We’ve always been told that the right was dominated by “angry white men.” That now appears to be a misnomer.
On the eve of the 2009 elections, two angry white men have worked themselves into a froth. Both are liberals. Frank Rich, former New York Times theater critic and “butcher of Broadway” now directs his venom at those in politics, and especially conservatives. Rich claims that the surge of conservative Republican Doug Hoffman in New York’s 23rd district and Dede Scozzafava stepping aside signal that “GOP Stalinists,” a “wacky, paranoid cult” have invaded New York and launched “nothing less than a riotous and bloody national GOP civil war.” Read more here.
Mmmm. And I thought it was only a congressional race in upstate New York. At least Rich didn’t compare us to Mao.
The second angry white liberal male outraged at the turn of events in NY-23—Doug Hoffman now leads in most polls—is David Plouffe, who managed Obama’s 2008 campaign. He’s got a new book out, but is getting more questions launching his book tour about the 2009 elections. Plouffe doesn’t seem to have much interest in talking about the gubernatorial races. Who can blame him? Creigh Deeds has been thrown under the bus by the White House and trails by double digits in many polls. Jon Corzine is in a race too close to call in New Jersey after outspending his opponent Chris Christy three-to-one. No, what has Plouffe’s ire up is what he alleges is a full-blown effort to purge moderates and drive them from the Republican Party. He couldn’t say enough about it this morning on the Today show.
Here are the facts: eleven county Republican chairmen in the 23rd district chose a Scozzafava as the GOP nominee after interviewing the candidates. She is, to be charitable, far to the left of the center, not only of the Republican party, but of the district. As a state Senator, she voted repeatedly for higher taxes and more spending, supported Obama’s stimulus package, voted twice for same-sex marriage, and was endorsed by a party controlled by ACORN. Not surprisingly, voters in the district turned to a center-right candidate, Doug Hoffman, who after being rejected by the party bosses ran as the nominee of the Conservative Party. This is no different than James Buckley winning a Senate race in New York in 1970 as the Conservative nominee. The only thing this development signals is that the grassroots, not party bosses in smoke-filled rooms, should choose the party’s nominees. Which is why progressives pushed for party primaries in the early twentieth century—to give the people a voice. Are Rich and Plouffe now in favor of party bosses rather than the people choosing our leaders? I don’t remember them being similarly outraged when most of the Democratic party bosses lined up behind Hillary Clinton and the liberal grassroots of the party supported Obama.
Pete Wehner does a great job showing the paranoia and rage are actually on the left—and that “Mr. Rich’s tantrum” and Mr. Plouffe’s feigned outrage are really signs that conservatism is actually healthy and doing well.
When liberals get angry and start faxing helpful suggestions to the GOP and conservatives, you can be sure they don’t have either’s real interests at heart. My best advice to the GOP: ignore any advice offered by the media or Obama campaign operatives. They don’t want you to win. Listen to the conservative grassroots, embrace principle, and nominate candidates who stand for conservative values. You will be richly rewarded by the voters.
