It is basically like saying guy lost because he didn't do enough X, if only he could have done even less of X then he would have almost certainly won. The guy was trying to sleep his way into the Senate. The idea that "if only he had a clear field" he would have won is clearly ridiculous when you consider that Baldwin was going to fight for it and that is why she won in the end. People want fighters, not sleepers.
Also this notion, "well he had to say some crazy things". No he didn't have to say "I am best to do away with medicare", that is "Severely Conservative" times 1,000. Trying to appeal to a base you a completely disconnected with in the most idiotic and inneffective way possible, straight out of the Romney guide to winning primaries 101. The base is there, they aren't going away. And if Thompson became out of touch, it is because he was out of touch, not because the base made him say stupid crap. That base doesn't make you say crap, the base wants committment, fidelity, vigor and passion because they are pissed off. How a candidate makes the connection to that is entirely up to them and if they mess up it is their own fault. I am sure these lame establishment politicians enjoy having a scape goat, but you know what I don't feel the least bit sorry for them. For the most part, they have been screwing this country over for decades and the idea they they suddenly have to work for it and aren't guarranteed victory anymore, just plain breaks my stone cold heart, NOT!
This one is all on the establishment. This is one where the TP could have bailed us out from a bad establishment candidate.
