Captain Ed has a good piece taking a look at an op-ed by Howard Dean and why it’s illustrative of the problem with the Democratic Party. In essence, the Democrats are the Anti-Bush Party – and that’s all. As he notes:
Dean’s editorial perfectly encapsulates the Democratic approach this year; their focus isn’t on what they can offer the American public but simply to vent hatred as a selling point. Here’s a measure of what Dean is selling: Ralph Nader is mentioned in the text of this article eight times, not counting the headline. George Bush is mentioned seven times by name.
John Kerry is mentioned once.
The hatred of one single individual is by far the worst possible base for a political movement – except for a totalitarian one. Anger is an emotional response rather than a practical one. It clouds judgement, it encourages rash and reactionary thinking, and it creates an intellectually stutifying atmosphere. Just look at the Democratic bloggers out there – it is a culture in which nothing good can be said about Bush or his policies – a form of groupthink kept in line through intimidation. If you don’t believe me, look at the way most Democrats treat Michael J. Totten or Roger L. Simon. In essence, they’re treated as apostates to the One True Faith of Bush Bashing.
The Democrats have but one strategy: bash Bush. It’s a strategy that caused the GOP to lose against Clinton in 1996 and hopefully will cause the Democrats to lose in 2004. When all you have to run on is partisan rancor, you’re not devoting enough time or consideration to what you’d do if you actually won the fight. In a time of great unrest and urgent action, that kind of paralysis and indecision could costs thousands of lives.
You kill me!
“Democrats are the Anti-Bush Party – and that’s all.”
Well, Republicans are the anti-Democrat Party. Is this even an argument?
“In a time of great unrest and urgent action, that kind of paralysis and indecision could costs thousands of lives.”
Maybe we should just suspend the election and support the President.