Letters to the Editor
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It seems we all have our blind spots
I was very grateful for Krugman's unvarnished, honest commentary in the Times about Bush fiscal policy and the war in Iraq, but I'm disappointed by what he's doing right now regarding Obama and Clinton.
For better or for worse (mostly worse, IMHO) the blogosphere is full of passionate individuals who lash out at others that do not share their views. Anyone who has spent any amount of time on the web knows that this is not just confined to politics. For all I know, there is a group somewhere arguing vehemently about different versions of Barbie. Some folks in any area seem to get worked up to the point of apoplexy when someone disagrees with them.
Here in the Salon comments section, in just the last week, I've seen both Obama and Clinton supporters be rude, predict doom if the other candidate is nominated, etc. Frankly, I have no idea if there is a bias one way or the other concerning which supporters are more vicious. It's a red herring in my opinion, and I'm sorry to see Krugman use his national stage in the NYT to descend to the same level as the right wing pundits that have done so much to debase attempts at rational debate in this country.
By all means, let's have a spirited debate about candidates' policies, styles of governance, abilities to motivate, but let's remember than when it's all settled after the convention, we still need to work together toward the larger goals we do agree on.
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"Ironicide" vb, intrans.
To destroy the evil enemies of your candidate by calling them destructive and devisive.
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@ melthough
I think we need to be careful about these little anecdotes - especially since paid concern trolls who are probably supporting NO Democrats come into open forums like these with regularity and try to do some free negative advertising against both Dem candidates. If they pose as Clinton supporters and say nasty things about Obama, or vice versa, they make both candidates look bad at once.
I think we need to worry more that they might not be paid. People love to praise Obama's crossover appeal. They are so sure that he is reaching a whole new voting population. When it comes to young people, this is probably true. He is probably also getting a fair number of Hillary-haters -- examples can be seen all over the Salon letters section. These are people whom Obama supporters should take seriously when the say that they will not vote for Hillary. Some of them even say that they will vote for McCain. I don't think Obama supporters should take encouragement from this at all. Good Democrats should be horrified, but more to the point when these people figure out that Obama is actually a liberal, and, courtesy of John McCain, they will find this out, they will cross back over and vote in massive numbers for McCain. Some of them have been trying to game the system and never intended to vote for any Democrat but many of them are so used to Hillary-hating -- as if that were actually a political position -- that they have spent little time actually examining the issues.
Also, Obama has been enjoying a very free ride on the Republican side. They aren't really attacking him. Why is this folks? Better think about it.
There is this notion that I think amounts to an urban myth that Karl Rove is yearning to marshall his minions against Hillary Clinton. Maybe so, but Obama was not viable then. Now he is. His time will come.
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Obama needs to lose in the general election
to teach blind cultists (like Markos at DailyKos, for example) that you need to actually pick competent and experienced candidates, not Johnny come latelys who make you feel all squishy inside. Obama will be the worst general-election candidate the Dems have fielded since Dukakis and possibly since McGovern. Once it's clear it's Obama versus McCain, the press will turn on him like starving dogs and his many weaknesses will be glaringly exposed. Race-baiting by Rovian minions will turn white voters across the South and Midwest away from him. Most of all, the sight of him, skinny and doofy, standing on the stage debating McCain will make a lot of voters think, what in the world are the Democrats doing sending this lightweight up there? The attacks will make his black and far-left supporters even more vocal in his defense, further alienating Independents and conservative Democrats. He will be absolutely eviscerated and destroyed. And it will be a very good thing too.
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The Obama supporters
who say that they cannot vote for Hillary if she gets the nomination are being mischaracterized, I believe. They are being painted as heretofore loyal Democratic voters who are childish and willing to throw their Party under the bus in a snit/tantrum over their candidate.
And perhaps some of them actually fit this description, but I think that the real story is that Obama supporters are not all Democratic party regulars. When pundits say that he gets the "independent" vote, they're not talking about "people who couldn't decide in 2004 between Kerry and Bush." They're talking about people who don't usually vote, who don't believe either party represents them or speaks for them, who can smell bullshit a mile away and didn't buy it when it was sold by the Man From Hope (Bill Clinton, remember that slogan? Ironic) any more than when it was sold by a brush-clearin' Yalie (Bush). Many Obama supporters I know did not vote in 2006 or 2004. So, no, some of them probably won't vote for Hillary this fall if she gets the nomination. They don't owe the Democratic Party a damn thing. I know it may be hard for some of you jaded Hillary supporters to believe, but many people have disenfranchised themselves over the years. Then Obama comes along and millions of people are saying, "That crazy SOB, he's actually telling the truth. And he's WINNING."
And count me as among that second group. I don't owe Hillary Clinton my vote, and she sure as hell won't get it this November if she is nominated. I'm not a member of a political party that has given us the Iraq War, no impeachment proceedings, NAFTA, Don't Ask Don't Tell, the Defense of Marriage Act, and the confirmation of Attorney General Michael Mukasey. No, I'm NOT a Democrat. I'm a liberal American. Obama has earned my vote, and no misguided appeal to loyalty to a party that I do not believe in, and have been disappointed in, will make me vote for the lying woman who embodies the worst of everything that has soured me on politics.
And you know what? I don't care if the Supreme Court DOES overturn Roe v. Wade.