Tim Johnson Plays Hardball

I plan to write this up in the American News, but one lesson one can draw from Tim Johnson's refusal to debate Joel Dykstra is that the Johnson campaign's decision to stalk and intimidate Steve Kirby's family was pure genius.  As I said that the time, Kirby's private wealth would have automatically made him a formidable challenger to Johnson.  That wealth would have helped Kirby wage a strong enough campaign that Johnson's refusal to debate Kirby would possibly cost him the race.  It was imperative that the Johnson people avoid a one-on-one with Steve Kirby.  What better way to avoid that than to start following Kirby's wife and daughter and then let them know they are being followed.  If you can't get at the candidate (or in this case, the potential candidate) get at his family. 

But Joel Dykstra can't raise nearly the money Kirby could have.  Therefore Johnson can essentially run a nothing campaign and still have a pretty good shot at winning.  Great hardball politics by Tim Johnson.