Keller @ Large: Skeptical About Curt Schilling's Chances
BOSTON (CBS) - In politics, you never say never. If nothing else, Donald Trump has taught us that much. Still, color me skeptical about Curt Schilling's chances of beating Elizabeth Warren in a potential 2018 U.S. Senate race.
It's not that Warren isn't vulnerable, at least in theory. In the recent WBZ-UMass Amherst poll, her favorable rating was under 50-percent.
And it's not inconceivable that Schilling could win the nomination here.
Massachusetts was one of Trump's best states during the primaries, and from his aggressive use of social media to get publicity to his use of insults to excite voters fed up with political correctness, Schilling is closely following the Trump political blueprint.
But beating Warren? I doubt it, and here's why:
Massachusetts voters have made it pretty clear over the years that on those rare occasions when they do elect a Republican statewide, they prefer socially-moderate Republicans. Think Bill Weld, Paul Cellucci, Charlie Baker.
Curt Schilling is anti-gay-marriage, believes in creationism, and is anything but moderate stylistically. He got himself fired from ESPN for retweeting a vulgar anti-transgender-rights internet meme, and insulted Muslims by comparing them to Germans in the 1930s.
And Schilling's biggest weakness - the disastrous mismanagement of his video game company that left Rhode Island taxpayers on the hook for millions - matches
Warren's biggest strength, her role as a critic of private-sector excess.
But by all means, go for it Curt.
Just don't be surprised if you wind up limping away with more than just a bloody sock.
Listen to Jon's commentary: