Some bloggers tend to rag on Bull Moose, especially when it comes to pointing out Democratic shortcomings, but I think this post is particularly relevant and eloquent regarding the incessant Dem in-fighting and subsequent missed opportunities of late:
Don't fool yourself - one can feel all righteous about taking on the "right wing Taliban", but you are only playing into the hands of the Rovians and the DeLayicans who seek to portray progressives as a secular, anti-religious, effete elite. This is a time of growing Republican unpopularity with the American people - wouldn't it be nice if Democrats offered an attractive alternative and not merely some venom marinated in rage?
Whenever you hear a Republican politician or staff member respond to allegations by the Dems, what's the most popular talking point? The Democrats lack a clear vision of America's future and resort to unfocused name calling to make their collective case. I'd be upset about these allegations if they weren't actually true. Needlenose does its usual outstanding work by riffing on some out of touch, wannabe policy hacks called The Truman Project. Note to the TP folks: We don't care how many Beltway think tank jobs you've had, or which Ivy League university you attended. You're still pushing NeoCon Lite on a party that will never beat the Republicans at their own game.
Kos is doing his usual bang-up job of trying to frame a Democratic vision that will sell both in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and New Philadelphia, Indiana. I think privacy and opportunity are the issues that can make the most headway in middle America. Freedom to make your own decisions and having access to fair treatment are ideals that everyone can get behind.
Now will someone PLEASE turn on the air conditioning in Philly?
good point about the venom
As a former conservative, I concur with the Bull Moose excerpt. I didn't change my party affiliation or ideological views because someone beat me over the head incessantly about how evil or stupid I was to be a Republican. I changed my affiliation because I was dissatisfied with several points in Republican policy and I was lucky enough to have liberal acquaintances and friends with whom I could engage in a respectful debate.
People rarely give in to an argument that belittles them -- this is a bad habit on both sides of the political fence.
"The Methodists, the Catholics, the Jews!" RAAAAUUUUUAHHH!
And that's the part that the people who rushed to support Dean's comments are missing. You can insult the voters' intelligence, but not the voters themselves. Between the speed of technology and blogging, there's no way to throw red meat to the base of either party without the opposition pouncing on it.
Despite my disagreement with the tone of his comments, the high profile party leaders and politicians in the Democratic party just need to shut their mouths instead of actively distancing themselves from Dean's comments, which is counterproductive in all kinds of ways.
Belittling: satisfying but unproductive
"People rarely give in to an argument that belittles them -- this is a bad habit on both sides of the political fence."
Well put, Howard. You might enjoy my most recent post at http://www.publicorgtheory.com, which addresses this. While I was trying to be constructive with it, it hasn't been universally received that way.