The Audacity of Dopes

Yay! More of the same! No real change at all! Cynicism and division rule! Huzzah! Vivat! Ya-frikkin'-hoo!

And I almost forgot I was an American for a second.

Perhaps "audacious" really is how to describe it. Because anyone who tries to lift the leaden, bullying, tribal, grunting dialogue (which has become the way Americans conduct their socio-political discourse) is treated like a dumb, insolent, interloper; an upstart dog.

How easy it is to spot inspiration and stone it to mush. How tiresome to see once reasonable, educated and facile performers on the political stage reduced to carping whiners, gnashing their veneers and hurling feces at each other. How easily does the normally lethargic mass turn its wroth on anyone who dares disrupt their trance with something so...audacious. So much for hope, laying there, a partial birth. Aborted.

When the prize at stake is presidential power, no one is safe. And Hillary, a woman once, has transcended her gender and gone from ennobled, gifted, thwarted-from-being-viable First Lady to the very desperate power-pol she and her husband had battled for years; her expressions ranging from not quite believably maternal to the icy, dead-eyed rictus as she listened to her opponent's seemingly effortless eloquence; her stalwart persona subsumed by the greed and opportunism we were told for years by dubious sources was always there and which has now given those hissing crypto-fascists regrettable credibility.

Should she win the ultimate goal, what do we say about her performance this last year? How would Clinton 2 compare to the eight corrosive years of lethal idiocy of the Bush administration? Will it have been any indication that truly better days lay ahead? Or is it as many of us formerly enthusiastic Hillary supporters suspect: same old same old?

To have believed and trusted and dreamed. What audacious dopes.

Comments

[nopartygal]

As far as I'm concerned, the equation is real simple:

Hillary = Bush in a pantsuit

OR - if you prefer...

Hillary, McCain = Mini-Bush

Take your pick - six of one, half dozen of the other. Or, as the Arabs would say: same-same

[neoprimordial]

Tremendous, powerful commentary. It is ironic and sad that the "greed and opportunism" as told of by "crypto-fascists" from days gone by is now a regrettable and irrefutable fact. I used to have discussions about Bill Clinton with a friend who, while not in any way fascist, was staunchly Republican. He would have the usual negative (and hilarious) things to say about him. How disappointing that his, and certainly the opposition's, arguments are lent credibility. And I'm glad I'm not the only one to notice HRC's seemingly staged behavioral cues, particularly in the last debate. I was never a Hillary supporter--I wasn't a supporter for any of the candidates in particular--but I was looking forward to the possibility that she could be our first female U.S. president. That desire has been utterly dashed to bits. I don't even want to see her as vice president at this point, although that may be what's politically most expedient.

I'm going to go out on a limb and say that a Hillary Clinton presidency (or a John McCain, for that matter) will be an average one--not weak, like Carter's, or horrible, like W's, or even pretty good, like Bill's, but average. I don't want average. I want better. WE need better.

[Unsui]

Great!

[tubette]

It will probably all come down to "who do the folks most want to hang out with?" Everyone else will be labeled an elitist....... The majority of voters are so intimidated by intelligence, that any sign of it is unacceptable.

[neoprimordial]

Thank you tubette! It used to drive me INSANE when people would say they'd rather vote for George W. Bush instead of John Kerry because he's someone they could see hanging out with. Hanging out with??? Look what our "buddy" has led us to! Sh*t-faced on the floor with our underwear around our ankles. Hanging out, indeed! We need someone with the skills to run the country, not someone whose major quality is that he can hold his liquor. And it's happening again, this nonsense. Will people ever learn??

[tdbach]

When we take sides, we take sides. What was once the poisonous and artificial gruel of a despised adversary becomes the fodder of our advocacy when we come to oppose one whom we once defended. Hillary hasn't let you down, she hasn't changed. You have. That same poisonous, artificial gruel is now in your hands. Hope you're having fun with it.

[zjr909]

It continues to boggle the mind, the corner Obama and Clinton's supporters are backing themselves into (not to mention digging the hole this country's in deeper and deeper). Do they realize that whoever the nominee is, that'll be it? There's no going back or turning around or doing it all over again. This is not a movie set, folks, this is for real. Democrats get one shot at it in November. So whoever is nominated has to have the support of all Democrats, otherwise McCain wins. The invective, and downright hatred, constantly spewing from each candidate's supporters makes reconciliation impossible. I'm sorry to be the bearer of bad tidings, but Obama's supporters had better be willing to support Clinton if she's the nominee; and Clinton's supporters had better be willing to support Obama if he's the nominee. Or, if the convention is so hopelessly deadlocked that someone else ends up being the nominee, both sets of supporters had better be willing to suck in their pride and support whoever the nominee is. Otherwise, it's "Bomb bomb bomb Iran" come January 2009. Isn't it a little more important to stop McCain than to sit out the election - or, worse still, actually vote for McCain in protest? Like they say: pride goeth before a fall. And, OMG, what a fall that will be!

[elbzee]

YES, YES, YES! This is the message and we've GOTTA smack the bitterness outta anyone so narrow minded as to hand this election to McCain on a silver platter. No matter what, there'll either be a democrat or a republican in the oval office. Pettiness, sulking, and nose-cutting-off are what republicans are celebrating. They know they'll keep the reins with democrats behaving like spoiled brats who can't share with each other. I've been saying it a lot lately, GROW THE F*** UP!! PLEASE!

[brutus948]

There is noooooo way I would ever vote for anyone that voted for the war. If clinton is nominee I'll probably stay home. There is not a lot of difference between macain and hillbill. Actually I think macain might be less hawkish than hillbill. And he won't be getting BJ's in the oval office.

[BlueOnBlue]

Let's confront that "McCain might be less hawkish" stuff to rest right away.

McCain has never been less hawkish about war than anyone, including Cheney. Their only disagreements were tactics, with McCain taking the more aggressive approach.

McCain was for this war before anyone in the administration. In fact, he was for it BEFORE the Bush administration, having befriended neocons like Bill Kristol back in the 90s as they drew up the justifications for a preemptive war in Iraq.

McCain was a major backer of Ahmed Chalabi, the Iraqi exile who fed the intelligence services and then the administration a series of lies to help lead us to war. He was the guy, along with McCain, who argued that and Iraq invasion would not only be met with open arms by most Iraqis, but would easily pay for itself.

McCain was the point man for the administration during the runup to the war and he only split with Bush to a slight degree when he thought Rumsfeld was not sending enough troops (the only thing about which McCain was corrrect).

This is the guy you think might be "less hawkish?"

[justobserve]

Well, if superdelegates have any spine at all, why dont' they come out already to choose the one who had won but they just keep the fight so it seems the on-the-fen­ce-superde­legates are in with the Clintons' agenda to desptroy the party in 2008 for their run in 2012.

[LoRiseAntlers]

Steven,if she's elected,it'll be more of the same old Republican Clinton politics.We can fully expect her to continue the Reagan/Bus­h/Clinton/­Bush crime spree which has enabled a few thugs with money to plunder this country.
Witness Bill's "welfare to work" bullshit,where he and his fellow republicans replaced the poverty of welfare with absolute destitution of McJobs,or his deregulatory blowjob that gave his donors,present and future,unfettered freedom to pillage this country's wealth,or his tendency to find Muslims to blow up whenever he was a bad spot here at home,and you pretty much have Hillary's presidency in a nutshell.

[gjklbc]

It's too bad that the rest of the world can't elect our president for us. Obamamania is global. Imagine having a president that the rest of the world loves. Isn't it time that we care what the world thinks about the US?
Our ever-changing world, with its global economy relies on us having a leader that doesn't offend other nations but engenders good will.
Let's not be distracted this time. And let's not give the world Hillary or McCain as our choice. Let's show the world that we know they're watching.

[Stevelagain]

I think you should move to "the rest of the world" where you could proudly hate us, maybe Obama and his wife will go with you?

[bully4u]

You know, just because a person expresses an opinion about America that isn't complimentay does not mean they do not love this country. We still have freedom of speech (at least I hope so) and if you read about the founding fathers during the early years of America you'll find there was plenty of criticism towards the goverment/country.

[Willemaq]

Right on Steve!

Anyone who is not in favor of torture, bullshit wars, "obliterating" our enemies, suspension of Habeas Corpus, $4.00 a gallon gas and 100 years of war in Iraq needs to go live with "feriners"... Moron!

[JanetE]

Are you kidding? You think the rest of the world wants us to continue as a world power? Every country out there - Russia, England, Italy, MidEast countries, African countries, Germany, France, China --- do you think any of them might prefer to be the biggest world power? YES!!! So why would they want the best person in office here in the USA?

WE are best suited to select the best person because WE live here, WE know ourselves and our needs better than anyone, and WE want the best for our country.

I can't believe I even wasted my time responding to such a stupid remark. Oh yeah, let's let Russia choose our next president. How about China? You are ridiculous. WE WE WE are the deciders! And right now they are running about dead even - only about a 2% difference in the popular vote without counting Florida and Michigan.

[BBackSoon]

I think the let the rest of the world pick our president is a little over the top but it would be a good thing if the people of the world thought we had at least picked a competent leader this time. We have had 8 years of evil condescending moron in charge, that is enough.

You have to imagine what the rest of the world thinks when we have the head bobbin’ monkey boy talk down to China for civil rights abuses when we have Gitmo, Abu Ghraib and warrantless wiretapping.

[elisunday]

Agreed.

[falcao]

what is the matter with pennsylvania is a very good question indeed ... i graduated from college there in 1977, in a deer hunter kind of town ... i gather the state is in worse shape than i thought possible

the thought of the clintons back in the WH fills me with dread ... the 90s look great in comparison to what we've been through these last 8 years, but, man, all that clinton business was exhausting ... i thought he was charming and skilled once -- ... i've never warmed to her ... phony, cold, full of herself ...

re all this obamabot childishness ... i'm not a kid, i have a kid ... i'm not in love with obama ... he's my choice because i like what i see and hear from him -- i've read up on his policies and i think they're sound ... his approach to foreign policy and health care make sense to me ... and i admire the way he's conducted himself during this bruising campaign, going up against an opponent who's conducted herself shamelessly ... so ... if some of y'll want to support hillary, have at it ... i don't call you KG names like hillbots and and all the rest of it ... i think you're misguided but that's your right ... and you may in fact BE right ... try to have some respect though for others ... all this trash talking is just really really depressing ... obama

[ExRepublican]

've read up on his policies and i think they're sound ... his approach to foreign policy and health care make sense to me ...

The difference is what?

"and i admire the way he's conducted himself during this bruising campaign, going up against an opponent who's conducted herself shamelessly ."

I'm for Barack - and yet she's conducted herself shamelessly? Be honest now. Did her 'shameless' conduct change you OR did YOU change to justify your vote for Obama.

Human nature, fascinating to observe. No?

[BBackSoon]

You lost me about half way in.

[trbone]

Again with the tired analysis . If you didn't vote for Barack then there is something wrong with you. Obama tried go paint himself as a moderate but the more time goes on the people see the real Obama . Independents are fleeing the Obama camp in droves and this just the beginning. As his radical associations continue to trickle out (there are more of them) it will only get worse.

[knighthowl]

What is the basis of your claim that independents are fleeing the Obama camp in droves? Your imagination? What is the basis of your assertion that there are more "radical associations"? Your imagination again?

But suppose there are more such "associations." I have a friend of 30 years who once thought of herself as a Communist. Does that make me a Communist? I have another friend of 35 years who is a Republican. In fact, I have several friends who are Republicans. Does that make me a Republican? Not at all. I have always considered Communists and Republicans to be foolish (except for the few truly rich Republicans who are unrepentently selfish).

This guilt by association idea is beyond stupid. I fear that seven years of rule by stupidity has not only impaired the national discourse, but has caused simple-mindedness to be seen as a virtue.

[brutus948]

Look at the polls. The only people that are not in Obama camp are the uneducated white red necks. Which is probably what you are. Go back to school and get a college education and then you'll know why people like obama.

[justobserve]

How people flee Obama camp when he could narrow the gap of 20+% to under 10% in Clinton's root country? PA is not a win for Clinton but a loss!

[VideoHammer]

You know, you sound so much like a Bush supporter that it is remarkable. It is possible to dislike a candidate and their positions, without "hating" that candidate. In your biased defense of Hillary, you cheapen your own argument by mischaract­erising(sp­) the people that disagree with you.

Additionally, if you are not capable of researching the basis for your positions, as opposed to regurgitating
the talking points from biased sources, please indicate that to the rest of us. That way we can refrain from taking you seriously.

[c1ee]

Are you talking to the author of the story? He is anti-obama, from what i can read from his post.

[kdogg]

really? might want reread it. while he did not heap loads of praise on obama he had quite a bit of scorn for clinton. work on reading comprehension.

[zull2]

It doesn't take much to realize all the mud is coming from the Clinton campaign. It's compounded by the notion that after they release the sort of commercials that Republicans launch against Democrats against Obama, they turn around and start accusing Obama of doing it. To declare that the ads the Obama campaign are anywhere near as distorting as Hillary's is laughable. Obama's ads, so far, have been typical primary ads, meant to draw differences between the candidates without slandering them. THAT is good for the party, good for the voters, good for the country. Putting those 3am ads on, which are so completely in the same vein as the Swift Boat ads were, is bad for the party, voters, and country. The problem in this race is ENTIRELY Hillary Clinton and her campaign. Even after this win, it wasn't enough to overcome the basic delegate math. She's polling far behind in North Carolina and Oregon. If she is close in Indiana, she's out...and her focus has been entirely on Pennsylvania to eke out a win. Obama has been in Indiana now for quite some time.

[radmul]

You paint a vivid picture but I am hoping you are wrong. If the hope that Obama promised will not stand up to the pitiful challenges of the Clintons it will not stand up to the true battle, the one in the congress when he actually tries to govern.

[PioneerKing]

Dude it will be the same old same old. Hillary hasn't been getting close to the likes of Rupert Murdoch and Richard Mellon Scaife for nothing. Also, Bill has been busy in the last eight years turning into someone whose lobbying skills are second to none.
If Hillary's comments about Iran and a nuclear umbrella does not enlighten you what will.
John McCain has already discovered that Hillary is actually an ultra conservative right wing male masquerading as a democrat when are you going to wake up and smell the coffee.
The Clintons will do anything in quest for power.

[StephieL]

Brilliant observations, Mr. Weber. Once again, you're spot-on!

During the last thirty years, the American Presidency has become a grotesque "puppet show", and Hillary has squandered what could have been a golden opportunity to present a different, more humanitarian face to the Presidency and free it from the manipulations of the powerful and wealthy and transformed it into a circus sideshow. I want to believe that Obama will be the kind of humanitarian President which we -- and the world -- so desparately need, but he's a blank slate who has too many questions hanging over him, and John McCain is a warmonger who's ready to blow Iran off the map on the flimsiest of provocations (if Hillary doesn't do it first).

I also find it highly ironic that Richard Mellon Scaife, the man whom Hillary Clinton accused of orchestrating a "vast right-wing conspiracy" against her and her White House spouse, is now one of her best buddies. We live in some very strange days, indeed.

[julieeiluj]

Yeah. Isn't it tragic that we have to suffer through all this crap for so long? Can't they just get through this mess in say, 90 days? Is it any wonder we truly hate these people by the time the general election is here and can care less who wins?

[mexamerican]

the blogosphere needs to out the uncommitted "supers" and apply the heat.