American Idol runner up, Clay Aiken, may run for Congress as a Democrat.

[No Elephants]

Bubba Clinton famously (infamously?) urged actress Ashley Judd to run for the Senate, against Mitch McConnell, even though Judd was not a resident of Kentucky, Mitch's state.

In addition to also being an attractive female, ala Judd and, oh, I don't know, maybe Palin, who breathed life back into McCain's campaign for a minute and a half, Grimes had held statewide office and had a famous name, her father having headed the state's Democratic Party.

Judd got attack viciously (IMO) by Republicans. Then, it came out that Bubba had also urged Allison Lundgren Grimes to run, whereupon, Judd dropped out of the race (wisely, IMO).

Anyway, when a news story says that Clay Aiken has spoken with the DCCC and others, I don't necessarily assume that he contacted them first. It may be that his coming out as gay father gave Democrats a reason to believe that they could interest him in becoming a politician, for the sake of himself and his family and people like them. Or maybe he contacted the DSCC. I have no idea. I just note that story leaves that kind of info very vague.

So, are we on our way to having Congress look like a fluffier, older version of show business? Bread and circus? Send in the clowns? (No offense whatever meant to Mr. Aiken or to Ms. Judd or to anyone individually.)

ByJake Miller CBS News January 3, 2014, 10: 50 AM
Report: Clay Aiken considering run for Congress

<snip>

Clay Aiken, a singer who secured second place on “American Idol” in 2003, is considering a run for Congress in North Carolina’s 2nd congressional district, two Democratic sources familiar with his plans told the Washington Blade.

Aiken, a 35-year-old native of Raleigh, N.C., has already taken some very preliminary steps toward a run, according to the Blade’s sources, who spoke on condition of anonymity. One source said Aiken had talked with the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, which is tasked with recruiting and boosting promising Democratic candidates for the House of Representatives. That same source also said Aiken has consulted with Betsy Conti, a political strategist in the Tarheel State who has worked with former Gov. Bev Purdue, D-N.C., and former Vice President Al Gore.

A second source told the Blade that Aiken met with pollsters at Hart Research Associates last month in Washington, D.C., to pore over survey data.

The seat is currently occupied by Rep. Renee Ellmers, R-N.C., who was swept into office with the tea party wave in 2010. Another Democrat, former North Carolina Commerce Secretary Keith Crisco, has already formed a campaign committee to explore a run, and he is expected to announce his candidacy on Monday.

http://www.cbsnews.com/news/report-clay-aiken-considering-run-for-congress/

Word to anyone who think primary votes are going to make the party more leftist or leftish. You are dreaming. You start years before the primary, as do the DCCC, the DSCC and the RCCC and RSCC. Actually, you start many years before that, creating an organization and raising money. Also, you'd better pray because the DNC is a formidable opponent, as is ALEC--and neither of them wants liberals running.

[Enthusiast]

1. So what are you saying?

Clay Aiken is too liberal? I believe name recognition is a major boost for any candidate no matter where they stand on the issues.

[No Elephants]

2. No, not saying that at all.

I have no idea how liberal dem or conservadem Clay Aiken may be. (I am not sure how much it matters anyway.)

But, for me, there is no such thing as a Democrat who is "too liberal." No one in Congress is liberal enough for my tastes.

I was saying:

1. Aiken is running.

2. I cannot tell from the story whether he was recruited to run, like Judd, or whether the idea originated with him.

3. Either way, thinking we can change the party by how we vote in the primary is probably another delusion.

4. If Aiken was recruited, this may signal a trend toward trying to recruit famous people (maybe especially in the South?).

[Enthusiast]

3. Maybe recruiting famous people could prove to be beneficial,

in the South. :-)