Andrew Sullivan: It Takes A Pillage

[babylonsister]

http://andrewsullivan.theatlantic.com/the_daily_dish/2008/03/it-takes-a-pill.html

It Takes A Pillage

26 Mar 2008 09:30 am


Jeremiah Wright is now the moral equivalent of David Duke? The latest Clintonite ratchets up the Wright issue still further. However dim a view you take of some of Wright's rhetorical excesses, and I'm not defending them, to compare a man whose church has such a long history of social work, black self-help, outreach to people with HIV, and inclusion of gay people to a rank neo-Nazi is another step too far. Comparing the first potential black president's pastor to a man who represents some of the worst racism in America is also bound to impact African-Americans. If the Clintons keep this up, they will not only destroy Obama's chances in the fall, they may also make it very hard for black Democrats to vote for a Clinton again. Josh comments here. I think Clinton has decided to use race in the way that Republicans have for the past couple of decades, to play on white resentment of what are regarded as double-standards on race and to fuse the integrative, dignified campaign of Obama in the minds of some white ethnic Americans with demagoguic soundbites from Wright.

The goal is to win a huge margin in Pennsylvania and to use that as an appeal to the super-delegates that Obama cannot be elected in key swing states with white working class voters. If that won't work, Clinton will have done all she can to ensure Obama's defeat by McCain in the fall, which she will then use as vindication for another run in 2012.

It's called destroying the party (and wound the country racially) in order to save the Clintons. It doesn't surprise me, but I can't help but feel it is going to enrage many Democrats, especially those who felt that this time, a candidate they loved had a chance to bring the country together. Not if the Clintons can help it.

[saltpoint]

1. Sullivan is a conservative, but not a conservative in the Tom Coburn or

Mike Pence model at all.

I read him because he's thoughtful and is a lot more nimble on issues than other conservatives.

Also he appears to be supporting a Democrat this cycle, which is great. We'd rather have more votes for the blue team than fewer.

Keen observations in this piece. Thanks for posting.

[ramapo]

2. He nailed it...

Hillary knows she is done for in '08 and '12 is her second shot. Too bad she'd lose then too. I have lost all respect for the Clintons.

[Tarheel_Dem]

3. Does anyone get the feeling that she's auditioning for McCain's

VP? I'm not so sure that the Repubs wouldn't take her up on it. Afterall, she would probably take her loyalists with her, and I can see her threatening the SD's with that prospect. I'm sorry, but I just don't trust her anymore. I think we may see Hillary return to her Republican roots.

[babylonsister]

4. She's so blindly ambitious, nothing would surprise me, though

I don't see loyalists voting for another war prez.

[Tarheel_Dem]

5. I hope you're right. but there's a Rass poll around here that says

28% of her supporters, won't support Obama, they will instead vote for McCain? Let's face it, she could probably put NY, NJ, NH, OH, FL in play on a ticket with McCain. I mean if her words are to be believed, it would appear that she has much more in common with McCain than Obama.

[Doctor_J]

6. This 28% will be more than offset by the hordes of young people

independents, and crossovers who who will prefer Obama to McBush.

[Cha]

11. But, this is just almost April and who

knows how dwindling that 28% of ?% will be in a few months?

[Doctor_J]

7. Everyone I know is on the same page with this - it's heartbreaking

The people I hang with (besides the handful who think that Bush is doing a great job) range from the Kuncinich wing all the way over to Ron Paul dems, and they can't believe how much the Clintons have debased themselves over the last 6 weeks. It's so sad.

[babylonsister]

8. It is sad, and I think it's going to damage the party. nt

[lisa58]

9. I don't like Sullivan and he hates Hillary but...

...got to give credit for the title - hehe

[babylonsister]

10. Yes, very clever! nt