Republicanism Is the Viper
To: Josh Marshall
Re: Rove Criticizes Liberals on 9/11
It's worth noting the Rove's use of the bogeyman 'liberals' in his remarks gives him plausible attribution for almost any remark: it should be possible to, ex post facto, find a liberal somewhere who said anything. To turn the tables, it would be accurate (though, of course, misleading) to say: 'Conservatives responded to 9/11 by blaming America, saying it was the just wages of a sinful society; that the attacks were God's judgment and punishment.' You could cite Jerry Falwell.
The larger point is that it's difficult for Dems to win rhetorically as long as 'liberal' is a pejorative and 'conservative' is not. If you think that's a reach, try 'Republican', but there has to be a term of opprobrium big enough to cover the movement, utilized and recognized as such. Look at how hard neo-cons fought 'neo-con' once it became associated with unpopular policies. But 'neo-con' is too narrow. 'Republicanism' is the viper in my throat.
Re: Rove Criticizes Liberals on 9/11
It's worth noting the Rove's use of the bogeyman 'liberals' in his remarks gives him plausible attribution for almost any remark: it should be possible to, ex post facto, find a liberal somewhere who said anything. To turn the tables, it would be accurate (though, of course, misleading) to say: 'Conservatives responded to 9/11 by blaming America, saying it was the just wages of a sinful society; that the attacks were God's judgment and punishment.' You could cite Jerry Falwell.
The larger point is that it's difficult for Dems to win rhetorically as long as 'liberal' is a pejorative and 'conservative' is not. If you think that's a reach, try 'Republican', but there has to be a term of opprobrium big enough to cover the movement, utilized and recognized as such. Look at how hard neo-cons fought 'neo-con' once it became associated with unpopular policies. But 'neo-con' is too narrow. 'Republicanism' is the viper in my throat.
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