A Political Fix posting about Byron DeLear’s new TV ad reminded me that Post-Dispatch writers and Show Me Progress writers live in parallel, but alternate, realities.
Jake Wagman seemed bemused at Byron’s tilting at windmills.
One of [the five Democratic nominees foolish enough to challenge Akin] – Byron DeLear – even has a commercial out.
(Who? Yes, I had to look him up, too.)
Wagman is familiar with names from past elections:
As a Democrat, he’ll face some sturdy opposition in Tuesday’s primary. Opponents include David L. Pentland, who was a St. Louis alderman, and former city School Board member Bill Haas, whose serial attempts for higher office have gained him, if nothing else, name recognition.
But Wagman is–I would say–unfamiliar with the present. DeLear has been off his radar screen and Mike Garman still is.
Now, in my alternate reality, DeLear and Garman dominate the primary race in the Second Congressional District. Between them, they’ve scooped up endorsements from just about every local Democratic group and Garman even scored an AFL-CIO endorsement–an honor that group virtually never grants before the primary election.
Pentland is a nice fellow, I’m sure, as is Bill Haas, but I don’t see either one of them working his patootie off out in West St. Louis County as DeLear and Garman have been. But what do I know? It’s been less than a year (Aug. 5, 2007–our first birthday is coming up!) since I started blogging on state news. I’m a newbie.
Perhaps on August 6th of this year, I’ll be bowing to Wagman’s superior knowledge of Democratic politics in the Second Congressional District. I’m sure he has a depth of knowledge on many topics that I couldn’t approach.
On the other hand, August 5th is primary day. And perhaps, on that evening, I’ll be toasting the victory of DeLear or Garman in the primary and savoring our first birthday with the (OK, minor) coup of having known who the real contenders in the Second were.
Update: Here’s the ad, in case you’re curious.
I cannot figure out your obsession with Garmin. He finishes no higher than 3rd on Tuesday.
Byron DeLear is a world-class candidate that will make the 2nd district proud for the first time in years. He’s a product of this district who’s made something of himself and come home, where his family has lived and died, to share his talents and experience. He’s been interviewed on numerous media venues coast-to-coast, and they’ve “nominated” him for U.S. Senate and for Vice-President. He’s sincere, powerful, and sophisticated, and this district is fortunate to have him. By every criteria: issues, endorsements, financial support, debating skills, voter outreach, national attention, etc., Byron DeLear is the clear front-runner in this race.
Thank you Show Me Progress bloggers for staying on top of the local political scene! This PD article is a perfect example of how the print media is working hard at NOT working hard.
Print “journalists” want to look down their noses at bloggers but bloggers like Hot Flash are the ones covering important issues. The Democratic Race in the 2nd has been at full tilt for months now yet Wagman actually admits that he is uninformed (or something worse?). Wagman wants to make it sound like Dems have no chance against Akin (patently untrue if you check out the people who REALLY know that race) AND that it is so surprising that anyone is actually running in the race. Jake, wake up and do a little investigative work! Dems have made breakthroughs in the 2nd and elsewhere. Anyone who had actually been at a few grass roots Democratic events would know this is a race to watch.
As for the candidates, DeLear is a standout in this race. This is not an aldermanic position where local contacts are essential as you struggle with where to plant new trees. The winner of this race has to understand the larger issues and be able to interact with others on a national and international level. The decisions US Representatives make affect all of us, whether you live in Missouri, the US or Europe. DeLear is the ONLY Democratic candidate in the race for the 2nd who has worked on national and international issues.
Kudos for throwing down the gauntlet, especially before the primary! I know who I’ll be rooting for in the Hotflash/Wagman showdown!
Also, what is Wagman talking about when he says this:
Is he seriously implying that Akin’s seat is safe even in this year’s election?? Or is this referring to something else that I don’t know about?