This is not something that is only found in the Bush administration. This is how we are seen, members of groups that can be statistically quantified and exploited, or pandered to. If it’s done by a retailer we call it “data mining,” but if it’s done by a politician we get all indignant that we are considered such sell-outs.

As the old joke goes, I know what we are, now we’re just arguing over price.

– Max

Agreed, for the masses on the left, it was never neccessary to find evidence of wrong doing. All that was neccessary was an unhealthy hatred of all things George Bush, and anyone remotely tied to him. That’s one of the things that disgusts me about the left today; it doesn’t seem to be about a different view of how the country should be run. It’s about delivering a defeat to GWB and the Republicans… no matter the cost to the country. After all, what’s it to them if Iraq goes up in flames and hundreds of thousands are killed like they were in the Cambodian killing fields… as long as it means a humiliation of GWB and the Republican party. Does anyone else remember James Clyburn’s (D – SC) comments a few weeks ago… “He’s worried that Gen. Petraeus’ good news about the surge might be “a real problem for us” — “us” being anti-war Democrats”.

I will disagree with you about the Clinton/Lewinski mess. I, like many, don’t really care what they did in the oval. In fact, I’d really rather not think about it. What caused me and many others to be so anti-Clinton is the fact that he committed perjury. Add to that the fact that he did everything he could to destroy our military, and, well, he needed to go, and the Whitehouse needed to be steam cleaned and disinfected… Just my 2 cents.

Jim C

The 2000 and 2004 elections were as much about democratic buffoonery as about anything Rove did. Had the Democrats had the ability to get someone credible in the candidates position instead of grasping at straws like Kerry they probably could have won. Especially when you consider that Kerry picked up 249 Electoral College votes. But for Ohio……..

The Republicans are going to have the same problem the Democrats have had-lack of one person to unify around.

It flatters us all, lefties and righties, that Rove was this great evil svengali, or political genius/secret reelection weapon. Not so. Rove was the road kill of the confluence of the success of displaying the lurid picture of Bill Clinton and Monica Lewinski, and the fact that Karl Rove is errr*, ‘unphotogenic’, and thus the perfect candidate for a copy – cat smear campaign based not on sex, but eeeeevil.

People understand and are greatly fascinated with sexual innuendo and with equal gusto love to glory in virtue by joining the mob and piling on perceived evil.

It was never necessary to find actual wrongdoing with Rove and his peers. Just his picture was enough, just as Monica’s picture was. A symbol. A totem. Just exactly what did Clinton and Lewinsky do on that carpet? Who cares! We all have our own internal picture, and they’re all doozies!

It’s all just appearances. And the self – destructive skills of our deeply flawed MSM.

Rest in peace, Karl – you’ve earned it. Have some pity for our communal loss of future generations of smart, capable citizens who will never touch government service, at any level, with a ten – foot pole.

*To paraphrase the great actor Stepin Fetchit….”Come on! vocabulary, do your stuff!”.

Ahhh! Must be about that great Amnesty bill that didn’t. I reckon I’m a native then.

re “…passionately dedicated to a generation or two in the wilderness working out a theory of government.”

Pretty preachy for a non-nativist poly sci major!I concur on your “sentiment”, however, I thought the Dims were slated for that role after the 2004 election. Didn’t you? w Amazingly fickle the American electorate are..stranger things have happened and may happen in ’08.

re “…while diddling the help.”

I think both sides of the aisles and even senior Naval Officers are caught from time to time diddlin help…

Look. I ain’t happy with the “Party of my Affiliation”. As a matter of fact I’ve witheld any $$ until they figure out what they want to be- leaders or Dim-Lights? Every cuppla weeks they call from HQ and request contributions. When that happens I co-opt the pitch and say I am only contributing to candidates and organizations that have a chance of winning.

However, as fugged up as they appear to be, consider the alternative. Insert thoughts of Hiil as pres…

It’s a two party system. Power and backing to win come from the system. 3rd party movements, libertarians and those folks who don’t vote much, called Independents get my ire because they simply empower the Dims.