August 19, 2016 4:53 PM

Smith: Nincompoopery, The Political Rise of the Ridiculous

QR’s Liberal Columnist Glenn W. Smith argues that what were once viewed as juvenile excesses and errors are now the commonplace standard in campaigns

Early in Ann Richards’ 1990 primary campaign for governor, we (meaning I) engaged in a juvenile back and forth over taxes with operatives of the Kent Hance GOP primary campaign. This was primary season; we weren’t even running against one another.

That didn’t stop us.

We were on friendly terms with the Hance operatives. It was, at least, a far more congenial time in Texas politics. Anyway, the Hance campaign accused Ann of wanting to raise taxes. We shot back that Hance was in “over his head” and, ridiculously, sent along a swimmer’s mask and snorkel to emphasize the point. The Hance folks replied that it was Ann who was drowning, and they sent along some swim fins to emphasize their point.

Ann, as she should have been, was contemptuous of the entire episode. Asked by a reporter about the issue, she shook her head and said, “Boys and their toys.”

The full column by Glenn W. Smith is in the R&D Department.

By Glenn W. Smith