I’ve tried – REALLY TRIED – to be congnizant of those moments in which I am trending towards demagogary (sp?) or “hearing what I want to hear.” I try to think of the freest, most pure “Republican” there might conceivably be. One who is not evil, but truly believes in economic theory behind smaller government. Maybe even one who - for reasons beyond their own control - has views on some social issues that are different than mine. But when I get to that place, I don’t see how this mythical person can buy into all the anti-intellectualism and mean-spirited, chest-thumping jingoisnm.
The hipocrisy of the last two nights of the Republican National Convention has been incredible. Running on a message of "shaking up Washington" not one speaker has offered up anything that strays from the Bush administration's policies of the past eight years. Surely, any swing voters watching would see this, right? I'm not sure I can trust in much of anything, with respect to how "the average American sees things." Strange days, indeed.
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10 comments:
Most peculiar mama.
Likewise, as is obvious from my livebloggin' last night, by the end I felt like I was witnessing the gathering of some sort of cult.
I'm clearly out of touch with 'the average voter'. Did they see something other than hate, and bile?
Is ridiculing the accomplishments of others, and even facts, appealing?
Is chanting ZERO or DRILL BABY DRILL something that resonates with the 'average voter'?
Almost as many people watched Palin's speech last night as watched Obama's. After Obama's even conservative commentators were struck by the quality of it. Last night was nothing about lifting people up. It was all about tearing people down, and that tendency pervades large areas of society. It's the lynch mob, the rioters. Clearly the rabis partisans in the hall last night were willing to storm out of there and do god knows what, had they been asked.
But was 'the average voter' so moved, sitting at home watching CNN?
I sure hope not.
I still remember the GOP convention of four years ago. Ridiculing John Kerry's service (what an amazing contrast to last night) to his country, including his Purple Heart. Ridiculing the notion of hope (establishing them, as Al Franken said, as the "anti-hope party"). Zell Miller going on such a hateful, spit-flinging tirade that he almost had an aneurism.
Sarah Palin (or maybe Giuliromney) was channeling Zell Miller.
Blech
It seems the Republicans has a historic track record of empty speeches that have impact. It's essentially how Bush Sr. got elected. He recouped a 17-point deficit against Dukakis. His speech was full of shit, but nothing like this.
This is a great review of the recent BS slung this week:
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080904/ap_on_el_pr/cvn_fact_check
Well, that didn't post well. But I have it on my blog.
I'll say again - I can no longer take comfort in thinking, "surely he will not be voted into office, surely the cycle will come around again" - that USED to be enough for me - no longer
I am very concerned about this election. All I've done so far is talk among fellow supporters or post comments to blogs like this. McCain could very well be a four year bonus for republicans - like Bush was to Reagan - not a great cycle. Terrified for the state of the world.
It would be ignorant to assume that there is no way Obama could lose. Unfortunately.
Of course, this is the tail end of the republican convention. Hopefully it wil be quickly forgotten. I just heard Cindy riding a bit of the Palin wave . . . I gotta get back to Much Ado About Nothing, or away from it - it has been clear the last two nights. Talk about deception!!!
To MT, you're in a swing state. Change some minds.
Yeah, Stephen's good ol' IA is 55% B.O. (I blame T-Clog)
Yes, and go figure... Iowa is filled with good ol' average American citizens. Just that crazy caucus thing that throws people off.
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