The following is an excerpt from OpinionJournal’s “Best of the Web” at WSJ written by the editor, James Taranto.
Unenthusiastic Endorsement Watch
Rep. Michael Grimm is “a thuggish Republican who could wind up in a prison jumpsuit,” according to New York’s Daily News—in an editorial endorsing the two-term congressman from Staten Island.
The other guy, believe it or not, is even worse:
[Domenic] Recchia, a former councilman, is clueless as to the issues. He accomplished the unprecedented feat of failing to give a single coherent answer when he was interviewed hoping for the Daily News endorsement.
He was equally incoherent in debates. Even in his best showing, on Tuesday night, he couldn’t give a straight answer as to whether he supports a $10.10 minimum wage. He said no, then yes, then who knows what.
Once, when asked about foreign policy credentials, he boasted of having run a student-exchange program.
Sent to Washington, Recchia would be, at best, a cipher and, at worst, a dupe in an impotent Democratic House minority.
The News doesn’t mention the time Grimm threatened to throw a reporter off a balcony. Maybe the editorialists couldn’t decide if that was a point against him or in his favor.
Other Than That, the Story Was Accurate
“To the Editor: I was grateful to see my book ‘This Is the Story of a Happy Marriage’ mentioned in Paperback Row (Oct. 19). When highlighting a few of the essays in the collection, the review mentions topics ranging from ‘her stabilizing second marriage to her beloved dog’ without benefit of comma, thus giving the impression that Sparky and I are hitched. While my love for my dog is deep, he married a dog named Maggie at Parnassus Books last summer as part of a successful fund-raiser for the Nashville Humane Association. I am married to Karl VanDevender. We are all very happy in our respective unions.”—Ann Patchett, New York Times, Nov. 2
News of the Tautological
“Jet-Setting Postal Service Chairman Racks Up Big Travel Bill”—headline, Washington Free Beacon, Nov. 4
For more “Best of the Web” click here and look for the “Best of the Web Today” link in the middle column below “Today’s Columnists.”
