Where were all these Republican handjobs like "Masculine" Harvey Mansfield and Richard "Dick" Posner during the Clinton impeachment? Remember when practically the entire Republican party engaged in one big gigantic rule-of-law circle jerk unctuously lecturing us all on how it wasn't about the sex, it was the rule of law?

Of course they were lying -- they're Republicans after all -- but how is it possible for people to be such obvious liars and get away with it?

Right wing conservatards bleat endlessly on about the liberal academy blah blah blah. There are many reasons why the academy is liberal, among them that you have to be willing and able to make logical arguments without contradicting yourself. You also have to be willing to not make any money despite the fact that you are smart.

But notice the integrity of the liberal academy. Assholes like Mansfield have chairs at Harvard. How many Bruce Ackermans do you suppose there are at Regent University or Liberty Baptist?

That's not a frame, that's a fact. Bush is politically tough and DOES stand up for what he believes in. The Democrats ARE pussies and always back down.

I'm a lifelong Democrat who works in politics, but I recognize the truth when I see it. We need to stop making excuses for the spineless wimps who run our party and start holding their feet to the fire.

Spineless is as spineless does.

"In your case, much of your criticism comes from a distinct ideological perspective. That's fine, but surely you must appreciate that not everyone acts with your degree of ideological motivation."

And surely you must understand that this is a complete non sequitur. Glenn never asks you to share his ideology. He makes logical arguments backed up with logic and evidence. This argument is a classic example of the "genetic fallacy".

Here's what wikipedia says about the genetic fallacyL

"The genetic fallacy is a logical fallacy based on the irrelevant appraisal of something based on its origin.

It occurs when one attempts to reduce the significance of an idea, person, practice, or institution merely to an account of its origin (genesis) or earlier form. This overlooks any difference to be found in the present situation, typically transferring the positive or negative esteem from the earlier context.

It also fails to assess ideas on their merits. The first criterion of a good argument is that the premises must have bearing on the truth or falsity of the claim in question. [1] Since the origin of a thing has no necessary relevance to its merit, an argument that uses such a premise for accepting or rejecting a claim about the thing in question should be regarded as flawed.

In terms of categorization, the genetic fallacy is a fallacy of irrelevance."

As Juan Cole says, the war ended 4 years ago. What we're doing in Iraq now isn't a war, it's an occupation. You don't "win" an occupation. You either occupy or you don't. The real question is costs vs. benefits and the Iraq Occupation doesn't pass the test.

His books like Chain Reaction were pretty good but his last one kinda sucked. He seemed to have moved right and to have felt the need to lash out at Democrats. Maybe he and Broder can be roomies at some Old Folks Home somewhere.

Klein really is a pompous ass -- a caricature seemingly modeled on Ted Knight.

Have you read his blog, Swampland?

LOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOL

He regulalrly makes a complete fool of himself there. LOLOL.

I seriously doubt that Rahm made much of a difference. In addition to the Iraq War and Republican corruption, don't forget what a key factor the extremely well-timed Mark Foley scandal was. The Republicans were just beginning to mount a comeback in September when the Foley scandal exploded.

We need people who are tough like Emanuel but part of being tough means hanging tough and demanding that you win on your own terms. Winning by running Republicans is ok to some extent but its nothing to get too proud about.

They're mainly courtiers whose primary concern is maintaining their place at court. Anything that might offend the grandees is considered gauche and frowned upon.

Johnson's Dog said, "only way to rid the DOJ of Gonzales is through impeachment and conviction, but unless there is on-record support for this wrenching process--ie a "no-confidence vote--from the republican opposition, the bare-majority democrats should probably avoid the battle."

Boy, you been help up by your ears so many times, its affecting your brain. It only takes a bare majority to impeach. So let's just defend the Constitution and forget your self-defeating strategery.

The kind of timid advice you're offering here is exactly the kind of nonsense Democrats have been listening to for far too long. This timidity has emboldened the Republicans and continues to make the Democrats look weaker and weaker. You frightened children should just stay out of these debates. You do more harm than good, even if you're well-intentioned.