I love her idea of registering everyone when they turn 18, we could also automatically register everyone, including women, for the draft, since that is another age 18 requirement. Also we could then revert back to using the voting rolls for jury duty instead of driver's licenses.
47
Having now read many of the excellent posts, I will add my own. I will say simply that doing bad while doing good is a lot better than just doing bad. I indeed have faith in American democracy, not a lot, but in Presidential years.
The Republicans have become a cliche. Radical right wing early, with some really foolish people who don't understand the uniqueness of America (its diversity, the work ethic of its people, its intellectual freedom), then a quick turn to "the middle", which is to continue dismantling the safety net and worker protection.
Your efforts to define attack points for Saunders et al, all good people who I admire and would even support as nominees, is really an effort to cause concern among Democrats. Don't. It is time for a woman President. Who, precisely, is the Republican woman at the fore? Carley Fiorini. Really???
The Republicans have become a cliche. Radical right wing early, with some really foolish people who don't understand the uniqueness of America (its diversity, the work ethic of its people, its intellectual freedom), then a quick turn to "the middle", which is to continue dismantling the safety net and worker protection.
Your efforts to define attack points for Saunders et al, all good people who I admire and would even support as nominees, is really an effort to cause concern among Democrats. Don't. It is time for a woman President. Who, precisely, is the Republican woman at the fore? Carley Fiorini. Really???
41
We're still waiting for any Republican candidate to call out any other on whether they still believe the earth is 6000 years old, that global warming is a hoax, or that the world will end if gay couples can get married.
72
Ross Douthat thinks that O'Malley, Chafee, and Sanders candidacies keep the upcoming Democratic primary election .."from resembling a presidential re-election in Kazakhstan." Much worse than this, the totality of the Republican candidates makes the upcoming Presidential election a farce.
Hillary will of course beat these unlikely Democratic competitors. Hillary needs a serious opponent in the main election and the Republicans candidates are a cast of clowns. That is the insult to democracy. Can't the GOP find someone who gives our Republic a substantive choice?
Hillary will of course beat these unlikely Democratic competitors. Hillary needs a serious opponent in the main election and the Republicans candidates are a cast of clowns. That is the insult to democracy. Can't the GOP find someone who gives our Republic a substantive choice?
32
Even though I usually disagree with Mr. Douthat, I enjoy his writing. However, with his parenthetical aside "(There’s no reason to think she isn’t sincere in her new stances, but with the Clintons it’s always fair to analyze strategy before belief.)", he's trying to have it both ways, effectively saying that *because* her last name is Clinton, there's plenty of reason to doubt her sincerity.
But really, all professional politicians engage in some form of triangulation. Many of the GOP hopefuls take absurd positions in order to pander to their base. Even if Mrs. Clinton is cynically choosing her positions, at least they're reasonable positions, as opposed to the nonsense being spouted by Santorum, Jindal, Cruz, et al.
But really, all professional politicians engage in some form of triangulation. Many of the GOP hopefuls take absurd positions in order to pander to their base. Even if Mrs. Clinton is cynically choosing her positions, at least they're reasonable positions, as opposed to the nonsense being spouted by Santorum, Jindal, Cruz, et al.
44
Republican big money donors should fund an independent run for Bernie Sanders...
8
The failure of the Times and its editors and columnists to treat the primary candidates as candidates in their own right is one of the reasons Hillary is so "hard to beat." By framing Clinton as unbeatable before the race has even begun, and by failing to give serious, even-handed coverage to the other candidates, and by instead treating them as also-rans whose only purpose, in the mind of the Times, is to "narrow the issues," the Times fails in what one would hope would be its actual purpose in putting out a paper of note, with news fit to print-- to inform the populace so that we, the people, can make our own decisions.
Without coverage, without commitment, without a willingness to step away from the two-party annointing system as it has devolved, it's no wonder I ignore the come-ons to subscribe to "Premium" Times coverage and instead find my coverage in blogs and international papers.
I'm rooting for Sanders-- he's been clear about his stances all along, has admitted when he was wrong with a clear mea culpa, then got on with the work with humility and intent, and because even Obama isn't left enough for me. No amount of other candidates in the race will "frame the issues" to force Hillary left enough; her gender is irrelevant. Her principles and progressivism are relevant, but those are issues, and that would require covering with depth, and comparing and contrasting her with someone the Times has annointed a non-serious candidate.
Without coverage, without commitment, without a willingness to step away from the two-party annointing system as it has devolved, it's no wonder I ignore the come-ons to subscribe to "Premium" Times coverage and instead find my coverage in blogs and international papers.
I'm rooting for Sanders-- he's been clear about his stances all along, has admitted when he was wrong with a clear mea culpa, then got on with the work with humility and intent, and because even Obama isn't left enough for me. No amount of other candidates in the race will "frame the issues" to force Hillary left enough; her gender is irrelevant. Her principles and progressivism are relevant, but those are issues, and that would require covering with depth, and comparing and contrasting her with someone the Times has annointed a non-serious candidate.
74
If you want to know what a Hillary Clinton administration, just look at Bill's and Obama's. Expect more warmongering than Obama, however, with Victoria Nuland as Secretary of State. Expect pretty much the same economics. Expect the situation of the people of the country to continue the race to the bottom.
O'Malley and Chaffe are nonentities. Only Bernie Sanders is putting a program out there to save the people of the country from further misery and to begin to reverse the decline of the past three decades. Bernie will call people out into the streets to push his program, and you can be sure Clinton will not do that. Nothing scares the Wall St. pols more than the left pulling people into the streets. This is as old as the French Revolution. The pressure on the dam that the Democrats have erected to hold back the flood while the Republicans lead the rape of the nation has become intense, and will eventually burst. This may be that time.
O'Malley and Chaffe are nonentities. Only Bernie Sanders is putting a program out there to save the people of the country from further misery and to begin to reverse the decline of the past three decades. Bernie will call people out into the streets to push his program, and you can be sure Clinton will not do that. Nothing scares the Wall St. pols more than the left pulling people into the streets. This is as old as the French Revolution. The pressure on the dam that the Democrats have erected to hold back the flood while the Republicans lead the rape of the nation has become intense, and will eventually burst. This may be that time.
53
Now we can finally move on and forget Bill Clinton and his sins. We've got Denny Hastert to work on now. The Republicans can now run under the banner, "I voted for George W. Bush and Denny Hastert." Wow! What a record.
19
I'll support anyone who can bring democracy back to America. That will have include cleansing the Supreme Court and raising taxes on the wealthy and ending corporate welfare. The 1%ers are not benign. They disdain anything that is not of benefit to them. That includes public schools, universal healthcare, public infrastructure, public safety. They are remote from us. They live in gated enclaves, with their own security, they travel in private airplanes, their children attend private schools and avoid military service, they can afford unlimited healthcare. They are an alien species with no interest in the welfare of America.
66
A socialist, a nobody and a Republican are not going to stop Hillary Clinton.
6
She may not be lovable. She is a grown up. Something that be said of the GOP carload of clowns.
One should always choose the lesser or the two weevils.
One should always choose the lesser or the two weevils.
24
I think generalization like "moving the the left" are misleading regarding support for Sanders. His announced policies about Wall Street, foreign affairs, women in politics, etc. are positions that poll well. And these are consistent positions for Sanders, unlike the recent positions of Hillary Clinton, which have the appearance of being adopted for purposes of getting elected, not for conviction.
Sanders is authentic. Clinton is not.
Sanders is authentic. Clinton is not.
61
Hillary's primary opponents are going left & Jeb's primary opponents are going right. They will all fall off the table, and it will be Bush vs Clinton. And 3 is sure not the charm in this scenario. I will vote for Hillary. I do not believe people who preach morals and do not follow them. I believe people who do good for the country, and I do not worry about their morals, or their religion.
12
I could not vote for Hillary ! All these scandals around , make it clear that this is not the best option for the president. Benghazi ... complaints that her family poor ... Working with a personal e-mail ! Already minus 2 , only to take care of his family , the constant lies!
7
I believe that you are need to convey to people the facts against Hillary . She received the highest % in popularity among the candidates , but that does not mean that she is the best candidate instead of Obama !
3
I grew up in the postwar years in what was then the richest Republican town in the country. Those Eisenhower era conservative Republicans were like Clinton Democrats today.
One main reason the middle class boomed after the war was the fact the far right was divided between the two parties and marginalized. Then in the late sixties, in a foolish gambit to increase its base numbers, the Republican Party abandoned African Americans to pursue white Southern Dixiecrats.
Reagan's 1980 campaign showcased the triumphant fusion of the Dixiecrats and the largely Western based Republican far right. By the ascendance of Speaker Gingrich in 1995 the Party of Lincoln was stone cold dead and a new far right party had risen from its ashes.
Like the Dixiecrats this scary new GOP seeks to be the only party in power by whatever means necessary. They cement their power over the rich through bribery and over the common people by fomenting hate and spreading lies. They seek a neo-feudal economy by which the few in power become immensely richer by cheating and starving the rest of the people.
The far right leadership model is strikingly like the psychology of the psychopath. Compare Altemeyer's description of the right wing authoritarian leader with Reid Meloy's and Robert Hare's descriptions of the psychopath.
Note especially the Manichean worldview and the aggressive projection of one's own flaws on one's adversaries.
One main reason the middle class boomed after the war was the fact the far right was divided between the two parties and marginalized. Then in the late sixties, in a foolish gambit to increase its base numbers, the Republican Party abandoned African Americans to pursue white Southern Dixiecrats.
Reagan's 1980 campaign showcased the triumphant fusion of the Dixiecrats and the largely Western based Republican far right. By the ascendance of Speaker Gingrich in 1995 the Party of Lincoln was stone cold dead and a new far right party had risen from its ashes.
Like the Dixiecrats this scary new GOP seeks to be the only party in power by whatever means necessary. They cement their power over the rich through bribery and over the common people by fomenting hate and spreading lies. They seek a neo-feudal economy by which the few in power become immensely richer by cheating and starving the rest of the people.
The far right leadership model is strikingly like the psychology of the psychopath. Compare Altemeyer's description of the right wing authoritarian leader with Reid Meloy's and Robert Hare's descriptions of the psychopath.
Note especially the Manichean worldview and the aggressive projection of one's own flaws on one's adversaries.
40
"...whatever happens in a Clinton presidency..."Sounds good to me when Hillary restocks SCOTUS with more humans.
33
"There’s no reason to think she isn’t sincere in her new stances..."
Really? Have you been watching this woman for the last two decades and listening to the words that come out of her mouth, Ross?
I don't think she comprehends the meaning of the word sincerity. EVERYTHING she says or does is in service of one singular goal -- increasing her own political power.
Really? Have you been watching this woman for the last two decades and listening to the words that come out of her mouth, Ross?
I don't think she comprehends the meaning of the word sincerity. EVERYTHING she says or does is in service of one singular goal -- increasing her own political power.
17
There's an excessive obsession with Hillary, almost everywhere. For example, FOX has been running the anti-Hillary theme for at least a couple of years. Supposing that she is the Democratic candidate, as most anticipate, her chance of success is likely to reside more in the nature of the Republican choice than on Hillary herself. Are Republicans going to offer a viable adult candidate, or will we again see a sort of Palinistic alternative that can appeal only to "The Base"?
On the policy positions outlined by Douthat, will such a Republican candidate argue that the criminal justice system is just fine as is, that illegals should be shipped out in mass, and that the right and ability to vote should not be universal, but limited? On foreign policy, will we see a rerun of the Neocons?
Tell us the Republican alternative to Hillary -- we'll go from there.
On the policy positions outlined by Douthat, will such a Republican candidate argue that the criminal justice system is just fine as is, that illegals should be shipped out in mass, and that the right and ability to vote should not be universal, but limited? On foreign policy, will we see a rerun of the Neocons?
Tell us the Republican alternative to Hillary -- we'll go from there.
15
As a Democrat, for anyone considering seriously the field of potential Democrats running for president of these United States, this exceptional article is a must read:
http://www.bloombergview.com/articles/2015-06-03/why-hillary-can-t-run-o...
I served in Iraq and I can say that starting and authorizing that war was a epic fail that will likely dwarf any leadership errors we shall in the future. Bush and Hillary supported and pushed the Iraq war. Both their judgement on decision-making was and is fatally flawed.
Martin O'Malley was a mayor then and did not have a position. Lincoln Chafee was the only Republican to vote against Iraq.
Jim Webb, former Senator from Virginia, author, and decorated combat Marine wrote an oped AGAINST the Iraq war five-months before we invaded.
Hillary also later learned nothing from this, and pushed for our intervention in another Muslim country (always a winning recipe) in the case of Libya - - then again, for Syria. Did she learn nothing from 2003-2010 in Iraq? No.
She is fatally flawed in her judgement. And as these ethical conflicts, play for pay scandals involving the Clinton Foundation and her reign at State arise in growing numbers, we need to see Hillary for what she is.
Hillary is the Nixon of our era. Except, we didn't elect Nixon (I never voted for him) knowing or believing him to be dishonest or untrustworthy.
The Democratic Party deserves a real candidate, with real accomplishments.
http://www.bloombergview.com/articles/2015-06-03/why-hillary-can-t-run-o...
I served in Iraq and I can say that starting and authorizing that war was a epic fail that will likely dwarf any leadership errors we shall in the future. Bush and Hillary supported and pushed the Iraq war. Both their judgement on decision-making was and is fatally flawed.
Martin O'Malley was a mayor then and did not have a position. Lincoln Chafee was the only Republican to vote against Iraq.
Jim Webb, former Senator from Virginia, author, and decorated combat Marine wrote an oped AGAINST the Iraq war five-months before we invaded.
Hillary also later learned nothing from this, and pushed for our intervention in another Muslim country (always a winning recipe) in the case of Libya - - then again, for Syria. Did she learn nothing from 2003-2010 in Iraq? No.
She is fatally flawed in her judgement. And as these ethical conflicts, play for pay scandals involving the Clinton Foundation and her reign at State arise in growing numbers, we need to see Hillary for what she is.
Hillary is the Nixon of our era. Except, we didn't elect Nixon (I never voted for him) knowing or believing him to be dishonest or untrustworthy.
The Democratic Party deserves a real candidate, with real accomplishments.
15
Mr. Douthat, you write "...she’s almost certainly going to be the nominee..."
You do realize there hasn't been a single vote yet? Bernie Sanders has 100% of my vote, making him the front-runner in my mind. I assume you're not voting in Democratic primaries; you don't have a horse in the race. So I'm suspicious of any opinion you have regarding Democratic candidates.
You do realize there hasn't been a single vote yet? Bernie Sanders has 100% of my vote, making him the front-runner in my mind. I assume you're not voting in Democratic primaries; you don't have a horse in the race. So I'm suspicious of any opinion you have regarding Democratic candidates.
38
Yeah, Ross
I'd write about the other side too, if I were stuck with the clown car you guys are offering America. What is it, 15 now, all trying to find a new way to claim "I am not a scientist.'
We haven't heard such a consistent refrain from the right since "I was just following orders."
Sure don't envy your guys when they have to face real opposition and defend the record last time we put a "Group of Pigs" candidate in the White House; imaginary WMD, Torture, economic collapse, The more I think about it, the better Hillary looks.
I'd write about the other side too, if I were stuck with the clown car you guys are offering America. What is it, 15 now, all trying to find a new way to claim "I am not a scientist.'
We haven't heard such a consistent refrain from the right since "I was just following orders."
Sure don't envy your guys when they have to face real opposition and defend the record last time we put a "Group of Pigs" candidate in the White House; imaginary WMD, Torture, economic collapse, The more I think about it, the better Hillary looks.
22
President Obama was registering at only 9% of the votes as this same point in the 2008 presidential election. What is disturbing about Hillary Clinton's campaign is that she is so busy listening to Iowan voters about what she should be saying that she's ignoring the bigger picture. The issues that Sanders, Elizabeth Warren & Martin O'Malley are raising are actual Democratic ones as opposed to Hillary Clinton's centrist Republican-Democratic fence straddling. Making a big public announcement about single issues as Clinton did recently regarding Voter Rights, is just grandstanding. Both O'Malley as well as Sanders have already laid out their positions on Voter Rights to the press so this is nothing new or grand for the Dem. party, although gains traction because Hillary Clinton is talking about it. What she is not talking about, quite noticeably, is her plan to roll back Wall St. & the big banks with regulation similar to Glass-Steagall which Bill decimated in 1999. Bill Clinton ran a more right-wing centrist government than Nixon or Eisenhower. How does Clinton expect voters to get behind her when her closest campaign advisers are Morgan Stanley banking CEOs or Monsanto lobbyists? How can she be perceived as a Dem. candidate when she isn't even courageous enough to make a statement about TPP as she doesn't want to offend her billionaire backers in Silicon Valley, Hollywood or Wall St.? How does she explain away the spontaneous riot in Benghazi with a magical sleight of hand?
25
I will support and vote for Senator Sanders. It is time for a radical change in this nation and he is the only one who is talking about it. On issue after issue he offers solutions that I find most attractive.
The journey required to enact his plan(s) would be arduous, but the destination would be well-worth it.
I have had more than enough of the small-minded, mean-sprited, ignorance that passes for leadership these days. Politicians, pundits and celebrities are apparently free to release whatever garbage comes to mind and the media is right there to disseminate it, as if we are on some sort of national quest for self-destruction.
We are circling the drain, people.
The journey required to enact his plan(s) would be arduous, but the destination would be well-worth it.
I have had more than enough of the small-minded, mean-sprited, ignorance that passes for leadership these days. Politicians, pundits and celebrities are apparently free to release whatever garbage comes to mind and the media is right there to disseminate it, as if we are on some sort of national quest for self-destruction.
We are circling the drain, people.
42
I would certainly be happy to listen to a GOP candidate who addresses immigration, criminal justice, and voter registration as well as maintaining our infra-structure, income inequality, and health in a respectful, constructive way that indicates they are interested in the overall well-being of ALL of We, the People, and not just the gentry. If there was a single Republican candidate who is willing to present real ideas, not just "the Democrats are wrong" statements, I am sure lots and lots of people would do them the courtesy of listening.
But the truth is the Democrats have _not_ been totally wrong. The economy is growing, unemployment is down, thousands of people have health insurance. There are positive indicators that the country is in a strong recovery. But if all the GOP would-be candidates want to talk about is ending "Obamacare," barbed-wiring the borders,... or ending all government banking regulations (as Gov Perry is doing on Face The Nation as I type this) there isn't much to listen to.
Come to the podium with _ideas_ not condemnation. Approach the election as a way to say, "This is what I would do," and not "he/she is wrong-headed," and let people will weigh ideas instead of fear.
Right now, there is nothing constructive coming from the GOP Clown Cavalcade. What a sad waste of money.
http://wifelyperson.blogspot.com/
But the truth is the Democrats have _not_ been totally wrong. The economy is growing, unemployment is down, thousands of people have health insurance. There are positive indicators that the country is in a strong recovery. But if all the GOP would-be candidates want to talk about is ending "Obamacare," barbed-wiring the borders,... or ending all government banking regulations (as Gov Perry is doing on Face The Nation as I type this) there isn't much to listen to.
Come to the podium with _ideas_ not condemnation. Approach the election as a way to say, "This is what I would do," and not "he/she is wrong-headed," and let people will weigh ideas instead of fear.
Right now, there is nothing constructive coming from the GOP Clown Cavalcade. What a sad waste of money.
http://wifelyperson.blogspot.com/
11
Hillary is not Mitt, too. The democrats -- Mrs. Clinton and her sparring partners -- offer superior social and economic policies, a better governing philosophy and altogether better judgment than the other side. Whether people understand what's happening in the middle east or the trade policy, they do remember they lost their jobs, their 401Ks and many lost their homes during the last Republican Administration. It's not personal, Sonny, it's strictly business.
9
So what do you think Mr Douthat, of Marco Rubio having a billionaire sugar daddy pay his bill while he was speaker of the house in Florida. And speaking of ethics, what do you think of John Kasich, Scott Walker and Rick Perry passing laws in their respective states making it harder for minorities and the poor to vote. What do you think of the republicans passing laws that overwhelmingly favor the billionaires at the expense of the middle class and poor. Ethical?
13
The Democratic primary is a symptom of a larger problem in American politics..we appear to have a choice when we really don't.
6
Bernie doesn't need to attack Hillary's ethics. He has enough of his own policy formulations to criticize her policy, or lack thereof. He doesn't need to move further to the left; he doesn't need to do anything at all as a reaction to whatever Hillary does. He's where he needs to be and it's genuine. Immigration reform, prison reform, etc are issues, not policies. Underlying policy and philosophy are what Clinton lacks. She can flip-flop away on various issues. Bernie doesn't need to; his policy and philosophy dictate his stance on the various issues.
19
So much ink about a persumed-inevitable Hillary. This column, that column, polls, comments. What's not to love about VP Biden as POTUS? Sentences on Sanders are welcomed. Give us more to read about O'Malley. Issues and positions, please.
6
CGI maybe the only way to slow her down, but other than that Ross just get used to seeing them in the WH another 8 years. Only right wing media cares about perpetuating Benghzai falsehoods and her 'Nixonian' state dept (way to lay the groundwork for them).
Start the Ted Cruz 2024 campaign while you can.
Start the Ted Cruz 2024 campaign while you can.
1
As an Afro-American, I am also interested in the positions taken by those running for the presidency. Mr. Douthat seems to have an eye for detail when it comes to Hillary Clinton's positions on issues that concern me. I wonder what he thinks about Republican positions on issues like the criminal justice system, immigration reforms, and universal registration- all issues that directly affect Afro-Americans and other groups that are part of the American social fabric. So far, I've heard nothing from Republicans regarding their specific positions on any of these issues, just dancing around in circles at a time when my people are being shot dead or strangled by the folks who are supposed to protect them. It would be nice to have Mr. Douthat's confidence that the overall process will somehow resolve itself by some sort of organic electoral mechanism, but for me and many others like me, that confidence is sorely misplaced. Hillary Clinton is the only candidate that seems to know that people like us exist, and that we have urgent concerns directly related to our survival. She is the only candidate bringing attention to these issues at a time when they can be most directly addressed.
10
One may only await Mr. Douthat's analysis of the ethics of a Republican field that includes one gov under felony indictment, two govs determined to push their states as far right as they can in an apparent effort to make sure nobody notices their disastrous state economies, another gov who may end up undicted and who yells pretty loud so nobody will notice his state's disastrous economy, a senator who helped craft immigration reform and now pretends he never heard of it, a senator who explicitly wants us back in Iraq to stay, a senator who at least opposes the NSA but doesn't do much otherwise...
And a whole klatch of people running for goodness knows what reason, apparently on the theory that being a candidate is a bully pulpit, or maybe an episode of "Star Search."
And a whole klatch of people running for goodness knows what reason, apparently on the theory that being a candidate is a bully pulpit, or maybe an episode of "Star Search."
7
One of the reasons I read Douthat is that his columns are always thought provoking and lead me in rather unanticipated directions.
Today I was reminded of a book by Canadian academic Harold Akenson Surpassing Wonder (The Invention of the Talmuds and the Bible). In it Akenson explains how Christianity is older than modern Judaism.
American conservatism is much older than British Conservatism. This year we celebrate or mourn the 800th anniversary of the Magna Carta where American conservatism was born. British Conservatism is less than 200 years old and both British Conservatism and British Liberalism came out of the Tory government of Robert Peel where both Gladstone (LIberal) and Disraeli (Conservative) served.
American style conservatism did have its run in Britain but its heyday also saw its demise. Oliver Cromwell's "Hell on Earth) Theocracy saw the end of American style conservatism in Britain and even as social and political right wing politics such as Social Credit made its presence felt in Canada in the 20th century Cromwell's politics really never again had real traction in the UK despite great leaders like Churchill and demagogues like Burke.
I was born in ultra-conservative New France not far from the US border. My family were on both sides of the border but we all very American in our belief in separation of church and state.
When I was burn Buckley Jr was all McCarthy and CIA. I think of the tragedy that it is only 70 miles from Sharon to Cromwell, CT.
Today I was reminded of a book by Canadian academic Harold Akenson Surpassing Wonder (The Invention of the Talmuds and the Bible). In it Akenson explains how Christianity is older than modern Judaism.
American conservatism is much older than British Conservatism. This year we celebrate or mourn the 800th anniversary of the Magna Carta where American conservatism was born. British Conservatism is less than 200 years old and both British Conservatism and British Liberalism came out of the Tory government of Robert Peel where both Gladstone (LIberal) and Disraeli (Conservative) served.
American style conservatism did have its run in Britain but its heyday also saw its demise. Oliver Cromwell's "Hell on Earth) Theocracy saw the end of American style conservatism in Britain and even as social and political right wing politics such as Social Credit made its presence felt in Canada in the 20th century Cromwell's politics really never again had real traction in the UK despite great leaders like Churchill and demagogues like Burke.
I was born in ultra-conservative New France not far from the US border. My family were on both sides of the border but we all very American in our belief in separation of church and state.
When I was burn Buckley Jr was all McCarthy and CIA. I think of the tragedy that it is only 70 miles from Sharon to Cromwell, CT.
2
Let's restrict ourselves to just one example of the disingenuousness of the arguments in this column.
No, the Democratic nomination could not ever find itself "resembling a presidential re-election in Kazakhstan". What distinguishes the latter is not that there are no other candidates but that there can be no other candidates. Other candidates are precisely what the writer is trying to encourage in the rest of the article.
If other potential candidates are too cowardly, or too shrewd, to get into the contest, he'll blame Hillary for that too.
No, the Democratic nomination could not ever find itself "resembling a presidential re-election in Kazakhstan". What distinguishes the latter is not that there are no other candidates but that there can be no other candidates. Other candidates are precisely what the writer is trying to encourage in the rest of the article.
If other potential candidates are too cowardly, or too shrewd, to get into the contest, he'll blame Hillary for that too.
3
The corruption of big money cuts across both parties, but leaves Sanders untouched. The perception of a corrupted government drives down voter participation, and often leads those who do vote to favor the anti-government rhetoric of Tea Party candidates. Sanders promises to reverse the corruption of government, something no other current candidate credibly speaks to. Yes, it's a fringe position to be against corrupt government; but he can win on this, even in traditionally Republican districts. He's learned this in representing Vermont, itself traditionally of libertarian-Republican bent.
12
I will not vote for Hillary Clinton under any circumstances. I am a Democrat and I support Bernie Sanders. If Clinton is the nominee, I just WILL NOT VOTE. PERIOD.
10
"The ethical case, on the other hand, is more personal, discomfiting, and easily repurposed by Republicans" - really ? Is there any republican contender who can be giving lessons about ethics when they are bankrolled by billionaires ? The whole process is unethical (thanks to the supreme court) and we end up choosing the least worst of the candidates : we are a democracy in name only, money elect presidents , not people !
9
It may not be, but it should be, and it usually is. Actions and positions taken in the past, our habits of a lifetime, define us. There is nothing trustworthy about Hillary Clinton. Yet, you say this does not matter. That I will listen, hear and believe whatever she says about her current positions. The new Hillary, the rebundeled Hillary. Yes Americans may be stupid but are they that stupid? You say they are! Why did you need so many words to say it?
What's going to be interesting is to see how much Hillary will be "tested" and have to change her support for some policies that she is promoting now. From the "progressives" DeBlasio and Cuomo, we have poor policies, increasing taxes and diversion of funds from basic and needed services (infrastructure, police) to special constituencies (illegal immigrants, unions, etc.) without really making any real headway for bettering the life of the average citizen and taxpayer.
The middle class has been losing ground without either party really enacting policies favorable for them , and neither the Republicans nor Hillary in her new cloak of "progressive Democrat" will address them.
I'm not voting for her if she can't promote issues of interest to me - rational foreign policy (not hawkish), reducing unneeded surveillance and getting better control of the NSA/defense/war budgets, and work with Republicans to achieve consensus for important issues, without wanting a "grand" bill, like Obama keeps pushing. Her biggest weakness is that she is pushing for amnesty and benefits for illegal immigrants when her and the Democrats base loses out to this special constituency group. It's not going to be pretty and she may lose the election.
The middle class has been losing ground without either party really enacting policies favorable for them , and neither the Republicans nor Hillary in her new cloak of "progressive Democrat" will address them.
I'm not voting for her if she can't promote issues of interest to me - rational foreign policy (not hawkish), reducing unneeded surveillance and getting better control of the NSA/defense/war budgets, and work with Republicans to achieve consensus for important issues, without wanting a "grand" bill, like Obama keeps pushing. Her biggest weakness is that she is pushing for amnesty and benefits for illegal immigrants when her and the Democrats base loses out to this special constituency group. It's not going to be pretty and she may lose the election.
1
Sadly it doesn't matter to far too many in our modern electorate what position, policy statement or how left or right a particular issue is. These voters will either just vote in a rigid party line basis no matter what, or they attempt to gild themselves in imagined nobility by professing to all within earshot how "proud" they are to cast their vote for, in the case, the first woman president, regardless of whether she personally merits it or not. The same happened with
Obama.
Voting only on party affiliation or the superficially outward appearance of race or gender is foolish.
Obama.
Voting only on party affiliation or the superficially outward appearance of race or gender is foolish.
1
Stale ideas, a mish-mash of flacid concepts, dead horses that have already beaten senseless by like-minded colleagues, blind allegiance to an ideal with no real foundation or road map. This column perfectly mirrors why the Republican party is losing steam, fast.
The emperor really has no clothes.
The emperor really has no clothes.
4
Hillary has two problems: mobilizing the democrats and enticing the undecided. She doesn't pass the left's sniff test and by moving center she also makes herself more like the republicans she's running against. Bernie Sanders is correct when he says that the center has moved left. But Hillary is an old fashion centralist so she is at the extreme right of the party. She's right of Eisenhower and Nixon.
Oh, she can win the nomination, but I don't envy the campaigners who try to sell Hillary in people's living rooms. Since I will likely be one of them, it is not a task I will enjoy. I guess I'll wear lots of cologne and hope the smell doesn't rub off.
Oh, she can win the nomination, but I don't envy the campaigners who try to sell Hillary in people's living rooms. Since I will likely be one of them, it is not a task I will enjoy. I guess I'll wear lots of cologne and hope the smell doesn't rub off.
1
Dear Mr. Douthat,
Thanks for the "psychoanalysis" of the Democrats running for president. It was actually pretty easy for you since there are only 4, all of them 'declared'.
But not a word about the opponents?
I get it: the column would be too long with trying to determine who is 'officially' in, who's got a 'big announcement' coming soon and pondering what you could possibly say in support of Mr. Graham's 'campaign' (Somehow, a 'nuke in every garage' seems not a good campaign slogan).
So it's obvious you have to dissect the Democratic candidates. Rightfully so for if the GOP/TP/KOCH AFFILIATE manages to fumble the coming election I would assume, like lemmings, the entire lot of them will run off the nearest cliff because:
a. They were the first to lose 'twice' to a black man (No "Swift Boating" here)
b. Being the first to lose to a woman would be another crippling blow to the Conservative ego
c. They are the only party to have a president resign in disgrace (Not germane here, but it's always fun to kick Mr. Nixon around).
How about a column about Ms. Clinton's grandchild? When will the child 'announce'? What 'baggage' does the offspring bring to the table?
Do it first and beat "Fox News" to the punch!
Thanks for the "psychoanalysis" of the Democrats running for president. It was actually pretty easy for you since there are only 4, all of them 'declared'.
But not a word about the opponents?
I get it: the column would be too long with trying to determine who is 'officially' in, who's got a 'big announcement' coming soon and pondering what you could possibly say in support of Mr. Graham's 'campaign' (Somehow, a 'nuke in every garage' seems not a good campaign slogan).
So it's obvious you have to dissect the Democratic candidates. Rightfully so for if the GOP/TP/KOCH AFFILIATE manages to fumble the coming election I would assume, like lemmings, the entire lot of them will run off the nearest cliff because:
a. They were the first to lose 'twice' to a black man (No "Swift Boating" here)
b. Being the first to lose to a woman would be another crippling blow to the Conservative ego
c. They are the only party to have a president resign in disgrace (Not germane here, but it's always fun to kick Mr. Nixon around).
How about a column about Ms. Clinton's grandchild? When will the child 'announce'? What 'baggage' does the offspring bring to the table?
Do it first and beat "Fox News" to the punch!
5
It is very doubtful that Hillary Clinton's theory seems to be that the political center has moved leftward.
Hillary is the only candidate that has had personal contacts with all leaders of advanced nations. She is well aware that what is called 'the left' here is smack in the middle of the political spectrum in democracies across the world. Even David Cameron and Angela Merkel wouldn't have an iota of a chance of becoming leaders of the so-called conservatives in this nation.
Not Hillary, nor the Democratic party have moved 'left'. The gulf between our two parties now seems larger than than both oceans due to the arch-right Tea-Party dominated Republicans having marched in lockstep close to the abyss of fascism.
And yes, the latter party's candidates for president all wrap themselves in the flag and carry a cross, as Sinclair Lewis warned about already 80 years ago.
Hillary is the only candidate that has had personal contacts with all leaders of advanced nations. She is well aware that what is called 'the left' here is smack in the middle of the political spectrum in democracies across the world. Even David Cameron and Angela Merkel wouldn't have an iota of a chance of becoming leaders of the so-called conservatives in this nation.
Not Hillary, nor the Democratic party have moved 'left'. The gulf between our two parties now seems larger than than both oceans due to the arch-right Tea-Party dominated Republicans having marched in lockstep close to the abyss of fascism.
And yes, the latter party's candidates for president all wrap themselves in the flag and carry a cross, as Sinclair Lewis warned about already 80 years ago.
8
If i was Ross i would worry about the Republican field.
7
Ross Bernie has a message that resonates with those outside the beltway bubble, stay tuned.
12
Mr. Douthat,
Do you really think any of the other Dem hopefuls are seriously thinking they have a chance? I think they're just trying to influence the debate and Dem platform.
Do you really think any of the other Dem hopefuls are seriously thinking they have a chance? I think they're just trying to influence the debate and Dem platform.
1
Ross,
It will be a great thing if any contestants, Democratic or Republican, try to run using a totally puffed-up argument about "ethics" to try to smear Future President Clinton.
At a time when the GOP is probably the dirtiest, most corrupt party in human history; where a significant majority of the "young" candidates are mere puppets on strings played by ALEC; where the rest have, apparently, been engaged in criminal behavior since high school..... I don't think an OMG-Hillary's-Ethics! campaign will be a bad thing, at all!
It will be fun to watch all the pygmies of the right twist and turn in the wind, with this theme. Perhaps after the election we'll be able to use the ALEC puppet strings for better use, say, floss bikinis on Miami beaches?
It will be a great thing if any contestants, Democratic or Republican, try to run using a totally puffed-up argument about "ethics" to try to smear Future President Clinton.
At a time when the GOP is probably the dirtiest, most corrupt party in human history; where a significant majority of the "young" candidates are mere puppets on strings played by ALEC; where the rest have, apparently, been engaged in criminal behavior since high school..... I don't think an OMG-Hillary's-Ethics! campaign will be a bad thing, at all!
It will be fun to watch all the pygmies of the right twist and turn in the wind, with this theme. Perhaps after the election we'll be able to use the ALEC puppet strings for better use, say, floss bikinis on Miami beaches?
7
Republican nirvana; get left wing Dems to force Clinton from the race before it begins so they can have the ultra-left, socialist BS as their candidate. The result will be a Republican victory far greater than the George McGovern debacle and with it, kiss good-by to all those things we want, like universal health care, universal voting rights, reproductive rights and minority rights, Medicare and SS as well as public education and say hello to vouchers, endless religious wars and your friends on the far right.
2
The glaring omission in Douhat's column is, of course, any mention of policy or experience since the GOP candidates all lack the necessary CV and or temperment for the Oval Office.
When you can't deny your opponents impressive background and gravitas you attack them on a personal level with the GOP branded "Politics of personal destruction" - a term, not coincidentally, coined by the Clintons.
When you can't deny your opponents impressive background and gravitas you attack them on a personal level with the GOP branded "Politics of personal destruction" - a term, not coincidentally, coined by the Clintons.
5
I am betting on Bernie Sanders and Lincoln Chafee...to lead the debates
....and putting the Democratic Party back into focus on what those
who PAC fund Hillary do not want brought to light..
viz. TTP ...Foreign Policy....Taxes...there is a long long list which Hillary
is evading....which Sanders and Chafee will address clearly.
....and putting the Democratic Party back into focus on what those
who PAC fund Hillary do not want brought to light..
viz. TTP ...Foreign Policy....Taxes...there is a long long list which Hillary
is evading....which Sanders and Chafee will address clearly.
8
HC may be many things but she is not lucky. It is the Republicans turn at the presidency: People are tired of the Dems the same way they were tired of the Republicans, and the Republican candidates look more youthful and vital. I really doubt that America will ever have a president who is over 60.
3
Frank Bruni does a much better job of embodying Democrat's complaints about the Clintons. And mind you, Bernie Sanders is not an extremist, but a reasonable man with good actions and ideas that will help us all as he challenges Clinton from the left. There is too much catering to moneyed interests, and we all know that civilizations have collapsed when they enable sociopaths and absolute power corrupts absolutely.
http://www.nytimes.com/2015/06/07/opinion/sunday/frank-bruni-hillary-the...
Many have pointed out that the Clintons, having been professionally demonized, legitimately and illegimately, since they arrived on the world's stage, are still better human beings than a single surviving candidate on the right. The magic thinking haters are prone to eliminate real conservatives and old-fashioned Republicans, who had real ideas, not just hate and desire to control others, especially women and the poor.
So while we love Bernie, we'll stick with Hillary, thank you very much.
The Republicans have already been outed for trolling on the other side. Any opportunity to deceive and promote enmity is meat and drink to them.
http://www.nytimes.com/2015/06/07/opinion/sunday/frank-bruni-hillary-the...
Many have pointed out that the Clintons, having been professionally demonized, legitimately and illegimately, since they arrived on the world's stage, are still better human beings than a single surviving candidate on the right. The magic thinking haters are prone to eliminate real conservatives and old-fashioned Republicans, who had real ideas, not just hate and desire to control others, especially women and the poor.
So while we love Bernie, we'll stick with Hillary, thank you very much.
The Republicans have already been outed for trolling on the other side. Any opportunity to deceive and promote enmity is meat and drink to them.
6
The give-away here is that personal attacks on Hillary Clinton presage what the GOP plans to do in the general election.
It's all they have. Personal attacks. If they debate the issues, they'll lose. So character assassination is the way to go.
That, alone, is reason enough to vote for the Democrat in 2016.
It's all they have. Personal attacks. If they debate the issues, they'll lose. So character assassination is the way to go.
That, alone, is reason enough to vote for the Democrat in 2016.
8
I think, Mr. Douthat, that you seriously underestimate the appeal of Bernie Sander's character, track record, and platform.
It was once written about Harry Truman, "You never had to wonder what Harry Truman was up to. He told you what he was up to. And as they said of him back in Independence, Missouri, he was a man of his word."
It's the same with Bernie Sanders. He tells you in clear, simple language what he thinks and what he intends to do. His political positions have been consistent throughout his career.
The great majority of our country's people are deeply frustrated and disillusioned with the current state of politics. They sense, correctly, that their interests and concerns have no effective representation, that government now serves only the rich. They understand that serious changes in our method of operation are needed if we are not to go the way of the Roman Empire. Or worse.
The fact that polling shows majority support for so many of Sanders' positions is not due to Sanders tailoring his positions to the polls. It is, rather, that the public has recently come into general alignment with Bernie Sanders' point of view.
Sanders' time has come. He is calling for a political revolution to address the grotesque inequities and injustices of our present burlesque of a democratic republic.
Better a political revolution than some of the other ways this unsustainable situation could be resolved.
It was once written about Harry Truman, "You never had to wonder what Harry Truman was up to. He told you what he was up to. And as they said of him back in Independence, Missouri, he was a man of his word."
It's the same with Bernie Sanders. He tells you in clear, simple language what he thinks and what he intends to do. His political positions have been consistent throughout his career.
The great majority of our country's people are deeply frustrated and disillusioned with the current state of politics. They sense, correctly, that their interests and concerns have no effective representation, that government now serves only the rich. They understand that serious changes in our method of operation are needed if we are not to go the way of the Roman Empire. Or worse.
The fact that polling shows majority support for so many of Sanders' positions is not due to Sanders tailoring his positions to the polls. It is, rather, that the public has recently come into general alignment with Bernie Sanders' point of view.
Sanders' time has come. He is calling for a political revolution to address the grotesque inequities and injustices of our present burlesque of a democratic republic.
Better a political revolution than some of the other ways this unsustainable situation could be resolved.
26
I'm supporting Bernie Sanders since I'm as far to the left as he is.And YES,Hillary is more Hawkish than,given that I never supported us invading Iraq. BUT,Hillary is far more dovish than the GOP line up,with the exception of Rand Paul,but beyond foreign policy he gives no reasons to vote for him.So,as long as he stays in the running,I'll support Bernie.But in the very likely event she gets the Democratic nomination it will be without hesitation and without reservations that I will vote for Hillary.
18
Mr. Douthat credits the American electorate with far more perscipacity and political awareness than they deserve.Nuanced arguments that he makes for and against Hillary go over the heads of the majority of voters who realize that it is not politicians who make the decisions that affect their everyday lives, but large corporations. Think of the hundreds of technical experts recently laid off by Disney in favor of the foreign born, mainly from India, who will work for lower wages and scaled back benefits. Where is the public outrage over that?This is a trend that is just beginning to pick up steam. Add to that the amalgamation of the two main parties, Democrat and Republican into one "parti unique." I cannot think of any one of Obama's policies that would be overturned, even if the G0P won the Presidency in 2016: Repeal of liberal immigration policies:not a chance.Repeal of the ACA:no way. Reduction of numbers on welfare? If this were proposed by a GOP presidency, there would be rioting in the streets. I hate to sound like a gloomy Gus, but the political system is held hostage, and will continue to be held hostage by large corporations. When I look at the American political landscape, I feel as though I am reading a Thomas Hardy novel in which nothing ever changes. Policies enacted over past decades by Congress and the White House, which policies are business friendly, will continue to be implemented, and that is as inevitable as death and taxes.
4
I love what I'm reading about Bernie Sanders and his positions on a variety of topics. But, alas, I'm guessing he's just a bit too radical left-ish to get the support he'd need to win the nomination of his party and then to win the White House.
What it will really come down to is, vote for Hillary, or vote for one of the GOP candidates.
That seems an easy choice.
What it will really come down to is, vote for Hillary, or vote for one of the GOP candidates.
That seems an easy choice.
13
Attacking Hillary's ethics from the other side of the aisle is the pot calling the kettle black.
For sure, we'd like to get all that money out of politics.
Until then, however, I'll take the ethics of the candidate willing to right the tilted playing field that currently favors the rich over the working American.
For sure, we'd like to get all that money out of politics.
Until then, however, I'll take the ethics of the candidate willing to right the tilted playing field that currently favors the rich over the working American.
2
Running Against Hillary
Progressive Democrats do not have a choice as to who to vote for . The Democratic nominee for President. must be Hillary, she is by far the most electable candidate.
.Her so called baggage will prove to be of no consequence, nor stop her from becoming President.The country is ready for female leadership, & the Republicans have nothing but empty suits to run against her.More than ever, the 2016 election is one of the most important elections in my lifetime.It is a battle between a progressive Democratic party ,against a bible thumping
group of Republican reactionaries.
Progressive Democrats do not have a choice as to who to vote for . The Democratic nominee for President. must be Hillary, she is by far the most electable candidate.
.Her so called baggage will prove to be of no consequence, nor stop her from becoming President.The country is ready for female leadership, & the Republicans have nothing but empty suits to run against her.More than ever, the 2016 election is one of the most important elections in my lifetime.It is a battle between a progressive Democratic party ,against a bible thumping
group of Republican reactionaries.
5
The situation and the calculus for Democratic voters and candidates seem less complicated than presented here. No matter where Hillary Clinton comes out on the progressive spectrum, those who vote for her primary challengers will favor her over whoever the Republicans nominate - trumped up ethical charges notwithstanding. O'Malley seems positioning for a cabinet post [his roots in progressive Maryland wouldn't make him much of a complement as VP candidate]. Sanders is the most consistent and principled candidate in either party, and will encourage a lively debate that will prepare Ms. Clinton better for the national election. On Mr. Chafee ... I don't have a view.
1
How do you win when your negatives are greater than your positives? Even if Hillary wins the whole thing, how will she be able to govern with so many against her character? It would be a Phyrric victory, not worth the pain.
It doesn't really matter who the Democrats nominate as their leader; the race comes down to the Independent votes (where I am), & so we'll see where they go on this one.
It doesn't really matter who the Democrats nominate as their leader; the race comes down to the Independent votes (where I am), & so we'll see where they go on this one.
1
I will vote for Hillary just to keep the GOP from nominating the next Supreme court justice,...or two,..or maybe three.
1
Bernie Saunders, Lincoln Chaffee, and Martin O'Malley aren't necessarily running to unseat Clinton's presumptive nomination; but to expand the conversation through the presidential campaign, which would otherwise have Republican clown-car candidates sucking up all the oxygen, forcing Clinton even further to the right because that's where all the action burns.
So yes, they deserve a great deal of thanks, but not for the reasons Douthat thinks in the offensive screed. Liberal is not a four letter word, and maybe someday, Douthat can find a way to take exception with liberals without verbally spitting all over them. That's so last decade.
So yes, they deserve a great deal of thanks, but not for the reasons Douthat thinks in the offensive screed. Liberal is not a four letter word, and maybe someday, Douthat can find a way to take exception with liberals without verbally spitting all over them. That's so last decade.
8
Give Bernie Sanders even a bit more credit: he is not strategizing. He is just saying what needs to be said, and what he has been saying all along.
The Republicans will continue to point at how Hillary has been 'fattening' herself in the interim, to take attention away from their suckling at the teat of the Kochs and other billionaires. And just how much has Jeb been 'fattening' himself in the intervening years? And at what cost to integrity? And the others?
On the ethical level, this will be a contest of pot-kettle-black. And truth be told, next to the billionaires, the 'plump' Clintons are barely valets.
The Republicans will continue to point at how Hillary has been 'fattening' herself in the interim, to take attention away from their suckling at the teat of the Kochs and other billionaires. And just how much has Jeb been 'fattening' himself in the intervening years? And at what cost to integrity? And the others?
On the ethical level, this will be a contest of pot-kettle-black. And truth be told, next to the billionaires, the 'plump' Clintons are barely valets.
11
As an advocate of "permanent devolution", you as a Republican, Mr. Douthat, will cast your vote for any of the "dirty dozen" currently vying for your party's standard. Any opinion concerning Hillary Clinton or Bernie Sanders coming from you, in regard to ethics or morality, will be weighed against your propensity to delegate sacrifice & duty to others. You are truly exceptional.
5
Douthat says "So all that really remains for her would-be challengers is to attack her ethics."
Right. Now, if we can just find some.
Right. Now, if we can just find some.
1
Hilary's best chance for victory is for the Republicans to nominate Jeb Bush.
1
Any one is Hillary's best chance.
1
Perhaps what we are really seeing is other Democratic hopefuls (Bernie Sanders notwithstanding) doing what many in the gaggle of Republican candidates are presently doing: merely running to be a Vice Presidential candidate.
1
Sins and misdemeanors that would have already disqualified a lesser candidate? Honestly, after listening to Republicans smear Hillary Clinton for several decades, then having them use those never ending smears and unfounded accusations as proof that she is corrupt makes my fingers itch to pull that voting lever for her.
There are many(much) lesser candidates, Ross. Just look at your own party.
There are many(much) lesser candidates, Ross. Just look at your own party.
8
Yes - we are all duly warned about the consequences of a Hillary Clinton presidency. But whatever that means, it pales in contrast to the unimaginable dismay of a (God-forbid) Scott Walker or Carly Fiorina or Chris Christie or Bobby Jindal or Jeb Bush or Mike Huckabee or Ben Carson or Rick Santorum or Rick Perry, etc.
15
Democratic politicians like the Clintons have actually made politicians like the anti working class, Koch Brothers created Scott Walker serious candidates because they are in the pockets of the Wall Street crowd and therefore cannot offer a serious economic reform program to the White working class, who then are the victims of demagogues on the right.
A suggested slogan for the Clinton campaign: "The best of a bad bunch."
Among Douthat's suggestions to put down Hillary is for adversaries to attack "the way her family fattened itself on global tribute during her recent public service" Right, Ross, the kind of ethics lapse best exemplified by the person whom you probably consider an exemplary president, the late, unlamented Ronald Reagan, who accepted, (required?) 2 million dollars for a speech in Japan.
Ah, the joys of convenient forgetfulness!
Ah, the joys of convenient forgetfulness!
77
Still trying to make counterpoints with a supposed example from thirty years ago? Reagan is passed, we're discussing Hillary today. Such tactics, while pleasing to those who still can't get Ronnie (or W) out of their craw, really aren't that effective, especially to the many young voters who weren't even around then.
2
Political candidates are not required to specifically carve out positions to the left and right of each other.
If you believe that's so, then it makes sense to say, if other candidates are not significantly different from Hillary, they shouldn't run, since she "got here first."
There is no "got here first." Or at least there shouldn't be.
Who gets into the White House is a choice for the voters to make. And they shouldn't have their choices "pre-chosen" depending on how close or far someone is to Hillary.
I like Bernie. And it's not just how close or far he is from Hillary. It's because I trust him.
If you believe that's so, then it makes sense to say, if other candidates are not significantly different from Hillary, they shouldn't run, since she "got here first."
There is no "got here first." Or at least there shouldn't be.
Who gets into the White House is a choice for the voters to make. And they shouldn't have their choices "pre-chosen" depending on how close or far someone is to Hillary.
I like Bernie. And it's not just how close or far he is from Hillary. It's because I trust him.
43
The other Democrats ARE polishing their swords in the face of windmills, so it's not even a contest. It would have been more interesting if Douhat had actually diagnosed the role of Sanders and O'Malley in a manner that makes sense politically, even for him. Sanders will play the moral conscience of the Party, and remind people that it's not all about Hillary and Wall Street, or the Clinton Foundation. O'Malley represents a progressive view from a reasonably progressive state (Maryland) from someone who's fiftyish. He may have the capacity to gather younger voters to Hillary's campaign over time, even though the resonance to people in their 20's and 30's is still unproven (eg Maryland's education system, or what is happening in Wisconsin).
Both candidates will eventually know when it's pointless to continue, and support Hillary. Whatever it's worth, it could increase voter turn-out. If Sanders won't throw his support behind Hillary due to her rubbing elbows with the 0.01%, then it will hurt her, but he'll only be perceived as a sore loser. America hates that.
If there's a warning to be sounded, it should be to alert American voters that the GOP has no soul, and no ideas to remedy the systemic problems that we face. Surviving wars over a pile of rocks in lands 7,000 miles away, or fighting the culture wars are not the priorities now. Rebuilding infrastructure, and providing decent education and health care at reasonable prices are.
Both candidates will eventually know when it's pointless to continue, and support Hillary. Whatever it's worth, it could increase voter turn-out. If Sanders won't throw his support behind Hillary due to her rubbing elbows with the 0.01%, then it will hurt her, but he'll only be perceived as a sore loser. America hates that.
If there's a warning to be sounded, it should be to alert American voters that the GOP has no soul, and no ideas to remedy the systemic problems that we face. Surviving wars over a pile of rocks in lands 7,000 miles away, or fighting the culture wars are not the priorities now. Rebuilding infrastructure, and providing decent education and health care at reasonable prices are.
27
Sanders, O'Malley, Chafee... none of them come close to putting a scare into Hillary. Warren? Now that's another story.
5
Maybe after Hillary's second term?
Personally, I'm supporting Senator Bernie Sanders. I just hope he stays in the race long enough for me to vote for him in my state's primary.
Why do I support Bernie over Hillary? Because I don't think he will sell me out to Wall Street, big business and the billionaire class. As president he may be a bust due to Republican intransigence but I know Bernie's on my side no matter what. Hillary? Well...she's better than a Bush.
Why do I support Bernie over Hillary? Because I don't think he will sell me out to Wall Street, big business and the billionaire class. As president he may be a bust due to Republican intransigence but I know Bernie's on my side no matter what. Hillary? Well...she's better than a Bush.
36
Douthat's fantasies about what Democratic candidates ought to do notwithstanding, I think Senator Sanders formulation is perfect: "I'm not running against Hillary. I'm running against the billionaires."
65
Listen carefully, Mr. Douthat: What Republicans call "flip-flopping," Democrats call "learn-ing." Mental acuity and flexibility will be great assets for either Hillary Clinton or Bernie Sanders if opponents attempt to play the age card. They will help to draw stark contrasts with the rigidity of younger candidates such as Marco Rubio, who seems barely capable of parroting the stale ideas of his financial puppet masters.
24
In following Hilary Clinton's campaign, the author notes that "her big policy statements – on criminal justice reform, immigration, and now universal voter registration – have all aligned her explicitly with the party’s activists, and to an extent many them did not expect." I disagree. While certainly these issues are important, she has yet to explicitly and consistently voice her stand on the most pertinent issues facing the majority of Americans- such as income and political inequality, unemployment, climate change, the TPP trade deal, the NSA spying program, foreign policy and campaign finance (Citizen's United). I'll add that to most political activists (and to the liberal base of the party), this evasiveness is not entirely unexpected. In sharp contrast, Bernie Sanders has clearly, consistently and persistently voiced his position on these most critical issues, while holding to principle and not accepting corporate donations. So while Clinton may have clout, experience and corporate money to back her, I believe the author is premature and presumptuous in stating that "she’s almost certainly going to be the nominee." Call me naive and old fashioned, but at this point, I'm still hoping that consistently held principles and a focus on front seat progressive issues, both on record and in explicit statements, can rival esoteric rhetoric, political hedging and monied interests.
16
Bill,
Hillary has voiced her opinion about citizens united and campaign finance. We know she is on the same side of the issue as Sanders.
You claim that he is not subject to political hedging and monied interests but we on the left have to see that our monied interests in part are the unions and organized labor. And Labor's insistence that democrats will not see any money from labor if they vote for TPP is where we see progressive politicians hog-tied by monied interests. That TPP is the third rail for democrats this election cycle has everything to do with labor's money threats and little to do with Democrats voting their beliefs. We all owe a great deal to organized labor for what they've contributed to this country and yet they are not right this time in their backward-looking stance on trade deals or their tactics. As a union member who sides with Obama on this issue (and finds his views much more progressive in this case and forward looking). In this way it is hard to read your letter here.
Bernie should not be the standard bearer of a party he won't even join: that would be non-sensical.
Hillary has voiced her opinion about citizens united and campaign finance. We know she is on the same side of the issue as Sanders.
You claim that he is not subject to political hedging and monied interests but we on the left have to see that our monied interests in part are the unions and organized labor. And Labor's insistence that democrats will not see any money from labor if they vote for TPP is where we see progressive politicians hog-tied by monied interests. That TPP is the third rail for democrats this election cycle has everything to do with labor's money threats and little to do with Democrats voting their beliefs. We all owe a great deal to organized labor for what they've contributed to this country and yet they are not right this time in their backward-looking stance on trade deals or their tactics. As a union member who sides with Obama on this issue (and finds his views much more progressive in this case and forward looking). In this way it is hard to read your letter here.
Bernie should not be the standard bearer of a party he won't even join: that would be non-sensical.
Re Hillary not talking about issues like income inequality ,unemployment, etc. The campaign has just begun. We have plenty of time before the primaries and a year and a half before the election. I'm sure we will hear about all of the issues you mention.
2
Strong front-runner make everyone better, and for that we should thank both the front-runner and the 'hopefuls'.... this can be constructive...
The alternative is the straight-teeth gang from the other side of the aisle, all in love with their own reflections while ignoring their GOP opponents...
But that's what comes of a party whose main ideas for the last eight years have been about obstruction rather than construction...
Hey, but Christie might make a helluva good goalie !
The alternative is the straight-teeth gang from the other side of the aisle, all in love with their own reflections while ignoring their GOP opponents...
But that's what comes of a party whose main ideas for the last eight years have been about obstruction rather than construction...
Hey, but Christie might make a helluva good goalie !
6
O'Malley is the only one who comes from a former Confederate state... although most of its combatant citizens fought for the North, and we usually think of Maryland as a border state. The majority of the Republican aspirants come from former Confederate slave states. It would be ridiculous to compare O'Malley with them because he is obviously more in tune with his Northern competitors. There is more to this intellectual division than we are wont to talk about, but it explains a lot about our Congressional malaise.
1
Maryland remained in the Union, and was not a Confederate State.
Mr. Douhat would be better served by trying to understand why the many candidates from his preferred party are pandering to a minority of reactionary, right wing wackos and why they are so obviously the puppets of big oil interests.
For me the election has already been decided. I am somewhat disappointed by Barack Obama but the GOP has completely and totally disgraced itself over the last six years.
For me the election has already been decided. I am somewhat disappointed by Barack Obama but the GOP has completely and totally disgraced itself over the last six years.
27
Ethics? Seriously? I will buy that after I see Republicans investigated to the extent that the Clintons have been investigated over the past 20 years.
11
Indeed.
I'd take Bill Clinton's ethics over Hastert's, Livingston's and Gingrich's.
I'd take Gore and Kerry's ethics over Bush, Cheyney and Rumsfeld's.
I'd take Hillary's ethics over Jeb's, Marco's, and Perry's (indicted).
Bring it on, I say.
I'd take Bill Clinton's ethics over Hastert's, Livingston's and Gingrich's.
I'd take Gore and Kerry's ethics over Bush, Cheyney and Rumsfeld's.
I'd take Hillary's ethics over Jeb's, Marco's, and Perry's (indicted).
Bring it on, I say.
Already one is everlastingly tired: tired of the media's frenzied rush to crown candidates at the first opportunity for lack of imagination; tired of the mega-million lottery the presidential campaign has become; tired of the corruption the insiders like Billary represent, with their sinister unseen pipeline to the Russian oil oligarchs among other contributory giants of their unsavory, best unexamined Clinton Foundation...same can be said for the old soup of the Bush family. The USA is showing the world that its political system is a worn-out, osteoarthritic failure by presenting dynastic candidates to the exclusion of new faces and ideas.
13
In following the campaign of Hilary Clinton, the author notes that her focus has been on issues such as immigration, criminal justice and voter registration which "have all aligned her explicitly with the party’s activists, and to an extent many them did not expect." I disagree. While certainly these issues are important, they are not the most pressing- and her lack of explicit alignment with party activists (and base, mind you) on issues such as unemployment, income and political inequality, climate change, Trans Pacific Trade deal, NSA programs and foreign policy has been remarkable, but not unexpected. In sharp contrast, in following the campaign of Bernie Sanders, it is notable that his focus has been vociferously consistent on these most pressing issues. So while Hilary Clinton may have the experience, the clout and the financial resources (corporate donations), it is a bit presumptuous for the author to claim that "she’s almost certainly going to be the nominee." Call me old-fashioned, but at this point, I'm still hoping that values and principles based on political records and explicit campaigning can still rival those based on esoteric rhetoric and political hedging.
58
Well said, thank you, Bill. The manner in which Hillary Clinton's media machine operates including her Gen X video candidacy video roll out & carefully orchestrated backdrops specifically targeting potential voter blocks is in stark contrast to Bernie Sanders no nonsense & unpretentious announcement which addressed all of the important issues one by one then swiftly got back to the business of serving the country. Hillary Clinton has hired a Google top executive to guide her social media campaign as well as the Morgan Stanley CEO, Tim Nides, longtime husband of Virginia Moseley, the VP & top deputy Washington bureau chief for CNN since 2012 to curry favor with cable TV outlets. While Sanders has a record of voting no to the war in Iraq, tackling income inequality, raising the minimum wage, overturning Citizens United, creating job growth, reversing climate change, reining in Wall St w/ tighter regulations, supporting Universities, ending the US non-stop war machine, closing tax loopholes for the wealthy, protecting the most vulnerable & criticising TPP, Hillary has remained silent on the big issues. As Sanders said: “Enough is enough. This great nation & its government belong to all of the people, and not to a handful of billionaires, their Super-PACs & their lobbyists.” Vote for Sanders or O'Malley not the same old, same old Clinton II entrenched Washington DC dinosaur who is beholden to corporate, Wall St, Hollywood, Silicon Valley & Clinton Foundation millionaire donators.
1
Bernie Sanders is a joke in every area of the country except the liberal northeast. He has as much a shot at being elected president as Norman Thomas did. I dare Democrats to nominate him.
3
To Hankfromthebank: You "dare" the democrats to nominate him. What are you, in middle school? Well, I double dare you to nominate Cruz...LOL
Who's Norman Thomas?
hank,
You may be right, Bernie Sanders may be the only candidate capable of saving the country from itself and yet his chances of winning are slim indeed. I guess the Bee Gees understood America's future when twelve years before Reagan they wrote "I started a joke that started a joke that started the whole world crying."
You may be right, Bernie Sanders may be the only candidate capable of saving the country from itself and yet his chances of winning are slim indeed. I guess the Bee Gees understood America's future when twelve years before Reagan they wrote "I started a joke that started a joke that started the whole world crying."
1
From the Republican candidates, we will hear far more reflexive negativism about Hillary Clinton than actual policy, and what we hear on policy will be red-meat base pander. At least from the Democratic challengers to Hillary Clinton, we will hear policy discussion, and we will hear her answer cogently on policy, not with the anger-mongering sound bites that pass for Republican political discourse. That's because Democrats actually want to govern, while Republicans merely want power. Ted Cruz's tasteless joke about Vice President Joe Biden is typical of Republican political discourse; toss out a smear, get a big laugh. Brace yourself for more of it, but I'm very sure that the Democratic candidates are much more grown-up than anything on the right.
14
I would suggest that Mr Douhat look closer to home for a solution to his problem with Hillary. If the Republicans would just throw all the Bozos out of the Clown Car and nominate a real candidate, Americans could have a real choice. At the moment the only good thing coming out of the Republican nominating process is the potential for a hilarious series of presidential debates.
29
Even more hilarious, on the Republican side, will be the belly-aching clowns who can't even fit into the car (debates) because of their pitiful standing in the polls.
1
In the week of Dennis Hastert, how can Republicans have the chutzpah to run against Clinton ethics? The American political class is deeply corrupt. The Clintons are just good at what they do.
11
Ross, I could give a hoot about what a public official does other than represent me. I want a President who will support programs that help people and oppose programs that enrich arms manufacturers and reward corporate bad behavior.
So, any hesitation I have about HRC has more to do with her neocon foreign affairs leanings than whether a charity she and her husband run has done good for her as well as its millions of recipients.
Sometimes I just sit back and enjoy the spectacle of Republicans grasping at straws in an attempt to blacken the reputation of leading Democrats. You must envy the ease with which we can point out Christie's indictments, Walker's auctioning off to the highest bidder what once was a great Progressive state, Bush's culling of the voting rolls just prior to the great heist of 2000, .... According to this article, I should care about the gifts Mike Huckabee received and kept when he was Governor of Arkansas. I don't. What I do care about is that Huckabee has declared that rulings of the Supreme Court are moot if they conflict with the dictates of the Deity as told to Mike Huckabee. Sounds a lot like how Iran's run. Elect a President, get ruled by an Ayatollah!
Back to Hillary: Will any of the Democratic challengers go on and on about her email accounts or Benghazi? Will any bring up Vince Foster? (You know he's on Karl Rove's yellow pad.) No, they'll confront her on her willingness to go along with Shock and Awe. As will we. Move On, Ross.
So, any hesitation I have about HRC has more to do with her neocon foreign affairs leanings than whether a charity she and her husband run has done good for her as well as its millions of recipients.
Sometimes I just sit back and enjoy the spectacle of Republicans grasping at straws in an attempt to blacken the reputation of leading Democrats. You must envy the ease with which we can point out Christie's indictments, Walker's auctioning off to the highest bidder what once was a great Progressive state, Bush's culling of the voting rolls just prior to the great heist of 2000, .... According to this article, I should care about the gifts Mike Huckabee received and kept when he was Governor of Arkansas. I don't. What I do care about is that Huckabee has declared that rulings of the Supreme Court are moot if they conflict with the dictates of the Deity as told to Mike Huckabee. Sounds a lot like how Iran's run. Elect a President, get ruled by an Ayatollah!
Back to Hillary: Will any of the Democratic challengers go on and on about her email accounts or Benghazi? Will any bring up Vince Foster? (You know he's on Karl Rove's yellow pad.) No, they'll confront her on her willingness to go along with Shock and Awe. As will we. Move On, Ross.
16
I began reading the article with trepidation fearing a scalping of progressive policies and in particular the Clinton's. Instead I read a thoughtful piece that articulated everything that the Democrats fear about a Hillary candidacy but are afraid to say publicly lest they get another Bush or worse yet a Scott Walker or Ted Cruz! Credit must be given however for the absolute shameless way the Clinton's conduct themselves on issues of public policy and personal integrity yet remain integral to the political scene and a major force to be reckoned with. God help those brave souls that wage a campaign against her or dare criticize as they will encounter the wrath of both Bill and Hillary and history has taught us they do not stop until they vanquish their perceived " enemies".
6
Meanwhile, the Republican candidates will run with the support of the kindly, highly moral Koch Brothers et al. All of a sudden Americans are bad with the idea of capitalism? The fault, dear Ross, lies with the political system, not the Clintons. They're only doing what every single candidate is doing, only better.
7
Don't believe the "vanquished" Obama.
1
The thing is Bill and Hillary do not need to stoop to that level and only hurt the cause and the people they claim they stand for.
KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK I hope that the writer will keep up the good work of talking about everything but the fact that the Republicans cannot find a decent candidate to stand in the upcoming elections in 2016. Their campaign tactics show as much disdain for the political process as the legislators show for governance. From their vantage point, it looks to me like they wonder how many red herrings, paper dragons and straw men can dance on the head of a voter. I'm sure that menagerie will grow with time. But we're talking about our government, of, by and for the people. Not a zoo. Get real!
19
To paraphrase Pete Townsend: We Won't Be Fooled Again… and to refresh the memory of those who missed The Who or forget that song, here's how it ended: "Meet the new boss… Same as the old boss"
4
yes, clinton — the clintons — will say what they need to say but their words have no connection to action. their words are merely a means to their desired end...enduring political power.
6
If all I had to choose between was Rodham Clinton and any of the Republican yahoos that have declared their candidacy, it would be easy--she'd be my choice.
But I don't have to do that anymore--Bernie Sanders is in the race and he's real and not behooven to anyone but Bernie.
Maybe he's too liberal for you Mr. Douthat, but from what I've read of your writings, that doesn't bother me. He's real and I feel I can trust him. The rest of the folks...not on my life!
But I don't have to do that anymore--Bernie Sanders is in the race and he's real and not behooven to anyone but Bernie.
Maybe he's too liberal for you Mr. Douthat, but from what I've read of your writings, that doesn't bother me. He's real and I feel I can trust him. The rest of the folks...not on my life!
34
Or - and I'm just throwing this out there - we're not nearly as paranoid and hung up as you imagine us to be. Projection, perhaps?
3
"party’s nominating contest from resembling a presidential re-election in Kazakhstan."
----------------------------------1:22
The Founding Fathers did not imagined that America's presidential candidates would be billionaires financed cabana boys.
----------------------------------1:22
The Founding Fathers did not imagined that America's presidential candidates would be billionaires financed cabana boys.
13
Nixon created the Environmental Protection Agency, largely by executive order.
Hillary should be so lucky to be that Nixonian as President.
So the Clintons are ethically challenged and like having millions...okay...I'll accept that...but they are not actively trying to destroy American government and American society with endless 0.1% tax cuts to create 3rd World America.
What are you warning us about, Sir Douhat ?
That Hillary Clinton will mimic two of the most successful presidencies in modern American history - those of Bill Clinton and Barack Obama when the economies experienced long-term positive trends in every economic metric while simultaneously raising taxes ?
Oh the horrors of broad-based prosperity, improving economies and respect for civil rights, Ross !
At least Hillary doesn't smoke trickle-down cigars for breakfast like the vast array of right-wing co-conspirators who drowned the middle class in a 0.1% tax-cut bathtub.
Look at the last six presidential terms - the only thing this nation needs to fear like the plague is more Bush catastrophes, Bush wars, Bush voter fraud, Bush economic meltdowns, Bush idiocy, Bush Neo-Cons and being Bushwhacked a second time.
Have you seen the right-wing wacko Bush birds posing as jurists on the Supreme Court who have invented/validated 'moneyed speech', 'religious corporations', 'corporate people' and GOP Death Panels in a grand effort to destabilize America ?
Here's a WARNING: Bushes are fatal to American democracy.
Hillary should be so lucky to be that Nixonian as President.
So the Clintons are ethically challenged and like having millions...okay...I'll accept that...but they are not actively trying to destroy American government and American society with endless 0.1% tax cuts to create 3rd World America.
What are you warning us about, Sir Douhat ?
That Hillary Clinton will mimic two of the most successful presidencies in modern American history - those of Bill Clinton and Barack Obama when the economies experienced long-term positive trends in every economic metric while simultaneously raising taxes ?
Oh the horrors of broad-based prosperity, improving economies and respect for civil rights, Ross !
At least Hillary doesn't smoke trickle-down cigars for breakfast like the vast array of right-wing co-conspirators who drowned the middle class in a 0.1% tax-cut bathtub.
Look at the last six presidential terms - the only thing this nation needs to fear like the plague is more Bush catastrophes, Bush wars, Bush voter fraud, Bush economic meltdowns, Bush idiocy, Bush Neo-Cons and being Bushwhacked a second time.
Have you seen the right-wing wacko Bush birds posing as jurists on the Supreme Court who have invented/validated 'moneyed speech', 'religious corporations', 'corporate people' and GOP Death Panels in a grand effort to destabilize America ?
Here's a WARNING: Bushes are fatal to American democracy.
136
Nixon created EPA as a thoroughly dysfunctional stovepiped mess composed of numerous fiefdoms jammed together. They have been at odds with each other for over 40 years and still are.
I can say this because I worked there in various positions, including management, for more than 25 years. Yes, Nixon formed it. But it was designed to be ineffective and has proven to be so time after time. Every time an organic EPA authorizing statute has been proposed it's gone nowhere, so the dysfunction continues.
Not a good idea to put forward as an examplar for what Clinton should do.
I happen to think she has seriously disturbing Nixonian traits (I am NOT a Republican and won't vote for one) -- enough so that I don't know if she can earn a vote.
A competent, solid Republican can beat her (IMO). It appears that the Republicans are utterly incapable of finding and supporting such a person, so the clown car show over there continues, to Clinton's benefit.
I can say this because I worked there in various positions, including management, for more than 25 years. Yes, Nixon formed it. But it was designed to be ineffective and has proven to be so time after time. Every time an organic EPA authorizing statute has been proposed it's gone nowhere, so the dysfunction continues.
Not a good idea to put forward as an examplar for what Clinton should do.
I happen to think she has seriously disturbing Nixonian traits (I am NOT a Republican and won't vote for one) -- enough so that I don't know if she can earn a vote.
A competent, solid Republican can beat her (IMO). It appears that the Republicans are utterly incapable of finding and supporting such a person, so the clown car show over there continues, to Clinton's benefit.
1
"They are stepping up where others quailed, laying their bodies on democracy’s altar, saving their party’s nominating contest from resembling a presidential re-election in Kazakhstan."
As opposed to the Republican nominating contest, which resembles FIFA choosing a World Cup site.
As opposed to the Republican nominating contest, which resembles FIFA choosing a World Cup site.
15
I hope Hillary's okay. I keep hearing these little hints that her body just isn't up to it. I want the Walker/TheOtherGuy ticket to win but let's make it a real race with ideas and things to be FOR, not just another hater parade.
2
Hillary's ethics, huh?
Let's see...
Jeb Bush raking in a hundred million dollars and possibly breaking the law by pretending to maybe not run.
His brilliant brother lying about weapons of mass destruction and taking us into war.
Mike Huckabee running to increase his book sales.
Scott Walker, union buster.
Marco Rubio, who was for an immigration policy before he was against it.
Ted Cruz, whose never met a lie he didn't like.
Need I go for a ride with the rest of the clown SUV? I think not.
Let's see...
Jeb Bush raking in a hundred million dollars and possibly breaking the law by pretending to maybe not run.
His brilliant brother lying about weapons of mass destruction and taking us into war.
Mike Huckabee running to increase his book sales.
Scott Walker, union buster.
Marco Rubio, who was for an immigration policy before he was against it.
Ted Cruz, whose never met a lie he didn't like.
Need I go for a ride with the rest of the clown SUV? I think not.
15
Hillary does not have the luxury of giving one or two speeches on a topic and the voting public will assume thats her position. Her history is an open book and try as she may to rewrite some it will not work. We know Hillary Clinton and we have seen her in action.
She can say she speaks for the middle class but the middle class knows it cannot afford one of hers, or Bill's, speeches. We remember remember seeing her blow her cool during congressional hearings on Bengazzi. The truth is her actions, fees earned by her and her husband giving speeches do not match what she says about representing and caring for the working/middle-class .
The good news is there is a Senator from Minnesota that fits the bill; Amy Klobuchar. Here are six video clips from C-Span that will enlighten you on who she is and she stands for. You will like what you see and they have been kept short for you review.... https://bitly.com/a/bitlinks?query#domain-filter
She can say she speaks for the middle class but the middle class knows it cannot afford one of hers, or Bill's, speeches. We remember remember seeing her blow her cool during congressional hearings on Bengazzi. The truth is her actions, fees earned by her and her husband giving speeches do not match what she says about representing and caring for the working/middle-class .
The good news is there is a Senator from Minnesota that fits the bill; Amy Klobuchar. Here are six video clips from C-Span that will enlighten you on who she is and she stands for. You will like what you see and they have been kept short for you review.... https://bitly.com/a/bitlinks?query#domain-filter
4
I apologize for a bad link. Here is the correct one. Someone must hAve spiked my cereal this morning..
http://lstrn.us/1ABZHkM
http://lstrn.us/1ABZHkM
They’ll need more than a plan: on the left, they’ll need the resolve to see a Republican win the 2016 presidential election, and on the right to see Hillary win. If anyone but the Jebster winds up pitted against the Hillster, we’re in for back-to-back historical presidencies that won’t have anything to do with three family members in the Oval Office. If anyone but the Hillster runs against the Jebster, it’s a pretty sure thing that a president NOT a Democrat will be nominating Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s eventual replacement.
If things go as most expect, with Hillary and Jeb head-to-head, then it’s really too close to call at this point, and that’s the closest to a win-win for all concerned that can be secured at this distance, with everything then riding on the artfulness of one side’s attack ads against the other’s --- and more than a year to get them in the can.
Walker against O’Malley? Giveth me a break. It’d be like the Rays against the Padres in the World Series – nobody would watch. But there’s a limit to how believable the claim is that Baltimore isn’t in Maryland, and Walker would win. By all means, let’s have Scott Walker as President of the United States.
Running against Hillary is all that EVERYONE has on his (or her) plate. For good or ill.
If things go as most expect, with Hillary and Jeb head-to-head, then it’s really too close to call at this point, and that’s the closest to a win-win for all concerned that can be secured at this distance, with everything then riding on the artfulness of one side’s attack ads against the other’s --- and more than a year to get them in the can.
Walker against O’Malley? Giveth me a break. It’d be like the Rays against the Padres in the World Series – nobody would watch. But there’s a limit to how believable the claim is that Baltimore isn’t in Maryland, and Walker would win. By all means, let’s have Scott Walker as President of the United States.
Running against Hillary is all that EVERYONE has on his (or her) plate. For good or ill.
So Hillary seems destined to be the Democratic nominee.
Maybe, maybe not.
Let's change the party. Make this column about John Ellis Bush. Many pundits think he's inevitable, too. He's a conservative, yes, but once (maybe I should say "if") he becomes a candidate, he's going to have to travel the same road Mitt did--the far-right side. He'll be shape-shifting as much, if not more, than Hillary does.
Look at the Iowa polls. Walker, Rubio, Carson, Huckabee. A college drop-out, a kid, and two guys who want to create a Christian caliphate.
Then Douthat's last paragraph can say, "whatever happens in a 3rd Bush presidency, his supporters won’t be able to say that they weren’t warned."
My fear is that another Middle East war will claim the lives of all those right-wing military supporters sons and daughters.
You've been warned.
Maybe, maybe not.
Let's change the party. Make this column about John Ellis Bush. Many pundits think he's inevitable, too. He's a conservative, yes, but once (maybe I should say "if") he becomes a candidate, he's going to have to travel the same road Mitt did--the far-right side. He'll be shape-shifting as much, if not more, than Hillary does.
Look at the Iowa polls. Walker, Rubio, Carson, Huckabee. A college drop-out, a kid, and two guys who want to create a Christian caliphate.
Then Douthat's last paragraph can say, "whatever happens in a 3rd Bush presidency, his supporters won’t be able to say that they weren’t warned."
My fear is that another Middle East war will claim the lives of all those right-wing military supporters sons and daughters.
You've been warned.
4
You;re assuming that people believe what Hillary says. Talk is cheap. Once a Goldwater girl, always a Goldwater girl.
4
Curiously, the strongest reason for Democrats to nominate someone other than Mrs. Clinton was not stated: she is extremely conservative on economic issues, and a member of the top 0.1%.
Senator Bernie Sanders is the opposite: his net worth is around 0.1 million, and he is very liberal on economic issues. In fact, Sanders is more closely aligned with the American public than Clinton on the issues that matter.
Senator Bernie Sanders is the opposite: his net worth is around 0.1 million, and he is very liberal on economic issues. In fact, Sanders is more closely aligned with the American public than Clinton on the issues that matter.
116
Again, spot on. I will vote for Bernie ten times before the entitled candidate. [And this from a 50-year Democratic voter!]
2
"Extremely conservative" on economic issues? Are you being serious? What does that makes the people far to her right on economic issues?
1
I'm not familiar with the "extremely conservative" positions Clinton takes on economic issues. Could you give some examples?
1
Bernie Sanders is the candidate Hillary should worry about—he is the only completely honest candidate running from both parties. If he catches fire with the electorate, we are going to be blessed.
70
The smoldering will never burst into flame.
Blessed might be a bridge too far, but it would be refreshing to have Bernie pitted against a recalcitrant Congress, dominated and controlled by right wing ideologues.
Gosh. Thanks. We're warned. And whatever else happens in a Clinton presidency, we'll be thankful that it's not a Bush, Walker, Rubio, Carson, Paul, Huckabee, Cruz, Christie, Trump, Perry, Kasich, Santorum, Fiorina, Graham, Sneezy, Grumpy or Dopey presidency.
96
Yes the Republican clown car grows bigger each day.
Ross.....your still so sure she's inevitable. Read the comments. Look at Facebook. Talk to citizens. Bernie has tapped into something real. I think he has a plan. And that plan involves millions of people -- not a few with millions and billions of greenbacks. As Mr. Buffet who knows a few things about numbers and money and what people want has said......There is no way a nation of 350.000,000 can be controlled by a minority regardless of how much power or money they may have. The numbers just don't support it.
It can't last - hopefully the time has come and a voice of the people has arrived. Bernie Sanders.
It can't last - hopefully the time has come and a voice of the people has arrived. Bernie Sanders.
68
Well, as one who will NOT vote for the entitled candidate - ever - Bernie is one alternative, but he too is flawed. That he is East Coast bound and likely never has traveled west of Manhattan is for me a huge put-off. But be sure, if I have a choice between them, Bernie is the choice for me.
Except for Bernie Sanders, everyone else is running for the Vice President spot with Hillary.
15
Bernie Sanders is pretending to run. He only does events that do not conflict with his day job. I'd be surprised if he misses a single vote in the senate. He wants his issues out but has no intention of running a real campaign. No, he is not trying out for a tv job or trying to be vp or just trying to sell a book but it is all theatrics. We've seen it before. He knows he can't win.
Mr. Douthat:
You must be seriously scared of what you seem to think is a Hillary juggernaut. Given the gravity of that possibilty I can understand why you have taken time away from the scourge that is polygamy. Your valiant efforts will not go unnoticed.
And now... back to reality. I would think that if your fears of Hilary inevitability had any credence you might be writing a column extolling the virtues of the Republican candidate you favor as an antidote. Is it too soon for you to have an opinion on that, given the myriad choices you are offered? I'd like to know what your convictions are as a conservative voice and which candidate most closely conforms to them.
Still, it is a long way to the actual election and anything can happen. Evidently, that fact only applies to Republicans though. I might add that the notion that any conservative attacking Hlilary on ethical grounds is cause for
laughter when the candidates on your side are scutinized. Coming from you this piece is a true sign of desperation.
So... will your next column tell us who in the Republican camp will save us from semi-liberal domination? I don't think that is going to happen. So, can we re-establish priorites and get back to the imminence of polygamy?
You must be seriously scared of what you seem to think is a Hillary juggernaut. Given the gravity of that possibilty I can understand why you have taken time away from the scourge that is polygamy. Your valiant efforts will not go unnoticed.
And now... back to reality. I would think that if your fears of Hilary inevitability had any credence you might be writing a column extolling the virtues of the Republican candidate you favor as an antidote. Is it too soon for you to have an opinion on that, given the myriad choices you are offered? I'd like to know what your convictions are as a conservative voice and which candidate most closely conforms to them.
Still, it is a long way to the actual election and anything can happen. Evidently, that fact only applies to Republicans though. I might add that the notion that any conservative attacking Hlilary on ethical grounds is cause for
laughter when the candidates on your side are scutinized. Coming from you this piece is a true sign of desperation.
So... will your next column tell us who in the Republican camp will save us from semi-liberal domination? I don't think that is going to happen. So, can we re-establish priorites and get back to the imminence of polygamy?
11
Gee, Ross, which candidate's election will more likely result in two unfunded wars and a worldwide economic collapse? Let me give you a hint: It is the candidate who is looking for advice from to those who led our country into two unfunded wars and a worldwide economic collapse.
Hillary deserves better from you Ross. This is your job.
Hillary deserves better from you Ross. This is your job.
32
@Kristine
Wait a minute, wait a minute. Did you just blame a worldwide economic collapse on George W. Bush? Did he fly the planes into the WTC, also?
The worldwide economic collapse was caused by a real estate bubble on steroids. Any one who promoted broad homeownership is complicit. That means the people who bought homes they could not afford, the speculators who exploited programs enabling them to "ride" rising home values, and the bankers and mortgage brokers (largely unlocked by ending Glass-Steagall) who responded to the demand.
Hillary supported the Iraq invasion, and she will generally try to position herself on the "correct" side of every issue, even if that requires retrospective adjustments. Please try not to treat that as wisdom. Admitting mistakes is the road to redemption, but we still have to elect leaders to lead. Consider her ethics, as desperately as we all want a woman and a thoughtful leader (she is also disqualified on that second characteristic).
Wait a minute, wait a minute. Did you just blame a worldwide economic collapse on George W. Bush? Did he fly the planes into the WTC, also?
The worldwide economic collapse was caused by a real estate bubble on steroids. Any one who promoted broad homeownership is complicit. That means the people who bought homes they could not afford, the speculators who exploited programs enabling them to "ride" rising home values, and the bankers and mortgage brokers (largely unlocked by ending Glass-Steagall) who responded to the demand.
Hillary supported the Iraq invasion, and she will generally try to position herself on the "correct" side of every issue, even if that requires retrospective adjustments. Please try not to treat that as wisdom. Admitting mistakes is the road to redemption, but we still have to elect leaders to lead. Consider her ethics, as desperately as we all want a woman and a thoughtful leader (she is also disqualified on that second characteristic).
1
I don't trust any normally conservative columnist to write such a nice sounding (and unsolicited) column of "advice" without thinking, what's inside this Trojan Horse?
34
Hillary Clinton is a flawed candidate. She should of stayed in the Senate and tried to push thru some progressive agenda, instead she flew around the world as Secretary of State (hey, they have thing called Skype.) I don't think Clinton is going to hold the Obama coalition together. The Left is tired of Obama being a centrist and Hillary being further right. I think the illegal immigration issue is going to do the Democrats in this election, the white voter is still the majority and feel like the Dem's are jumping thru hoops to help the illegal immigrants.
In the end it's going to be like Bush vs. Gore. Who would you rather have a beer with Rick Perry, Marco Rubio or HIllary Clinton? Sadly Supreme Court Justice Ginsburg couldn't take one for the team and retired so at least Obama could have left four "liberals" on the court.
In the end it's going to be like Bush vs. Gore. Who would you rather have a beer with Rick Perry, Marco Rubio or HIllary Clinton? Sadly Supreme Court Justice Ginsburg couldn't take one for the team and retired so at least Obama could have left four "liberals" on the court.
9
Weakcheeks,
Justice Ginsburg had no reason to take one for the team. Justice Ginsburg understands that if a right of center Democrat cannot stop the crazies from destroying the little tiny bit of democracy we had left a forth sane vote on the Supreme court is moot indeed. We are in the 15th year of the 21st century and the USA as presently constituted is the greatest threat humanity has ever faced.
Morning in America ended when the last President who understood the future lost to relics of 20th century fascism. America lost 35 years of keeping up with the present to those intent on reliving the past.
Justice Ginsburg had no reason to take one for the team. Justice Ginsburg understands that if a right of center Democrat cannot stop the crazies from destroying the little tiny bit of democracy we had left a forth sane vote on the Supreme court is moot indeed. We are in the 15th year of the 21st century and the USA as presently constituted is the greatest threat humanity has ever faced.
Morning in America ended when the last President who understood the future lost to relics of 20th century fascism. America lost 35 years of keeping up with the present to those intent on reliving the past.
1
Diplomacy by Skype? Get serious.
1
What makes immigration reform, criminal justice reform, and universal voter registration far left ideas?
Aren't these just common sense?
Aren't these just common sense?
116
Ross,
Before the flame that was a light unto the world is extinguished I ask that you look around, look in the mirror and look at history. America was born of an enlightenment , it was the land that embraced unprecedented change.
The nineteenth century gave us the British Tory government of Sir Robert Peel whose response to the potato blight was to feed the hungry but Lord Russell's Whigs and many in Peel's caucus believed protecting the Irish food export economy more important than the lives of peasants. From the disaster of Ireland arose two new political parties from Peel's Tories. Disraeli's Conservatives and Gladstone's Liberals.
The 20 th century brought us Communism, Socialism, and Capitalism as operating systems and totalitarianism and democracy as the machine operators. The systems all had liberals and conservatives.
Sharon, Connecticut in the 1950s did not look like America. William F Buckley Jr was not a conservative he was a fascist just like his father Sr and his Senator Prescott Bush.
Real conservatives know change happens and develop strategies to deal with it. They don't hide in gated communities and develop tribal ghettos and homelands. Hillary Clinton is a conservative product of a conservative homeland but she didn't build a bigger wall to isolate herself from the country the US has become. The real conservatives like Huntsman and Chafee have been purged from the GOP. Conservative shouldn't mean living in constant fear in a world of constant change.
Before the flame that was a light unto the world is extinguished I ask that you look around, look in the mirror and look at history. America was born of an enlightenment , it was the land that embraced unprecedented change.
The nineteenth century gave us the British Tory government of Sir Robert Peel whose response to the potato blight was to feed the hungry but Lord Russell's Whigs and many in Peel's caucus believed protecting the Irish food export economy more important than the lives of peasants. From the disaster of Ireland arose two new political parties from Peel's Tories. Disraeli's Conservatives and Gladstone's Liberals.
The 20 th century brought us Communism, Socialism, and Capitalism as operating systems and totalitarianism and democracy as the machine operators. The systems all had liberals and conservatives.
Sharon, Connecticut in the 1950s did not look like America. William F Buckley Jr was not a conservative he was a fascist just like his father Sr and his Senator Prescott Bush.
Real conservatives know change happens and develop strategies to deal with it. They don't hide in gated communities and develop tribal ghettos and homelands. Hillary Clinton is a conservative product of a conservative homeland but she didn't build a bigger wall to isolate herself from the country the US has become. The real conservatives like Huntsman and Chafee have been purged from the GOP. Conservative shouldn't mean living in constant fear in a world of constant change.
45
"settling" is poor rationale to use in voting for a candidate
7
No it isn't. that's life. You'd like a Ferrari but settle for a Ford...
Why are criminal justice reform, immigration and voter registration indicators pf tacking left? I guess you could argue that there may be proposals to address these issues that are more conservative or more liberal, but anyone who thinks we don't need to make changes in criminal justice, immigration and policies about voting is not paying attention.
Even the more perceptive Republican candidates have noticed that people are concerned about inequality. I'd like to see some meaningful "conservative" proposals that amount to more than making the poor so miserable that they pull themselves up by their bootstraps.
I think Hillary Clinton will benefit from having some Democratic rivals. They may encourage the press to actually write about policy proposals.
It appears that what Bernie Sanders is saying resonates with a lot of potential voters. I'm interested to see how that affects the Republicans.
Even the more perceptive Republican candidates have noticed that people are concerned about inequality. I'd like to see some meaningful "conservative" proposals that amount to more than making the poor so miserable that they pull themselves up by their bootstraps.
I think Hillary Clinton will benefit from having some Democratic rivals. They may encourage the press to actually write about policy proposals.
It appears that what Bernie Sanders is saying resonates with a lot of potential voters. I'm interested to see how that affects the Republicans.
90
That's quite a list of plusses and minuses for both Hillary, and her opponents for the Democratic nomination. However, you left out the fact that none of her challengers (both Rep. and Dem.) offer the historic rush women and men will get from pulling the lever for the first female candidate for President. Go ahead and argue about how hawkish or liberal she might be. Go over with a fine-tooth comb her, supposed, ethical failures. Make stuff up, which for some reason, has become standard operating procedure for all you ethical types. History will be made in 2016 and those who vote against history will be condemned to repeat it with the same old, rich, white man.
3
I believe Bernie Sanders is far more of a viable candidate in this
race than the corporate media will admit . It's very telling who the
shills are and we have watched this for too many years .
At present , we have witnessed this government go down the
slippery slope into a virtual snake pit. I would never have voted for
Hillary in 08 .It is to our detriment that we listened to president Obama
when the double speak overrode reality. many of his supporters never
would have seen that coming but how could we have ?
I'm voting for my grandchildren knowing that Bernie Sanders is and never
was a lying shill.
race than the corporate media will admit . It's very telling who the
shills are and we have watched this for too many years .
At present , we have witnessed this government go down the
slippery slope into a virtual snake pit. I would never have voted for
Hillary in 08 .It is to our detriment that we listened to president Obama
when the double speak overrode reality. many of his supporters never
would have seen that coming but how could we have ?
I'm voting for my grandchildren knowing that Bernie Sanders is and never
was a lying shill.
21
Bernie Sanders has a plan that will work. Hillary is spineless and poll driven without any intergrity.
19
The Democrat I like best is Jim Webb. I'm pretty conservative, but I'd be happy to vote for him over any of the Republicans currently in the race.
7
There is nothing in the republican candidates. Hillary will be our next President. And boy, I mean Douthat, do we need her.
9
you know i was actually enjoying this column until you went off on the typical fox news clinton ethics dogma. give it a rest. there was a lot of sturm und drang while the clintons were in the white house spanking conservative fannies but there was never anything there except for an un seemly trip into what should have been a couple's private hell. later shrub wrecks the economy and sends the world into turmoil just to see what would happen.
i'll take the clinton years over the dubya years anytime.
i'll take the clinton years over the dubya years anytime.
19
Given that this Republican field changes its, uh, "beliefs" (to the extent that it ever actually talks about any "belief" other than that Hillary Clinton is the Devil Incarnate) according to the state in which it is, on that day, bowing and scraping before another big donor during another cattle-call, it is laughably disingenuous for you to write that "with the Clintons it's always fair to consider strategy before belief."
Laughably. Disingenuous.
Laughably. Disingenuous.
19
This article by Mr. Douthat is a disingenuous way for a conservative to attack a more liberal Hillary. It is not Hillary's rivals that attack her, but Mr. Douthat and he finds it easy to put words in their mouths that they have not spoken.
from reading Mr. Douthat's previous opinions I am sure that his deeper intent is to destroy any Democratic President as his Party has attempted to do with President Obama. So all the salt in the ocean would not be enough for me to believe his less than nefarious motives when writing about Democratic candidates.
from reading Mr. Douthat's previous opinions I am sure that his deeper intent is to destroy any Democratic President as his Party has attempted to do with President Obama. So all the salt in the ocean would not be enough for me to believe his less than nefarious motives when writing about Democratic candidates.
11
Douthat isn't even trying - did he ever? Comparing a primary election in the U.S. to Kazakhstan, as if the Democrats were autocratic tyrants, instead of a political party, almost entirely like the Republicans?
How about comparing the Democratic primary to any one of dozens of races at all levels, from mayor to senator, where there is no credible challenger. Politics as uaual, Ross. And the Hillary bashing is sounding a little desperate.
But don't call me a Hillary drone. I'm voting for Bernie Sanders.
How about comparing the Democratic primary to any one of dozens of races at all levels, from mayor to senator, where there is no credible challenger. Politics as uaual, Ross. And the Hillary bashing is sounding a little desperate.
But don't call me a Hillary drone. I'm voting for Bernie Sanders.
20
Nor am I a Hillary drone. But I am voting for the not-Hillary candidate, whoever that may be. A Clinton candidacy will be the near death of the Democratic party to me. We can do better than this.
With the negative Hillary comments running at least 2 to 1, who is responsible for making her sound inevitable? Talk about a massive left wing conspiracy...
With the negative Hillary comments running at least 2 to 1, who is responsible for making her sound inevitable? Talk about a massive left wing conspiracy...
1
"but with the Clintons it’s always fair to analyze strategy before belief."
As opposed to all of those candidates that only propose positions they actually believe in.
As opposed to all of those candidates that only propose positions they actually believe in.
14
Bernie Sanders runs as an independent in a oddball conservative state and sides with the NRA around votes regarding gun control, before and after the Newtown school shooting, going all the way back to the Brady Bill! it sounds like he knows where his bread is buttered and analyses strategy and vote totals before beliefs too.
Where exactly is this "ethical case" against Hillary that the Republicans and their water-carriers in the media are so breathless about? It's empty hype, just like their putative "war on Christianity". The idea that Hillary is on a lower moral plane than anyone in the Republican field is both ridiculous and transparent. Relying on that argument will just make them look like their usual hypocritical and self-righteous selves. If that's their secret weapon for 2016, I say bring it on.
41
You might want to read "Clinton Cash".
You might get the sense that Hillary is ethically-challenged like her husband.
You might get the sense that Hillary is ethically-challenged like her husband.
1
NOBODY is lower moral plane than anyone in the Republican field. The race to the bottom....
1
I don't know anyone who will vote for Hillary in the primary. All the democrats I know, including myself, will be voting for Bernie Sanders.
57
But isn't that just a protest vote? You know Sanders can't win, and if through some fluke he did, you know he can't win the general election. And, if through some fluke he did . . . Yikes.
1
Don't get around much do you. Bernie is the Ralph Nader of yesteryear. a lost cause.
Same here. But the party regulars are so shocked by this reality that they are working overtime to promote this entitled candidate, whose win assures that this 50-year Democratic supporter will not support a Democratic candidate.
I remember telling one of my close attorney friends long ago when Bill Clinton became the Democratic candidate the first time. I asked, "Could be not do better than this chicken-pluckin' candidate from Arkansas?"
Bingo. I don't even have to change my motto!
I remember telling one of my close attorney friends long ago when Bill Clinton became the Democratic candidate the first time. I asked, "Could be not do better than this chicken-pluckin' candidate from Arkansas?"
Bingo. I don't even have to change my motto!
In the New Hampshire Primary of 1968, Senator Eugene McCarthy gathered an unexpected 42.2 percent of the vote running against President Johnson.
No, Senator McCarthy didn't carry a majority. But LBJ did.
Nonetheless pundits and the incumbent president himself read this as a rebuke.
Some six weeks hence President Johnson withdrew from the race for the Democratic nomination.
This could transpire in either the Iowa caucus or the New Hampshire primary in 2016.
Does it mean that Bernie Saunders, Martin O'Malley, or Lincoln Chafee would vault to the top of the pack? No necessarily.
Could it be that a bigger-name stealth Democrat -- whether Elizabeth Warren or a player yet to be designated -- might emerge to challenge HRC?
As LBJ discovered, you cannot count upon inevitability.
No, Senator McCarthy didn't carry a majority. But LBJ did.
Nonetheless pundits and the incumbent president himself read this as a rebuke.
Some six weeks hence President Johnson withdrew from the race for the Democratic nomination.
This could transpire in either the Iowa caucus or the New Hampshire primary in 2016.
Does it mean that Bernie Saunders, Martin O'Malley, or Lincoln Chafee would vault to the top of the pack? No necessarily.
Could it be that a bigger-name stealth Democrat -- whether Elizabeth Warren or a player yet to be designated -- might emerge to challenge HRC?
As LBJ discovered, you cannot count upon inevitability.
29
Watching the Triple Crown finale from Belmont yesterday I was foolish and didn't see that the favorite could so easily win. But in presidential politics I won't be so foolish.
Hillary is far ahead, worthy of support and working hard for the nomination. Johnson's path to the White House was a little different than any other and his leaving the race had everything to do with the Viet Nam war raging at the time. There was a lot of reasons to leave the race and not much reason to stay in.
The problem white male democrats and white male republicans have with Hillary being a better candidate, having more experience, and higher popularity and respect n the party and in the country and around the world confounds white men into denial.
She will run her race and the rest of our dems and republican will run theirs.
But we know what will happen and I am thrilled.
Hillary is far ahead, worthy of support and working hard for the nomination. Johnson's path to the White House was a little different than any other and his leaving the race had everything to do with the Viet Nam war raging at the time. There was a lot of reasons to leave the race and not much reason to stay in.
The problem white male democrats and white male republicans have with Hillary being a better candidate, having more experience, and higher popularity and respect n the party and in the country and around the world confounds white men into denial.
She will run her race and the rest of our dems and republican will run theirs.
But we know what will happen and I am thrilled.
Contrary to the last paragraph of this column, most democratic primary voters know exactly what they're getting in Hillary: a smart, disciplined politician who, with her husband, has long understood the old maxim that politics is the art of the possible. The so-called Clinton scandals of the 90s and beyond amounted to exactly nothing, while republicans have instigated ruinous wars and tax cuts for the rich, showing breathtaking moral hypocrisy at every turn.
25
Ross Douthat talks about Clinton's opponents "attacking" her on ethics, foreign policy, domestic issues, revealing to us once again just how the right wing thinks about contesting elections and other aspects of life in the political arena. He never mentions that her Democratic opponents have the opportunity to do what candidates in democracies are supposed to do, call out the front runner on issues that concern the body politics and have a debate concerning what might work out best.
This is what the conservatives think elections are, even after the election is over: a continuing opportunity to attack the opposition. They attack because that is what they know how to do and frankly the only thing they do well: attack Obama (for whatever), attack women's rights advocates; attack those who hold opposing views. Even Lindsay Graham, when he announced his candidacy this week, spoke of nothing but attacking. On the day that a memorial was held for Joe Biden's deceased son, Ted Cruz stood up in front of a crowd of his supporters to attack Joe Biden. Timing is everything.
In the world that Ross Douthat and his neo conservatives inhabit, opposition presents just one more opportunity to "attack". The words honest debate simply are words not found in that right wing vocabulary, and engaging in one that might help all of us comprehend the scope of the issues is less serious sport.
This is what the conservatives think elections are, even after the election is over: a continuing opportunity to attack the opposition. They attack because that is what they know how to do and frankly the only thing they do well: attack Obama (for whatever), attack women's rights advocates; attack those who hold opposing views. Even Lindsay Graham, when he announced his candidacy this week, spoke of nothing but attacking. On the day that a memorial was held for Joe Biden's deceased son, Ted Cruz stood up in front of a crowd of his supporters to attack Joe Biden. Timing is everything.
In the world that Ross Douthat and his neo conservatives inhabit, opposition presents just one more opportunity to "attack". The words honest debate simply are words not found in that right wing vocabulary, and engaging in one that might help all of us comprehend the scope of the issues is less serious sport.
20
Unlike Hillary, and all of the riders in the Republican Clown Car, Bernie Sanders does not, nor does he need to, adjust his position depending on the audience. This was one of the rare Douthat columns with which I have more than perfunctory agreement. The trouble is when Douthat adopts the lazy mainstream media meme. Hillary is inevitable, and Sanders' campaign is quixotic. If one was to anonymously publish Sanders' long held platform planks, it would resonate a LOT more than anything on offer from Hillary. It would also not have the dissonant clang of what passes for Republican Populism, all of which is phonier than a $3 bill.
13
"Since her official entrance into the race, however, Hillary has moved aggressively to shrink the space for that kind of battle. Her big policy statements – on criminal justice reform, immigration, and now universal voter registration – have all aligned her explicitly with the party’s activists, and to an extent many them did not expect."
Big policy statements? These are issues that billionaires in Hillary's camp haven't got a problem with. What I'm waiting to hear is her firm positions on income inequality, tax reform including taxing capital gains at the same rate as earned income, raising marginal rates on the highest earners and lifting the cap on Social Security taxes.
Until Hillary Clinton can show me she's not the best Republican candidate in the field, I'm putting my money and effort with someone who espouses Democratic positions: Bernie Sanders!
Big policy statements? These are issues that billionaires in Hillary's camp haven't got a problem with. What I'm waiting to hear is her firm positions on income inequality, tax reform including taxing capital gains at the same rate as earned income, raising marginal rates on the highest earners and lifting the cap on Social Security taxes.
Until Hillary Clinton can show me she's not the best Republican candidate in the field, I'm putting my money and effort with someone who espouses Democratic positions: Bernie Sanders!
17
Why should liberals elect Hillary when they know in their heart-of-hearts that she is twice as hawkish and four times the neocon that Obama is, who has already proven himself to be a terrible disappointment to them?
Americans often trust conservative politicians far more than do liberal politicians and will frequently accept proposals for change coming from them that they would never support were they coming from liberals.
Nixon proposed a national health-care plan that included federal subsidies and a negative income tax for poor people. He expanded food stamps; enacted the SSI program for elderly and disabled people; had a decent record on affirmative action; and went to China.
Why not then a Rubio or a Bush or a Rick Perry or a Lindsey Graham elected with the aid of liberals instead of Clinton?
Because liberals these days – unfortunately, for the people they claim to represent -- refuse to accept modest change coming from Republicans. So the idea that a Republican President in 2016 might actually be good for low and middle income people never occurs to them. This is why they so frequently end-up getting nothing for the people they say they want to help.
Americans often trust conservative politicians far more than do liberal politicians and will frequently accept proposals for change coming from them that they would never support were they coming from liberals.
Nixon proposed a national health-care plan that included federal subsidies and a negative income tax for poor people. He expanded food stamps; enacted the SSI program for elderly and disabled people; had a decent record on affirmative action; and went to China.
Why not then a Rubio or a Bush or a Rick Perry or a Lindsey Graham elected with the aid of liberals instead of Clinton?
Because liberals these days – unfortunately, for the people they claim to represent -- refuse to accept modest change coming from Republicans. So the idea that a Republican President in 2016 might actually be good for low and middle income people never occurs to them. This is why they so frequently end-up getting nothing for the people they say they want to help.
1
"Those men will deserve our gratitude"
Lincoln Chafee was elected Governor of Rhode Island in 2010 as an independent. He won with 36% of the vote. A small percentage in a small State. His prior office was as a Rebublican Senator.
He is a nice guy but I think you may be overestimating what he can do that will be deserving of our gratitude.
Lincoln Chafee was elected Governor of Rhode Island in 2010 as an independent. He won with 36% of the vote. A small percentage in a small State. His prior office was as a Rebublican Senator.
He is a nice guy but I think you may be overestimating what he can do that will be deserving of our gratitude.
2
Thank you, Ross, for reminding us that 2016 will likely be the most disgusting, dirty Presidential campaign in our history. It's the only tactic known to Republicans. Hillary Clinton will be their only issue, not job creation, not income inequality, not the mess they made in the Middle East, not climate change or gay marriage, not Citizens United, only Hillary.
They can't run on their records of failed policies so they're cranking up their fear machines and rewriting history as we speak.
Whatever else Hillary is charged with, she's first and foremost a Democrat and the only thing standing between us and the misanthropes the Republicans are parading in front of us.
They can't run on their records of failed policies so they're cranking up their fear machines and rewriting history as we speak.
Whatever else Hillary is charged with, she's first and foremost a Democrat and the only thing standing between us and the misanthropes the Republicans are parading in front of us.
12
Douthat's idea of what constitutes the "left" or "progressive thinking" is so watered down and timid that I'm not surprised he concludes that Hillary Clinton has captured the left vote among Democrats. What about economic issues and inequality? And are Obama's foreign and environmental policies supposed to be acceptable to this so-called left?
6
Hilarious as always. And maybe even potent, if we hadn't look at the assortment of clowns, charlatans, medievalists and crooks Douthat and company will offer as an alternative.
6
Maybe the democratic candidates aren't running against Hillary, maybe they are running for the presidency. I'm pretty sure that's Bernie's position, at least. Maybe if the press, including Mr. Douthat, would cover the issues instead of the horse race, we would get a chance to see what the people think of them.
22
"From the Nixonian style of her State Department operation to the way her family fattened itself on global tribute during her recent public service, her rivals can point to sins and misdemeanors that would have already disqualified a lesser candidate."
Then I guess Jeb Bush doesn't have a chance.
Yet he continues to grift through his daddy's rolodex to the tune of, what is it now, $100 million?
Not bad for a guy who can dupe the rubes on the right even before he declares.
Then I guess Jeb Bush doesn't have a chance.
Yet he continues to grift through his daddy's rolodex to the tune of, what is it now, $100 million?
Not bad for a guy who can dupe the rubes on the right even before he declares.
13
That Hilary and Bill have not divorced demonstrates both of their commitments to the ethics of family values more than many a far right Republicans' married life (or lives). Since Ross upholds the absolute indissolubility of marriage he should at least provide honorable mention to the Clintons perseverance in the wedded state as a stalwart indelible ethic that suggests many others.
6
That's hysterical. Thanks for the morning laugh.
1
Sanders should maintain his support for the poor and his opposition to coal, global warming, and W's thoughtless, extravagant military adventures, but he should back away from positions (unsupported by science or morality) against GMOs, nuclear power, and the Keystone XL pipeline.
1
Even the government of Alberta, the prime beneficiary, has backed away from Keystone. Why carry water for Keystone if the province of Alberta is no longer backing it?
3
Let's not put the cart before the horse. Hillary has not won the Democratic nomination yet, and until she does I won't even consider supporting her. If she does win, I like many others will probably hold my nose and vote for her in the general election--but only because I could never support any of the Republican candidates in light of the Supreme Court appointments that are likely to come in the next few years. She's a neocon, a hawk, pro big money, big banks, and big corporations, and pro-NSA. Over the years, she's proved she'll say and do whatever her advisors think people want to hear. I have no trust whatsoever in her honesty or principles, and I'm also afraid that if the Democrats do nominate her, it will hand the Presidency to the Republicans. At this point my hopes lie in someone coming out of nowhere, like Obama did in 2008, and defeating her for the Democratic nomination.
5
I think she DID believe in something. She once wrote seminal articles on children's rights issues. http://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/handle/2027.42/30351/0000753.pdf...
and served on the board of the Children's Defense Fund (CDF). However once the Clintons achieved political power "triangulation" set in. CDF President Marion Wright Edelman said this. "For the sake of looking tough on 'welfare queens,' Bill and Hillary (and they were indeed a team) sacrificed the well-being of millions, forced single mothers into underpaid, underinsured work and added further strain to many families."
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2008/01/22/441421/-Marian-Wright-Edelman-o... Peter Edelman, her husband, resigned from the Clinton administration in protest of this "reform". Later Hillary as US representative, signed the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, but as far as I can see, did nothing to implement it.
Who knows what she really believes, and what she will do regarding women and children. ... At this point though, that's far better than all the Republican promises to restrict women and children's rights in the name of God and Family Values.
and served on the board of the Children's Defense Fund (CDF). However once the Clintons achieved political power "triangulation" set in. CDF President Marion Wright Edelman said this. "For the sake of looking tough on 'welfare queens,' Bill and Hillary (and they were indeed a team) sacrificed the well-being of millions, forced single mothers into underpaid, underinsured work and added further strain to many families."
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2008/01/22/441421/-Marian-Wright-Edelman-o... Peter Edelman, her husband, resigned from the Clinton administration in protest of this "reform". Later Hillary as US representative, signed the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, but as far as I can see, did nothing to implement it.
Who knows what she really believes, and what she will do regarding women and children. ... At this point though, that's far better than all the Republican promises to restrict women and children's rights in the name of God and Family Values.
4
Due to the revolutionary and epic changing time that we have arrived at;
no analysis or process applies in the same way any longer.
Our perception as human beings is awakening.
Bernie Sanders can win.
Bernie Sanders represents 99% of this country!
no analysis or process applies in the same way any longer.
Our perception as human beings is awakening.
Bernie Sanders can win.
Bernie Sanders represents 99% of this country!
29
Every election cycle, the cliche is that this election is the most important election ever and that historic precedents and voting trends do not apply. No candidate represents 99% of the people in a pluralistic country of 330 million people. Bernie can't win. my dog can't talk. the lamb does not lie down with the lion. Epic-changing?
It is not nothing that a progressive left leaning female candidate has more support and more experience than any other candidate in the race or dotting the horizon. It is not nothing that after too many white men winning race after race for the White House, we know have a president who is black with a dad from africa and who grew up in Indonesia. These are big changes.
Fringe candidates who pretend to run are not really epic changing events.
It is not nothing that a progressive left leaning female candidate has more support and more experience than any other candidate in the race or dotting the horizon. It is not nothing that after too many white men winning race after race for the White House, we know have a president who is black with a dad from africa and who grew up in Indonesia. These are big changes.
Fringe candidates who pretend to run are not really epic changing events.
In terms of votes, which should be the way candidates are assessed, Hillary's voting record, in my opinion, has 2 abysmal sell-outs (Iraq War and the original Patriot Act), but according to her voting record, which I found on Vote Smart, she has a long tract record of a zillion other votes that were spot-on: gun control, climate change, equality for women, health care, campaign finance reform, etc. In terms of overall effectiveness, Ms. Clinton represented 11,500,000 of voters from NY State, something Mr. Sanders, who represents about 350,000 voters in Vermont, would never have been able to do, given his inability to even entertain the idea of compromise. That's 33 times more voters, 33 times more diverse opinions she had to weigh, engage in compromise about, etc. (And even Mr. Sanders is not perfect when it comes to principles--he voted against the Brady Bill. Really??)
Democrats need to unite around a candidate who is effective, which means having the proven ability to compromise when necessary (the compromises FDR made to pass the New Deal come to mind). Perhaps Democrats/progressives can realize that taking a stand on principles, and then expecting that the seas will automatically part and legislation will magically pass, is not enough when you are talking about leading a country of 330 million people? Or maybe it's going to be like herding cats--something the Republicans would love to see--Nader anyone??!
Democrats need to unite around a candidate who is effective, which means having the proven ability to compromise when necessary (the compromises FDR made to pass the New Deal come to mind). Perhaps Democrats/progressives can realize that taking a stand on principles, and then expecting that the seas will automatically part and legislation will magically pass, is not enough when you are talking about leading a country of 330 million people? Or maybe it's going to be like herding cats--something the Republicans would love to see--Nader anyone??!
4
Since Reagan, it seems the only people who compromise are Democrats.
George Bush won the 2000 election with a minority mandate. Even with that short handle leverage, he was uncompromising. Most of his damage was done in his first 4 years: massive tax cuts to the rich, lying the nation into war, letting America's guard down in regard to terrorism against the advice of EVERYONE WITH ANY CREDIBILITY ON THE ISSUE and in so doing, allowed America to be successfully attacked by a man living in a cave in the poorest country in the world - something Hitler, Tojo and Stalin never succeeded in doing.
I'm stating flatly, not compromising has brought the GOP far on their agenda, even if it has done much desstruction to the United States.
I don't want any one making deals with these idiots on the right. They are destroying the country. To be honest, I've been traumatized by Obama's readiness to negotiate against himself, before he even enters the ring with these guys and his quixotic search for finding common ground. Simply put, it's been embarrassing. I want a person on the left that doesn't make compromises, but instead chooses to fight to move the resolution of issue to the left.
The only thing Hillary has going for her in my eyes, is that she is a fighter, she has experience dealing with the right wing smear machine and is willing to fight them. The thing going against her is I don't think she has conviction of her positions.
George Bush won the 2000 election with a minority mandate. Even with that short handle leverage, he was uncompromising. Most of his damage was done in his first 4 years: massive tax cuts to the rich, lying the nation into war, letting America's guard down in regard to terrorism against the advice of EVERYONE WITH ANY CREDIBILITY ON THE ISSUE and in so doing, allowed America to be successfully attacked by a man living in a cave in the poorest country in the world - something Hitler, Tojo and Stalin never succeeded in doing.
I'm stating flatly, not compromising has brought the GOP far on their agenda, even if it has done much desstruction to the United States.
I don't want any one making deals with these idiots on the right. They are destroying the country. To be honest, I've been traumatized by Obama's readiness to negotiate against himself, before he even enters the ring with these guys and his quixotic search for finding common ground. Simply put, it's been embarrassing. I want a person on the left that doesn't make compromises, but instead chooses to fight to move the resolution of issue to the left.
The only thing Hillary has going for her in my eyes, is that she is a fighter, she has experience dealing with the right wing smear machine and is willing to fight them. The thing going against her is I don't think she has conviction of her positions.
6
I am really tired of the "Sanders = Nader" thing. He's running in the Democratic primaries and isn't a spoiler; it's a given that almost all his supporters will vote for Hillary in the general.
Also, I believe Sanders gets about 70% of the vote in Vermont - he brings people together far more effectively than Clinton.
Also, I believe Sanders gets about 70% of the vote in Vermont - he brings people together far more effectively than Clinton.
A consideration of Hillary Clinton's positions on issues might be a minor, or even irrelevant, consideration for a substantial number of voters going to the polls. Elections are not necessary decided by a rational and informed understanding of issues; issues can be complicated and confusing, distorted by the onslaught of partisan propaganda. Instead, elections are often reduced to visceral popularity contests. contests in which inherent biases and emotions determine the outcome. How much do we "like" the person running, versus her challenger. Come November 2016 how will the majority of Americans "feel" about Ms. Clinton; like or dislike, thumbs up or thumbs down? Assuming Clinton is nominated, this is where her Republican challenger, overtly and covertly, will most likely attack. The most effective strategy will be to press the American voting public to "dislike" Clinton, as a person. Her ideology and views will be debated, but secondary. And, the best strategy for a fellow Democratic challenger for the nomination may not be to confront Clinton on issues but rather press the fact that she may not be electable, simply because enough people do not like her, or actively dislike her. In other words, defeat for the Democrats could be a fait accompli, so better pull the rip cord now, before it is too late. Choose someone else to run and save the Party.
1
Hiliary Clinton is not a done deal, unless the whole Democratic party is rigged…which is not unlikely. But Bernie Sanders' success is no fly by night event. It's happening because Hiliary Clinton is so obviously a pawn for the powers that be Americans are sick of. Americans want their democracy back and the oligarchs are so arrogant about the power they think they own, it is just disgusting. It makes me angry, when just about every Democrat I know and even many Republicans are already saying they are for Bernie Sanders. He speaks to what the American people really want. And he has been consistent about it for decades. There's no question in the public's mind about his ethics or his intents.
75
Many Republicans are saying they are for Bernie Sanders because they believe that any of their clowns could be Bernie, sadly.
Sure it is an extremely depressing commentary on the state of our politics that the Democratic Party is left with no alternative but Clinton. There will be no Obama-like phenomenon this time. The whole Clinton DLC shift of the party engineered because Bill Clinton lost his first re-election bid for Gov. of Ark. putting his whole future at stake, has been a disaster for the party and nation. But look at the Republican Party and yes the vast right wing conspiracy so successfully carried our. Power and money for them; sacrifice the tragedies of incessant war for the rest of us. It is not that the conservative ideology is 100 percent wrong. It is not about ideology. For those who control the Republican Party ideology is propaganda used for manipulation for concentration o. f wealth and power. The free market is to be subverted to the profit of the 1%; patriotism is for other people, they have money to make and power to accumulate. Small government advocacy is a ruse. They want big government to be their tool, not their check and balance. They have no interest in the middle calls except to manipulate white middle class prejudices to keep potential opposition divided.
9
You and David Brooks are such fascinating Chicken Littles.
But, somehow you, and so many conservatives, seem to constantly get it wrong, but then not pay the price for being so consistently wrong.
Remember any of these:
Reagan proved that deficits don't matter. Cheney
I don't think anybody could have predicted that they would try to use an airplane as a missile, a hijacked airplane as a missile. Rice
My belief is we will, in fact, be greeted as liberators. . . . I think it will go relatively quickly, . . . weeks rather than months. Cheney 02/03
5 days or 5 months, but it certainly isn’t going to last longer. Rumsfeld 11/02
There’s a lot of money to pay for this. The oil revenues of that country could bring between $50 and $100 billion over the course of the next 2 or 3 years. We’re dealing with a country that can really finance its own reconstruction, and relatively soon. Wolfowitz 02/03 now Jeb Bush advisor
“My fellow Americans: Major combat operations in Iraq have ended.” Under the banner “Mission Accomplished.” Bush, 05/03
I'm not a scientist. Marco Rubio
Stagflation is almost a certainty. Rick Santelli, Tea Party founder 2009
Obamacare will leave 250 million people uninsured. Limbaugh 03/10
Obamacare will topple the stock market. Jim Cramer 03/10
Obamacrae will destroy jobs. Boehner 02/14
The US will default if we raise the debt ceiling. Romney 06/11
Beware of runaway inflation. Ron Paul 05/11
And yet, these conservatives are still treated like they have a clue?
But, somehow you, and so many conservatives, seem to constantly get it wrong, but then not pay the price for being so consistently wrong.
Remember any of these:
Reagan proved that deficits don't matter. Cheney
I don't think anybody could have predicted that they would try to use an airplane as a missile, a hijacked airplane as a missile. Rice
My belief is we will, in fact, be greeted as liberators. . . . I think it will go relatively quickly, . . . weeks rather than months. Cheney 02/03
5 days or 5 months, but it certainly isn’t going to last longer. Rumsfeld 11/02
There’s a lot of money to pay for this. The oil revenues of that country could bring between $50 and $100 billion over the course of the next 2 or 3 years. We’re dealing with a country that can really finance its own reconstruction, and relatively soon. Wolfowitz 02/03 now Jeb Bush advisor
“My fellow Americans: Major combat operations in Iraq have ended.” Under the banner “Mission Accomplished.” Bush, 05/03
I'm not a scientist. Marco Rubio
Stagflation is almost a certainty. Rick Santelli, Tea Party founder 2009
Obamacare will leave 250 million people uninsured. Limbaugh 03/10
Obamacare will topple the stock market. Jim Cramer 03/10
Obamacrae will destroy jobs. Boehner 02/14
The US will default if we raise the debt ceiling. Romney 06/11
Beware of runaway inflation. Ron Paul 05/11
And yet, these conservatives are still treated like they have a clue?
283
Terrific comment. The so-called Clinton scandals of the last 25 years have amounted to exactly nothing, while the real scandal of our time, the derangement of a major american political party (the republicans), goes unmentioned.
20
A great short list of conservative bafoonery. But Cheney was correct that "Reagan proved deficits don't matter". (Politically that is) He got reelected.
"Yes, there were the “47 percent” comments, but … okay, no, I have no defense to issue on that front. I don’t think it was Romney’s “true” self being exposed, but it was bad enough". Ross Douthat 11/05/2012 defending Romney's "true" intent.
1
Sins and misdemeanors worse than Hillary's do not disqualify Republican candidates, unless they are sexual or perhaps racial. They are blithely ignored, as nonexistent as global warming or upward income redistribution.
66
I have breaking news for the 1%. My vote counts as much as yours does.
1
Secretary Clinton's campaign has smartly taken liberal positions, but not on any of the economic issues which might upset our delicate billionaire class and discourage them from contributing their millions to her campaign. To make inroads on her support I think the candidates should do what Bernie Sanders has been doing, hit the economic issues hard, corporate "free trade," job offshoring, wage stagnation, the abuse of H-1B visas by companies like Disney, taxing the rich, cost of education. Hillary has a dilemma because she wants to appear populist without committing to economic populist positions. Her opponents should keep her on the horns of that dilemma as long as possible. I disagree that fellow Democrats should join in with the Republicans and the corporate media by trying to smear her with baseless personal accusations.
13
Hillary's public policy positions and her record in the US Senate are very clear indictions that she is a Democrat, liberal and progressive, especially on issues of women, children, and family.
She has welcomed any and all into the fray of the Democratic primary, no problem.
"I belong to no organized political party. I am a Democrat." Will Rogers, cowboy philospher
She has welcomed any and all into the fray of the Democratic primary, no problem.
"I belong to no organized political party. I am a Democrat." Will Rogers, cowboy philospher
18
While highly preferring a Jerry Brown, Bernie Sanders or Elizabeth Warren, without question Hillary has more experience nationally and internationally than all 65 republican candidates announced so far. Combined.
One republican running corrupted an election while Governor and saddled the country with the worst President in US history, an actual war criminal.
Another is most famous for shutting down the busiest bridge in the United States. A former Governor of Texas, in the Reagan and W. Bush tradition was, just like them, a literal guy cheerleader who hid out in ROTC to avoid Viet Nam. Like W. dodged Viet Nam, like Reagan dodged WW II. The one from Wisconsin is on the payroll of Koch Propaganda & Pollution. One from Florida, and his wife, are literally on the payroll of Norman Braman.
Hillary isn't perfect but she is a giant among the republican pygmies.
One republican running corrupted an election while Governor and saddled the country with the worst President in US history, an actual war criminal.
Another is most famous for shutting down the busiest bridge in the United States. A former Governor of Texas, in the Reagan and W. Bush tradition was, just like them, a literal guy cheerleader who hid out in ROTC to avoid Viet Nam. Like W. dodged Viet Nam, like Reagan dodged WW II. The one from Wisconsin is on the payroll of Koch Propaganda & Pollution. One from Florida, and his wife, are literally on the payroll of Norman Braman.
Hillary isn't perfect but she is a giant among the republican pygmies.
151
Ross seems to confuse the Democrats with Republicans when it comes to seeing the primaries as a testing ground for party purity (remember how sore Rick Santorum, improbable a candidate as he was, felt about Mitt Romney's win amongst the 2012 GOP contenders?). Democrats are an umbrealla group who can handle multiple ideas at once and see debate as a positive, not a trap. When Obama emerged as the 2008 victor, he placed Joe Biden and Hillary Clinton in his Cabinet. In 2004, John Edwards became John Kerry's running mate. And so on with previous liberal competitors. I don't see Bernie Sanders, Martin O'malley and Lincoln Chafee as sacrificial lambs, I see them as competent leaders who will propel the party in 2016, one way or another.
58
Progressives have been hugging Hilary Clinton since before the beginning of President Obama's second term:
"But Clinton can find shelter by associating herself with the current president: She’ll just say (as she’s already saying) that she’s exactly as hawkish as Obama, no less and no more. If he escalates against ISIS, she’ll support it; if not, she won’t. Ditto Putin, Assad, you name it. This won’t protect her left flank fully, but so long as she’s hugging the president she’ll lose more left-wing intellectuals than actual progressive voters."
When did this hugging of the President begin?
"But Clinton can find shelter by associating herself with the current president: She’ll just say (as she’s already saying) that she’s exactly as hawkish as Obama, no less and no more. If he escalates against ISIS, she’ll support it; if not, she won’t. Ditto Putin, Assad, you name it. This won’t protect her left flank fully, but so long as she’s hugging the president she’ll lose more left-wing intellectuals than actual progressive voters."
When did this hugging of the President begin?
1
"The ethical case...is easily repurposed by Republicans." Izzat so? Just a few weeks ago every Republican candidate and potential candidate was visiting a casino in Vegas begging for cash from a sleaze-bag who consorts with Chinese gangsters and their prostitution rings. The Clinton Foundation is probably taking a lot of dirty money (most of which really does end up going to worthy causes) but it's not very likely that Hillary would go groveling before a goniff like Shelley Adelson. Yeah, ethics: let's get a quote on that from Donald Trump.
175
Clinton foreign monies go into their pockets. You might want to read "Clinton Cash".
2
@stu
Adelson is, indeed, a sleaze.
Calling Trump a serious candidate, "izzat so", is just Dems and the media having fun.
Trump is like Randy Quade from the "Vacation" movies, and we all know that.
Adelson is, indeed, a sleaze.
Calling Trump a serious candidate, "izzat so", is just Dems and the media having fun.
Trump is like Randy Quade from the "Vacation" movies, and we all know that.
1
@Cjmesq0: Their foundation has been doing an awful lot of good work. Hard to imagine how this could happen without funding.
2
Douthat is very likely correct that Hillary Clinton will be the Democratic nominee. If so, virtually all Democrats will be in her camp in November-- at least if the GOP ticket tacks significantly to the right. But there are likely to be surprises before then. I suspect that Bernie Sanders will do better than most anticipate in Iowa and New Hampshire, and additional Democratic candidates could well emerge if Clinton falters for any reason.
As to the ultimate election results: the Republican Party will have difficulty capturing moderates if it continues to place Tea Party sympathizers on its ticket-- witness the fates of McCain and Romney. Advantage: Democrats.
As to the ultimate election results: the Republican Party will have difficulty capturing moderates if it continues to place Tea Party sympathizers on its ticket-- witness the fates of McCain and Romney. Advantage: Democrats.
75
The larger the election, the harder it is to fix (but not impossible).
The GOP can gerrymander congressional districts, which is how they got control of the house with a million less votes than those cast for Dems, but they can't gerrymander states. So the Senate is poised to come back to the Dems in 2016. The Presidential election is even harder to fix.
Clearly more and more people are aware that the right's policy positions are wrong, so they only have fear mongering, anger mongering and hate mongering + massive lying. But even that is becoming played.
In comes Bernie and he states honestly, clearly and unabashedly that he is a social democrat, and that means he favors x, y & z. Then people check their own score cards and realize, they favor x, y & z. He's honest, forthright, clear, and there's no games there. Its straight forward honesty. That's just damned hard to beat. The GOP will go off their rocker attempting to attack him on his wardrobe, hair cuts, whatever, but he brings it back to policy, and he's clear and straight forward about it.
To a starving man Bernie is nourishment. The Reagan revolution has just about run its course. Bernie's doesn't finesse. He's not telling you trickle down, and that the best way for you to make more money is to give more money to the rich. The GOP has been peddling snake oil since Reagan. The patient, the middle class keeps getting sicker and sicker. For the public Bernie is a rare opportunity to vote their interests unabashedly.
The GOP can gerrymander congressional districts, which is how they got control of the house with a million less votes than those cast for Dems, but they can't gerrymander states. So the Senate is poised to come back to the Dems in 2016. The Presidential election is even harder to fix.
Clearly more and more people are aware that the right's policy positions are wrong, so they only have fear mongering, anger mongering and hate mongering + massive lying. But even that is becoming played.
In comes Bernie and he states honestly, clearly and unabashedly that he is a social democrat, and that means he favors x, y & z. Then people check their own score cards and realize, they favor x, y & z. He's honest, forthright, clear, and there's no games there. Its straight forward honesty. That's just damned hard to beat. The GOP will go off their rocker attempting to attack him on his wardrobe, hair cuts, whatever, but he brings it back to policy, and he's clear and straight forward about it.
To a starving man Bernie is nourishment. The Reagan revolution has just about run its course. Bernie's doesn't finesse. He's not telling you trickle down, and that the best way for you to make more money is to give more money to the rich. The GOP has been peddling snake oil since Reagan. The patient, the middle class keeps getting sicker and sicker. For the public Bernie is a rare opportunity to vote their interests unabashedly.
14
Ugh. Another bait and switch from Douthat. This seems like an article about the choices facing democratic primary voters. Then -- presto! -- he switches to pure Hilary bashing. It wouldn't be "bashing" if he would just write a straightforward essay about Clinton's ethics. But no, even in his swift conclusion, he can only vaguely write "whatever happens in a Clinton presidency..." By not being direct, he trivializes the entire democratic base -- while not even criticizing them (us) directly.
Before I got to the end of the essay, I was preparing to comment that Douthat doesn't really understand that many left-leaning democratic primary voters who are fully prepared to vote against Hilary in the primaries will vote enthusiastically *for* her in the general election, precisely because we do care about issues, and feel that the GOP's positions are so very far from our own. But then I realized, at the end, that Douthat just doesn't care about democrats. What he cares about is proving that conservatives are right. Why doesn't he argue that? Can he, actually, write a clear, straightforward and convincing argument?
Before I got to the end of the essay, I was preparing to comment that Douthat doesn't really understand that many left-leaning democratic primary voters who are fully prepared to vote against Hilary in the primaries will vote enthusiastically *for* her in the general election, precisely because we do care about issues, and feel that the GOP's positions are so very far from our own. But then I realized, at the end, that Douthat just doesn't care about democrats. What he cares about is proving that conservatives are right. Why doesn't he argue that? Can he, actually, write a clear, straightforward and convincing argument?
145
"What [Douthat] cares about is proving that conservatives are right. Why doesn't he argue that? Can he, actually, write a clear, straightforward and convincing argument?"
No. There isn't one.
No. There isn't one.
2
So why do you read him?
"But if they aspire to more than just holding Hillary Clinton below the 97.7 percent of the vote that Nursultan Nazarbayev claimed in his last trip to the hustings, her primary rivals will need more than courage. They’ll need a plan."
Ross, he so funny, comparing Hillary to a commie dictator. Hah hah hah.
Remember when Ross railed about Bush getting the 2004 nomination with 98.1 percent of the vote and compared Bush to Nazabayec? Of course not, he is a tool who doesn't think that democrats can meet the Bush mark of 98.1 and can only aspire to the commie dictator mark of 97.7. After all, leading a disatrous war on false pretenses deserves 98.1! Can I get a hallelujah!
Ross, he so funny, comparing Hillary to a commie dictator. Hah hah hah.
Remember when Ross railed about Bush getting the 2004 nomination with 98.1 percent of the vote and compared Bush to Nazabayec? Of course not, he is a tool who doesn't think that democrats can meet the Bush mark of 98.1 and can only aspire to the commie dictator mark of 97.7. After all, leading a disatrous war on false pretenses deserves 98.1! Can I get a hallelujah!
116
"While Clinton played it safe and hugged the political center"
Hillary is not running center. She's running inevitability. She's hiding everything else.
In the past, she's been far too much to the right. In foreign policy she is a neocon. As Sec of State she pushed for wars, against Obama's better judgment. She wanted to bomb Syria, her people blew up Ukraine, she wrecked Libya in her oh-so-clever non-invasion bombing the place to a jihadist central.
Her efforts on the left were domestic, and produced things like the death of health care reform for a generation. That's to say, she is incompetent.
She's a liar. Sorry, from her billing records in her closet to her e-mails today, she's got a compulsion to hide and to lie for the sake of hiding.
There are a lot of better Democrats, and some of them women. Pick one. Any one. She'll do better. As the first comment says, Hillary will find a way to lose this to a Republican, doing to the White House what she did to health care.
Hillary is not running center. She's running inevitability. She's hiding everything else.
In the past, she's been far too much to the right. In foreign policy she is a neocon. As Sec of State she pushed for wars, against Obama's better judgment. She wanted to bomb Syria, her people blew up Ukraine, she wrecked Libya in her oh-so-clever non-invasion bombing the place to a jihadist central.
Her efforts on the left were domestic, and produced things like the death of health care reform for a generation. That's to say, she is incompetent.
She's a liar. Sorry, from her billing records in her closet to her e-mails today, she's got a compulsion to hide and to lie for the sake of hiding.
There are a lot of better Democrats, and some of them women. Pick one. Any one. She'll do better. As the first comment says, Hillary will find a way to lose this to a Republican, doing to the White House what she did to health care.
18
A quarter century ago, give or take, she once spoke openly. About Whitewater. About the Rose Law Firm. About cattle futures.
And 6 months later she drew the permanent attention of a special prosecutor with the millions in legal bills it cost her at a time when her income for 8 years was zero leaving her dead broke.
And what was the final special prosecutor's report after all that time? No true bill.
I'd take a vow of silence and lock down my server after that, too.
And 6 months later she drew the permanent attention of a special prosecutor with the millions in legal bills it cost her at a time when her income for 8 years was zero leaving her dead broke.
And what was the final special prosecutor's report after all that time? No true bill.
I'd take a vow of silence and lock down my server after that, too.
5
Her people most certainly did not 'blow up' Ukraine.
The people took to the streets to protest a corrupt, thieving, lying kleptocrat and did so for many months until that kleptocrat, taking orders from Dear Leader in the Kremlin, to get tough and then ordered the massacre of over 100 people on the streets of Kiev.
After that, Yanukovych lost all of his political support in the Rada and his political party. Even his own security detail melted away.
To say that what happened in Ukraine was a result of the US is a great and grave insult to the many brave Ukrainians who braved winter to protest against their corrupt leadership.
As for what is happening now, that squarely rests at the feet of Dear Leader and his was in the east of the country.
The people took to the streets to protest a corrupt, thieving, lying kleptocrat and did so for many months until that kleptocrat, taking orders from Dear Leader in the Kremlin, to get tough and then ordered the massacre of over 100 people on the streets of Kiev.
After that, Yanukovych lost all of his political support in the Rada and his political party. Even his own security detail melted away.
To say that what happened in Ukraine was a result of the US is a great and grave insult to the many brave Ukrainians who braved winter to protest against their corrupt leadership.
As for what is happening now, that squarely rests at the feet of Dear Leader and his was in the east of the country.
3
Mark Thomason says, "She's a liar. Sorry, from her billing records in her closet to her e-mails today, she's got a compulsion to hide and to lie for the sake of hiding."
The billing records were a long time ago. So was Whitewater and the "murder" of Vince Foster. Had there been a crime, a real crime, don't you think Ken Starr would have pursued it?
As for the e-mails, in order for there to be a crime, there has to be a law broken. When was the law Hillary supposedly broke put into force? Last I heard, it was after she left office. Colin Powell also had a personal e-mail account and destroyed ALL his e-mails after he left office. I'm not suggesting that Powell should be indicted, but I am suggesting that there are crimes and there are "crimes." The fact that Hillary turned over as much as she did is something for which we should be grateful.
The billing records were a long time ago. So was Whitewater and the "murder" of Vince Foster. Had there been a crime, a real crime, don't you think Ken Starr would have pursued it?
As for the e-mails, in order for there to be a crime, there has to be a law broken. When was the law Hillary supposedly broke put into force? Last I heard, it was after she left office. Colin Powell also had a personal e-mail account and destroyed ALL his e-mails after he left office. I'm not suggesting that Powell should be indicted, but I am suggesting that there are crimes and there are "crimes." The fact that Hillary turned over as much as she did is something for which we should be grateful.
6
The question is who will put Hillary in the White House and the answer is Bush III. However, it will be renamed the Mud House before those two are through with each other. What does the meter say on Bush's fund raising so far? That money isn't freebies for a nice guy, otherwise I'd be a millionaire many times over, lol.
Am I actually allowed to write this or are we supposed to refer to fund raising for a non existent Bush campaign. Guess we have to ask the Supreme Court since they lately took over the legislating of election laws from Congress at the behest of their right wing cronies who were worried the congress would no longer be for sale every two years.
Am I actually allowed to write this or are we supposed to refer to fund raising for a non existent Bush campaign. Guess we have to ask the Supreme Court since they lately took over the legislating of election laws from Congress at the behest of their right wing cronies who were worried the congress would no longer be for sale every two years.
17
So kind of you to plan a campaign strategy for Hillary Clinton's primary opponents that would help her potential Republican opponent. I don't think they'll be buying. They will be campaigning on issues of substance, not the kind opf character assassination that Republicans make their specialty. Tell me, which Republican campaigning for the presidency would want to steal Bernie Sanders' ideas on minimum wage, social security and breaking up too-big-to-fail banks? What Republican would, despite Lincoln Chaffee's absolutely correct critique of the Iraq invasion and its legacy, want to adopt that critique and remind voters of the Bush folly?
And given what happened last time the GOP mounted an ethical challenge to the Clintons in the form of impeachment, only for so many of the President's accusers to be ethically challenged themselves (the gift that's still giving), a party with such a track record might want to be careful before casting yet another first stone. Be careful what you wish for, Ross.
And given what happened last time the GOP mounted an ethical challenge to the Clintons in the form of impeachment, only for so many of the President's accusers to be ethically challenged themselves (the gift that's still giving), a party with such a track record might want to be careful before casting yet another first stone. Be careful what you wish for, Ross.
163
Excellent riposte.
13
I love Bernie and at the least
Progressives will have a word feast,
And Hill'ry, heart cleft,
Will have to tilt Left,
All her better angels released!
Progressives will have a word feast,
And Hill'ry, heart cleft,
Will have to tilt Left,
All her better angels released!
79
"[Hillary's Democratic opponents] can move further to her left (Sanders, in particular, won’t have trouble doing so), but then their campaigns will seem even more quixotic."
Not true, Ross. A majority of Americans support raising taxes on the wealthy, their effective tax rates are the lowest in decades. They are opposed to the disastrous Citizens United decision and support moving to public funding of elections. They believe that college has become unaffordable for many young people. They believe that climate change is occurring and that it is caused by human activity.
How Mainstream is Bernie Sanders?http://readersupportednews.org/opinion2/277-75/30463-how-mainstream-is-b...
"Sanders’s positions are quite mainstream from the point of view of the stances of the American public in general. Of course, the 1%, for whom and by whom most mainstream media report, are appalled and would like to depict him as an outlier.
"On [Citizens United and public funding of elections], Bernie Sanders is the most mainstream of all the candidates The others are in a part of the political spectrum that by the polling represents a tiny lunatic fringe, in opposing significant campaign finance reform.
"[The Republican field of] climate change denialists are kooks, and if we had an honest media, it would call them kooks. Instead, Bernie Sanders, whose positions are shared by strong majorities of Americans, is being depicted as the one who is out of step."
Bernie 2016!
Not true, Ross. A majority of Americans support raising taxes on the wealthy, their effective tax rates are the lowest in decades. They are opposed to the disastrous Citizens United decision and support moving to public funding of elections. They believe that college has become unaffordable for many young people. They believe that climate change is occurring and that it is caused by human activity.
How Mainstream is Bernie Sanders?http://readersupportednews.org/opinion2/277-75/30463-how-mainstream-is-b...
"Sanders’s positions are quite mainstream from the point of view of the stances of the American public in general. Of course, the 1%, for whom and by whom most mainstream media report, are appalled and would like to depict him as an outlier.
"On [Citizens United and public funding of elections], Bernie Sanders is the most mainstream of all the candidates The others are in a part of the political spectrum that by the polling represents a tiny lunatic fringe, in opposing significant campaign finance reform.
"[The Republican field of] climate change denialists are kooks, and if we had an honest media, it would call them kooks. Instead, Bernie Sanders, whose positions are shared by strong majorities of Americans, is being depicted as the one who is out of step."
Bernie 2016!
299
I won't bother to vote unless it's Sanders (or perhaps, O'Malley). Never Hillary, the most venal and least accomplished politician of the era, despite how much some people dream--Nixon had personal failings, but acomplishments--so that's it: Hillary, without accomplishments. And the greed, the Foundation.....I just re-read Greene's "Comedians" the Haiti of Papa Doc and hois death squads the Tontons Macoute, America's bastion against Communism in the 60s--impoverished & in fear; 50 years later the Haiti hasn't changed a bit: where's IS the Foundation?
3
In terms of overall effectiveness, Ms. Clinton represented 11,500,000 of voters from NY State, something Mr. Sanders, who represents about 350,000 voters in Vermont, would never have been able to do, given his inability to entertain the idea of compromise. That's 33 times more diverse opinions she had to weigh, engage in compromise about, etc. It would be like Sanders representing the upper east side--not that hard given its monolithic voter base. Hillary's voting record contains a few stinkers (Iraq War, first Patriot Act), but if you look it up on Vote Smart, it contains hundreds of votes that are spot-on in campaign finance reform, gun control, women's rights, climate change, health care, etc. (And even Mr. Sanders is not perfect when it comes to principles--he voted against the Brady Bill. Really??)
Democrats need to unite around a candidate who is effective, which means having the proven ability to compromise when necessary (the compromises FDR made to pass the New Deal come to mind). Perhaps Democrats/progressives can realize that taking a stand on principles, and then expecting that the seas will automatically part and legislation will magically pass, is not enough when you are talking about leading a country of 330 million people? Or maybe it's going to be like herding cats--something the Republicans would love to see. Nader anyone??
Democrats need to unite around a candidate who is effective, which means having the proven ability to compromise when necessary (the compromises FDR made to pass the New Deal come to mind). Perhaps Democrats/progressives can realize that taking a stand on principles, and then expecting that the seas will automatically part and legislation will magically pass, is not enough when you are talking about leading a country of 330 million people? Or maybe it's going to be like herding cats--something the Republicans would love to see. Nader anyone??
3
Flip-flopping did not prevent Mitt Romney from becoming the Republican nominee, but he didn't win the general election; can some of that loss be attributed to skepticism by voters about what he really stood for and what he would actually do? I mean, it's one thing if a party's primary voters are happy that the candidate is espousing support for policies they prefer to the candidate's previous positions, but come the general, voters outside that party base may look at flip-flopping a little differently and be more put off by it, it seems to me.
10
Romney's loss was a complex matter, Diana, but I've always believed that the single largest factor was that demented speech on the "47%", given shortly before Election Day. Too effective an exploitation of it by the left, too little time before the election to attenuate its effects.
But flip-flopping as one approaches an actual election date tends to be of less importance, because by that time BOTH the surviving combatants can compellingly be accused of it; and there aren't any OTHER choices.
But flip-flopping as one approaches an actual election date tends to be of less importance, because by that time BOTH the surviving combatants can compellingly be accused of it; and there aren't any OTHER choices.
Douthat again shows that he understands the big picture. This is a clear, well written, important piece. Dems better start doing some self-reflection. (And by that, I don't mean saying, "We're alright because the Republicans do the same thing.")
Hillary is not a leader. She doesn't believe in anything. She will say whatever she has to in order to get elected.
Do we really want that kind of person as President?
Hillary is not a leader. She doesn't believe in anything. She will say whatever she has to in order to get elected.
Do we really want that kind of person as President?
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"We" aren't swayed by simplistic talking points like these.
1
No one has demonstrated the ability to say what people want to hear more than Jeb bush. Four different positions in one week on his brother's foreign policy coming in the form of a soft ball question from a Fox News reporter.
The Bill Buckner of politics today.
The Bill Buckner of politics today.
3
As opposed to whom? Don't you think Mitt Romney said whatever he thought he needed to say to get elected 4 years ago, including his speech to a bunch of rich donors when he was clueless enough to reassure them that "we" all knew that 47% of Americans were loser leeches who don't pay taxes? How quaint, when he was talking to a bunch of hedge fund managers that pay lower taxes than their CPAs.
He lost the election over that speech and its endless replays.
Did you really want that kind of person as President? You did, you know.
He lost the election over that speech and its endless replays.
Did you really want that kind of person as President? You did, you know.
4
I’m not sure how to evaluate Douthat’s warning about the dire consequences of a Hillary presidency. His batting average is not all that high when it comes to delivering warnings about Democrats. He was sure that Obamacare was going to be a monumental failure. He was optimistic about Obama’s loss in 2012, imagining that Romney’s misogynistic, homophobic and fundamentalist platform would appeal to a broad range of Americans.
Douthat’s warnings have failed us on the Republican side as well. Heaven knows his Ouija board must have been on the fritz when W. was elected, because that administration was a disaster for the entire world, and Mr. Douthat didn’t see it coming. The sky darkened and crows cawed in the distance when Cheney was sworn in, but did Douthat tell us to duck and cover? Not a word.
Well, he’s warning us now, but frankly I don’t think there’s that much to worry about in a Hillary Clinton presidency. There will be no need to fret about malfeasance, to gasp about gaffes, or to be ashamed for our country’s blunders. That’s what Republicans are for. They’re the ones who shut down the government and damaged our credit. If Hillary’s vote for the Iraq War was lamentable, what word describes the man who conceived it, lied us into it, and sent soldiers to die in it? If Clinton’s financial machinations make us raise an eyebrow, how should we view the party that destroyed the U.S. economy?
Relax, Ross. Your dire prediction virtually guarantees good times ahead.
Douthat’s warnings have failed us on the Republican side as well. Heaven knows his Ouija board must have been on the fritz when W. was elected, because that administration was a disaster for the entire world, and Mr. Douthat didn’t see it coming. The sky darkened and crows cawed in the distance when Cheney was sworn in, but did Douthat tell us to duck and cover? Not a word.
Well, he’s warning us now, but frankly I don’t think there’s that much to worry about in a Hillary Clinton presidency. There will be no need to fret about malfeasance, to gasp about gaffes, or to be ashamed for our country’s blunders. That’s what Republicans are for. They’re the ones who shut down the government and damaged our credit. If Hillary’s vote for the Iraq War was lamentable, what word describes the man who conceived it, lied us into it, and sent soldiers to die in it? If Clinton’s financial machinations make us raise an eyebrow, how should we view the party that destroyed the U.S. economy?
Relax, Ross. Your dire prediction virtually guarantees good times ahead.
490
If we see Billy Kristol making the same predictions we'll know they're wrong.
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Mr Douthat isn't warning that Ms Clinton's election will be a disaster, just that it's unusual and perhaps unfortunate that she has the nomination iced. No one sees any chance that she will lose the nomination, or even that her majority will be less than near unanimity, and this is extremely unusual since she isn't running for her second term.
But while Ms Clinton has the nomination sewed up (baring illness), she faces the historical obstacle that voters usually think it's Time for a Change after one party has had 8 years in the White House (although the betting is that she'll win a majority of the popular vote http://iemweb.biz.uiowa.edu/quotes/Pres16_Quotes.html ).
As to the ethical and legal issues, Ms Clinton has been investigated many times, and the investigating bodies have always ruled that there was no probable cause for an indictment.
But while Ms Clinton has the nomination sewed up (baring illness), she faces the historical obstacle that voters usually think it's Time for a Change after one party has had 8 years in the White House (although the betting is that she'll win a majority of the popular vote http://iemweb.biz.uiowa.edu/quotes/Pres16_Quotes.html ).
As to the ethical and legal issues, Ms Clinton has been investigated many times, and the investigating bodies have always ruled that there was no probable cause for an indictment.
4
I was hoping that this week moralizer Ross Douthat would be weighing in with some thoughts about fellow conservative Republican Dennis Hastert. After all, Ross claims to be deeply concerned about politicians' ethics. Hastert grew rich by corrupt means while in office and molested high school kids to boot. Compared to him, Hillary is an angel.
17
Douthat gets to the right destination, using the wrong vehicle...
There is not one ethics issue one can pin on the Clintons that can't be pinned on any of the forty or fifty Republican candidates who have declared or are about to.
The only "clean" candidate is Bernie Sanders. He's clean of conflicts of interests, answers to no one but his electorate, and has a record he doesn't have to constantly defend. He doesn't need to be pushed toward the right thing to do. His moral and empathy compasses are well-calibrated and time-tested. He's not in the habit of constantly trying to game the system and can play by the rules. He's a man of the people with a long record of civil rights and civil liberties work at the grass roots level. And... he's a real feminist!
While both parties have been busy becoming beholden to moneyed interests, voters have become disgusted. Don't be surprised if Hillary gets supplanted again. She seems to have decided to take a page out of the Republican campaign book, rather than heed voters. Merely parroting the slogans one thinks the public wants to hear, with nothing else being changed, makes one look insincere. The latest polls show she has a problem with that.
But I digress... Is Douthat's last paragraph a concession that only a Democrat can win?
---
The best of the press on Bernie so far...
http://www.rimaregas.com/2015/06/the-best-of-the-press-so-far-on-bernie-...
Appearances do matter - Clinton, Inc.
http://tinyurl.com/nzybylj
There is not one ethics issue one can pin on the Clintons that can't be pinned on any of the forty or fifty Republican candidates who have declared or are about to.
The only "clean" candidate is Bernie Sanders. He's clean of conflicts of interests, answers to no one but his electorate, and has a record he doesn't have to constantly defend. He doesn't need to be pushed toward the right thing to do. His moral and empathy compasses are well-calibrated and time-tested. He's not in the habit of constantly trying to game the system and can play by the rules. He's a man of the people with a long record of civil rights and civil liberties work at the grass roots level. And... he's a real feminist!
While both parties have been busy becoming beholden to moneyed interests, voters have become disgusted. Don't be surprised if Hillary gets supplanted again. She seems to have decided to take a page out of the Republican campaign book, rather than heed voters. Merely parroting the slogans one thinks the public wants to hear, with nothing else being changed, makes one look insincere. The latest polls show she has a problem with that.
But I digress... Is Douthat's last paragraph a concession that only a Democrat can win?
---
The best of the press on Bernie so far...
http://www.rimaregas.com/2015/06/the-best-of-the-press-so-far-on-bernie-...
Appearances do matter - Clinton, Inc.
http://tinyurl.com/nzybylj
183
Rima,
I really like a lot of the positions that Bernie holds and fights for, but I fear he will be demonized by the right-wing machine/media and none of his ideas will get a fair hearing. I'm not sure he will be the best standard bearer. Sometimes great people don't make great candidates. Remember Jon Huntsman? And I'm sure a lot of folks loved what Goldwater had to say.
Let's face it, the last Socialist Jew that most people have heard of wound up getting crucified.
I really like a lot of the positions that Bernie holds and fights for, but I fear he will be demonized by the right-wing machine/media and none of his ideas will get a fair hearing. I'm not sure he will be the best standard bearer. Sometimes great people don't make great candidates. Remember Jon Huntsman? And I'm sure a lot of folks loved what Goldwater had to say.
Let's face it, the last Socialist Jew that most people have heard of wound up getting crucified.
3
Slim,
You should go with what you like, rather than what you fear. Fear is what most people usually go for and the reason why we are where we are today.
The Clintons have always been the focal point of tremendous opposition. Now that the GOP has crossed the line into obstruction, you can bet your bottom dollar that that genie isn't going back into the bottle for any democrat, including Hillary.
Bernie is a level-headed leader and a pragmatic one. He's tough and has more experience negotiating without giving up on core principles. Triangulation, in great part, is what has gotten us down the path of failure. Policies like repealing Glass-Steagall, welfare-to-work (when there is no work), broken windows policing, the militarization of police, and the prison-industrial complex are all policies that were came about as the result of ethical corner-cutting that Bernie Sanders would never engage in.
We have a long climb back to a true democracy. Hillary just isn't the person to lead the way.
You should go with what you like, rather than what you fear. Fear is what most people usually go for and the reason why we are where we are today.
The Clintons have always been the focal point of tremendous opposition. Now that the GOP has crossed the line into obstruction, you can bet your bottom dollar that that genie isn't going back into the bottle for any democrat, including Hillary.
Bernie is a level-headed leader and a pragmatic one. He's tough and has more experience negotiating without giving up on core principles. Triangulation, in great part, is what has gotten us down the path of failure. Policies like repealing Glass-Steagall, welfare-to-work (when there is no work), broken windows policing, the militarization of police, and the prison-industrial complex are all policies that were came about as the result of ethical corner-cutting that Bernie Sanders would never engage in.
We have a long climb back to a true democracy. Hillary just isn't the person to lead the way.
12
Slim,
Re: Jon Huntsman... He had the terrible misfortune to reenter Republican politics at the start of a purge. Look around the GOP, what moderates are there left?
Re: Jon Huntsman... He had the terrible misfortune to reenter Republican politics at the start of a purge. Look around the GOP, what moderates are there left?
7