Why Grover Norquist should attack me

If you watched 60 Minutes you may have seen a story about Grover Norquist, a Washington lobbyist who runs The Americans for Tax Reform.

He has famously requested that representatives and senators sign “The Pledge.” Two hundred and nineteen representatives, and thirty-nine senators have. Once signed, it’s a lifetime commitment.

When I spoke to Adam Radman, his Grassroots Campaign Manager I said that I probably would not sign it, as it didn’t go far enough. It is very easy for our Congress people to sign “The Pledge,” and then continue to vote for our government to borrow ever increasing massive sums of money. That offsets the difference between the static taxes and the spending binge that we’re on. It’s called the National Debt. We’re racing towards bankruptcy as fast as Congress can get us there!

He said that he understood my position, but it was the first step. I said that there needed to be two pledges, one “The Pledge” and two, “The Pledge 2.” The Pledge 2 would state that signers would only vote for deficit increases at no greater than the cost of living index recalculated to start from year 2000.

Mr. Radman made it a point that they spend $25 million each election cycle supporting and attacking candidates who do or don’t sign “The Pledge.” So what do they spend that $25 million on? I suspect that they blanket every candidate in every district with “The Pledge” request and almost all sign. Why? Because it’s a good talking point.

If every candidate in any particular district signs it, then no money will be spent on that race from that $25 million. Why should they spend it? It’s only if a leading candidate, such as myself, doesn’t sign it that they risk attack. The whole idea is to have as many elected congress-people sign “The Pledge” while a candidate so they are all locked in, forever.

From a tactical point of view, my campaign will do better by not signing it, rather than doing so! Why, when I agree with it? It’s simple… voters vote for people they know. It’s very expensive to become known, so a well publicized David and Goliath battle between my candidacy and Grover Norquist’s juggernaut can only benefit my campaign.

As perverse as it is, at this time I won’t sign “The Pledge.”