Gene Taylor and Lincoln Chaffee
Over the past week or two we have really seen momentum build for the Steven Palazzo campaign in their effort to defeat longtime incumbent Gene Taylor. Just a few weeks ago, I wrote that Taylor had pretty much avoided the anti-Democratic, anti-Obama wave that likely gives the Republicans the majority in the House.
And at that time, I think I was right. But as voters began to pay closer attention, we have seen Taylor go on the defensive and act in way that would make you believe this is a close race, something Taylor hasn’t had to deal with in ages.
But I don’t think voters are necessarily turning against Taylor. I’ve been told his favorables still remain very high. What I think is happening is that while the voters still like Taylor, they are questioning whether or not they want to support someone who voted for Nancy Pelosi and the Democratic leadership the past two sessions. I believe that is what it has come down to and the dislike for anyone with a D next to their name in a district that gave Obama just 32 percent of the vote has come to a boiling point.
In a lot of ways this mirrors the 2006 Rhode Island Senate race- just in this case it’s a Democrat in a Republican district. Former Sen. Lincoln Chaffee was still very popular in the state, and generally voted with the Democratic Party on the key issues. His one flaw: having an R next to his name and supporting the Republican leadership. That is the case his opponent effectively made. And that is the case Palazzo needs to continue to make.
We will see if Taylor’s decision to swear-off Pelosi will help him turn the momentum.
Great insight and spot on thinking. We are tired of the same blather….the same fence-sitting….the same protection of all things Liberal/Democratic which began this economic decline witht he horrible mandates to lend money for housing for those not even close to be capable of paying back the mortgage. This Leftist turn has nearly destroyed this Country and Taylor was always eager to applaud these measures when it suited him. Even the Vets who have been the recipient of great coddling and support by Taylor are tired of his worn-out approach to governing. He is not good for South Mississippi, he is not good for the Nation. And watch his reaction as Nov. 2nd approaches….his true nature comes out when he feels cornered….he gets down right nasty!!!! We have seen it before. District 4, we deserve someone who is less arrogant, more capable of listening, more willing to consider all the issues and not just cemented to only his own ideas.
Hear! Hear!
I attended several Gene Taylor Town Halls in the last two years. After those 20 years in Congress, he just bristles when challanged on anything. He has come to believe he knows what is good for us and the purpose of the Town Hall’s is to come down from the Mount and tell us what that is. Americans are fed up with that type of condescending liberal elitism. Americans are rising up with a loud voice so the pols have to hear us!