News in the Wacky World of U.S. Politics

So the guy who won the special election in a Pennsylvania congressional district is right-to-life and pro-gun. He accused his opponent of wanting heavier taxes. He said he would have voted against ObamaCare and promised to vote against cap-and-trade legislation.

This candidate, Mark Critz, is a Democrat. Heh, wut?

But that's the good news for the Democrats. Their favorite to win the Chris Dodd's ass grooved Senate seat in Connecticut -- the state's attorney general, Richard Blumenthal -- chose to hold a news conference at a Veterans of Foreign Wars hall to discuss why he had falsely said he fought in a foreign war. The DNC may try to find a less damaged candidate for Connecticut, but I might suggest they visit Illinois to save some important vetting time. (Get it? Vet? Richard said he was in 'Nam... never mind)

The exposure of Connecticut Attorney General Richard Blumenthal as a hoaxster boasting of a nonexistent record of service in the Vietnam War is an example of what is known as the Taranto Principle.

Wall Street Journal editorialist James Taranto formulated the principle, which postulates that when the press gives a politician a pass or fails to hold the politician accountable for his misbehavior, (perhaps if they agree with the letter next to his/her name?) it encourages the politician to ascend to a higher level of misbehavior.

Perhaps they'll teach that in journalism school someday -- that is, if the profession makes it past the opening salvo of the iPad and cut'n'paste blogs such as yours truly.