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September 16, 2006
Obsessing On Bush
Peggy Noonan's got a good take on why the Democrats aren't likely to do very well in upcoming elections.
The most telling part of the OpEd is here:
The Democrats' mistake--ironically, in a year all about Mr. Bush--is obsessing on Mr. Bush. They've been sucker-punched by their own animosity."The Democrats now are incapable of answering a question on policy without mentioning Bush six times," says pollster Kellyanne Conway. " 'What is your vision on Iraq?' 'Bush lied us into war.' 'Health care? 'Bush hasn't a clue.' They're so obsessed with Bush it impedes them from crafting and communicating a vision all their own." They heighten Bush by hating him.
One of the oldest clichés in politics is, "You can't beat something with nothing." It's a cliché because it's true. You have to have belief, and a program. You have to look away from the big foe and focus instead on the world and philosophy and programs you imagine.
Mr. Bush's White House loves what the Democrats are doing. They want the focus on him. That's why he's out there talking, saying Look at me.
Because familiarity doesn't only breed contempt, it can breed content. Because if you're going to turn away from him, you'd better be turning toward a plan, and the Democrats don't appear to have one.
Which leaves them unlikely to win leadership. And unworthy of it, too.
This is true. When you ask a Democrat for a better plan than one we're implementing now that he or she disapproves of, you rarely get an answer -- you get Bush innuendo. Very confidence inspiring, that. It's funny that while the left call themselves progressives, they invariably fail to progress away from strategies that have already shown themselves to be failures.
The entire Peggy Noonan OpEd can be read here.
Posted by Seth at September 16, 2006 06:54 PM
Comments
I just finished reading that piece in her archives. I love Peggy Noonan - she is so prescient.
Posted by: atheling2 at September 17, 2006 12:50 AM
Atheling2 --
I think Peggy Noonan is awesome, she really perceives.
She is totally right, I have to say that since she's reflecting what I've been saying for a long time, as most of us (conservatives) have:
The left has been so busy attacking the right, especially Dubya, that they haven't had "time" to produce any strategies of their own.
They are great at saying "you're wrong", but after that, when you ask them, "What would be right?" they don't have an answer.
They have no plans, so they bash Bush instead while having no alternatives to bring to the table....
Posted by: Seth at September 17, 2006 01:10 AM
Seth,
Ms. Noonan, as always writes with clarity and purpose (who can forget "Read My Lips-No New Taxes" she penned for Bush41?) makes many good
points. The elections are going to prove half
the pundits right, for sure. BTW, thanks for putting up Peggy's thoughts instead of Ann's !!
Posted by: BB-Idaho at September 17, 2006 11:01 AM
BB --
I occasionally link to Ann, I love reading her columns, they are great fun -- I have all her books in my library and have read every one of them with great delight.
Posted by: Seth at September 17, 2006 11:27 AM
Seth,
If you are like me, your library is cataloged in
somewhat less precise fashion than the Public Library across town. Just curious about how you
place your Coulter collection..eg; current events, psycho thrillers, philosophy, venemous
reptiles, blonds have more fun, 1st amendment
flirts, political science...? :)
Posted by: BB-Idaho at September 17, 2006 11:53 AM
