A story at Real Clear Politics today on the crowded Colorado GOP U.S. Senate primary field is stoking what we can only describe as an inordinate amount of controversy between in-the-pack candidates Robert Blaha and Jon Keyser:
Most refrained from attacking their opponents, setting their sights instead on Bennet. Others, however, were less reserved. Blaha singled out Keyser, calling him a “nice young kid,” but saying his own son was more accomplished than Keyser, whom he didn’t think was qualified for the Senate.
Asked about Blaha’s criticism, Keyser didn’t fire back, instead saying he had plenty of experience on the battlefield and is proud of his service in the military, which gave him national security understanding…
Keyser didn’t “fire back” himself, instead letting surrogates completely freak out on his behalf:
Earlier today, failed 2012 congressional candidate, Robert Blaha, who has never served in any branch of the United States Armed Forces, chose to actively disrespect the military service of Jon Keyser in Iraq and Afghanistan.
In response to the grossly irresponsible slurs directed toward Bronze Star recipient Jon Keyser by failed congressional candidate Robert Blaha, former Marine Corps Captain and Prisoner of War in Vietnam, Orson Swindle took Blaha to task for his shameful comments.
“Robert Blaha’s strange and very inappropriate remarks directed toward Jon Keyser’s military record are not only a disgrace, but beneath the dignity of all Americans,” said Swindle…
Here’s the thing, though: as you can read above, Blaha didn’t “actively disrespect” Keyser’s military service. At most, he may have implied that Keyser isn’t terribly experienced in general as a “nice young kid,” never directly mentioning Keyser’s service at all. We don’t know enough about Blaha’s own kids to vouch for the assertion that his son is “more accomplished” than Keyser, but that’s certainly not an unusual opinion from a father for a son.
So what’s the really about? Well, Keyser is kind of a one-trick pony of a candidate, hanging more or less his entire case for election on his military service in Iraq and Afghanistan. Keyser has nonetheless had considerable difficulty differentiating himself as a candidate in this crowded field after lackluster performances in early debates.
The solution? Pitch a giant fit! Preferably through surrogates, screeching plaintively about Keyser’s service record over the slightest affront. Be careful not to go too far overboard though, or the whole thing just looks, well, you know, contrived.
Never mind, it’s too late for that advice.
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Should we be surprised that Colorado Pols is smearing Keyser along with Blaha?
Not at all. Neither of you have any shame. Failing to honor our veterans used to be unforgivable in politics, it's a tragedy it's allowed today.
Keyser does seem like a nice young kid …
… who'll soon be able to add the experience of being another "failed candidate" to his growing résumé.
The failure of yours (and that mouse? in your pocket) is, once again, a failure of reading comprehension.
Because one of the things he was fighting for was NOT free speech, protected by the 1st Amendment "CONGRESS SHALL PASS NO LAW…" etc. etc. Again, can the wingnut shop send a troll over that at least has the competence of a 9th grader?
I as going to respond to your word salad…..but I'm tired. never mind…
It is sort of like arguing with a lamp post — one with a cracked bulb 😉
If you don't elect Keyser, you "fail to honor our veterans." Got it.
Lol, oh Moddy… you idiot.
Have you shared this concern with Laura Woods and the Hateful 8 or is it okay for Republicans to vote against our troops?
Moddy might want to check out his party's front-runner re: honoring veterans
Like what your Swift Boater did to John Kerry in 2004………..
And how about Trump not thinking our guys who get caught and survive torture as POW are heroes?
Yes, but in Moddy's defense, Drumpf isn't his candidate. At least not yet.
But Trump is already the choice of a plurality of Republicans, so much so that no one else can possibly reach the magic number to defeat him on a first ballot, so I'm sure modster must be deeply ashamed that a guy who denigrates a courageous war hero as a loser for getting captured has proved so popular with his party. Right, modster?
Or what Moddy's ilk did to Tammy Duckworth recently? Those brave, brave chickenhawks…
Shouldn't military service be an immediate disqualification from political office?
cf. Gordon K.
Wow! And you wonder why people say Democrats hate the troops?
Uh…nobody was criticizing Keyser's military experience. Read carefully
Hey! Does Moderatus come down to where you work and knock the talking points out of your mouth?!?
Sometimes
What a moron. Is your definition of 'people' as twisted as your definition of 'pro life'?
As ColPols said, the whole point was that nobody was knocking his military experience. He just pivoted to that all on his own because his military experience is the only thing he wants to talk about.
He's like Rubio. Doesn't matter what you say, he just pivots and talks about the only thing he can……his military service.
Not a Democrat, am a registered Republican.
Actually, Modster, we don't wonder why "people" say that since the people who say that are righties and we know perfectly well why they say it. They hope people will believe it and believe that they're the ones who honor the troops and vets despite the fact that they've heaped abuse on decorated military heroes like John Kerry, Max Cleland, Tammy Duckworth and have constantly voted against funding to help vets while fighting tooth and nail to preserve tax breaks and subsidies for the wealthiest individuals and corporations.
We do wonder why you flag waving, photo op grabbing, more patriotic and military loving than thou righties treat our troops and vets like disposable garbage.
Apparently, among GOPkins the one unpardonable sin is saying something truthful?!?
Yes, telling the truth is an unpardonable sin in today's GOTP. But fortunately, it is a very rare one.. Certainly, both Trump and Cruz are pure as the driven snow by your test, Diogenes.
Starting to like this Blaha guy.
Speaking of THIS GOP clown car, I saw my first Neville for Senate sign today in Jeffco. It was bright orange. I'm wondering if it glows in the dark…..
It's "hunter blaze orange" because camo would be too subtle. When you see that orange color, you think hunting and shooting at stuff.
That's what I suspected when I saw the bright orange. I'm waiting for someone to shoot one of his signs up. Most of primary opponents have ammosexual proclivities and wouldn't mind flaunting it.