Jon Ralston, the dean of Nevada’s political reporters, asks Sue "Chickens for Checkups" Lowden the simplest question in the world: whether she agrees with Rand Paul’s criticisms of the Civil Rights Act...and she refuses to answer. For real:
Partial transcript:
RALSTON: Do you think that Rand Paul was right that the Civil Rights Act should not have extended to private businesses?
LOWDEN: This is what I say. I’m more interested in what we’re doing here in Nevada.
RALSTON: It’s a simple question.
LOWDEN: It’s a simple question, but it’s a gotcha’ question, frankly. I wouldn’t even know Rand Paul if I saw him on the street.
RALSTON: I’m not asking about Rand Paul.
LOWDEN: I haven’t been watching that race.
RALSTON: Do you think the Civil Rights Act should apply to private businesses?
LOWDEN: I think you want to change the subject from what’s really happening. Nobody’s asking that question, Jon.
RALSTON: So you’re not going to answer it?
LOWDEN: No.
You can pick your jaw up from the floor now.
Sue Lowden was once the prohibitive favorite to win the GOP nomination to challenge Harry Reid in November, but she's fallen like a rock while tea party favorite Sharron Angle (endorsed by Joe the Plumber) has surged into the frontrunner spot. That's a shame, because epic political incompetency of the sort displayed by Sue Lowden is hard to find. I don't think Angle will win, but I'm certain Lowden can't.
(Watch the full interview here.)
h/t: Greg Sargent