"Nixonland" and "Clinton Rules"
Not to step on the toes of our Election Wizzard, I share what I think is a well done editorial from Paul Krugman.
As he points out, supporters of each candidate should have no trouble rallying behind the other if he or she gets the nod.
Why, then, is there so much venom out there?
As he points out, supporters of each candidate should have no trouble rallying behind the other if he or she gets the nod.
Why, then, is there so much venom out there?
(Not from Boalties, of course!)
Labels: Elections, Rabid Conservatives, Rabid Liberals
posted by Patrick Bageant at 9:46 PM
19 Comments:
Not to be combative or anything, but, uh...really?...I mean, REALLY?
This comment has been removed by the author.
The way I feel about Krugman of late -- with his pathological hatred of Obama, his misreading of his health care plan, his ludicrous assertion that Obama is doomed to be an ineffective President because he talks about bringing people together, and his total lack of understanding about the legislative process -- is pretty much akin to the way you feel when you walk into your favorite local joint and find they've fired the chef, changed the menu, and replaced the comfy couches with modern Swedish furniture. Or the feeling you get when your best friend tells you they're dropping out of grad school in order to help Hugo Chavez lead the international socialist renaissance.
The most you can do is shed a tear, cherish the good times you had together, and wish him luck on his journey down to the funny farm.
I've felt similarly in recent months about Maureen Dowd, the Atlantic Monthly, Blakes, the Oakland As, Andronicos, Heavenly Ski Resort, Norman Mailer (RIP), and the 1-3 table at the Excal.
I may disagree with Krugman's invocation of Nixon, but he is spot on about the venom out there. I have been saddened by the so called "progressive" Boalties I have talked to, who spout republican talking points against Hillary without hesitation. Instead of denouncing the plainly unfair and sexist coverage Hillary has gotten on stations like msnbc, Obama supporters range from being silent to stating she somehow deserves it. Even though Obama is not my candidate, if Shuster had said Obama was pimping out Michelle Obama I would be the first one to say it was over the line.
So far it feels like the unity Obama is supposed to inspire is unattainable. Although his words are beautiful, they haven’t even gotten his own supporters to reach out to fellow Democrats that disagree with their choice for president. If they can’t be respectful and find common ground with people from their own party, how can they expect to achieve unity with Republicans who typically have vastly different views? I’m betting BO won’t, that is why I voted for HRC. That said, I’m still be willing to vote for Obama in November if he gets the nod (in spite of his supporters).
Yes, really. It is possible that Krugman may be both pathological and also partly correct at times.
Not to be combative, either, but what, precisely, is all this "bringing together" really a description of? Sounds nice, but, am I the only person who wonders exactly what it is he is talking about?
I don't know about the "Nixonland" bit (sounds like a bad Stallone movie), but 5:06 just summed up my own thoughts. I feel like Obama support is half about being frustrated with recent politics, and half about being trendy.
Again, though, I want to emphasize how THRILLED I would be to vote for either of the two in November, but . . . oh hell, just read 5:06.
:)
On the other hand, 5:06, doesn't the fact that, as you state, you would be willing and happy to vote for Obama while many Obama supporters say they would not vote for HRC simply bolster the argument that HRC - or more precisely, "The Clintons" as an institutional entity - is polarizing? I'm just saying...or maybe I'm stirring the metaphorical pot with the same old 'republican talking points'?
(In the interest of disclosure, yes, I did vote for Obama. No, I don't consider myself a venomous Obama supporter - the vote was a very tentative, close and perhaps spontaneous decision for me. And yes, I would be happy to vote for either HRC or Obama in November.)
I also find it hard to believe that any Obama supporter would condone Schuster's actions. But I'm willing to be proven wrong.
As for Krugman, I agree with everything EW said, with the addition of 'do as I say, not as I do'...
One more thing: the incessant chanting of the "Yes we can!" mantra has made me feel a slight twinge of regret for my Obama vote.
Yessss my preciouses. It is all going according to Karl Rove's plan.
Anonymous -
As an Obama supporter, I feel inclined to add that I have overheard multiple conversations among fellow Obama supporters of Clintonians engaging in similar tactics. HRC herself has attempted to marginalize Obama's victories as the result of rabid support from activists and large black populations. A good analysis of this can be found here: http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2008/2/12/143338/527/308/455310
As far as supporters not reaching out to fellow democrats goes... isn't that a two-way street? In fact, isn't that the whole point of primaries: to state your differences, reflect these differences with your vote, and support your candidate of choice in numerous other ways? I think the "rift" between the two factions of supports in the Democratic party is largely media-created and -inflated, and once the final decision is made, the "healing" can begin. Although healing is probably too strong of a word, since the uniting against Rove-ian politics is all the salve needed.
Just my $.02
"Cult of personality" /= "being in a cult."
That being said, I only saw the the "Yes We Can" video last night. Am I the only one that finds it really, really creepy?
I mean, we're talking about Benito-level hero worship going on here, with everyone chanting Obama's words.
I felt like I was coming out of the closet in rural Idaho when I started telling my friends I was supporting Hillary. I don’t think Obama supporters fully understand how caustic and annoying they have been. I am particularly tired of the Obama supporters threatening to vote for McCain if Hillary wins. It’s people like that who make me consider voting for a republican for the first time in my entire life. I probably won't, but if you guys can threaten it, so can I. If I have to hear "yes we can" one more time I might actually do it. Don’t tempt me.
I felt like I was coming out of the closet in rural Idaho when I started telling my friends I was supporting Hillary. I don’t think Obama supporters fully understand how caustic and annoying they have been. I am particularly tired of the Obama supporters threatening to vote for McCain if Hillary wins. It’s people like that who make me consider voting for a republican for the first time in my entire life. I probably won't, but if you guys can threaten it, so can I. If I have to hear "yes we can" one more time I might actually do it. Don’t tempt me.
The HRC people just don't get it and they never will. This whole "we're the victim" schtick isn't fooling anyone. Second, there are a lot of people like me who support Obama for no other reason than because they hate HRC. I hate her. I cannot stand her. In undergrad, I had a freshman anthro professor who said she hated cheating with the passion of a thousand hot, white burning suns. That's how I feel about HRC. Her positions are based on careful polling data. Her public speaking reminds me of Steve Forbes. As the recent campaign shakeup illustrates, with HRC loyalty > smarts, know-how, etc. ("Heckuva job Brownie" comes to mind). I cannot stand her. That's why I support Obama. So don't hold me against him. But look to your own candidate's flaws for inspiring such hatred.
Oh and the rest of America isn't too fond of her either. No, this isn't sexist any more than your criticism of the lame "yes we can" (a rip off of the UFW's "Si, se puede" slogan) is racist. She sucks. Deal with it.
See?
VENOM.
I would hardly tie Armen's venom to his support of Obama.
That's the point Patrick. Krugman and other HRCists don't realize that my support for Obama is due to my hatred of HRC, not the other way around. Don't get me wrong, I think BHO will make a better commander-in-chief, I think he will be all around better for the country, etc. But those are trivial. I just hate HRC. That has everything to do with HRC.
What you and Krugman are doing is kind of like blaming the Mets for the venom against the Yankees. Although if HRC was a Yankees fan, it would make my life easier.
The "Yes We Can" video is kinda lame, but I don't think it's creepy.
In any event, don't judge Obama just because some of his supporters infuriate you. That's stupid. (Of course, I decided that I won't buy a Mac precisely because I can't stand many Mac users, so I guess I'm a hypocrite.)
Using a Mac is about the only thing that could make me hate HRC even more. *crosses fingers*
hahahaha.
You had me irritated at 4:49 and laughing at 4:55!
You win.
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