David Harsanyi, Denver Post:
It was a mere four years ago that the Republican Party governed — and I assure you I employ the word “govern” reluctantly — every level of federal government. Few experts construed this to mean that the Democratic Party was forever irrelevant or a rotting cadaver.
What were the future apparatchiks up to as Republicans were busy breaking every promise, crime and piggy bank they could get their paws on?
Well, they did what any enlightened individual should do: They found themselves. They started blogging. Getting angry. Raising money. Marching. Caring. They began purging imposters and crafting catchy platitudes that the non-ideological voter could digest.
Today, a comparable, spontaneous grassroots effort has materialized. This one celebrates free-market principles rather than statism. Not surprisingly, there is also a sudden shift in perception. The once-glorified citizen activist is now nothing more than a radical, slack- jawed, proletariat yokel.
The Tea Parties are ridiculed, their participants demeaned and falsely portrayed as venomous radicals. As we all know by now, deniers of hope and change, by definition, are extremists.
Hey, times change. You have to grow up. Now that longtime liberal Sen. Arlen Specter has defected from the Republican Party, lots of smart people are imploring conservatives to stop scaring away innocent moderates.
It’s funny, because in 2006, when Democrats purged Joe Lieberman for his traitorous position on a single issue, few know-it-all Beltway types scolded the Democratic Party for its ideological rigidity, fewer moaned about the shrinking size of the tent and fewer still demanded that Dems be more reasonable and conform with the ruling party in the White House.
Yet Specter, rather than admit that the only way he can win an election is as a Democrat, has perpetuated the following mythical narrative:
“Since my election in 1980, as part of the Reagan Big Tent,” the Democrat-turned-Republican-turned-Democrat explained, “the Republican Party has moved far to the right.” (All of a sudden Ronald Reagan provided a big tent? Who knew?)
[…]
As the left continues to lecture conservatives about their political future — because, after all, Dems have been fully in charge for 100 days now — let’s recount a couple of facts: The Iraq war was supported by more than 60 percent of Americans. Polls showed wide-ranging support for the Patriot Act. Jimmy Carter was once president.
What’s beloved today may be reviled tomorrow. Americans are a fickle bunch.
It’s possible that voters who opposed a “stimulus” plan that only stimulated the colossal growth of government will not be the extremists tomorrow. It’s possible that citizens who protest against the nationalization of the auto and banking industries may one day be proven right. Who knows? Those nutty protesters with their crazy opposition to the socialization of health care and energy policy may one day look prescient.
Granted, principles won’t win you elections (just ask Specter). You need big tents — and cliches about big tents. But if you don’t have a cause or purpose, what’s the point of winning, anyway?
Gee. Somehow, this all seems rather familiar to me.
But then, I’m an extremist, so maybe this is just an example of my being able to sniff out my own…
Your snark senses are on full alert!
It is a disingenous argument that Specter is making. Reagan was vilified when he was President. He just barely won, and that was given the disasterous Carter first term. Yet Reagan plugged along, stuck to his conservative guns, and slowly won greater and greater support because his policies worked. In the second election he won in a landslide.
Specter is really all about Specter. He is a dirty snake and the GOP is better off without him. The Dems will realize they would have been better off letting Specter fall in the primaries and then beating Toomey in the general. Bringing Specter is like that scene in The Green Mile where JC spits those nasty poison gnats into the sadistic guard Percy’s mouth.
Testing.
I didn’t realize that Specter was originally a Democrat. I was talking to my boyfriend on the phone earlier, and my point was that while he may now caucus with Democrats, it’s unlikely that his voting pattern will change. The same thing applies to Souter; even if they find another Ginsberg, it won’t affect results.
Reagan was vilified when he was President. He just barely won, and that was given the disasterous Carter first term. Reagan just barely won? Really? I’m assuming you’re referring to the 1980 election, right?
Darn blockquote.
Reagan just barely won? Really? I’m assuming you’re referring to the 1980 election, right?
Fixed?
Yay!
:-D
Carter killed ol RWR in DC though, didn’t he Spiny? Heh.
Don’t you see how BLUE that map is….
How about a link that actually works.
Firefox is pissing me off today.
Back when they would switch colors every other election, until the Donks objected to being considered “Reds”.
John Anderson would probably be a right-wing nutter by today’s standards
Well of course it takes a big tent to win elections. How else did we get two terms of Bill Clinton?
And if Obama wasn’t giving Chris Matthews a big tent, where did that thrill up his leg come from?
Worse than a Bircher, probably.
Funny, now the dems are running full commie red with pride… and blue is their favorite dress color
Carter will never get over being trounced by Reagan. It burns in (what’s left of his ugly soul) even today.
But, Carter does have one thing going for him; Obama will now take the crown as the worst President in history.
Is that the dude with the high-pitched voice from Yes?
No, wait, Anderson dude was Jethro Tull, no?
Withering!
I can play Got My Mojo Workin’ with spoons. Speaking of spooning, Tom DeLay and Newt Gingrich, Trent Lott and Haley Barbour, no?
Yore!
Spiny Norman fair enough. Reagan got 51% of the 1980 vote over Carter’s 40%, but that is because John Anderson took 6 points (mostly from Carter). My point was Reagan gained in popularity over time. In 1984 he won 58% of the popular vote and Mondale got 40%.
But there was still that 40% Democrat that was never going to vote for Reagan.
Speaking of yore, your yores have come home to roost!
Where are all these blank numbers coming from in this thread?
Battery acid splatter? Hot mule gas? Fragments from a coccyx bone? Nails off a outhouse door?
Comment by thor on 5/1 @ 4:36 pm #
Battery acid splatter? Hot mule gas? Fragments from a coccyx bone? Nails off a outhouse door?
Might I recommend upping your dosage just a little?
489 to 49, just so close.
Back when we Republicans wore our raccoon hats high and tight, when our buckskin smelled of salt, when we shared a stories of bygone fingers and bear traps, when burning dung kept the skeeters at bay, when we had the final flint-sparked word!
And when witches knew their fate!
…but that is because John Anderson took 6 points (mostly from Carter).
But only because Carter sucked so damn bad. No Anderson and Reagan takes the lion’s share of those six points.
Some of us were actually there when it happened.
Yes, some of us were there. My first Presiential election. I’m pretty sure I voted for Carter.
[hangs head in abject shame and embarrassment]
I had actually gotten the impression from Lefties that 2008 was the last election we were ever going to have, it having been sufficient to resolve all matters and controversies. Hmmmm.
Did the cat piss on the rug again?
Oh never mind. It’s just thorboi jacking another thread.
I’m glad Harsanyi found a home at the Post after RMN dissolved. He’s one of the good guys among the conservative flock, and he always seems to nail it on the head.
Hit the nail on the head. I mean. I need a beer. Several actually.
Mark Levin’s new book Liberty and Tyranny: A Conservative Manifesto, reviewed by Andy McCarthy, today’s justly celebrated letter writer.
is forcing chrysler to be sold to fiat by fiat?
Every time I hear about how much everybody loved Reagan, how the Media used to be so fair, or how Liberals are such nice kind people, I pull out the tape I made back in December 1980. 29 years ago, and watch again the “Ronnie Horror Picture Show”, Part 1, and Part 2. With Michael Richards and Larry David.
The Left’s stereotypes of conservatives haven’t changed. They weren’t even new in 1980.
kelly, don’t hang your head.
My first was 1972, I voted for McGovern, 1976, Carter, who was the last Democrat I have ever voted for, or ever will I expect.
A short CATO video embedded at Maggie’s Farm on political speech and campaign advertising under a regime of campaign finance law. Pretty tightly done, watch it.
?
?
I wonder if the asshats (of either party) that think fighting for the failure of the Obama administrations policies are wrong headed and/or stupid have really taken the time to think out where their view leads if taken to a conclusion.
I mean, do they really think bipartisanship, that is, the end of our two party system in favour of one party rule, is the way to go?
The Japanese design their cars for sale overseas, primarily to Americans, and produce cars in the US with American workers. The US automakers screwed the pooch in general with a lot of help from the UAW.
I don’t see FIAT changing that unless substantial changes take place and the political will isn’t there.
It is a disingenuous argument that Specter is making.Better: Specter is lying.
I don’t like this:
That’s not the how, who, and what-for of the previous “comparable” thing, and no “citizen activist” who wasn’t a cutout was ever, even once, so “glorified.”
I understand the urge — the weakness — that makes you want to go, “Look, it’s like you guys. Remember? What’s the problem? Same kinda deal here. Stop yelling at me.” But it isn’t like them, and that’s the problem. And you know it.
So concede nothing — or everything, and be “pragmatic.” But don’t kiss ass.
“As we all know by now, deniers of hope and change, by definition, are extremists.”
You ever hear a lib utter the phrase “radical right” or “extremist right”, and then try to pin down exactly what they mean? I swear, letting laurence Olivier work on my teeth would be less painful.
I can see how the fascist dem might think that’s cool, but for the life of me, I can’t see how a normal dem, much less a republican, can miss such an obvious thing.
?
?
The White House Press Corps: Der Sturmer writ large.
Obama’s crew is power-mad and the MFMSM is cheering them on.
please don’t commercial me with
that wind-dee road in fransisco
i’d like to see a car go up that
mo’fo road
w/out a tow
hmmmm.-
hmmmm…
hummer?
Re: #45.
The Left was always “astroturf”, even before Astroturf was invented. Such as “The Trust”.
the taliban had a may day parade
to show off their big rocks
scary-scary rocks…
their majorettes got big confused
cuz ‘o’ sight-lines….
they got tapped/in the back
used batons make good 2001 props
buppies
?
Contra-Harsanyi,fresh tears of a moderate. No, not Zo.
What kind of fear is the white house press corps supposed to instill? I’ve seen these people at work. Doesn’t seem so fearsome.
Cnn is child abuse I think.
Apropos of the current epidemic, I would recommend reading La Peste (The Plague) by Camus. A doctor recounts the advent of the Bubonic Plague to the Northern African coastal town of Oran.
Excellent novel. Very humane.
Seems to be a matter of perspective, huh?
They’ll give the targets a full-on complete rectal exam including IRS audits, sealed divorce and juvie records opened, dumpster diving, and all conventionally private information made public.
You’d have to keep checking your toilet seat for a webcam for at LEAST two years.
CNN can be a good work-out motivator. It’s often on at the gym, and I get so pissed I get my heart up to the 155 range.
I’ve seen these people at work. Doesn’t seem so fearsome.
Ask Joe the Plumber and Bristol Palin, liebot.
And the AIG executives getting death threats and their homes picketed.
What you have in Chrysler is a company owned jointly by Obama and the UAW … and the UAW then makes a labor contract with itself…
and then, based on how these things usually go, the UAW then takes the contract (newly done with its own blessing) and goes to Ford and says “give us the same or we picket you”
Obama said he was transforming America … He has declared capital the loser in his new statist America, Big Labor and Big Government are winners.
How long before Obama requires us serfs to buy his cars?
geoffb did an excellent (scary cold) riff on that very subject Darleen, here.
How long before Obama requires us serfs to buy his cars?
Well, he’s already requiring us to buy $540 sneakers for Michelle Antoinette while she was serving cake to the sans culottes.
How long before Obama requires us serfs to buy his cars?
If it’s less than or equal to four years, we won’t have to. IYKWIMAITYD
I just hope they make them compatible with Lada parts. There’s a big stockpile of those, or so I hear.
Allah ought to evaluate just how it is that he thinks America has gotten to this political position. Can such a long backward glancing view dis-include as a prime force the very acts of the moderates he hopes to endorse going forward, and if not, why on earth would he be saying “let’s have more of that”?
My Page Name
i owe you..and you
what used to be a dipstick
now a buggy-whip
I think M’chelle got robbed with those shoes. They look like they have absolutely NO support. Her arches are gonna be crying a mile into her run.
obama’s america
Oh, and do you know know who this guy is who’s schmoozing with Michelle and her sparkly shoes?
This guy.
so the demorat party is organized crime? who knew.
…falsely portrayed as venomous radicals
Sorry guys, that was sort of my fault for getting all of you stereotyped. Getting the T-shirt and the tattoo. Thinking of something with fangs and the word radical spelled out between them.
I’m open to suggestions…
Good point, buttons. Might be a good time to invest in buggy whip futures.
whip inflation now!
or…soon
Comment by meya on 5/1 @ 8:39 pm #
“Ask Joe the Plumber and Bristol Palin, liebot.â€
That wasn’t hte white house press corps.
Why does the word ‘Pedantic’ spring to mind?
Sdferr, good question. Not one I think he’ll ask of himself. But, good question. In a nutshell, I suspect that he prefers moderates from personal taste more than a considered approach to the politics.
Here’s the same topic, via V. de Rugby, addressed by Strassel.
From de Rugby, linked above:
Why does the word ‘Pedantic’ spring to mind?
Actually, the word “liar” springs to mind.
Every word out of the liebot’s lying liehole is a lie.
I have heard someone say this before, who was it?
Router #49, that was one of the spookiest, most outrageous things I’ve read in a long, long time. It’s gangsterism, pure and simple. Obama is sworn to uphold contracts, yet he’s the point man on destroying them. Fucking prick.
Be afraid. Be very afraid.
But hey, let’s just smile and be all moderatey!
router’s links would have come as a shock to the super-informed Crab People entity in this thread.
Moderatey?
That does sound familiar Joe.
Hey, Roger Simon once had an erection in ’83 and he wears a snappy hat. So, well, I’m certainly not gonna second guess the guy.
What did the be afraid link say the berry can’t do that one
#56
The fear any inchoate, lumbering, idiot can instill. And the folks that blindly agree with their actions. You really are a disingenuous c*nt, maya.
“Why does the word ‘Pedantic’ spring to mind?”
The white house press corps are the people that ask questions at briefings, either of the press secty or the president. Its bizzare to think they would start looking into investment companies. It’s not like its a ‘corps’ like a marine corps that the president deploys.
blowhard, all Allah would need to do is think for a moment about J. David Souter, who is he, how did he get where he has been these last many years, who brought him forward, who nominated him, etc. etc.? That is but one tiny example among thousands.
Its bizzare to think they would start looking into investment companies.
You are a liar.
Just pointing that out again, SFAG.
We’re not interested in your lame spinning, liebot.
Sorry.
“We’re not interested in your lame spinning, liebot.”
Do you even watch those press conferences? What a joke those guys are, right?
You still seem to be under the impression that we’re having a conversation, liebot.
Hint: we’re not.
The white house press corps are the people that ask questions at briefings, either of the press secty or the president.
They do more than that, meya, they’re onsite all day, every day. They get tips, investigate rumors, chase down leads. How long would it take for them to repeat something mentioned by, say, Rahm Emanuel about the firm?
“How long would it take for them to repeat something mentioned by, say, Rahm Emanuel about the firm?”
Not long at all, that’s their job: repeating what the admin tells them. But you think they’re going to dig?
Not long at all, that’s their job: repeating what the admin tells them.
Liar.
That may be what they do, but that’s not what their job is supposed to be, liebot.
Thick as a fucking brick.
I was poking fun at them.
Liar.
Not long at all, that’s their job: repeating what the admin tells them. But you think they’re going to dig?
Like little gophers. Just ask Joe the Plumber and Jack Ryan.
For being biased? Will wonders never cease.
Do you know what I really love about America, JeffieG?
Proof by lawsuit.
America is the only country in the world that could expose the pederast priest.
Think about that…..the superawesome global might of the Catholic Church was nothing to ‘Merican litigation fervor.
I love my country.
priestS.
lol.
Since you know so much about the military, Nishi, I’ll put a ton of weight into your opinion regarding AG prisoner abuse and from whence it came.
You’re a pretend-nihilist, nishi, who fancies herself as something out of Stephenson novel.
You like to see things fall apart, up until the very moment that they actually do. When you’d be eaten alive on day one.
nishizonosushi
Stephenson is a better spirit-guide than n/e one you have offered, JeffieG.
Here is a good quote for you to adopt, actually…..
That would apply to a lot of our recent arguments, like Palin for example.
It seems to meh that you desire to live in a Richard Morgan novel, most particularity, Thirteen.
“spirit guide”?
Nishi is a an incoherent pastiche of crap, which she has somehow mistaken for VICTORY!
That would apply to a lot of our recent arguments, like Palin for example.
LOL!