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Anyone else notice how quiet The BassMaster* has been?
Look at his campaign calendar, for example. And The Almighty Google Alert only picks up the slightest traces of breadcrumbs now and then that there might be such a person who is also connected to a congressional race in New Hampshire.
At first I thought it was because he, a double legacy pol, traditionally has been a reluctant campaigner.
But really he's just doing what he needs to do to secure the GOP nomination. That is to say: Former congressman Charlie Bass is running a stealth campaign against... former congressman Charlie Bass.
All signs point to anti-incumbent cycle. Charlie Bass has a long career in office, concluding with six-terms** in the seat he wants again. In this open seat race, that makes him the incumbent in all but name.
Adding to his problem is the primary. He knows he is distasteful*** to the base GOP voters of the 2nd district. But he's banking on them being statistically inconsequential compared to the number of undeclared mainstream voters he can rely on through name recognition alone.
So he's got to lay low until September. Not remind everyone too much of his career as Washington insider. It's the path of least resistance.
Kind of a sad way to run a campaign****. But it's clearly the best way for him to get the GOP nomination with the least amount of ruffled feathers.
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* George W. Bush's friendly nickname for him, not mine.
** Bass and the other "Contract with America" Gingrichites pledged only to serve six terms when he first won the office back in the 20th century, but he's counting on you forgetting that, as he did in 2006.
*** Remember the "I Heart the Tea People" flop?
**** Compare, e.g., to Kuster's 30 house parties in 30 days.
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