I want to thank Glenn for pointing out that my knuckles don't drag (and Richard Bennett, for implying that they do--as long as he spells the URL right...). Well, maybe on the keyboard...

Anyway, higher praise than that no man can ask.

And actually, I was pointing to Free Republic primarily for entertainment value (which it always provides, on several levels)--not to buttress my own arguments.

And Richard, really...

Astute politicians know how to navigate these new political waters, as Riordan did in LA...

It is to laugh. "Astute politicians" don't spit in the face of the core constituency of their party, as Riordan did. McCain made the same mistake. They also don't willfully give copious campaign donations, and aid and comfort, to the opposite party. I mean, come on, he gave donations to Maxine Waters. And you call that an astute Republican politician?

It's possible to run as a moderate without demonizing your own base, but Dick Riordan sure didn't know how to do it.