Would the primary have been too brutal and expensive?

Or did he just have bette things to do? I’m really surprised by this move, or maybe I thought more into it than Mr. Ridge did.

The problem (actually one of many) with the Republicans is that the extreme right-wing controls the party, like a tail wagging a dog. Moderates that would wind up representing a larger cross-section of the citizenry are locked out by social or religious or fiscal right extremists.

I think Ridge would have lost a general election anyway because the pro-lifers would have sat it out in protest over pro-choice Ridge being picked.

The Democrats play the same old song, tax and spend and they always do more of it than Republicans ever would.