Steve Benen calls out Politico's Ben Smith for writing a GOP shill piece

[ProSense]

STUPID IS AS STUPID DOES....

Ben Smith notes in an interesting piece today that at least some of the 2010 elections have "devolved" into a battle "over who's stupid, and who's a snob." Ben raises some fair points, but I'm not sure the premise is persuasive.

Republican candidates have served up their share of bloopers -- humanoid mice, sunspots causing climate change -- and Democrats have taken the expected delight in their opponents' stumbles. But they've taken their mockery one step further -- contending as a part of their closing argument that the tea party movement, its champion Sarah Palin, and the left's favorite Republican candidate, Christine O'Donnell, are, frankly, dumb. <...>

In doing so, (Democrats have) also brought to light some of the party's most self-destructive tendencies, the elitism and condescension that Bill Clinton sought to purge in the 1990s, when he matched a progressive agenda with the persona of a likeable "Bubba" to win two terms. Not many Democrats could pull it off.

The most striking problem with the argument is that Ben questions the utility of Democrats accusing Republicans of being dumb, but proceeds to note exactly zero examples of Democrats accusing Republicans of being dumb. Literally, none.

Indeed, it was rather jarring reading the piece. Ben argues, "Waging battle over the Politics of Dumbness may not be smart for Democrats," which may be true. But before we can evaluate whether such a strategy has merit, it's worth appreciating the fact that not one Democrat was mentioned waging a battle over the Politics of Dumbness.

Ben notes examples of Republicans being mocked by Maureen Dowd, Rachel Maddow, Jon Stewart, and Stephen Colbert, but this group has two things in common: (1) they're all in media, where highlighting politicians' stupidity is expected (two are comedians, where this is practically mandatory); and (2) none of them are Democrats in any formal, organized sense. They're not candidates; they're not campaigning; and they haven't made any endorsements. It's not even clear if all four will be voting for Democrats.

If four media figures -- two of whom are on Comedy Central -- are the best examples of "Democrats" mocking Republicans as dumb as "part of their closing argument," then there's almost certainly a problem with the premise.

And if the premise is wrong, there's probably no point in arguing further, but I also can't help but wonder: what happens if a candidate, of either party, really is dumb? By that I mean, if there's a genuinely stupid person on the ballot, seeking a powerful public office, is it really so outrageous to think the candidate's rival party and/or opponent might want to make that a campaign issue? Shouldn't voters hear about this before actual morons hold key public offices?

Under the circumstances, I think Ben may actually have this backwards -- given some of the conspicuously unintelligent candidates who've won GOP primaries this year, I'm amazed at how much restraint Democrats have shown. The question isn't whether Dems made a mistake mocking Republican idiocy this year; the question is whether Dems made a mistake by neglecting to go after Republican idiocy this year.

"(Democrats have) also brought to light some of the party's most self-destructive tendencies, the elitism and condescension"

Ben, you fucking tool.

[Spazito]

1. Ben Smith's piece, one that Jeff Gannon/Talon news would be proud of....

and no wonder, it's the same shit they would publish.

[BootinUp]

2. This kind of shit has been going on for so long

its gotten to where I can't even get upset anymore, at least not today. I am glad someone is trying to repudiate it.

[Blaukraut]

3. Benen is correct

"The question isn't whether Dems made a mistake mocking Republican idiocy this year; the question is whether Dems made a mistake by neglecting to go after Republican idiocy this year."

I'm tired of pussyfooting around the obvious: Republican voters are either greedy, stupid, or both, and they're getting worse. The anti-intellectualism of the right is turning into an epidemic. Their candidates of choice are ignorant and will turn congress into a circus if elected.

[Politicalboi]

4. But they are dumb

It's like living in the twilight zone. Dumb is "Presidential" while smart is rich, marxist, socialist, communist, racist. I think that is why Al Gore sighed so much during the debates in 2000. He, as I couldn't believe stupid had a voice. I thought people would see that Bush was a danger to our country. Even Saturday Night Live tried to tell them. I mean it does have some truth to it at times. I couldn't believe what I was seeing then, and now it's just getting bigger, and crazier. This is why we should have tests. And the tests should be done on live feed. So nobody else can do it for you. We would see Bachmann sitting there for hours just on page one. Of course Sarah would forget to bring her # 2 pencil and have to reschedule another time.
Wink! Wink!

[emulatorloo]

5. That's pretty much POLITICO in a nutshell - they just make shit up

I always enjoy Benen's blog, thanks for posting?

[JohnWxy]

6. Mr. Smith, I don't think preferring that people be prepared for the job constitutes elitism.

and with apologies to Mr. Rousseau, the theory of the Noble Savage does not hold up. The unprepared or untutored are not guaranteed to be more trustworthy (leaving alone the question of competence).

People who are not well equipped to do a job are more susceptible to manipulation, but of course, to the 'Roberts demographic' (corporate 'citizens') that's what's so appealing about Tea-partiers.:evilgrin:

[JNelson6563]

7. K&R

[COLGATE4]

8. Politico = Fux News wannabe nt