KARL ROVE (Photo © 2003 Pan S. Chai)
And the campaign has not hit the bottom yet. However low you think it has gone and might go - trust me - it isn't remotely there yet.
This is going to go so deep into the gutter - it'll make the China Syndrome seem like a minor dimple.
Democrats, liberals, progressives are torn between the deep desire to win and the self-respect that inhibits getting into the gutter with the GOP smear machine.
But it's not possible to avoid this fight.
If Democrats aspire to be in a position to serve the people who are crying out for help - then there are only two choices, The high road and certain defeat. Or fighting fire with flame-thrower.
And yes there will be some unfair shots that will probably be taken. Nice guys finish last. Or are "recounted" to finish last. Whatever...
My heart is heavy. This is "Sophie's Choice". Untenable choices.
But the alternative is even worse.
Understand this. The GOP did not gain congressional power in 1994 for the fun of it. They did not ruthlessly scythe their way to the White House in 2000 and 2004 just to spite Democats.
They seriously passionately believe that their ideological beliefs are decent. And they seriously passionately detest the Democrat view of the world.
THEY DO NOT PLAN TO LOSE POWER.
They know the jig will be up. They cannot risk that.
They will do anything to retain power. They are like The Terminator.
How does Reese explain the modus operandi of The Terminator?
"You still don't get it, do you? He'll find her. That's what he does. That's all he does! You can't stop him. He'll wade through you, reach down her throat, and pull her fucking heart out..."
And understand this.
If the GOP lose the House and/or the Senate on November 7th - trust me on this. They will NOT form a circular firing squad. They will just regroup as swiftly as the liquified Terminator in "T2" and continue plotting the decimation of the Democratic Presidential candidate and every viable Democratic House and Senate candidate in 2008.
THIS WILL NEVER END.
They HATE the great crusading achievements of FDR, of the Great Society, of the inevitable march of history toward a more enlightened, civilized, progressive, inclusive, fairer LIBERAL world. They hate it and will do absolutely everything in their power to defeat it.
And they will not stop.
So - It's "The Untouchables" versus "The Terminator".
Remember a key scene in David Mamet's script for Brian De Palma's 1987 film "The Untouchables"
The Eliot Ness character (portrayed by Kevin Costner) is given an invaluable life-lesson by the battle-scarred, veteran cop Jim Malone (played by Sean Connery):
Malone: "You said you wanted to get Capone. Do you really wanna get him? You see what I'm saying is, what are you prepared to do?"
Ness: "Anything and everything in my power."
Malone:" And THEN what are you prepared to do? If you open the can on these worms you must be prepared to go all the way because they're not gonna give up the fight until one of you is dead."
Ness: "How do you do it then?"
Malone:"You wanna know how you do it? Here's how, they pull a knife, you pull a gun. He sends one of yours to the hospital, you send one of his to the morgue. That's the Chicago way, and that's how you get Capone! Now do you want to do that? Are you ready to do that?"
So - Democrats, liberals, progressives, independents, Greens, Libertarians, decent Republicans (in a hijacked party), alienated citizens - and all other patriots...
My question to you is very simple:
Strictly within the law of course - no violence - no law-breaking -WHAT ARE YOU PREPARED TO DO?
Here endeth the lesson...