A couple of Berg’s Law references, here:<\/p>\n
Berg\u2019s Eleventh Law of Inverse Viability<\/strong>: The conservative liberals \u201crespect\u201d for their \u201cconservative principles\u201d will the the one that has the least chance of ever getting elected.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
And its corollary:<\/p>\n
The McCain Corollary To Berg\u2019s Eleventh Law<\/strong>: If that respected conservative ever develops a chance of getting elected, that \u201crespect\u201d will turn to blind unreasoning hatred overnight.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
Both could be renamed “The Paulsen Principle”.<\/p>\n
CD3 GOP representative Erik Paulsen has been cutting a decidedly moderate tack in his time in Congress, after replacing equally moderate representative (and fellow Jamestown ND native) Jim Ramstad.<\/p>\n
It’s portrayed as common sense; the 3rd CD, says the conventional wisdom, is trending blue and is a very possible flip when and if Paulsen leaves office.<\/p>\n
And so while Paulsen’s challengers have been unimpressive so far, he’s been moving inexorably to the center for years, trying to keep it that way.<\/p>\n