with credit for the feature to Steve Rosenbloom of the Trib
Being a Coward or Being an Empty Suit
A little vague for you? Read Kass’s column on the Tribune Editorial Board meeting with the Republican Senate Candidates,
One might think that Kass’ condemnation of those who wouldn’t criticize Kjellander was the strongest, but read it a second time and Jack Ryan comes out looking like a giant boob.
Just about the time one candidate was proving he went to college by offering a fascinating aside on the Treaty of Westphalia and Europe of the 1600s, I got bored and asked a question.=====================
Nobody was paying much attention to another candidate, Jack Ryan, who was still probably thinking about his pithy Treaty of Westphalia reference and whether we understood it.
Ryan said he did not know exactly what the other candidates were talking about but said he’d have an opinion, once "I find out what he did."
It was explained to him, and he said he’d reserve judgment until he had more facts.
Now, in between those sections, Kass drives the point home even harder by pointing out Rauschenberger’s response:
Then Rauschenberger declared: "Well, then I hope you don’t say any more about party building, either of you, if you don’t have an opinion on the national committeeman and what’s going on in the party. Welcome to the Republican Party, but don’t talk about party building in front of public audiences."
Not having an opinion is bad. Not knowing anything is hysterical. From what flipping planet is this clown ?
The column is full of nuggets, but the best is Uber-WASP McKenna saying:
"You talking to me?"
Why I oughta slap you with my white glove!