Why Democrats Should Always Run a Candidate for Every Office
I have spent the last 6 hours on the phone and online trying to sign up for the energy star rebate from the stimulus package. Much like the entire state of Texas, I have not been able to get through online or via the phone. In addition to being blatantly discrimatory against minorities, people living in rural communities, the working poor and the elderly (all groups who have limited access to the Internet, limited information on how to take advantage of the program and limited time to devote to getting the rebate), the implementation of this program has been a complete unmitigated failure even for those of us attempting via high speed internet, the phone and following it on twitter.
Who can we blame for this disaster? Comptroller Susan Combs, whose office oversees the program. What an AMAZING PR disaster that her opponent could take advantage of and make a major campaign issue in the fall. If only… SHE HAD AN OPPONENT! Because we didn’t run a candidate against her, we have no chance of capitalizing on this.
So, here’s the takeaway lesson. No matter WHAT, lightening CAN strike. Politics is a good part luck and you have to be ready to take advantage of luck once it presents itself. We failed to do that and thus we won’t capitalize on this.
