Regular reader and commenter "swatter" raised an interesting point in comment #1 at this post:
Sorry, Eric, but I am going to have to take my frustrations on "conservative" and "Republican" bloggers fueling fires they don't need to fuel.Why is it necessary, Eric, that you, George Will, Kathleen Park [sic], et al, feel it necessary to eat your own? Do you see any of the Democratic bloggers or press going after the ONE? Or the #2- the senile Biden?
At least wait till after the election. At least Bill Kristol was offering advice that it appears the McCamp is following.
That raises an interesting question, and one that has also been bandied about at the Corner as the recent debate about the financial sector rescue plan has unfolded, about the utility of conservative bloggers raising red flags regarding assorted issues affecting Republicans during election season. Well, my feelings on that have already been summarized by Ramesh Ponnuru:
Speaking only for myself, the point of it is to say what I think is true, whether or not it helps the candidates I hope win. Whatever value there may be to reading me would disappear if I wrote only comments that help Republicans.
I'm a conservative blogger. I have by biases. I generally favor Republicans and ideas advanced by them. But, I'm not about to go whistling past Dixie, refusing to acknowledge issues that need to be confronted and addressed. Not only does that make for more intellectually honest conversation, it makes for a better blog product.
Thus, I'm perfectly willing to point out, as I did at the post swatter commented at, that the McCain campaign either appears to have badly fumbled the use of Sarah Palin following the week of enthusiastic, post-Convention rallies or she's totally incapable of handling the job. I lean much more toward the former than the latter, and tonight's debate ended up affirming that quite nicely (consequence: the McCain campaign needs to, and probably will, get Palin out there more).
On a related note, in an update at this post I lamented a recent McCain campaign appearance in Iowa - a state that is clearly long gone in this election cycle. Later, GOP guru Mike Murphy made the point at greater and blunter length.
Now consider the news that the McCain campaign is downgrading efforts in Michigan. For months the Wolverine State was legitimately thought to be one of the best opportunities for the GOP to turn a state from blue to red. If things aren't clicking there it does not speak well of the current dynamics of this campaign - though by no means should it be construed that the cause is lost.
Yet, if a state like Michigan is not worth competing anymore, what the hell is McCain doing in a state where he's down about 10 points with a month to go in the race?
The point is that bloggers need to be able to call a spade a spade. And in this case, raising alarm bells about the McCain campaign is a prudent thing to do.
I don't want McCain to lose. I sure don't want Barack Obama in the Oval Office with a Democratic Congress down Pennsylvania Avenue. Nevertheless, it would be a waste of all our time not to raise a flag of warning.
When this campaign was all about Obama, McCain had hope. With this campaign all about the economy, McCain doesn't. In part because of the reflex of voters after eight years of a Republican in the White House, in part because McCain can't project a coherent, stable message on the economy (rants about earmarks not actually doing much with most voters on that score). It is what it is.
McCain has a chance only if the race is about contrasting his (and Palin's) record of reform versus Obama's fitness for office (or lack thereof). Even more so after Palin performed reasonably well in her debate tonight, McCain has a chance to take matters into his own hands, going after Obama, and offering voters a compelling choice.
We shouldn't be afraid to admit that McCain was in great shape after the convention and in the halcyon days of the Palin buzz. Now, we have to admit the fumbling use of Palin for a stretch coupled with Obama not screwing up as the economy leaped from being a pressing concern to become THE issue has given Obama a clear and decisive lead with about a month to go. Moreover, I have a lingering fear that McCain's long-standing ability to be more effective drawing contrasts with his fellow Republicans rather than creating space between he and the Democrat du jour will end up biting us in the backside. I hope I'm wrong about that.
Yes, McCain can still win, in large part because of the overall, incredible volatility of the electorate - as the poll swings of the past month attest. But, he no longer controls his own destiny in full. He needs a little help to get over the finish line in first place. And of course, the last two debates remain real opportunities for the race to change...yet again.
I wouldn't be content with myself as a blogger if I didn't have the gumption to be honest about all that, regardless of how people may or may not react to it.
Posted by Eric Earling at October 02, 2008 10:43 PM | Email ThisThat said, Eric frequently suffers from play-by-play announcer's disease wherein he tends to believe a game will take a certain path based on his watching of many other games.
Don't forget media bias and polls over sampling Dems. The media really would like you to believe that the contest is over and that Obama has won. If that depresses vote turnout even slightly, then they have achieved their goals.
Do what I do. Lie when pollsters call. Keep them guessing.
We will discover after the election that the timing of the so-called "bailout" was intentional. The libs in congress and the media have twisted the focus away from Obama and toward the economy ... an issue they can win. McCain's objective must be to twist it back toward Obama ... an issue we can win. He must turn Palin loose and for the next 4 weeks she must name names, connect the dots, and expose Obama's career and connections for what they are.
Posted by: Stephen on October 3, 2008 05:15 AMWell, you got two things right. Your blog is silly, and little.
Wishful thinking will get you nowhere.
Posted by: demo kid on October 3, 2008 06:22 AMCheer up mate, at least Biden didn't ask any wheelchair-bound persons in the audience to stand up and take a bow.
Posted by: Rick D. on October 3, 2008 06:30 AMProbably not.
I guess being "honest" requires some discernment, huh?
I think that is swatter is trying to tell you.
This is supposedly a Conservative Blog.
Ripping on Conservative's has plenty of venues.
I'm not going to argue with you about honesty of opinions.
It's just like with your wife...it has it's time & place.
Your criticisms were not in that category, but you are my favorite blogger.
But, as in a mid90s Washington State gubernatorial race, the Republicans earned their reputation of "eating their young". Republicans were near that with Palin.
As predicted, she did just fine.
Posted by: swatter on October 3, 2008 07:11 AMIf that's all you can deliver after that debate, I think that you're either running scared, or living in a world of self-delusion.
Interesting question your candidate had on nuclear weapons, by the way. Worst pivot in a debate EVER.
Posted by: demo kid on October 3, 2008 07:16 AMI dispatch trucks for a living. I see first hand what is happening before most people. Freight is WAY down. Most of the other dispatchers I talk with say they are down around 30 to 40 %. This is long before the current B.S. crisis. People just don't have any money to spend. It all started with fuel prices going up.
I think I may just vote for Ron Jeremy. Might as well vote for someone with experience sticking it to people.
Posted by: Vince on October 3, 2008 07:24 AMI have to say I much prefer honest dialogue to the blatherings of partisan shills on either side of the aisle. That’s why I read this blog and sincerely admire Eric’s writing, even though I’m quite liberal in most respects. That’s also why I don’t spend a lot of time reading most liberal blogs. It’s too easy to spot the warts. Here you can actually learn something about the opposing points of view. I miss Sharky because I felt the same way about his posts.
As for Palin’s performance last night, I suspect there is a good deal of relief that she simply survived the entire 90 minutes, and that she is regarded by the right as doing well only because the bar was set very low.
Don't kid (no pun intended) yourself , the only delusion is on the left. I kinda wished there was some kind of truth meter complete with blinking red light behind each candidate that would signal when one or the other delivered a non-factual statement during their portion of the 90 minute debate. Biden's would have been on for at least half of his share of the 90 minutes with all of his fabrications, distortions and outright lies he spewed and you know it. How come the left just can't admit that the training wheels they picked out for Obama (no slouch himself in the gaffe department) is prone to "foot in mouth" disease; is probably a functioning alcoholic (video proof available); and an unctous example of what's wrong with D.C. Just admit that your candidate for President is unqualified and they needed a "stuffed shirt" to complement Obama's "empty suit".
Answer to your query: 2 white males = bad in the age of "identity politics" ushered in by the Democrat party. The hell with qualifications, who needs them when we can select the smooth talking flavor of the month that promises free stuff?
Posted by: Rick D. on October 3, 2008 08:30 AMBush is running again?
Posted by: b on October 3, 2008 08:45 AMSpeaking of inadequacies, call your WA congressmen today. The bailout is a distraction designed to take the electorate's eye off of the ball of Obama's inadequacies. You know when the bill suddenly ballooned to 450 pages and started talking about Global Warming, that it departed from any meaningful "rescue" and went in to the land of Democrat mass socialization.
We tried this before under FDR and it took nearly 50 years for the economy and political philosophy to recover to a freedom oriented and prosperous market based stature.
The only time the right has trouble, is when it doesn't fully and loudly stand up and expose the left as collectivist destroyers.
Posted by: Jeff B. on October 3, 2008 08:54 AMSo, Wiz... you pass over most of dumbo's garbage spews as well?
"As for Palin’s performance last night, I suspect there is a good deal of relief that she simply survived the entire 90 minutes, and that she is regarded by the right as doing well only because the bar was set very low."
Biden's outright lies and fabricated outrage made no impact on you or any other fringe leftist.
You "suspect" that only because you're driven by the same partisanship you condemn in everyone else.
It's either self-delusion, or hypocrisy.
Tends to suck either way, doesn't it?
Going in, you were voting for The Empty Suit. Going out, you were voting for The Empty Suit. There's nothing OhDrama could do or say to get you to vote for anyone else. Just like the rest of the "partisan shills" you so despise.
Posted by: Hinton on October 3, 2008 08:59 AMI cannot imagine how anyone in their right mind would want these same people manage their personel health care.
Posted by: gs on October 3, 2008 09:36 AMMy posts are never based on delusion. Having made the decision early on to not vote for McCain, and having frequently and loudly criticized the Senator in the past... it provides a great deal of freedom in pointing out the various reasons anyone with common sense would determine that electing an empty-suited, racist anti-American to the White House is most likely a bad idea.
Since we're "out-moroned" here in Washington, there's no doubt that the kool aid drinkers like dumbo and Wiz will vote for OhDrama; clearly they have long since lost the ability to think beyond their partisan hatred... if they ever had that ability in the first place... OhDrama will probably win the Soviet Socialist State of Washington. Hell, dumbo is clueless enough to continue to support Queen Chrissy, the Tribal Ho... even after she flew the state directly into the ground. To expect him/her/it to actually use his head is just something as likely as the sun coming up in the West.
Their positively reeking double standard, where they snivel about Bush's policies but give Queen Chrissy the Liar a complete pass is yet a symptom of the disease infesting them.
And coming out in opposition to Rossi early on allows me to blast that simple prostitute sitting in the Governor's Mansion now.
Nope. This is a delusion free zone. Unlike some, who toss things out there with absolutely zero support, anywhere. You know... things like "Obama is going to win big."
Just like Mayor Bradley won big in California... right?
Posted by: Hinton on October 3, 2008 10:05 AMThese morons, including Republicans (and Bush) who voted yes are hearing their own echo chamber instead of LISTENING to the people.
I am thoroughy disgusted with this government.
Posted by: Ragnar Danneskjold on October 3, 2008 11:23 AMWASHINGTON:
Democrats -- Baird, Yes; Dicks, Yes; Inslee, No; Larsen, Yes; McDermott, No; Smith, Yes.
Republicans -- Hastings, No; McMorris Rodgers, No; Reichert, No.
Since the substance of your posts on OhDrama appears to mainly be mindless drivel, what else could the motivation be?
Posted by: Hinton on October 4, 2008 10:58 AM