One of the state's more outspoken liberal columnists,
Colin MacEnroe, has the perfect column about Joe today. Even Joe's worst critics in the state haven't entirely given up on him. . .because before the war, before Bush, before the recent abortion pill nonsense (JOE? What the HELL ARE YOU THINKING?), Joe was someone we trusted.
The fact is, Joe is a nice guy and we like(d) him. Think Reagan with an annoying voice: People trust him--even people like me (and I loathed Reagan so ignore that example) liked him. He's cute in a favorite uncle sort of way. As MacEnroe points out, we've known him for a long time. It's hard to say goodbye to the dude.
My neighbor is going to vote for him, no matter what. He votes for the guy, not the policies. And when I try to persuade him that the policies matter more, he just shakes his head. And the neighbor says he can't stand Lamont because he's too negative about Joe. Not just the policies, the man.
Anyway, advice for anyone coming barging in from out of town, it's wise not to throw too many stones at the dude. It's best to treat him with respect. He's our erring uncle who's turned to the dark side, but he's still One of Us.
I see lots of articles ridiculing him and trashing the dude and I think it might be satisfying for the writer (and I might agree with the underlying truths) but the fact is it's not going to help Lamont win.
Gently pointing out that he's a clueless dickhead would work better. With a sad shake of the head for the Joe we knew and still sort of love.