(The Swamp) - Move over McCain. Your replacement has come into his own.
Up front, I will tell you that I am completely biased when it comes to JD. I worked
with him at WYFF-TV-4 for three years and, daily, found him to be one of the smartest and nicest
people I know. We have continued a limited conversation over the past years, and he continues
to be the smart, genuinely caring mountain of a guy that he used to be. Yes, he played football
for NC State (he's from Highpoint), but I never held that against him.
In the old days, we all sat around a big desk to deliver the information. My job was to produce
and deliver the news on the weekends and fill in during the weekdays when needed. Seems
like JD was always there. In any case, whenever we'd cut away for a commercial break,
he'd make some comment or other about the political ramifications of one of the stories
I had read. Eventually, after the show was over one Sunday evening, I asked him to elaborate.
Boy, did I get an ear-full.
When I was growing up, in the 50's, Eisenhower was a kindly, bumbling grandfatherly type
who seemed as distant as the war, which I missed being around for by a year. I did not
remember him as the vital right hand of George C. Marshall and the stern, governing brother
of George Patton. JD, who is a decade younger than I am, knew all about him.
The reason this is important is because JD isn't just a Reagan Republican. JD is an Eisenhower
Republican. He fiercely believes in civil rights, no matter what, as did Ike. He strongly
believes in education as infrastructure. And he also believes in the uncompromising independence
and individualism that is required of ALL American citizens. He is, if there is such a thing,
an anti-progressive. His logic withers the liberals and neo-fascists who make up the progressive
movement.
He is careful enough - maybe not as careful as John McCain, but you're never sure where
McCain actually stands on any issue. At the same time, because of JD's passion and persistence
toward a final objective (like Ike) there is never any doubt where he stands on anything. Ever.
He's been called "brash," "crude," and even "impolite." The people who called him such,
however, are those pale individuals who snipe from the sidelines and treat their players
like Woody Hayes did. JD's more like a Danny Ford, or Rex Enright.
Sense of humor? Oh, yeah.
And that MAY be the one thing his enemies hate the most - that, in the end, he is more clever
than they are, and can say things in a funnier way than they can. This may be because he
can keep several continuing thoughts going in his head, all progressing toward a synthesis
which he will deliver, generally, with a comedic or dramatic line.
His one weakness, if it is one, is that he feels things deeply. I was able to get under his
skin occasionally, but, even then, he was always a gentleman.
Now he'll be announcing, soon, that he will be running against John McCain. And McCain
better watch out. Even with Sarah Palin in his corner he will need more. Yes, McCain
will have all his RINO money from around the country. And Sarah.. maybe. But JD will have the net.
Check back here, soon after his official announcement. I'm giving him a free link where his
Carolina (North AND South) fans and friends can give to Make Arizona's Senate representation
as effective as Jim DeMint has been.
The Pal-o-mino is on the move!
- Dick Anderson
