tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19838051.post1649584725726890515..comments2024-01-28T22:16:50.852-06:00Comments on Mr. Dilettante’s Neighborhood: Nope. Next!Mr. Dhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13920907647566015611noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19838051.post-31489437812149528072013-06-19T13:11:31.339-05:002013-06-19T13:11:31.339-05:00On top of all that, Abeler is a terrible stump spe...On top of all that, Abeler is a terrible stump speaker. That alone would be the proverbial death knell even if he had a solid conservative voting record. <br /><br />I've gotten to know Jim in the nearly 5 years I've lived in his district and he's always called me back when I wasn't able to get a hold of him in person. Very accountable. But at the end of the day I don't see how he can garner any significant statewide appeal. Bradhttp://www.bradcarlson.orgnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19838051.post-259402110991912782013-06-19T10:10:05.916-05:002013-06-19T10:10:05.916-05:00Jim (en)Abeler doesn't do much for me. I don&#...Jim (en)Abeler doesn't do much for me. I don't think he'll appeal to the Liberty movement, but at least he knows he needs them. <br /><br />I believe the "Republican" message and brand is dead; it's been boxed by the opposition and it hasn't demonstrated a measureable difference in governing practice from the other guys. I don't think that dead horse will be dragged across a finish line again, and if it does I'd scarcely look at it as a "win".3john2https://www.blogger.com/profile/05359114327414576258noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19838051.post-51705207015572916482013-06-19T09:34:04.842-05:002013-06-19T09:34:04.842-05:00Abeler thinks he can seize the mantle as "the...<i>Abeler thinks he can seize the mantle as "their" candidate - despite the many, many, many contradictions of which you touch the tip of the iceberg.</i><br /><br />No kidding, FR. An exhaustive list would fill the entire page of the blog.<br /><br />If your assessment is correct, and I think it probably is, it makes Abeler (a) an opportunist and (b) a thoroughgoing cynic. If we want one of those in the Senate, we can just reelect Franken.Mr. Dhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13920907647566015611noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19838051.post-62620069786679490182013-06-19T09:24:42.015-05:002013-06-19T09:24:42.015-05:00Sorry, NOT going to surprise anyone next time. Wh...Sorry, NOT going to surprise anyone next time. Whoops.First Ringernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19838051.post-39866813806926878972013-06-19T09:23:48.603-05:002013-06-19T09:23:48.603-05:00Call it Kurt Bills calculus.
Abeler obviously bel...Call it Kurt Bills calculus.<br /><br />Abeler obviously believes (or at least is betting) that the Ron Paul contingent that flooded the caucuses and convention last year will rematerialize in 2014. By staking out a position early, Abeler thinks he can seize the mantle as "their" candidate - despite the many, many, many contradictions of which you touch the tip of the iceberg. <br /><br />There are a number of problems with Abeler's theory, not the least of which is assuming that A) The Paulites turn out and B) get elected as delegates. The Paul faction got 27% in the straw poll last year, but became the overwhelmingly majority of convention delegates. They're going to surprise anyone next time; if there is a next time. The Paul contingent largely disappeared between '08 & '12. Will they do so again?<br /><br />Besides, you would think Abeler would have learned from Kurt Bills' experience. Bills' Faustian bargain with the Paulites wrestled him the nomination - and one of the worst performances of a major party candidate in Minnesota history.First Ringernoreply@blogger.com