With just a few days to go until Election Day 2008, I thought it would be a good time to summarize the Wolf campaign "caning" story and get back to discussing why Judy Feder will make such a great representative for the 10th CD. With that, here are the main "takeaway messages" I see coming out of this entire fiasco.
1. The main question here is why Frank Wolf didn't intervene during the incident with his own staff, and also why hasn't he said a word about it since?
2. It's also very strange the way the Wolf campaign has been playing this whole situation to the press, issuing a non-apology "apology" which essentially says that Wolf aide Ben Dutton was provoked and/or confused. Sure, Dutton could have been "provoked" to anger or "confused" about the fact that these were harmless guys with a video camera, but that still doesn't excuse lashing out physically at anyone. And it still doesn't explain why Wolf let it go on, didn't say "cut it out," or simply tell the Feder trackers to get lost!
3. Whatever you think about the incident, I believe we can all agree that a man who's been in Congress for 28 years should have taken SOME responsibility to get control over the situation. I think we also can agree that Wolf should have shown some leadership following the incident, instead of hiding from the public and sending out his staff to speak for him. I mean, Frank Wolf has been involved in elections more than a dozen times now. He's also, by every account, a very smart man. So, where the heck is he?
4. Obviously Frank Wolf, a 28-year incumbent Congressman, didn't know how to handle himself during the incident itself, or for that matter in its aftermath. The only thing he apparently knew how to do was let his people, particularly his chief of staff Dan Scandling, do whatever they saw fit (e.g., run amok). Unfortunately for Wolf, Dan Scandling blew this situation big time. As you can see on the video, Scandling was there the entire time, yet he didn't say or do anything. Why not?!?
5. In the end, when push came to shove (literally!) Frank Wolf and Dan Scandling froze up and didn't respond while a situation was getting completely out of hand right in front of their faces. Why did they freeze up like that? Perhaps because they were ill-prepared and not used to being challenged after so long in the hallowed halls of Congress? Perhaps because they've gotten complacent and cocky over the years? If so, that might help explain why they seem to always make mistakes when anyone puts the slightest bit of pressure on them. No wonder why Frank Wolf is so determined to avoid the public eye; apparently he can't handle himself in uncontrolled situations.
6. Also, lost in all the brouhaha and drama over the "caning"/assault/violence, is the fact that Congressman Wolf STILL hasn't answered a simple question about his plan to pay for the health care tax credit he proposes. He hasn't answered that question in debates, he hasn't answered it in any other forum. Why not?
7. So, for all you Wolf supporters (or Feder opponents) out there who think this whole episode was ridiculous, for argument's sake I'll agree with you: fine, it WAS ridiculous, the entire thing. But now, I've also got a challenge for you guys. :) Seriously, I challenge you to call Congressman Wolf's office right now at (800) 850-3463 and ask him this simple question: "What is your health care plan and how do you plan to pay for the McCain tax credit that you've said is such a great idea?" See how long it takes to get an answer, and if you DO get an answer, please report your findings to us here at RK. We'd love to be hear a response to the question the Wolf people have so intent on "raising cane" to avoid answering! Heh.