Embattled United States Senator, Jim Bunning (R. KY) has announced his retirement and will not be seeking another term in 2010. Bunning was a true conservative and fought the good fight for conservative values for a long time. He never strayed from his principles, and in Washington D.C. that alone qualifies as a major accomplishment.
Still, it was obvious to everyone, including Bunning, that he was going to face a bruising primary. For an incumbent, Bunning was having trouble fund-raising and actually trailed his opponent in cash raised year to date. An honorable man to the end, Jim Bunning is doing the right thing for his party and ultimately his country by stepping aside. Contrast Bunning's behavior with that of Arlen Specter.
Bunning, a Hall of Fame baseball player who once pitched a perfect game as a member of the Philadelphia Phillies, spent the weekend at the baseball Hall of Fame in celebration of the new inductees. Perhaps Bunning's time away made him realize that their is more to life than battling liberals. Jim Bunning did his part and he should be saluted for his service.
1971 Topps... nice pic... Tough Starter; don't know much about his congressional record, as I am rather new to following politics. It is nice to hear your kind words for him as a change to a lot of the talk I've seen on the net.
ReplyDeleteAre you a Phillies fan, Mdefl?
Does Curt Schilling make the HOF? if so, first ballot? as a Phillie? and does he ever seek a Senate seat a la Bunning?
Uh oh, posting problem.
ReplyDeleteI am a huge Phils fans Dr. Jay. Do you live in the area? I think Schill makes the HOF based on his WS record (his reg season is good as well) but he will have to wait a while. It is funny, just the other day, I was thinking about Schill and how he would be perfect for politics. He is a Republican and campaigned for Bush in 04. The only problem is that he lives in Mass. Maybe he can move back to PA and run against that piece of cardboard called Bob Casey Jr. in 2012.
Bunning definitely made some missteps in 2004. However, he was a man who always held true to his principles and never sold out. He had no Sanford or Spitzer type of issues. He loved his family and his country.
For me, that never goes out of style. Thanks for stopping by!
I am not from the area. Alas, I am a hapless Cubbie fan, but a sports fan in general. My favorite player is Ryne Sandberg, but I won't delve into that connection... I voted for Utley and Ibanez the full 25 times this year even though I try not to have any two players on my ballot from the same team.
ReplyDeleteI also like Curt's chances for HOF; I guess you are probably right that he won't get in the first time. I looked at wikipedia after your post, and it says his Massachusetts home is for sale.... hmmmm.... homeward bound?
Browsing around, I hear that Ron Paul's son is running for Jim Bunning's seat?
http://www.randpaul2010.com
I generally enjoyed your posts on HHR, and will keep stopping by as long as you choose to keep the site up.
Thanks Dr. Jay. I hope to post at least 1 time per day.
ReplyDeleteBTW - I am a huge Sandberg fan! I had his Reading Phillie card and still have 10 rookie cards from 84. He was one of my favorite players of the 80's and 90's.
The Cubbies have always been my second favorite team. I guess I am a gluten for punishment. IT is really becaues of WGN and getting to hear Harry yell, "Cubs win, Cubs win, Cubs win" so many times. Great stuff. Considering all the great players the Cubs have had over the years, it is unreal that they have gone so long without a WS appearance.
The Cubbies have always been my second favorite team. I guess I am a gluten for punishment. IT is really becaues of WGN and getting to hear Harry yell, "Cubs win, Cubs win, Cubs win" so many times. Great stuff. Considering all the great players the Cubs have had over the years, it is unreal that they have gone so long without a WS appearance.
That friggin goat...
WGN was a big factor for me; my parents are Chicagoans originally, but from the south side. I grew up in Cardinal country, but the Cubs were readily available in the little towns.
ReplyDeleteI do not have the Reading Phillies card for Sandberg (I wish I did), but I do have an autographed 8x10 of him in a Phillies uniform, and it is one of my favorites.
In the Phillies defense, you had Schmidt at third, and Juan Samuel was coming up fast. I just looked up the numbers, and in A ball (1982) he batted .320 with 28 hr, 94 rbi, 64 sb. He was call up to the majors in 1983.
Dr,
ReplyDeleteHe was a "throw in" in the Bowa, Dejesus deal. Dallas Green knew the Phils farm system better than anyone and basically fleeced the Phils. He played it perfectly, hemming and hawing. Finally, he said, "Just throw in the Sandberg kid and let's call it a day". Bill Giles, a nice guy but no baseball man overruled his GM, Paul Owens and agreed to it because he wanted to get rid of Bowa so bad.
In the end, Sandberg is a HOF guy and Samuel is a first base coach.