(Dullard Mush) – Let’s face it, fringe candidates can be kind of fun to watch. The favorites are almost always so scripted and on-message even the most casual political observer can predict with Carnac the Magnificent-like accuracy what they will say to any given question. But for the fringe-dwellers, who knows what will come forth.
The only problem, though, is that for every fringe candidate (and, well let’s be honest, by “fringe” we mean slightly kooky) there are usually a couple other equally under-funded hopefuls trying to get their non-quirky message out. They might actually have a plan that makes sense, ideas that could work and, in most cases, a refreshing honesty when it comes to answering questions.
But what they usually don’t have is the chance to get their message out effectively to the masses. They can’t bombard the airwaves with 30-second spots or plaster billboards everywhere. That’s why political shows like Jon Ralston’s “Face to Face” and Sam Shad’s “Nevada Newsmakers” are so important for those candidates. It probably won’t translate into many votes, but it is a chance for ideas to be aired.
But now, thanks to GOP U.S. Senate candidate Mike Wiley, one of those avenues may be closing. Wiley’s recent appearance on F2F, where the conversation drifted to UFO coverups and such, has Ralston rethinking his booking policy.
At some point, you have to draw the line — and we have chosen that point as one year before the election. We will set standards for all the contests — U.S. Senate on down. Some will say they are arbitrary. Some will say they are unfair. But I assure you they will be … serious.
Hopefully this won’t completely doom the lesser-known candidates, but if so, they only have Wiley to blame.
(The Dullard Mush blog can be found at http://dullardmush.blogspot.com)
