GAIL COLLINS: Somebody is always better than nobody, right Thad?
One of the early election themes in 2014 is tons of Republican incumbents being driven crazy by Tea Party primaries. Sen. Thad Cochran of Mississippi has a big Tea Party threat, despite the fact that Cochran perfectly represents the traditional political creed of his state, which is that the federal government should do as little as possible, except for giving a whole bunch of money to Mississippi.
At least half of the Senate Republicans running for re-election have Tea Party primary opponents. In Washington, this is regarded as pretty much a license to do everything possible to secure the base. Even your Democratic colleagues will just say, “Oh, he has a Tea Party opponent,” and ignore the fact that you are sitting on the floor, gnawing the draperies during debate.
But there ought to be some sorting. For instance, Sen. John Cornyn of Texas has a Tea Party challenger. In fact, he has a bunch. The best-known is Rep. Steve Stockman, who virtually never shows up for campaign events, has raised virtually no money and whose campaign office was condemned.
Honestly, Cornyn should be stripped of all his rights to pander to the right in the name of Tea Party primary problems. The next time he gets up on the Senate floor to rant about Obamacare, tell him to sit down and let Thad Cochran have his turn.
Gail Collins
Sun Herald
2/7/14
Magnolia Tribune
