Letters to the Editor
kenkapkk
Published Letters: 117 Editor's Choice: 13
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Interesting context
[Read the article: Barack delivers, Hillary disappoints]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]One thing I really liked about this article is the manner in which Conason understands and uses the metaphor of a political campaign as war. Even the word "campaign" is a war term. Whatever issues folks have with the inclusion/non inclusion of Edwards, I appreciate the adroitness with which Joe articulated moves, counter moves and openings that were/could have been made. This is an extremely insightful analysis that one can never find in the mainstream press and one of the reasons Salon is dear to me.
I find the Democratic field to be both exciting and frustrating. Exciting because it is one of the best collections of candidates in years. The difference between the level of discourse of the two parties is the difference between college graduates and five year olds whining in a sandbox. The frustration comes in due to the fact that each of the Democratic contenders has a piece of what we would like to see in the whole. If there were a composite, we would have the perfect candidate.
But we don't. My hope and belief is that whoever wins the Democratic nomination, and I do think despite all the fears here will crush the Republicans, will be open to move with history, whereas Bush and the Right have opposed it.
I think of Obama particularly, since he elicits so much of the fear of being "over run", as similar to Lincoln when he took office. Folks forget that Lincoln never held elected office beyond state legistature before he became President, although he had been in political circles all his life. And he knew how to pander. (Compare his speeches in Northern Illinois vs Southern when he ran for Senate.) But he had to grow immensely with the severe challenges he faced, and it was his essential character and intelligence that saw him and the country through.
The Clinton's know how to play hardball. Conason is right that Obama will have to grow in order to deal with them. They will not go down easily, if at all. If Obama wins the nomination, after the 2004 debacle, I can't imagine any contender being fool enough not to get ready to rumble. But the Democrats are spitting nails and the Republicans do not have the shroud of 9/11 to protect them anymore. Plus as weak a field as I have ever seen. History has abandoned them as the gods abandoned Hector on the battlefield against Achilles.
Its the people coming with pitchforks and torches to destroy the right, burn them, and spread their ashes to the wind. 219,000 at a caucus? You better believe the populace is in for a smackdown. People are mad. 50% stated change as their main concen. The country wants to regurgitate the Bush poison and start anew. I wouldn't want to be a Republican vying for office in this climate. Its a Democratic sweep. Book it. Stop cowering in the corner and come out swinging.
The tide has turned.
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Why?
[Read the article: "We're all fascists now"]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]Why are assholes like this given credibility? This is the man who was hired to replace Bob Scheer. Ths Ann Coulter version of a man (sorry-to call him a man is to demean adulthood), has contributed "what"? Is he credible because he has a name? What's next, Hannity and Limbaugh on the seriousness of their rants? Why not interview Limbaugh for his books?
It is very sad that a person such as this and his perverse ideas, which are nothing more than right wing conservative hatred, is elevated soley because of the neo totalitarian climate that finally is beginning to recede. That Bill Kristol, who has been remarkably wrong spectacularly about everything, and has been one of the architects of so much pain, is given space at the Times is another indication of this sickness. Goldberg is a captain in this army of madness.
Shame on Salon for giving this drivel even a modicum of respect.