It was an election that says volumes about what citizens want in more traditional parts of the country. Apparently tired of what they have had for years, voters turned out more of the same and voted for a new, fresh face.
Of course, I am talking about John Tyler Hammons election as mayor of Muskogee, Oklahoma. Hammons is a 19-year-old college freshman majoring in political science and public administration* at the University of Oklahoma who defeated 70-year-old, three-time former mayor Hershel McBride with about 70% of the vote. People wanted change, and they got it. (What would Merle Haggard think about all this? Well, hopefully Hammons doesn’t smoke marijuana or take his trips on LSD, and he likes livin’ right and bein’ free.)
Then again, some people might point to that other little race yesterday that saw Democratic candidate Travis Childers defeat Republican Greg Davis in a special election to fill Roger Wicker’s seat in the conservative first district of Mississippi. Holy crap! Are you kidding me? I can’t believe a Democrat just won in a non-minority majority district in Mississippi. THAT speaks volumes about how badly the Republicans are doing. If they can’t win in the district that has the Bible Belt exurb of Southhaven full of strip malls and stamped out housing developments, they are in reeaaally bad shape. Davis even had Dick Cheney campaign for him! Are you kidding??? The VP campaigned for you in a special election in a highly conservative district, and YOU LOST??! He’s definitely not getting a White House Christmas card this year.
(By the way, I have to point out stereotypes where stereotypes are due. Look at the pictures of these guys again. With that ‘stache and smirk, Wilders really fits the bill as a slimeball Democrat, while Davis - looking like he just ate a grasshopper to win a bar bet - totally nails the look of Southern Republican. Kudos to all here. Both you guys are winners.)
The tides could still shift before November, but things are looking good for Obama despite being trounced in West Virginia, and not so good for McCain, who, despite any “maverick” reputation, has made clear through his proposals to wreck the federal budget and pandering to the environmental community that he is from the same mold as George Bush. It’s no wonder Bob Barr was so disenchanted with him.
*I would put money on this kid being a huge douchebag, but you have to give him props.
1 andrew // May 14, 2008 at 10:40 AM
“looking like he just ate a grasshopper to win a bar bet”
HA. I was thinking “Hold my beer and watch this!” when i saw that photo, but your eloquent phrasing describes it so much more accurately.
2 Thomas // May 14, 2008 at 10:51 AM
Of course, the moment probably went something like this:
“Hey Greg, eat that grasshopper and we’ll buy you another round.”
“Aight, hold my beer and watch this.” Crunch…swallow… grin
“Aw, man, I can’t believe you ate that sucker.”
“It tasted kinda crunchy. Gimme my beer back.”
3 Mike W // May 14, 2008 at 11:11 AM
HAHAHAHA. That’s fantastic. You should write a sitcom about Southern fratboy livin’.
4 Mike // May 29, 2008 at 06:29 AM
If Hammons identifies himself as a Republican and takes political science, and still calls himself a Republican- he isn’t very bright.