How Much Would You Pay for a Senate Campaign? But Wait, Don’t Answer Yet!
We’ve all seen them. The late-night infomercial which takes a some insignificant problem and exaggerates it. Actors who appear to have some sort of disease affecting their motor skills fail horribly at opening milk, dressing themselves, or covering themselves with a blanket. Then for a modest price (usually $19.99) they offer you a useless product to solve the “problems” they just showed you. This appears to be the strategy of the Rob Sobhani campaign for U.S. Senate.
Sobhani laments about how Washington is “broken,” which is true, but it’s not broken because liberals and conservatives can’t put aside their differences to solve problems. It’s broken because liberals and conservatives disagree on what the problems actually are. Yet, Sobhani’s vapid campaign videos suggest a world where liberals and conservatives come together, sing kumbaya around the campfire and then stamp out poverty. Or something. It’s utterly ridiculous and naive. One would not be surprised to see video of a housewife flustered by, say, cracking an egg, chime in with “THERE’S GOT TO BE A BETTER WAY!”
Sobhani’s agenda as has been noted at Red Maryland doesn’t even make sense for a candidate running for U.S. Senate. Most of what he’s promising, he could do as a private citizen (and probably more effectively). Matt over at Old Line Elephant points out that Sobhani’s agenda simply does not compute.
As a rule I recoil from conspiracy theories, but I have heard some people suggest that Sobhani is a plant working for the Ben Cardin campaign to split the vote on the Republican side. I’m not sure I buy that theory but it certainly helps Cardin who struggles to eke out 50% support as an incumbent. Honestly I think it’s just a case of unadulterated self-interest masquerading as concern for Maryland. It’s an irresponsible publicity stunt. Sobhani told NBC News that he’s running because he “hit the jackpot” and wants to give back to America. If you want to give back, Rob, here’s an idea, start a charitable foundation, not a self centered political campaign.
Contrast this with Dan Bongino’s reasons for running.
Which one of these guys is making a real sacrifice to give back? Which one has a clear vision for what the country needs right now? The answer seems pretty clear to me.