Okay, he's another camera-hugger, another media figure, an empty suit. Or something. But each time he's stepped into the limelight, he has tended to asssist in screwing up the Republican race. Is that maybe what he's there for? To act as a spoiler?
The guy's a self-declared independent, not a Republican. He has bopped back and forth between the two parties, registering as a Democrat and then as a Republican. He has contributed to many more Democratic candidates than to Republicans.
The sum-total of his contribution to the Republican race has been to drag it down, cheapen it, draw criticism.
Fine with me. But if I were on the other side, I'd want to get rid of him as quickly as possible.
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Maybe the other side -- the Republicans -- are already in decline. Andrew Sullivan finds this at Gallup today:
Republicans' enthusiasm about voting in the election for president next year has decreased, with 49% of Republicans and independents who lean Republican now saying they are more enthusiastic than usual about voting, down from 58% in September. This narrows the gap between them and Democrats, 44% of whom are more enthusiastic than usual, essentially the same as in September....Gallup
And there's more:
Republicans' enthusiasm about voting has dropped and, as a result, the enthusiasm gap between Republicans and Democrats has narrowed significantly. This marks a change from the decided enthusiasm advantage Republicans enjoyed just two months ago and in last year's midterm elections. ...Gallup
But remember, that could change once they have a candidate.
