Conventional wisdom says that a politician in safe or nearly safe seat does best by ignoring his/her opponent if there is one. And it works most of the time. If conventional wisdom says that an incumbent is safe, the opposing candidate finds it almost impossible to raise money because no one wants to "waste" their money on a losing proposition. Better to spend money on races that are winnable. By ignoring the other candidate, an "safe" incumbent fuels the conventional wisdom mantra and it becomes a self-fullfilling position.
Sooooooooo.... When a national Republican politician in a heavily Republican district who has perennially not even met with or acknowledged his opposing Democratic opponent (since 2002) decides to engage in a debate with his 2012 Democratic opponent, it must mean that something is up. And that is definitely true TODAY.
Eric Cantor has discovered that he has an opponent in Wayne Powell that he needs to take seriously. Wayne is in fact a great candidate - and that is not to take anything away from the opponents Eric Cantor has faced in 2004, 2006, 2008, and 2010 - AND this is shaping up as an excellent year for Democrats enough that even Eric Cantor is feeling the heat.
According to the AP and the Washington Post, Cantor has agreed to debate Wayne Powell this year before a Chamber of Commerce audience.
Ray Allen, Cantor’s political adviser, says the Chamber invitation was attractive because the organization is respected and Cantor is confident the event will be fair.
Chickenhawk Cantor needs to make sure the deck is stacked in his favor before he even takes on his opponent. Cantor, despite being a practicing Jew, has become the national elected leader most closely associated with the Teahaddist extremists. I fully expect him to chicken out before it actually happens but it is just possible that his ego convinces him that he is indestructible. On the
issues, it is possible that Cantor is vulnerable - especially given the current furor over Akin's comments.
Wayne Powell deserves our gratitude and support. When one is up against the House Majority Leader and future presidential candidate it is an uphill battle, but it is definitely a battle that needs to be fought.
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