Bush to visit Third District

This is beyond shocking. Never mind the fact the Democratic Scott Kleeb might win (he won't, simply can't be done I'm afraid.) But the fact the the man himself is coming to the sticks is an upset in and of itself. This is the Nebraska third. I'm from those parts, the correctness of conservatism is considered beyond debate by all elements of the establishment, local news media, mayors, sheriffs, churches (of course) business "pillars." For a Democrat to pull 45% in this environment would be humiliating to the GOP.
Kleeb actually won the endorsement of the Omaha World-Herald, which simply never endorses a rookie Democrat. The local papers like the Grand Island Independent and the (shudder) North Platte Telegraph have been forced to abandon any pretense of favoring a general philosophy over a particular party in endorsing Smith. The Independent has even resorted to parroting lines from the Republican bullshit mill. Saying Smith will better protect "traditional values" "home and Hearth" you no the drill. Smith is an autotron on an almost Rickitonian level. He'll support the president, oppose the death tax, and endorse a culture of life. If you ask him a question that his nothing to do with his rehearsed message, he will tell you that he will support the president, oppose the death tax, and endorse a culture of life. In endorsing Kleeb, the World-Herald politely pointed out that there simply isn't much to Smith.

Perhaps Smith (and Rickitts for that matter) are symptomatic of what's wrong with the GOP. Once upon a time, there were republicans like Eisenhower and Goldwater who were sly, skeptical, and even entertained an independent thought or two. But it seems that the modern party's disgusting cult of authority (present since the Reagan days, made worse since 9/11) combined with fanatical demands for ideological purity (ditto) has sucked the life out of individual candidates. Now some have been reduced to hillarious absurdity as they rail against the same old boogeymen. (It's going to be a big ole homsexual, illeagal immigrant fiesta.)

As I've said, this will still be enough to win the likes of the Nebraska third. I truly believe that some areas of the interior know that they are in social decay, but would rather die than give up the delusion of moral supiriority over the filthy city. So be it.