*"Demagoguery 101" *Last year, the /Seattle Times/ dropped
<http://www.seanet.com/%7Ejimxc/Politics/December2010_1.html#jrm9427>
Charles Krauthammer from their list of columnists. It isn't hard to
understand why; the editorial board did not like reading Krauthammer
columns like this one
<http://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/demagoguery-101/2011/05/12/AFu6CV1G_story.html>.
The El Paso speech is notable not for breaking any new ground on
immigration but for perfectly illustrating Obama's political style:
the professorial, almost therapeutic, invitation to civil discourse,
wrapped around the basest of rhetorical devices --- charges of
malice compounded with accusations of bad faith. "They'll never be
satisfied," said Obama about border control. "And I understand that.
That's politics."
How understanding. The other side plays "politics," Obama acts in
the public interest. Their eyes are on poll numbers, political
power, the next election; Obama's rest fixedly on the little children.
The board did not like reading those columns because, I suspect, they
knew that what Krauthammer writes is --- usually --- true. They would
rather not read Krauthammer's critiques of President Obama, because
those critiques force supporters to reconsider their support. (Or,
perhaps, force them to support, or at least excuse, his demagoguery.)
Krauthammer could have made his case even stronger by citing Mark
Salter's experience
<http://www1.realclearpolitics.com/articles/2011/05/12/obamas_immigration_reform_vision_clouded_by_cynicism_109830.html>.
Salter blames Obama for helping /block/ immigration reform. Obama,
Salter says, could never be satisfied; he wanted the issue, not reforms.
It is time for Obama to grow up a little, to give up these childish
insults, these nasty attacks on the motives of those who disagree with
him. Whether he likes it or not, he will have to work with Republicans
during this year and next. And, even if he is re-elected in 2012, it is
likely that the Republicans will control one or both houses of Congress
during the next four years.
His supporters --- including the /Seattle Times/ editorial board ---
should be the first to insist that Obama grow up a little. If they want
him to succeed as president, they should tell him to put the country's
best interests ahead of immediate political gains, and they should stop
tolerating the distortions, exaggerations, and sometimes outright
falsehoods that he uses in so many of his speeches.
If, that is, his supporters think that the country's interests are more
important than short-term gains for the left wing of the Democratic party.
Cross posted at Sound Politics <http://www.soundpolitics.com>.
- 7:32 AM, 13 May 2011 [link]
<http://www.seanet.com/%7Ejimxc/Politics/May2011_2.html#jrm9882>
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