Debra Medina was charging hard in the Texas governor’s race, closing in on three-term U.S. Senator Kay Bailey Hutchinson in a three-way contest. A second-place finish would have put Medina in a run-off against incumbent Governor Rick Perry for the Republican nomination for the governorship of the second largest state in the country.

Then she went on Glenn Beck’s radio show. When asked whether the federal government had a role in 9/11, she responded, “I think some very good questions have been raised in that regard. There are some very good arguments, and I think the American people have not seen all of the evidence there, so I have not taken a position on that.”

Glenn Beck summed up the aftermath of the interview when he said Medina was heading back to single digits. Medina finished a distant third in the Texas gubenatorial primary with 19% of the vote, well behind the top two contenders. Medina is not the only one. Many well-intentioned newcomers are in danger of politically spazzing themselves to death.

Americans are tired of politicians’ smooth answers, refusal to follow principles, and slick campaign talk. However, some campaigns are doomed to defeat because they’re making basic errors.

As a former candidate, I made a couple big mistakes that I wish someone would have told me to avoid.

If people want to make a difference, they should avoid giving their money and energy to campaigns that have doomed themselves to political oblivion. Here are the warning signs.

1. Going off-message

Medina’s truther answer is a prime example. After the interview, Medina pleaded that questions about 9/11 have nothing to do with the issues facing the state of Texas. Exactly. That’s why she never should have said there have been “very good questions” raised about whether the government was behind 9/11 .

Good candidates run for office for a reason, but there are constant distractions. Candidates should avoid opining on issues that are irrelevant to winning the election.

For example, while there’s merit in returning to the original Constitution and ending the direct election of senators, it’s never going to happen. Candidates who raise the issue are doing their political chances harm because it distracts from the message they want to communicate.

Entertaining conspiracy notions — whether it be from the 9/11 truthers, birthers, or from people who believe aliens landed at Roswell – also distracts from the campaign’s message and ultimately sabotages the campaign.

A campaign should not be a stream of consciousness expressing whatever random thoughts and fancies come into the candidate’s head. The candidate is asking people to spend their time and money to dedicate themselves to a cause. It’s not unreasonable to expect that candidates will dodge attempts to distract with fringe “issues.”

A gaffe like Medina’s raises another question. When people elect a political leader, particularly an executive, they’re looking for a decision-maker. They’re not electing an ideological set of positions. When a disaster hits, people expect the governor to make the right call. They want their governor to have the discretion not to embarrass the state.

Texas voters wanted to know whether Medina would make good decisions if elected and if she could be trusted to be the face of Texas. Lincoln said it best when he declared, “It is better to remain silent and be thought a fool than to open one’s mouth and remove all doubt.”

• We have a conservative stepping forward to run for Lieutenant Governor. Steve Pankey is the only filed Republican Candidate for Lieutenant Governor. It appears from this cached website that Pankey was planning on running for Governor but switched to the #2 job. His platform for Governor was kind of general including core values and traditional values, but he sounds far more promising than Brad Little.
• Is Id. Rep. Russ Matthews trying to help Mike Simpson get renominated? Let me be clear. Matthews has a bang up of Conservative record, but I’ve seen very little evidence of any serious support for him while Chick Heilseson has been doing the required organizational work for months. Knocking off Simpson is a tough challenge. It’s made even harder when a candidate who hasn’t done the necessary work is splitting the anti-Simpson vote.
• I think the district of Rep. George Sayler (D-4) is going to flip GOP with Sayler’s retirement.  While former Pocatello Mayor Greg Anderson has got to be favored to help retiring Rep. James Ruchti’s State House Seat, District 29’s other representative is Republican Ken Andrus, so this is a potential loss for the Democrats. The seat of retiring State Rep. Donna Boe (D-30) should be safe for the Democrats.
• If I was an Idaho Democrat, my top priority this year would be getting Anderson elected in District 29. If Anderson is elected to the State House, he instantly becomes the Democratic Gubenatorial frontrunner in 2014 in the incredibly likely event that Keith Allred isn’t elected Governor. Democrats may have a great opportunity in 2014 to retake the Governor’s mansion, but they’ll need a big dog with executive experience. Anderson is it. But if Anderson can’t even win a State House race, it’ll dim his prospects.
• If there’s one Treasure Valley legislator who deserves a primary challenge this year, it’s Senator John Andreason (R-15) who is currently running without opposition. Andreason voted against the Conscience Clause and against the Idaho Health Freedom Act. He’s the most liberal GOP member of the Ada County delegation, and it’s past time for him to be retired. Yet, for some reason, the only primary challenge in that district is directed at Rep. Lynn Luker (R-15) who is really not that bad.
• Speaking of Luker’s district, right now it looks like the Democrats’ best chance for a pick up in what’s going to be a rocky election year. In addition to the primary challenge, Luker faces an Independent and a Libertarian which could drain votes from him in the Fall. As of yet, though, the Democrats haven’t got a challenger to file. It’ll be interesting to see if they can produce one by the end of the filing period. If not, the seat will stay GOP. However, with a strong Democratic challenger, this could be one of the premier races to watch this fall.
• Another great primary match up is in Twin Falls where Vice Mayor Lee Heider is running for the legislature against Senator Chuck Coiner (R-24). Heider says Coiner’s not a conservative. That’s the understatement of the year. This could be a great opportunity for conservatives to move the State Senate to the right by replacing a left of Center Republican with someone more conservative.

I’ve been to some Hawks games, and love it when I get a chance to go. I went four times in 2008, but didn’t ge to go last year due to money being tight. I think Memorial Stadium does need to be improved because the parking is not in great shape, and the seating isn’t all that hot.

I think 30th Street in Boise would be a great location for a ballpark. I don’t think Meridian is all that great a choice. Driving into Meridian tends to be the most nerve-racking experience because the city doesn’t seem well-laid out and has really outgrown its infrastructure. Putting another 1,000 or so cars on Meridian roads right before and after the Hawks game seems a good way to make a challenging problem even worse.

But should taxpayers anywhere shell out money for the new ballpark? No.  A baseball stadium should be funded through private dollars or not at all. Wherever the Hawks end up playing, I’ll be happy to pay to get in if I want to see a game. But those who aren’t going to go shouldn’t have to pay.

School spending, it’s even more than you think.

Does All State care more about teenagers than Planned Parenthood?

Planned distributes sex guides at girl scout meeting

Planned Parenthood parenthood 1952: Abortion kills babies.

Planned Parenthood attacks pro-life display.  (Hat Tip: Jill Stanek.)

Is Scientology cult practicing coerced abortion? (Hat Tip: Jill Stanek.)

Second Amendment update from Gun Watch.

Jews with Guns, not just for the IDF anymore.

Illinois legislator proposed forced organ donations.

6 World Vision workers killed in Pakistan.

Christian persecution hits Nigeria.

Sweden wants to ban homeschooling

Music by Take No Glory via Music Alley

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