The Cantor Crying Game

 

By Jeff Simpson

By now, anyone who has a remote interest in politics knows that Eric Cantor was upset in his bid to stay entrenched in Washington with his fellow "Young Guns"!

However, like most things in the media, the narrative that came out of the national media, is not based on reality.   Let's take a look at some myths and realities:

1 The tea party beat the establishment -  Myth:

WASHINGTON — The demise of the Tea Party has been greatly exaggerated.
The anti-establishment force within the GOP was strong enough Tuesday to oust House Majority Leader Eric Cantor in a stunning upset by a political newcomer, Randolph-Macon College economics professor Dave Brat.

 The problem here is, the tea party recently backed Eric Cantor to take over for John Boehner as Speaker and they have never backed Dave Brat!

 Eric Cantor's stunning defeat on Tuesday came even as the national tea-party groups basically sat out the race, spending less than $10,000 against the soon-to-be former majority leader.

Just try to find any mention of the 'tea party" on his campaign website!  

2.  The Establishment did not support Brat.    Mostly true.  While the establishment definitely supported Cantor, at least Dave Brat was allowed to speak at the local republican convention(Mike Tate take notice):





3.  Messaging matters -  true. 

Like it or not, spend two minutes on his website and you will know EXACTLY what he stands for(agree with him or not).   He took strong stands, and it showed at the polls.   Can you tell me the messages from some of our local candidates?

4.  Money does not matter.   -  False

Despite the fact that Cantor massively outspent Brat, he lost.  That is THE EXCEPTION, not the rule. 

5.   When you rely on, and govern by "polls" you deserve to get beat:

A poll conducted late last month for House Majority Leader Eric Cantor (R-Va.) shows him with a wide lead over challenger David Brat heading toward next Tuesday's Republican primary election.
The poll, shared with Post Politics, shows Cantor with a 62 percent to 28 percent lead over Brat, an economics professor running to Cantor's right. Eleven percent say they are undecided.

6. In what turns out to be a perfect example of how sick and corrupted politics has become, Eric Cantor, representing the people of Virginia's 7th district, had so seriously gerrymandered the district that he knew he would never lose.   So much so that he was not even in his district yesterday.  

In an even worse example of what politics has become, Eric Cantor "knew" he was up 34 points and STILL Spent 5 MILLION DOLLARS!!!  

7.  This is bad for America - myth.

Saying that implies Eric Cantor brought something of value to the US.   He did not.      America will survive this, we have survived much much worse than Cantor losing his job!