in this morning's staff meeting, when the staff members (who all will have read your illuminating column) suggest your strategy, Phil will throw a temper-tantrum, and declare, "South doesn't run THIS campaign."
Setting aside the obvious -- that a Republican gave tips to try and get Democrats to listen to South -- I think this is the exact appropriate response. Garry South's DLC triangulation approach has looked badly out of place for years. Democrats have long since tired of Garry South's campaigns and the only recent candidates who hired him seemed to be planing on winning in-spite of a lack of Democratic support.
Take, for example, Joe Lieberman... |
| Lieberman announced he was running for president on Janunary 13, 2003. A January 16-20, 2003 ABC News/Washington Post Poll had Lieberman the clear front-runner, with more support than his next two closest competitors combined. Then Lieberman hired Gary South.
Next thing you know, two days before the New Hampshire primary, the campaign started talking about Joementum. Lieberman then called his FIFTH place finish a three way tie for third and has been a joke ever since. After a few more rejections by voters, Garry South had driven Lieberman so far into the ground that David Letterman said, "Because of poor results at the primaries last night, Senator Joe Lieberman will be dropping out of the race. Earlier today, he broke the news to his supporter."
Take, for example, Gray Davis. Elected by an impressive 58% and driven south so far that he was kicked out by 55%. Jay Leno said, "Another hot day in California. It was so hot I actually saw a mirage. It was a Gray Davis supporter, I couldn't believe it."
Take, for example, Steve Westly. All the money in the world, double digit lead two months out and ended up losing by 5 pts.
It is easy to see why Garry South is bitter. When was the last time a politician listened to him and didn't end up crashing and burning? |
