Category: The Dish

A preview of the fall?

I meant antepenultimate.

Is that the Democrats’ real magic number?

… in the final seven at Westminster:

He barked and bayed. He nipped at a newly printed sign. He tried to grab his leash. He took a flying leap at a piece of filet mignon.

Yep: he’s the real thing.

What is a vote for Clinton for, in the face of a movement like this? A reader described his experience at a Washington state caucus. It tells you a lot:

It’s just like you said, at Obama’s speeches the crowd chants "yes we can". In contrast, at her events it’s the plagiarized "yes she can". His campaign is an inclusive movement, hers is a well oiled behemoth benefiting from name recognition and fuzzy memories with her as a pseudo-incumbent seeking re-election and the historical vindication of her spouse.

Rural white males, the foundation of the "Reagan Coalition", are very intrigued by the idea of President Obama and very "unstoked" by the idea of President Clinton. These people, who at my caucus self-identified as "Independent" or "Conservative" came out to the Democratic caucus because they are fed up with the current Republican regime and are willing to vote Democratic for this cycle–but not for her. If she is the nominee–especially if it involves any superdelegate shenanigans or back room deals the Democrats will lose them, lose me, and lose the election.

There is a huge desire among many independents and conservatives in this country to punish the GOP for their betrayal of core conservative principles and basic competence and decency these past few years. These folks are plentiful enough to jolt the Republicans toward McCain. But a lot of these conservatives and independents like Obama because he’s obviously a smart, decent guy, because electing him would kill off Jesse Jackson style racial politics for a while, and because he seems like a liberal pragmatist who’s interested in getting things done. A lot of people will tolerate a move back to the center, even the left, if it means an end to this awful period in history and a fresh start for the country.

That’s my sense of things anyway. The Democrats are beginning to realize their choice is between a loss and a landslide victory that could change American politics for a generation. Moreover, I don’t think Obama is an ideological figure who would govern in ways that would affront the center. I can’t know that, of course. But there is a reason George W. Bush was so dismissive of him. Bush also knows that Obama is a rebuke. Clinton, in contrast, is a peer.

There really is no reason to vote for the Clintons again. It’s all about them; and this time, it really should be about the country.

If someone with obsessive compulsive disorder got his hands on them, something like this:

Clinton doesn’t have a chance. It’s all about an offensive joke. And yes, I think it’s offensive.

My esteemed colleague is up for "Best Campaign Blog" in the Politics Online Conference. If you’re as big a fan as I am, you know what to do.

If the Clintons are hoping for a decisive delegate lead from the state, they’re deluding themselves. Here’s a very detailed analysis of the primary math. Even if Clinton wins the state by five points, she loses the delegate count to Obama by 3. It won’t save her. What will?

Environmentalist David Shearman thinks democracy is hopeless if you need to save the planet:

…the savvy Chinese rulers may be first out of the blocks to assuage greenhouse emissions and they will succeed by delivering orders. They will recognize that the alternative is famine and social disorder.

Let us contrast this with the indecisiveness of the democracies which together produce approximately the other half of the world’s greenhouse emissions.[…]

Liberal democracy is sweet and addictive and indeed in the most extreme case, the USA, unbridled individual liberty overwhelms many of the collective needs of the citizens. The subject is almost sacrosanct and those who indulge in criticism are labeled as Marxists, socialists, fundamentalists and worse. These labels are used because alternatives to democracy cannot be perceived! Support for Western democracy is messianic as proselytized by a President leading a flawed democracy.

There must be open minds to look critically at liberal democracy. Reform must involve the adoption of structures to act quickly regardless of some perceived liberties.

Robert McHenry balks.