You're Nobody Til Somebody Drafts You?

Well, today, Draft movements appear to be a dime a dozen, although the vast majority don't succeed of course.  Thus, we have (Virginia) Eddie Ratliff's "Draft Mark Warner," (Virginian) Peter Feddo's "VoteHillary.org," and "Grassroots for Gore" - a group that includes (Virginian) Alice Marshall.  Hey, what is it about Virginia and Drafts anyway?  Is there something in the water in the state known as "the mother of President?"  Perhaps there is, perhaps there is...

Anyway, my favorite quote from the Washington Post article comes - not surprisngly - from John Hlinko, a brilliant "guerilla marketer" who's a master of the one-liner.  Basically, Hlinko argues, "if not one person of the millions with Web access has taken the easy step of putting up a campaign-draft Web site, candidates 'should really consider whether they can gather support in the long run.'"

In other words, you're pretty much nobody if you're not drafted these days. Or at least have a strong, active, bunch of grassroots supporters (like David Englin did in 2005)? 

So, where does that leave candidates like Harris Miller, pursuing the classic, money-heavy, insider-connected, "top-down" approach to running for office?  My guess?  In no-man's land, high and dry, up a proveribal creek without a proverbial paddle, a solitary tree falling in a forest and not making a sound.  Cuz, the thing is, if you're not drafted, according to John Hlinko, you ain't got nuttin' going for you.  Sorry, Harris, but we grassroots/draft types have picked our candidate for Senate this year, and - sad to say - it ain't you.

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