Well, I do. And the editorialists' mothers presumably. After that, who knows? But let's admit it: One recent editorial actually influenced an election, big time. It's the one back before the May GOP primary in which the Chronicle riffed on . . .
We're also very aware of the vilification Dewhurst has received for being a "moderate" Republication, as if the very word were a slur. It is not.
(Editorial, "Who should fill Hutchison's boots?" Houston Chronicle, May 14, 2012)
Unca D did a righteous takedown of the newspaper's fuzzy definition of "moderate," but that turned out not to be important.
What mattered is that Mr. Dewhurst's main opponent, Ted Cruz, blanketed the state with ads celebrating Mr. Dewhurst's moderation, making sure everyone and his mother knows what the Chronicle said.
And it turned that moderation was, indeed, a slur in Texas Republican politics in the year of our Lord 2012. To conservatives it was code for the kind of Republican who decries every legislative and regulatory move to the left engineered by the modern Democratic Party, then does little or nothing when the GOP returns to power to undo the damage.
That's the kind of Republican the Chronicle likes.
Anyway, the ads were so devastating for Mr. Dewhurst that when the editorialists put quill to parchment for the general election endorsement, they conveniently forgot the very word that had sent such a thrill up their leg back in May. The only significant M-word in the editorial is aimed at Mr. Cruz, to wit:
[Comparing the two candidates'] experience and records in public and private life. On that basis the Houston Chronicle's endorsement goes without hesitation or reservation to Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst over the often mecurial Cruz.
(Editorial, "Dewhurst the clear choice for Senate," Houston Chronicle, July 14, 2012 (emphasis added))
The editorial then goes on to applaud Mr. Dewhurst's ability to play well with others, which -- as I tire of pointing out -- is bipartisanship (about process), not moderation (about policy).
Whatever.
But, as said, the word moderation is not used, no doubt relieving Mr. Dewhurst considerably.
There is no evidence, by the way, that this second editorial has had any influence on the campaign.
One editorial that might move the needle, however, appears today at the National Review Web site. It does an excellent job of explaining what is at stake and why, by that worthy publication's lights, Mr. Cruz is the man for the job.
Here are a few snips from "Yes, Ted Cruz for Texas," but you really should read the whole thing:
On Mr. Dewhurst: undistinguished go-along/get-along creature of the GOP leadership's seniority-oriented model of politics . . . an ideal candidate to represent a state such as Maine . . . [Mr. Dewhurst's] vulgar and dishonest campaign of scorched-earth ad hominem against Mr. Cruz raises serious questions about his judgment and his commitment to conservative values. . . . flailing embarassment . . . .
On Mr. Cruz: far and away the preferable candidate for conservatives seeking an effective and articulate champion . . . . Texas and the nation would be better off with the reliable conservative Ted Cruz . . . [can] distinguish between political loyalty and the good of the country . . . opposed his political mentors and former colleagues when doing so was the right and constitutionally necessary thing . . . personal credentials are sterling . . . authentic conservative intellectual . . . a star at Princeton and Harvard Law . . . an unwavering defender of our constitutional order . . . .
I can live with Dewhurst, but the campaign has confirmed that Mr. Cruz is the better candidate and man.
At this hour, it's an open question whether the big turnout in early voting means for the GOP Senate runoff. Are moderate Republicans turning out to save the state for their tribe?
I think it means that Mr. Cruz will win a blowout victory -- a precursor of the November blowout victory by Mr. Romney, a tepid conservative, who at least can say the one thing that must be said: He's not Barack Hussein Obama.
November 6 will repudiate our president. July 31 will repudiate our local newspaper editorial board and all the Texas go-alongists and get-alongers.
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