Vaughn Ward: First Impressions

I finally got to see Congressional Candidate Vaughn Ward in action giving a short speech. Below are some of my impressions.

 On the positive side of the ledger:

1. One thing you have to praise is Ward’s service to the country in the CIA and two seperates stints in the U.S. Marine Corps. Ward’s dedication to serving his country is admirable.
2. Ward criticized spending and not just during the Obama years but argued against it during Republican years, pointing to Bush’s over-spending and pointed to Republican responsibility to uphold GOP values.

On the other hand, there were three red flags:

1. Flag One: Mis-stating facts. Wards correctly stated Bush raised Education spending dramatically but got his facts wrong when he said Bush promised to abolish the Department of Education. In fact, when Bush was nominated, he cut that plank from the GOP platform.  Also, I know that to some, it is a small matter, but our country is a Republic, not a Democracy. It would be nice if our elected officials knew what form of government we had.
2. Flag Two:The most astonishing thing I heard was when Ward found himself extolling the virtues of Former Senator Larry Craig (R-ID) who I agree did many good things for our state during his tenure, but who also left office in a way that brought great embarassment on our state with his on again, off again resignation, and made our state that butt of a thousand dirty jokes. While I know some Idaho Republicans have loyalty to Senator Craig, I think it’s a big turn off to most Idahoans and many people in the GOP.  If you want to run for Congress, run for Congress, if you want to rehabilitate Larry Craig, please don’t try to do some from a congressional ticket.
3. Flag Three: Mr. Ward is only forty and uses that to great effect to argue that if elected to Congress, he’d be able to pile up seniority because he’d be able to stay in Washington for many years. In essence, “My name is Vaughn Ward and I want to spend the next 20-40 years in Washington…” Ward adds that he believes in term limits, but that the system is what it is and that’s how states get influence.

Any problems with this? Let me count the ways. First of all, I’m for term limits because I’ve seen how power corrupts. I know some people who are against term limits for reasons such as the need for depth of experience of government. To say, “I’m for term limits but elect me so that I can stay in Washington for 20-40 years.” is like saying, “Power corrupts…but not me.”

In addition,w hat getting influence in Washington often means is bringing home the bacon, something that he condemned in his talk on spending. In addition, to gain influence in Washington, you generally have to go along with the party leadership.

Perhaps, I’m having a Simon Cowell moment but my first impression is that I found Ward completely underwhelming, and he’s got to do better than what I saw tonight if he expects to have any prayer of being elected.