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Thursday, July 7, 2011

David VanderLeest, Duke of Wisconsin

Godwin's law (also known as Godwin's Rule of Nazi Analogies or Godwin's Law of Nazi Analogies)[1][2] is a humorous observation made by Mike Godwin in 1990[2] which has become an Internet adage. It states: "As an online discussion grows longer, the probability of a comparison involving Nazis or Hitler approaches 1 (100%)."
Elsewhere, the otherwise erudite Illusory Tenant compares VanderLeest to David Duke:
Remember when Scott Walker went on the teevee to "debate" the racist David Duke, arguing that the white supremacist should be banned from the Republican presidential primary ballot? ... how come Walker isn't going after the VanderLeest Dave like he went after the Duke Dave?  
Duke is the nation's most notorious politician when it comes to matters of race. Do Wisconsin Democrats really fear David VanderLeest so much that they feel the need to draw a comparison with Duke?

Taken in isolation this might just be chalked up an anomaly, but on the heels of Graeme Zielinski's so-called "communications" via Twitter and the latest attack ad that can be seen over at Capper's place I can only conclude they are either worried or bored.

All of this underscores the point that the Wisconsin GOP has squandered a golden opportunity.  An incumbent Democratic Senator whose district went for Obama 56-42 is reduced to mounting a state wide coordinated campaign against an opponent who at best is a flawed candidate with ongoing personal issues.

Maybe Dave Hansen couldn't have been beaten by anybody in this climate, but a serious challenge could have exposed just how weak his support is.  Democrats around the country may applaud his flight to Illinois as courageous, but plenty of voters in the district see it for what it is:  Hansen participating in a ridiculous conspiracy to shut down the Wisconsin legislature and deprive the citizens of this state representation in Madison.

Update:  The Press Gazette details VanderLeest's various legal troubles.  They cast serious doubt on whether anyone should vote for him.  My favorite line though was that Senator, "Hansen shied away from questions about his opponent."  Of course he did, he has people for that!

3 comments:

illusory tenant said...

I wasn't comparing David VanderLeest to David Duke. I was comparing Walker's adamant opposition to David Duke, who wanted to be a GOP candidate, to Walker's silence on VanderLeest, who is a GOP candidate. In fact I distinguished between the two Daves by comparing bad thoughts with bad acts. On the other hand, Scott Walker did compare David Duke to Jeffrey Dahmer. Where did that come from? And if you watch Walker's 1992 interview featuring Duke, nearly every caller disagreed with Walker, supporting the racist's inclusion on the Republican ballot despite Duke's odious opinions.

(Also: I'm not a Democrat.)

Jeremy R. Shown said...

Illy -

Not a Democrat or not a Democrat per se?

Either way, duly noted.

illusory tenant said...

Good one.