Politicians Are Apparently Incapable of Learning – Maryland Democratic Gubernatorial Candidate Douglas Gansler Says Things in Private He Does Not Want to Say in Public

Did Mitt Romney Not Teach These Imbeciles Anything?

There were a lot of things that sunk the Mitt Romney campaign for the Presidency, the biggest of course being Mitt Romney.  But the one single event that is usually cited is Mr. Romney’s remarks about the so-called 47% that live off the government, have no personal responsibility and would not support Mr. Romney, presumably because he would take away their unearned benefits.  These remarks were said in private, but were recorded and made public, putting Mr. Romney on the defensive for the rest of the campaign and rendering what little chance he had to win even smaller.

In the 2008 campaign Mr. Obama endured a similar experience.  His campaign only survived his clandestine remarks about people clinging to guns and God because he was running against John McCain.  It would have taken more than those ill considered statements to lose to Mr. McCain.

One would think the lesson here is obvious, that if you are a public figure don’t say anything in private that you would not want to say in public (actually that’s good advice outside of politics).  But politicians being a separate class of idiots apparently cannot learn even this basic message.  Witness Maryland Attorney General Douglas Gansler commenting on his opponent in private.

Rebecca D'Angelo/For The Washington Post -

 Maryland Attorney General Douglas F. Gansler is seen in Washington in this September 2012 file photo.
The Smile of an idiot?

Maryland Attorney General Douglas F. Gansler told a group of campaign volunteers last month that Lt. Gov. Anthony G. Brown, his chief Democratic rival for governor, has a thin record of accomplishment and is trying to rely on his race to get elected next year.

“I mean, right now his campaign slogan is, ‘Vote for me, I want to be the first African American governor of Maryland,’ ” Gansler (D) told the group. “That’s a laudable goal, but you need a second sentence: ‘Because here’s what I’ve done, and here’s why I’ve done it.’ ”

By most standards this is not extremely awful, but it shows a desperation and insensitivity that can doom a campaign.  And in several ways it is highly offensive.

The response of the Gansler campaign is to condemn the illicit taping,

“It’s unfortunate that Anthony Brown’s campaign has to stoop to the level of Richard Nixon and send in spies to illegally record a private campaign organizing meeting,” Gansler strategist Doug Thornell said.

which is an even dumber tactic than the initial statements.  Voters care about what candidates say and think, not about some technical issue of whether or not they should have been caught out.

We have no idea of who is the better candidate in Maryland in therace for Governor.  And given all of the other issues facing the nation it is hard to really care.  But being Governor requires decency and intelligence.  So far Mr. Gansler seems lacking in both.