In this year of oddities, definitions are being redifined or expanded beyond the extent of former meanings. The re-definition of the word “outsider” is most curious to anyone who is interested in the language.
To many observers, an outsider, specifically a political outsider, was designation meant for people who have no political experience whatsoever. Someone from other aspects of life who is truly moved to run for office and has never felt political ambition before.
Lets take the example of Christine O’Donnell who is being touted as an “outsider”. She is a registered Republican who has run several times before and is well known.
“This is O’Donnell’s third bid for the U.S. Senate. She lost a 2008 Senate race to Democrat Joe Biden and finished last in a three-way GOP Senate primary in 2006.”
She has appeared on MTV, Bill Mahr’s Politically Incorrect and other national media since the 1990s.
Contrast this with Carl Paladino who has got the nomination for governor in New York against Cuomo the younger. He is a genuine political neophyte who has never run for anything. Newsweek, lays out his inexperience clearly.
“”Paladino, a lawyer and real estate developer, entered the governor’s race as a major underdog. At the state Republican convention he only drew support from delegates from his geographic corner of the state. He forced his way onto the ballot by petition with canvassers who amassed tens of thousands of signatures…. Paladino, in addition to having no experience in elected office…”
The Christian Science Monitor explains that is he is very much a new face in politics.
“Paladino does bring considerable funds to the table: He spent at least $3 million of his own money on the primary, says pollster Lee Miringoff of the Marist Institute for Public Opinion in Poughkeepsie, N.Y. And he has “tea party” support and a connection to the conservative wing of the Republican Party, and he brings legitimate outsider status to the race. “He is someone to be reckoned with,” Mr. Miringoff says.”
Of course there is is Alvin Greene in South Carolina who won the Democratic nomination to run for governor. The State reports on this unusual candidate’s rise to the nomination.
“Greene, an unemployed veteran who lives near Manning, was a surprise winner over better-known and better-funded candidate Vic Rawl.”
Mother Jones describes him in a lengthy piece.
“An unemployed 32-year-old black Army veteran with no campaign funds, no signs, and no website shocked South Carolina on Tuesday night by winning the Democratic Senate primary to oppose Sen. Jim DeMint (R-SC).”
It remains to be seen if the 2010 election will be redefine “outsider” as merely meaning one not favored by the establishment. The tea party movement clearly likes outsiders and may help to define what it means in the future.
