"You Can't Win. It's Suicide."

So said Adrian to Rocky in Rocky IV. And so say many about our effort to defeat Mel Martinez for RNC General Chairman.

Via ESPN's Bill Simmons (December 7, 2001):

The key to any great sports movie? The quality of the Chill Scenes, those scenes
that give you goosebumps on top of your goosebumps. And Rocky was loaded with them:
...
The entire fight scene, basically a 10-minute Chill Scene (special emphasis on the
part when Adrian walks into the stadium just as Rocky gets knocked down in the 14th,
and then Rocky gets up and Creed, astounded, drops his shoulders in disbelief --
another 10.0 on the CFS, as well as my favorite moment in any Rocky movie).

Mine too. His trainer is yelling "Stay down, stay down" and Rocky gets up anyway, looks through eyes nearly shut from the beating his opponent has been giving him and still he gestures for Creed to try to hit him some more. His arm gesture said "this fight is not over," even though no one else would have faulted Rocky for giving up.

Proving to an opponent that you simply will not give up has incredibile utility in Washington, D.C.

Right now, the pro-Martinez side has many advantages while our side enjoys few. But I promise you this: we are going the distance on this one. Cue "Eye of the Tiger."

(Note: This item crossposted at English First News and Notes.)