The term “Pyrrhic victory” refers to Pyrrhus, a third century B.C. general who defeated Roman legions twice. Unable to obtain enough replacements to sustain his losses, he said words to the effect of “One more such victory and we lose everything.” Similarly, a Cadmean victory refers to Cadmus, a mythological Greek who lost an army save five men killing a serpent, a victory equally devastating to both sides.
The putrid prospect of an Obama-Romney contest, the nauseating spectacle of social conservatives knocked to their knees by gay marriage bills, contraceptive insurance and planned parenthood issues wetting their pants over Santorum, and my impression of moderate Republicans in general, bring such victories to mind.
I agree with many of Ron Paul’s stated positions even though I have devoted my political energies to the Gingrich campaign since Rick Perry dropped out.
In a four-man race, it seems unlikely that either Mr. Paul or Mr. Gingrich will have enough delegates for a first-ballot nomination. I propose an alliance between these two gentlemen’s forces in all legislative district, county and state conventions, voting to advance each other’s as well as their own pledged delegates at each level in order to maximize their combined delegate count at the national convention. A degree of cooperation is needed to deny Romney a first-ballot nomination or Santorum enough delegates to release to Romney for a second-ballot nomination, which will in all likelihood result in a deadlocked convention. While I will campaign for Mr. Gingrich for the duration, I believe that both he and Mr. Paul may have to fall on their swords to keep either of the unacceptable moderates from the nomination.
In the event of a brokered convention, I would put former Utah Gov. Mike Leavitt’s name on the short list of compromise candidates. Check out this former cabinet secretary’s political and executive history. I believe that Team Obama saw him coming a long way off and played Huntsman to keep him from running.
This is what the early stages of a revolution look like.
Edward D. Neil
Enumclaw
