Another Sinatra Faces the Final Curtain

In the biggest Sinatra-related flop since the Chairman of the Board's Watertown LP, Cynthia Sinatra, amicable ex-wife of Frank Jr., has been clobbered by Ron Paul (R-TX) in the Republican primary for the Lone Star State's 14th Congressional District. Sinatra, an attorney who campaigned with her ex-husband by her side, had been running as a Bush-style New Republican, attacking Paul for "ignoring what the people need in the district," and promising to bring in more pork than you'd find in a triple helping of Frank Sinatra meatballs. From her site:

If you've taken the time to come to my web site, then you're aware of the lack of support our district receives from our current representation in Washington. It seems that an agenda driven by a personal libertarian philosophy has won out over actual leadership that should represent all of us. We all stood in shock as our Congressman voted against emergency federal funding to help our neighbors, friends and families that were so tragically affected by hurricanes Katrina and Rita. We've watched as our Congressman refused to support our troops in Iraq, schools continue to fall behind due to unfunded federal mandates, and our private property rights trampled. It's time for a change. It's time to elect a Congressman that is not afraid to fight to ensure that fellow Texans are not penalized with a heavier tax burden without sacrificing federal services that are crucial to the continuation of our local infrastructure. I believe that our teachers and schools should have the resources necessary so our children are prepared when they go to college. I believe our teachers are under paid… My belief is that government should make life easier for folks, not place obstacles in the way of their progress.

Less publicized were Sinatra's promises of a billion-kilowatt dam construction project and a full pardon for Frank Jr.'s kidnappers.

In the wee, small hours of the morning, Paul was leading with more than 77 percent of the vote.

Paul now faces a general election race against Democrat Shane Sklar, who repeats Sinatra's "do-nothing congressman" talking points but has the advantage of wearing a cowboy hat—a look even the Chairman himself was unable to pull off.

Comments

[SR]

Interesting -- Sklar says Paul was one of 11 House members to vote against the Katrina relief bill. Who were the other 10 and what was their motivation?

[quasibill]

As much as I ridicule the "justice" system in TX, I'm tempted to move to Dr. Paul's district just because it appears that there, at least, is a large community of people who have similar beliefs to me.

Now, if you could get that district to secede from TX, I'd start looking for a house there...

[Mr. F. Le Mur]

Who were the other 10 and what was their motivation?
Joe Barton (R) - TX
Jeff Flake (R) - AZ
Virginia Foxx (R) - NC
Scott Garrett (R) - NJ
John Hostettler (R) - IN
Steve King (R) - IA
Butch Otter (R) - ID
Ron Paul (R) - TX
James Sensenbrenner (R) - WI
Tom Tancredo (R) - CO
Lynn Westmoreland (R) - GA

Maybe they were waiting for an amendment that says "Congress shall give money to people who decided to live in stupid places."

[SR]

It's interesting that they were all Republicans. I would have guessed there would be a few Democrats who would have voted against it on the grounds that it didn't give enough money.

[Pro Libertate]

Does that mean we're down to eleven small-government Republicans in the House? Or is that number too high?

[Number 6]

We've watched as our Congressman refused to support our troops in Iraq, schools continue to fall behind due to unfunded federal mandates, and our private property rights trampled. It's time for a change.

Yeah, a tense change.

[Jennifer]

We've watched as our Congressman refused to support our troops in Iraq, schools continue to fall behind due to unfunded federal mandates, and our private property rights trampled.

So what role did Ron Paul supposedly play in the trampling of private property rights?

[Warren]

We all stood in shock as our Congressman voted against emergency federal funding to help our neighbors, friends and families that were so tragically affected by hurricanes Katrina and Rita. We've watched as our Congressman refused to support our troops in Iraq,

If only we could all vote for such representation.

[SR]

"So what role did Ron Paul supposedly play in the trampling of private property rights?"

He probably voted against the anti-Kelo legislation. Something that is important to remember is that Ron Paul sincerely believes in the Constitution, including its restrictions on the Federal government's ability to regulate the states. As a result, he sometimes votes against legislation that is arguably "pro-liberty" but which infringes the right of state governments. That's why the NRA opposes him for example -- he votes against bills that would force states to restrict product liability litigation against gun manufacturers.

[B.P.]

Ms. Sinatra could use an editor.

[matt]

You know, it always amazes me in this day and age that a man like Dr. Paul could be elected (more than once, even!) to Congress.

[MayDay72]

Does this somehow relate to the impressive lead of Jesse Walker's daughter in the Libertarian primary? If both her and Ron Paul are successful in 2006 then will they run together on the Libertarian presidential ticket in 2008?

[SR]

Ron Paul already ran for president on the Libertarian ticket in 1988, so I doubt he'd try again.

[shanep]

Paul is as much a federalist as a libertarian. He believes in a "restoration" of state right as well as individual liberty. When those might clash at the national level, he tends to side more on the side of the states.

[quasibill]

"Paul is as much a federalist as a libertarian"

Not really exclusive labels. Libertarians generally dislike monopoly and like competition. Federalists apply that concept to sovereignty.

[mk]

SR,
I thought I voted for Andre Marrou in 1988.

Granted, I never pay much attention to who the candidate actually is, but that was my first vote so I remember it somewhat. It's not like the person is actually gonna win.

[R C Dean]

I don't know if you can be a libertarian without also being in favor of devolution of power, which in turn makes you a federalist.

[Isaac Bartram]

I thought I voted for Andre Marrou in 1988.

Andre Marrou was VP candidate in 1988. He ran for prez in 92.

[Paul]

Oh, and for the record, I still don't see how the libertarian philosophy (except for Ron Paul, of course, god bless his little butt) will ever win anything in our current system. I mean, don't get me wrong, I'm going to my grave with the Libertarian decoder ring on, but let's face it, we're trying to get elected by essentially telling people we're not going to do anything. "It's a show about nothing.", say the libertarians when trying to sell themselves to the voters. Sure, it was funny when I watched Seinfeld, but too many Americans don't find it so funny in the voting booth.

[mk]

Thanks Isaac. I knew he was in there somewhere.

[Lowdog]

Paul - that's pretty obvious when you have Republicans saying that Ron Paul is a bad candidate because he's not sucking off the government teat!

But it's even worse, because not only would I want my representative to do nothing, I'd want him actively trying to repeal laws and codes already in the books. That's, like, going backwards, right?!?

Assholes.

[Paul]

But it's even worse, because not only would I want my representative to do nothing, I'd want him actively trying to repeal laws and codes already in the books. That's, like, going backwards, right?!?

Well, I may agree with you in principle, but good luck on that. Sure, I'm all tingly waving my six inch libertarian flag when you talk like that, but we know what happens to Republicans when they actually try to reduce government. They get a full-court press from Democrats, The Mainstream Media(tm), and Big Government Republicans.

I mean, when we've got mainstream liberals saying stuff like "Yeah, sure we got a problem with this George Bush thing and executive power and civil rights and all, but thank god we don't have that Gingrich bunch in there trying to actually reduce government." the game is lost. We're Europe, it's over. When niether major party sees the 'irony' (?) of lost civil rights/liberties and huge government-- I don't know where to turn.

Maybe I'm just depressed today.

[mike]

Actually, being a libertarian also means, if you're in the minarchist mode instead of anarchist mode, that federalism should be limited, and the principle of a lean and limited and efficient government should apply. That means decentralization, something most D's and R's have never figured out.

[jw]

Wow! I wasn't aware that a celebrity-twice-removed like Ms. Sinatra even lived in Texas, let alone residing anywhere near the 14th Congressional District. And hell, I drive through there a couple times a year!