Can We Figure It Out?

I regularly ask my classes if America is too stupid for democracy. They are initially stunned, but once they consider the evidence they begin to agree with the statement. The most compelling argument is usually their own political awareness and behavior.

We've got more evidence supporting my contention coming out of South Carolina. The Democratic primary election has provided an unusual outcome. The winner with 60% of the vote is an unemployed gentleman who's only work history appears to be that he was involuntarily separated from service in the US Army. Currently he is facing felony charges for showing obscene photos to a college student.

He faced an opponent who campaigned aggressively and spent more than $200,000 seeking the nomination. The winner spent nothing, made no appearances, has no campaign organization, filed no reports and so far in interviews demonstrates little knowledge of the issues or even the role of a US Senator. How did he beat the judge?

Now the Democratic Party is embarrassed. I had thought them incapable of abashment, but that's what they say they are. The most prominent Democratic incumbent from the state, Rep. Jim Clyburn sees this as some sort of Republican dirty trick. The President's chief political advisor, David Axelrod, doesn't think this was fair.


The direction this is moving seems to be to somehow overturn the election under grounds that Mr. Greene is unfit to serve. That would seem to be all the confirmation one would need for my thesis that Americans are too stupid for democracy. They made the choice in an open election. How do you disregard the outcome without leaving the concept of elective representation in total disarray?

Who is a Democrat in South Carolina? How did they make their voting choice?