BizzyBlog has some final thoughts on the whole Schmidt flap. It’s interesting how Republicans forget about how often their party has denegreated politicians. Max Cleland… John Kerry… John McCain… and now Murtha. This crap was coming from the White House. And it isn’t just Schmidt. Listen to what Republicans are saying about Democrats and then contrast it to what they were saying when Clinton was in office. Total hypocracy hypocrisy (can my spelling be any worst? It’s just painful.) .

The ONLY solution is to punish politicians that step over the line. They need to see swiftboating any politician as a third rail that they never ever want to touch.

Since being in power has not taught Republicans one iota of respect towards differing opinions, they need to learn this lesson the hard way. Last week they learned their lesson.

Now the funny thing is that it would seem that this scandal in almost no way helps Democrats in the 2nd district. It helps the Party nationally, but the DCCC has written off the district now that Hackett is out. If there was a candidate running we could be binding this to their donation page and raising a lot of money. Now it’s just a lot of fun that will soon be a distant memory.

PLUS, this is largely an internet scandal. While it does have an impact on the ground, how big a deal is it really to most voters in the district? Republicans have been spewing swill against vets for years and still the 2nd keeps on voting them in. Should a wingnut acting like a wingnut cause them to do any different.

This scandal helps ONE Republican: the person who challenges her in the primary. It doesn’t help two Republicans, because if two credible candidates run they will split the votes and Schmidt will walk through. I see this scandal as only possibly helping Bob McEwen IF he makes a stab at it. Otherwise, it will only help cement Schmidt’s image as Mean Jean, GOP Pit Bull.

People can help me with all this by telling me what they are hearing on the ground. Schmidt’s people are of course all sunshine and roses. Is that really what people are feeling? Do influencial Republicans like the 2nd district being considered the laughing stock of House districts? Rob Portman brought a certain level of dignity to the place. All of that would seem to be gone. Are people happy with circus Schmidt? Aren’t they worried that the Democrats may someday FINALLY get their act together and a candidate like Schmidt might end up dragging down a lot more than just herself?

In any event… Happy Thanksgiving everybody!