They never give up and they fight hard no matter what the odds. What happened in Virginia's governor's race is a good example. The polls had McAuliffe an average of more than seven points ahead. All the talk among the chattering classes (including those here) was how pathetic and hopeless Cuccinelli's campaign. Rush Limpbaugh was even spinning Cuccinelli's loss before the election.
But neither Cuccinellli, nor his conservative Republican backers gave up.
Way back -- in 2003 -- I was fed up with Gray Davis, so when there was talk about recalling him, I signed up to get news about the recall. This got me on a conservative Republican mailing list that no matter how hard I try to get off, it still sends me Republican political spam. Not just requests for money, but also support to get out the vote.
And for Cuccinelli they kept the spam coming several times a day right up to the day before the election. They were undaunted; they kept fighting; and they almost pulled it off.
This is in sobering contrast to how Democrats dealt with the governor's race in New Jersey. Polls showed that Buono had little chance for election so nobody lifted a finger to help her. Most years I contribute fairly generously to Democratic candidates, so I'm on many lists. But I received no fundraising spam on Buono's behalf. Nobody asked me to do anything. The Democrats simply curled up and gave up on Buono. And for what? So they could raise more money for McAuliffe?
The Republicans are vicious. They fight dirty and they fight hard. And, in the long run, that pays off in politics. Democrats, by contrast, always seem to count on their opponents sinking the 8 ball in the wrong pocket, effectively to win by default.
And that's what all the chortling around here about Republican civil war sounds like to me. People patting themselves on the back because the Republicans are about to sink the 8 ball in the wrong pocket.
Don't count on it.
So here's to the Republicans. We should be more like you. Not on policy, but certainly in the seriousness and dedication we bring to the game.