In contrast to the Maoist, Hong.
Blaska is not a professional Republican. Pays his dues but feeds at his own trough. We admire a good play even when it beats our team.
So we can say this: David Crowley will be tough to beat, don’t let anyone kid you. Seems like a natural (if you remember Robert Redford in the Bernard Malamud story). What a contrast to the smug, censorious, judgmental (quick, more adjectives!) Francesca Hong. Pace Obama to Hillary, It’s not that the socialist tribune was UN-likeable enough — it’s that she was/is scary, too!
Crowley’s campaign has an excellent ad up not 48 hours from his shocking win Tuesday 08-11-26 — a come-from-behind that rivals Truman’s 1948 upset. And Truman never dropped out for 10 critical days only to get back in just 24 days before election day. (Think of all those early votes Crowley missed!) (And Kamala Harris whines she didn’t have enough time!)
No guilt trips
Crowley’s intro embodies all the bona fides of actual working people — not Ms. Hong’s posturing grievance study post-grads. Grew up in more poverty than Tom Joad but doesn’t use it as victim bait. “It can break you or it can make you” suggests hard knocks made candidate Crowley stronger — not a supplicant for gummint goodies. Talks jobs, affordability, safe streets. Takes a well-advised swipe at the unpopular Trump. Even takes the edge off “community organizer” (Barack Obama’s day job).
→ Gov. Tony Evers on WTMJ Milwaukee radio: “Is David going to get behind some of the things [Hong] talked about? No.”
→ “Francesca Hong: Our Movement Is Strong, and the Work Isn’t Done” — John Nichols (who else?) in The Nation
→ Hong’s “campaign rally was pure crack for disaffected leftist Millennials. The emcee introduced every speech by appealing to ‘ladies, gentlemen, and friends beyond the binary.’” — Helen Lewis in The Atlantic
Crowley doesn’t wear that threatening uni-color Chairman Mao jump suit. Not likely to share the same stage with Bernie or A.O.C. — much less Hasan Piker. Won’t end school choice. (Too many Milwaukee kids benefit.) Undeniable executive experience. Does not guilt-trip whitey. No Jew baiting. Wanted that bipartisan refund /school aid deal. Doesn’t pander on data centers. This is a man who celebrates Thanksgiving. (Says stuffing and turkey gravy are his favorites.)
And he’s still black!
Paging Steve Kornacki!
Christian Schneider in National Review gives full props to that mild mannered Clark Kent in the governor’s office. “Tony Evers, electoral gangster.” Gov. Evers performed the greatest rescue since Entebbe (sez Blaska). Without Tony Evers and (we got to think) the unsung party boss Devin Remiker and (who knows) even Tammy Baldwin, Wisconsin Democrats would have crashed and burned with Francesca Hong, a national punch line. And taken the rest of the ticket down with her.
“Roth, he played this one beautifully.” — Tom Hagen to Michael Corleone
Folks, that’s the value of a political parties when they work as they should: they do the sorting. Without the smoke-filled Chicago hotel room in 1944, the Communist dupe Henry Wallace — not Harry Truman — would have succeeded FDR.
Here’s David Crowley’s secret sauce: The man smiles. Lights up the room. Can’t teach it; can’t fake it. (Young children run to their mothers when the Head Groundskeeper forces one.) Ike was famous for his smile. Reagan was the first U.S. president “to openly display a full, toothy grin in his official portrait. His Hollywood-honed smile radiated warmth, optimism, and approachable leadership.” (Who are we to argue with Google A-I?)
Blaska’s Bottom Line: Will be difficult to strip the bark off the Democrats’ nominee (as the late great Lee Atwater would say). We report these impressions because Hooray For Our Side doesn’t help our candidate. Field generals need accurate assessments, not Rah! Rah!
As for Jimmy Carter, always found his smile a little grotesque. Some attribute it to “over-flossing.” We do not trust those people.
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