This is why bad politicians get re-elected.

On the one hand, you have Rep. Eddie Bernice Johnson, entangled in a nepotism scandal and generally considered to be at-risk despite the fact that her district is heavily Democratic.

On the other hand......


Today's candidate for the "dumbest politician of the year" award....

(GOP Candidate: I can't rule out violence, Melanie Mason, Dallas Morning News via Chronblog)

Republican congressional candidate Stephen Broden stunned his party Thursday, saying he would not rule out violent overthrow of the government if elections did not produce a change in leadership.

In a rambling exchange during a TV interview, Broden, a South Dallas pastor, said a violent uprising "is not the first option," but it is "on the table." That drew a quick denunciation from the head of the Dallas County GOP, who called the remarks "inappropriate."

Broden, a first-time candidate, is challenging veteran incumbent Rep. Eddie Bernice Johnson in Dallas' heavily Democratic 30th Congressional District. Johnson's campaign declined to comment on Broden.

In the interview, Brad Watson, political reporter for WFAA-TV (Channel 8), asked Broden about a tea party event last year in Fort Worth in which he described the nation's government as tyrannical.

"We have a constitutional remedy," Broden said then. "And the Framers say if that don't work, revolution."

I would think it is pretty hard to run a losing campaign against an incumbent with so much high-profile baggage. Broden is, amazingly, succeeding at this.

Campaign 101: It's typically not wise to call for the violent overthrow of the government you're asking voters to elect you to.


Tomorrow's class: Holding up a baby is a good photo op, holding the mother of the baby is not, unless it's your baby that is.