Incumbents shouldn't run for office? Silly

By: | Inside NoVA
Published: February 23, 2008

This letter is in response to the “Our Opinion” editorial, “Stick around Stewart,” of Feb. 19.

This has to be one of the most ridiculously funny pieces that has been published in our local newspaper. Do a little bit of a name substitution to follow the “logic.” Instead of Corey Stewart, we’re going to insert some other names at appropriate places in the editorial. Italics represent the quoted portions of the editorial.

And if Senators John McCain, Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama do decide to run for the office, their states will suffer from their divided attention.

McCain, Clinton and Obama will, perhaps be there in body, but running for elected office rarely affords a politician the ability to dedicate his or her full attention to the job at hand.

Even if McCain, Clinton and Obama do serve their constituents faithfully until becoming president, they would have still shortchanged those who voted for them.

We hope Senators McCain, Clinton and Obama save their political ambitions until after they have fulfilled their obligations to their constituents.

Let me ask something. Notwithstanding the irony that the Potomac News does not endorse Mr. Stewart or support his positions, is it really the editorial and policy position of the Potomac News that incumbents in elective offices should not run for higher office until their terms are over?

Who is it that writes this stuff? Gary Jacobsen? The strike by the Writers Guild is over and undoubtedly there are some who are looking for jobs.

WILLIAM B. THAYER
Woodbridge