A few thoughts on Cantor's defeat

Official portrait of Congressman . (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

First, while I have derided the Tea Party many times in this space, I must confess to a certain satisfaction in yesterday's unseating of the House majority leader by a Tea Totaler. Reportedly, Cantor spent $5 million as against his opponent's $150,000, demonstrating that big money doesn't necessarily buy votes.  This is good news in this post-Citizens United era.

Second, for better or worse (probably worse), reports of the Tealiban's demise are premature.  Time Magazine, among many major media, has egg all over its face for having made a big deal in a recent issue about the rebounding of the Republican center,

Third, whether this Virginian upstart wins in November or not, if the GOP retains control of the House, immigration reform will remain a dead letter, since this was a major issue underpinning the Cantor unseating.

Fourth, the fact that Cantor's internal polls reportedly had him ten or more points ahead demonstrates that it's not who says they support a candidate, but who turns up on polling day, who matter.

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