According to Politico, we've got a new entry into the Republican presidential primaries. No, it's not Texas governor Rick Perry, it's undistinguished Michigan Congressman Thaddeus McCotter. Why is he running? Why the hell not? If you want to get to know McCotter, there's no better way than this bizarre video, in which McCotter, ardent supporter of "family values" that he is, plays guitar while describing his affection for Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi. As you're probably aware, Berlusconi is, when it comes to the treatment of women, easily more of a vile dirtbag than any public figure on earth (read more here). But here's the McCotter weirdness:
Obviously, Thaddeus McCotter is not going to be president. So why bother? Well, life as a backbench member of Congress doesn't offer lots of opportunities to elevate your profile. Working your way up the congressional ladder isn't easy, and there are a couple of hundred competitors in your party for things like leadership positions and committee chairs. But anybody can run for president. So a couple of months from now, McCotter will find himself on a stage with, among other people, the next GOP presidential nominee. Before long, people all over the country will know his name. TV bookers will seek him out for interviews. After this election is over, he'll be far more important a figure than he is now. So the real question is, why don't more people run for president?
