A Very Long Campaign

For someone who increasingly finds himself sitting on the fence about whether to vote for Barack Obama in the general election or to simply call it quits on my lifelong relationship with the Democrat Party, the huge flap Obamacrats have made over Wednesday's debate has pretty near pushed me over the edge. In response to Obama's rather lackluster performance they've viciously rounded on the people asking the questions, consigning them to an ever-expanding purgatory for those who pose any doubts about Obama's righteous claim to the throne. Not that Obama's debate performance has ever been particularly stellar, as he comes off to me as a bit of an over-intellectualized lawyer-geek except when he's giving speeches. (Don't mention this to a true-believer however, as you will be roundly attacked as a reactionary.)

During this campaign I've watched with increasing dismay as self-identified 'progressives' exhibit more and more of their darkest side, rivaling the demagoguery I'd previously associated mostly with ditto-heads on the far right. Faced with two candidates who differ very little on issues or policies the campaign has become almost entirely about personality and 'electibility.' If I were to characterize the personality of the Obama campaign it would be on a scale that gravitates between whiner and bully. If I were to characterize their attitude toward any American or group of Americans who oppose or question the absolute correctness of their vision, it would be with one word, arrogance. If I were to characterize their style it could be simply summed up as ridicule.

The political dialogue on the left has shifted from self-criticism and analysis to the hysterical echo chamber where Keith Olbermann mirrors Rush Limbaugh and the Huffington Post mirrors the Drudge Report, while the Daily KOS descends into adolescent posturing.  I guess this sort of balance of extremes was inevitable, but it hardly makes up for the loss of rational conversation that's been buried beneath accusatory mudslinging. As I pull back in dismay it's as if a filter is removed from my eyes and I look at the group with whom I've always identified and increasingly see a variety of political animal that is all too wiling to run in herds and all too easily impressed by the buzz-o-the-moment. I see unity replaced by factionalism with little attempt to explore common ground or even to respect one's opponents. The questions that occur to me is whether I'll be placed on a list of the politically untouchable and when I'll be purged from the ranks of the politically correct? These are the people I wanted to see in power?

If Obama's performance and the debate aftermath is any measure, it appears more and more that the Democrats are once again ready to select the candidate least likely to succeed, placing themselves firmly in the position of 'deer in the headlights' as they squabble in the face of an upcoming fall election. Tragically, if not inconsistently, they've split into dueling factions between those in the center and those on the extremes. The winner will be determined by who shouts loudest and is most favored by the media. So-called 'progressive' Democrats are so wrapped up in self-righteousness and anti-Clinton passion while liberals are so concerned about offending their base that all appear incapable of seeing the truck coming at them from the other side. They are both unlikely to look up until it's a bit too late.

If Obama is nominated this will be a very long campaign indeed, as we will have to listen to a constant chorus of whining and complaining which occurs every time he's confronted or criticized. The question is how long it will take for Americans and for the media to get fed up with this juvenile bitching. At which point, for me the Ralph Nader candidacy becomes more and more attractive.