There Are No Angels In Politics

Sanders Impresses Florida Voters By Jumping From  Hotel Balcony Into Pool...The Onion
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I'm reminded of the time when I was on a business trip in Tampa some years ago.  I decided to go to the hotel bar to have a nightcap.  I asked the bartender if he had some good Scotch. I remember his response to this day: "Sir, there's only good Scotch and better Scotch."

I keep reminding myself of that story during this political season when I think of the Republican candidates. It's a metaphor I believe is fitting (there's only one exception to the that bartender's claim---when it comes to Democrat candidates, the two choices are bad, really bad). Every Republican candidate, even those who have already fallen by the wayside, would be a better candidate than either Hillary Clinton or Bernie Sanders. Yes, some are more attractive than others. In my case, my preference happens to be Ted Cruz. I like his conservative core principles and his defense of The Constitution.  Yet, I fully understand the appeal of Trump. Kasich an Rubio to a lesser extent. The attraction of all four  to many voters should surprise no one.

As in the current ubiquitous narrative, most of the problems facing America today can be directly attributed to the political class, the elite on both the Right and Left side of the political isle.  The Democrat candidates actually want the electorate to believe America is in need of change even though they've been in power for the last eight years. On the other hand, the Republican Party has abandoned conservative principles. It's becoming increasingly clear they want an establishment candidate nominated. Both Trump and Cruz don't fit that bill.  As Peter Kalikow wrote recently (former publisher of the NYPost):  "The Republican Party belongs to the people who comprise its grass-roots voters, not the party bosses who profess to know what's in their best interests." They behave like whiny little children on a playground. Play by our rules or we're going home. Well, if Trump's surge has taught us anything---it's that the rules have changed. And the elite of both parties better understand this paradigm shift.  If not, they'll be on the sidelines along with Romney and McCain.

If we learned anything, it's that there are no angels in politics.

Postscript:   Since this was posted, we're learning one fact:  Hillary Clinton is no angel.