No Second Thoughts

Whovian · Oct 26, 2010

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/10/26/opinion/26brooks.html?_r=1

When times get tough, it’s really important to believe in yourself. This is something the Democrats have done splendidly this year. The polls have been terrible, and the party may be heading for a historic defeat, but Democrats have done a magnificent job of maintaining their own self-esteem. This is vital, because even if the public doesn’t approve of you, it is important to approve of yourself...

Lesson one. Think happy thoughts.
For example, Democrats and their media enablers have paid lavish attention to Christine O’Donnell and Carl Paladino, even though these two Republican candidates have almost no chance of winning. That’s because it feels so delicious to feel superior to opponents you consider to be feeble-minded wackos.

On the other hand, Democrats and their enablers have paid no attention to Republicans like Rob Portman, Dan Coats, John Boozman and Roy Blunt, who are likely to actually get elected. It doesn’t feel good when your opponents are experienced people who simply have different points of view. The existence of these impressive opponents introduces tension into the chi of your self-esteem.

Lesson two. Always remember, many great geniuses were unappreciated in their lifetimes.
Democrats are lagging this year because the country appears incapable of appreciating the grandeur of their accomplishments. That’s because, as several commentators have argued over the past few weeks, many Americans are nearsighted and ill-informed. Or, as President Obama himself noted last week, they get scared, and when Americans get scared they stop listening to facts and reason.

The Democrats’ problem, as some senior officials have mentioned, is that they are so darn captivated by substance, it never occurs to them to look out for their own political self-interest.

By they way, here’s a fun party game: Get a bottle of vodka and read Peter Baker’s article “The Education of President Obama” from The New York Times Magazine a few weeks ago. Take a shot every time a White House official is quoted blaming Republicans for the Democrats’ political plight. You’ll be unconscious by page three.

Even allowing the menace of secret money, embracing this Paradise Lost epic means obscuring a few inconvenient facts: that Democrats were happy to benefit from millions of anonymous dollars in 2006, 2008 and today; that the spending by Rove’s group amounts to less than 1 percent of the total money spent on campaigns this year; that Democrats retain an overall spending advantage.

In short, it’s hard not to be impressed by the spirit of self-approval that Democrats have managed to maintain this election.

Harshaw · Oct 26, 2010

In a land where the river runs free
In a land through the green country
In a land to a shining sea
And you and me are free to be . . . you and me.

MKULTRABOY · Oct 26, 2010

There is a degree of self confidence. We have enough bad, terrible, sad opposition that we can just shrug off as insane in a moment. Its an easy fight half the time.

Or maybe thats just me thinking youre all insane

No Second Thoughts

Whovian

Harshaw

Filmmaker ● Lawyer ● Patriot

MKULTRABOY

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