Our friend Zell Miller is back...

[Nym90]

It's really a shame what's happened to Zell. He really was an excellent Governor and strongly backed Clinton in 1992. I can't believe he'd support Santorum over Casey; the latter should be exactly his type of Democrat. I think he really sold his soul for the attention that he loves to get.

[Nym90]

This was interesting...from Zell's Wikipedia entry:

But at a dinner in Atlanta in 2001, Miller had introduced Kerry as "one of this nation's authentic heroes, one of this party's best-known and greatest leaders — and a good friend," who had "worked to strengthen our military."

[Nym90]

 I can't believe he'd support Santorum over Casey; the latter should be exactly his type of Democrat.

Casey is now a puppet of the Dem establishment and Zell has liked Santorum for awhile.

Miller seems to be attempting (in his own totally useless way) to bolster Santorum's campaign rather than hammering Casey, as Phil says Santorum and Miller are fairly close (and as i have said Santorum seems to get on, at a personal level, with plenty of Democrats)... I wouldnt expect any sweeping endorsments from Miller as there where two years ago.

Well, that's a good point. At least he's not bashing Casey; perhaps he is only endorsing Rick due to remaining loyal to a friend rather than truly agreeing with Santorum more than Casey on the issues. I have no problem with that.

But it is quite interesting how Kerry went from a great friend and protector of the military to horrible and someone who would arm the military with spitballs in his eyes in just three years. And his proof for this was to cite Kerry's votes for defense cuts in the late 80's and early 90's, which of course had occured 10 or more years before Zell considered Kerry to be in favor of a strong military.

[Nym90]

Isn't he backing Blackwell over Strickland as well?

Ok, then he is definitely worthy of the DINO label, and that's coming from someone who hates to call people DINOs. But I'm sorry, anyone who supports Blackwell over Strickland....um, ok. Santorum over Casey was bad enough, but at least he had a personal friendship with Santorum.

As I said, it's a real shame, Zell was a great Governor and everything he said at the 1992 DNC was right on the mark. I wonder if anyone else will ever match his feat of delivering the keynote address at both party's conventions?

[Nym90]

nym, what is so great about strickland?

his 1890 economic ideas?

Yes, I know he's a "silly populist", but that was my point, he should be Miller's kind of Democrat, and if he views Blackwell who is quite conservative as more ideologically compatible with himself than Strickland it gets to be pretty hard to call oneself a Democrat anymore. I think Al hit it on the head that he's basically a John Breckinridge Democrat, or possibly a George Wallace Democrat (well, Zell DID support segregation during the 60's in his first runs for elective office, possibly for the same reasons as Wallace in that it was the only way to win in Georgia in the 60's; judge for yourself whether that makes it an acceptable position to take or not).