A Livingston Republican Concedes Defeat

The Livingston Press and Argus is full of newsy bits this morning (Oct. 26, 2008).

Let's start with the story on the $20,000 advertising buy for the local Republican Party. You've probably seen the billboards and maybe even the cable television ads touting all the "accomplishments" of local Republicans. Never a mention of the mess in Hamgburg Township or the Mission Hills matter in Green Oak. How I wish I had $20,000 to spend explaining all the effects of Republican rule in our county.

But most interesting is an admission from Mike Murphy, county Republican vice-chair.

According to the Press and Argus:

"Murphy said it's possible Republicans could 'lose a seat or two' this election to Democrats, and that the advertisements, which will run through Election Day, are intended to remind residents of 'how Republican leadership has made the county what it is today.'"

Twenty-thousand-dollars to avoid losing only "a seat or two" to Democrats?

Next item up is, of course, the Press and Argus' editorial endorsing Sen. Barack Obama for president. A key portion of the endorsement says:

"It is Obama who has acted more presidential, resisting the temptations to react to cheap taunts tossed by his opponents.

"Some of Obama's positions need to be challenged. He relies too much on government solutions. His energy policies need to expand to fully use all sources, including nuclear, clean-coal, and oil-drilling both offshore and in Alaska.

"He has by far the better health-care plan, providing for the coverage of all children. His tax plan, far from socialist (more name-calling from the Republicans) is reasonable. McCain's plan is fine if you earn millions of dollars. It's not so good for the rest of us.

"While the McCain-Palin ticket seeks to benefit from a divisive campaign, Obama seeks to unify a nation needing solutions, comfort, confidence and leadership.

"'The true test of the American ideal,' said Obama, 'is whether we're able to recognize our failings and then rise together to meet the challenges of our time.'"

The newspaper endorsed John Kerry four years ago, but generally it prefers to endorse Republicans, especially at the local level. It probably will take a hit from many of its readers for endorsing Obama so it was a brave thing to do. Also the right thing.

Neither the Republican admission of their fear of losing seats to Democrats nor the newspaper endorsement of Obama will matter, though, if local Democrats fail to get out and work this last week before Election Day.

Don't let up now. Let's make Mike Murphy's admission come true -- in spades!