The Rough and Tumble Game of Politics as RedState Sees It

SEE HERE The only thing it takes for evil to triumph is for good men to stand by and do nothing. That (slightly different) is a sentiment commonly attributed to Edmund Burke also thought to be a conservative thinker. I've not read much Burke but the sentiment is certainly true. My conservatism springs from other roots than 18th century thinkers.

RedState is talking about the harsh reality of the political arena. It's hell out there. It is a dog eat dog spit in your face bare knuckles brawl with no quarter. It probably shouldn't be that way. Because it is that way and expensive to boot, many a good man won't touch it with a ten foot pole. Anything disreputable in your past? Count on it, it'll be out there. If there isn't, count on it, something bogus will be out there. Just look at the treatment Sarah Palin has received.

But if only those who like a good brawl in the mud are in the fight then you're going to be led by mud-brawlers ... I'm sorry ... that's just the reality. So you have to get down in the mud, however distasteful that is and try to create a better system. Just reality! Too bad really.