Republican George W. Bush turned into one of the most unpopular presidents in modern history. Just as American revulsion at Democrat Jimmy Carter in 1980 helped usher in the Reagan era, rejection of the Bush era could help swing the pendulum the other way.
At the same time, the party has new power centers in liberal groups such as Moveon.org and blogs such as dailykos.com, where antiwar fever and anti-Bush anger are magnified.
They helped propel Howard Dean to an early lead for the 2004 Democratic nomination, lost, then regrouped to help defeat pro-war Democratic Sen. Joseph Lieberman of Connecticut in a 2006 primary, though he went on to win re-election as an independent.
“Enormous dissatisfaction with the Republican Party has brought out the base more,” said Democratic Gov. Bill Richardson of New Mexico.
Ever more vocal and influential heading into this year’s election, that base fed the sense that the party should “return to its core values,” Richardson said. “The rise of the Internet and bloggers have made the party more progressive.”
We’ve taken some baby steps. Still, it’s nice to get some credit.
I’ve been reading Ron Suskind’s book this weekend. I’m frankly amazed. First of all, far more literate and well written than the normal political book. (Should have known, with Suskind’s rep, but still…)
And more than that: It is a far deeper analysis of Bush’s personality and the perverted mechanics of this administration than I’ve seen. The discussion of how Cheney works to create deniability in Bush, the discussion of Bush’s psychology (neuroses), and the vignettes of innocent bystanders caught up in the ersatz “War on Terror” have me up nights.
I want that book, I just don’t want to pay for it.
That’s how we proofreaders make a living! Buy books, lots of books!
Ron Fournier and Associated Press are destroying their brand..with this
They have dropped any pretense of positing the GOP talking points…in lock step with Foxymews.
No shame.
John Kerry was branded a Gigolo. How about McCain?
Got it from the library. Sent the twenty bucks to Obama.
I’d rather give the money to Suskind.
Bush doesn’t just have neuroses, he has full-blown personality disorders, narcissistic personality disorder for starters. Check it out if you don’t know about it and see how closely it fits.
I would like to read Suskind’s book after hearing some interviews of him. Andrew Bacevich also has a new book out and he is most impressive indeed!