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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsGlenn Greenwald: The Real Reason the GOP Primary Is a Pathetic, Incompetent Clown Show
The Real Reason the GOP Primary Is a Pathetic, Incompetent Clown ShowBecause Barack Obama has adopted so many core Republican beliefs -- particularly in the realm of foreign policy -- the Republican race is a shambles.
By Glenn Greenwald
December 27, 2011
American presidential elections are increasingly indistinguishable from the reality TV competitions drowning the nation's airwaves. Both are vapid, personality-driven and painfully protracted affairs, with the winners crowned by virtue of their ability to appear slightly more tolerable than the cast of annoying rejects whom the public eliminates one by one. When, earlier this year, America's tawdriest (and one of its most-watched) reality TV show hosts, Donald Trump, inserted himself into the campaign circus as a threatened contestant, he fitted right in, immediately catapulting to the top of audience polls before announcing he would not join the show.
The Republican presidential primaries shortly to determine who will be the finalist to face off, and likely lose, against Barack Obama next November has been a particularly base spectacle. That the contest has devolved into an embarrassing clown show has many causes, beginning with the fact that GOP voters loathe Mitt Romney, their belief-free, anointed-by-Wall-Street frontrunner who clearly has the best chance of defeating the president.
In a desperate attempt to find someone less slithery and soulless (not to mention less Mormon), party members have lurched manically from one ludicrous candidate to the next, only to watch in horror as each wilted the moment they were subjected to scrutiny. Incessant pleas to the party's ostensibly more respectable conservatives to enter the race have been repeatedly rebuffed. Now, only Romney remains viable. Republican voters are thus slowly resigning themselves to marching behind a vacant, supremely malleable technocrat whom they plainly detest.
In fairness to the much-maligned GOP field, they face a formidable hurdle: how to credibly attack Obama when he has adopted so many of their party's defining beliefs. Depicting the other party's president as a radical menace is one of the chief requirements for a candidate seeking to convince his party to crown him as the chosen challenger. Because Obama has governed as a centrist Republican, these GOP candidates are able to attack him as a leftist radical only by moving so far to the right in their rhetoric and policy prescriptions that they fall over the cliff of mainstream acceptability, or even basic sanity.
Read the full article at:
http://www.alternet.org/teaparty/153587/Glenn_Greenwald%3A_The_Real_Reason_the_GOP_Primary_Is_a_Pathetic%2C_Incompetent_Clown_Show/?page=entire
Response to Better Believe It (Original post)
Post removed
JoePhilly
(27,787 posts)On edit:
I'm getting the sense that Glenn is becoming more and more desperate, with each article he writes becoming more and more screechy.
And now, he blames Obama for the ridiculous Republican clown parade!
He's going to attack Obama's dog soon.
Quantess
(27,630 posts)Talk about "a reach"!
Quantess
(27,630 posts)But it is completely true that Obama has governed as a moderate republican. Obama is the best republican we've got!
The GOP is chock full of losers, and everyone knows it.
fascisthunter
(29,381 posts)MineralMan
(146,262 posts)not BBI. It's almost 11:30, so it's time for the daily Greenwald screed to be posted. It's a sacred duty.
Better Believe It
(18,630 posts)MineralMan
(146,262 posts)How's that for an answer? Ask a silly question...
Autumn
(44,986 posts)Just asking.
MineralMan
(146,262 posts)Do you have information that I don't have?
Just asking...
Autumn
(44,986 posts)about Greenwald being a paid poster when the poster had responded to BBI. So can't see why you would be so sure the poster was talking about Greenwald, unless you have information others don't.
MineralMan
(146,262 posts)I didn't say I was sure. I didn't say it was fact. I said, "I believe..."
Words mean stuff, you know?
Autumn
(44,986 posts)voted 4-2 to HIDE IT.
MineralMan
(146,262 posts)Community moderation is the wave of the future, I think.
Autumn
(44,986 posts)At the old DU we were not allowed to post that we had alerted, here we can discuss it.
Better Believe It
(18,630 posts)It "FSogol" comments were directed at me I will put them on ignore. Let "FSogol" comments stand and give them an opportunity to respond to my direct question without interference from a "jury".
Now "FSogol" is prohibited from answering my direct question in this string by "jury" decision!
In my book that is an undemocratic.
Autumn
(44,986 posts)To me, that is democratic.
MineralMan
(146,262 posts)It's a matter of choice. Further, the post is not gone. Any DUer can view it if they choose. No censorship at all.
muriel_volestrangler
(101,271 posts)Once you've have a post hidden, you're prevented from posting again in the thread. You can't start another thread in the same forum for an hour, either. They could wait, and then start a new thread (which some might regard as 'calling out', of course, and so it runs the risk of also being alerted on and hidden by a jury), but that is less satisfactory (I think that if people regularly started new threads to continue arguments in which they had a post hidden, GD would become even less useful as a forum for discussion).
MineralMan
(146,262 posts)Thanks.
Better Believe It
(18,630 posts)MineralMan
(146,262 posts)I can't remember my last locked thread, so I'm never affected by any "censorship." I post as I choose, and stay within the boundaries the owners of the site set up. It's very easy to do.
So, personally, I have no issues with DU and how it operates. Not my site. Not my rules.
Better Believe It
(18,630 posts)in this discussion thread.
Are you not familiar with "jury" rules and have you never "served" on a DU "jury"?
For your information if a DU'ers post is hidden by jurors the poster receives the following message:
"CONSEQUENCES OF THIS DECISION
You will no longer be able to participate in this discussion thread, and you will not be able to start a new discussion thread in this forum."
So this is all news to you?
MineralMan
(146,262 posts)It happens. I have, indeed, served on several juries. Did you know that you can see that information in a DUers profile?
Better Believe It
(18,630 posts)MineralMan
(146,262 posts)It's there if you care to look at it. If not, I'll never know, anyhow. I believe I have answered your questions, though.
Hassin Bin Sober
(26,315 posts)City Lights
(25,171 posts)SidDithers
(44,228 posts)Sid
Better Believe It
(18,630 posts)Ikonoklast
(23,973 posts)I'd think I'd miss the Daily Hate if BBi didn't bring it to our attention.
Good for a laugh, though.
ProSense
(116,464 posts)"adopted the defining Bush/Cheney policy of indefinite detention without trial for accused terrorists; and even claimed and exercised the power to assassinate US citizens far from any battlefield and without due process?"
..bullshit!
http://www.democraticunderground.com/100299985
http://www.democraticunderground.com/100285404
http://www.democraticunderground.com/100295851
Still, let me back up:
"In fairness to the much-maligned GOP field, they face a formidable hurdle: how to credibly attack Obama when he has adopted so many of their party's defining beliefs."
JoePhilly
(27,787 posts)Too funny!!
quotes Krugman "in practical terms"
Quoting Krugman: "Guys, this is a major program to aid lower- and lower-middle-income families. How is that not a big progressive victory?"
http://upload.democraticunderground.com/100294294
Ikonoklast
(23,973 posts)Quantess
(27,630 posts)I don't see what's so funny about that. It's true!
And maybe it helps Obama in the election, who knows? GG is calling it like it is, and what's wrong with just seeing things objectively and going from there? We would all rather have Obama than one of the GOP repukes, so maybe if Obama is the outstanding republican he only stands a better chance of winning?
"I don't see what's so funny about that. It's true!"
...you give specific examples of "their party's defining beliefs" that Obama has adopted?
Quantess
(27,630 posts)making the end of habeas corpus official, being a little too war-happy, not closing guantanamo, bankster bailouts, not bringing back any substantial regulations to the financial industry, a near-total capitulation on health care reform so that effectively no one is really happy about it.
That's what rolls off my fingertips quickly.
"continuation of the tax cuts making the end of habeas corpus official being a little too war-happy, not closing guantanamo, bankster bailouts, not bringing back any substantial regulations to the financial industry, a near-total capitulation on health care reform so that effectively no one is really happy about it.
...the fact that Obama reject the premise that tax cuts for the rich do not create jobs and is still working to end them, that he means he accepted their beliefs?
How is his signing statement, ending torture, closing the CIA prison, financial re-regulation, the CFPB, health care reform, accepting their beliefs?
The GOP cling to waterboarding, they want to repeal health care and Wall Street reform. They characterized the CFPB as Stalinist.
Someone not liking health care reform is not the basis for claiming that Obama accepted the GOP's beliefs.
Additionally, Republicans, including McCain, criticized Obama for ending the Iraq war.
Spazito
(50,182 posts)MineralMan
(146,262 posts)More thought-free Obama-bashing from Greenwald...
Asshat!
surfdog
(624 posts)What a tool bag
fasttense
(17,301 posts)"In sum, how do you demonise Obama as a terrorist-loving secret Muslim intent on empowering US enemies when he has adopted, and in some cases extended, what was rightwing orthodoxy for the last decade? The core problem for GOP challengers is that they cannot be respectable Republicans because, as Krugman pointed out, Obama has that position occupied. They are forced to move so far to the right that they render themselves inherently absurd."
ProSense
(116,464 posts)"Glenn Greenwald telling the truth and angering corporate fools everywhere. "
...doesn't anger "corporate fools," he promotes them.
http://www.democraticunderground.com/1002103936
http://upload.democraticunderground.com/100293141
FarLeftFist
(6,161 posts)Pholus
(4,062 posts)So is it GG's fault for saying it worked? Someone's narrative has apparently shifted.
tabatha
(18,795 posts)"In a desperate attempt to find someone less slithery and soulless (not to mention less Mormon), party members have lurched manically from one ludicrous candidate to the next, only to watch in horror as each wilted the moment they were subjected to scrutiny."
"Because Obama has governed as a centrist Republican, these GOP candidates are able to attack him as a leftist radical only by moving so far to the right in their rhetoric and policy prescriptions that they fall over the cliff of mainstream acceptability, or even basic sanity."
Although I don't agree with the voluntary "centrist Republican" governing - because of the GOP obstructionism, Obama has been unable to get anything too much left of center done, except for a few issues, where he had some GOP support.
"The core problem for GOP challengers is that they cannot be respectable Republicans because, as Krugman pointed out, Obama has that position occupied. They are forced to move so far to the right that they render themselves inherently absurd."
---------------
My take is that the right wing (Fox News, Rush Limbaugh) has been brainwashing those who swallow the hype for so long with lies and propaganda, that to be elected by the brain-washed people, they have to make ridiculous claims that echo the lies. And as far as claiming that Obama has the moderate Republican position occupied, there are still dolts in this country that will ignore that and vote based on him being a muslim or some other lie.
getdown
(525 posts)for Ds and Rs
How to attract voters to their side
when both hav e followed R policies for so long
wherever in the middle you want to paint the line
How could anyone vote R any more?
How can Ds ask that, if they lean that way themselves?
How can Rs claim to be the better Rs? if O is doing that?
If Glen is right -- Rs making themselves look more insane might help
Better Believe It
(18,630 posts)But isn't that exactly what swiftboat like smear and character assassination campaigns do?
They ignore the subject matter and concentrate on personal attacks.
ProSense
(116,464 posts)"But isn't that exactly what swiftboat like smear and character assassination campaigns do?"
Maybe it would be a good idea to stop attacking other poster's motives.
getdown
(525 posts)the Dems and Dem voters have swung more to the right in recent decades.
Acceptance of Repug policies and attitudes means that this cast of crazies somehow looks credible. That's INSANE. Enabled by Dems who lean that way, whoever they may be.
That's where we are, like it or not, b/c of pushing that "moderate""centrist" line back and forth for too friggin long ..................
"how can you deny the Dems and Dem voters have swung more to the right in recent decades. "
...know it's confusing, but just because Republicans have gone looney, doesn't mean Democrats have shifted right.
In fact, more Democrats today identify themselves as liberals than in the past. There are more who are pro-choice, pro marriage equality, pro single payer, etc.
Building a false meme to justify Obama sucks is purely an exercise in distortion.
getdown
(525 posts)"Building a false meme to justify Obama sucks is purely an exercise in distortion."
= a marathon of distortion
"you're doing it again maybe young or shortsighted view? lack of history?"
...what does that mean? As for the rest, is that the only thing you can come up with to justify whatever it is you're talking about. If it is, you've go nothing.
getdown
(525 posts)your denial
"how can you deny the Dems and Dem voters have swung more to the right in recent decades. "
Mojorabbit
(16,020 posts)how it was back in the day. This is a different country and a different Dem party.
now memories resemble soundbites
theaocp
(4,233 posts)The GG and TYT haters are making my list pretty long and my reading of DU less stressful these days. Keep the truth coming.
MjolnirTime
(1,800 posts)provis99
(13,062 posts)LiberalAndProud
(12,799 posts)Huntsman, the most reasonable candidate can get no traction in the polls at all. Romney has to move to align himself with the lunacy more every day. The reason that the Republican primaries is a clown show is that Republican activists listen to Rush Limbaugh and Glenn Beck. When your pundits are certifiable, there isn't much hope for the party.
I do think our rightward slide over the past several decades serves to assist the insanity, but it isn't responsible for it.
Odd that Greenwald wants to blame Democrats for every.single.thing that is wrong with politics today. He criticizes the clown car and blames us for what's wrong with them. Odd that.
getdown
(525 posts)that prove the OPs
"assist," enable, not challenge, yes, we're all feeling different parts of the elephant. Maybe those protesting loudest don't wanna admit they went along with this "rightward slide over the past several decades"
MjolnirTime
(1,800 posts)What a sad excuse for a Democrat!
getdown
(525 posts)Dems have allied themselves with GOP policies and the candidates can't attack Obama for it!!
EFerrari
(163,986 posts)lol
i'm beginning to unnerstan
tpsbmam
(3,927 posts)and one that will definitely come into play in the general election.
The GOP primaries are a shambles because the GOP is a shambles. They've been scrambling to kiss up to the Tea Party and the oh so vocal looney ultra-right fundies and they're starting to sound like a bunch of totally insane fascists. When you have, e.g., Newt up there calling for the end to child labor laws the the looney fringe egging him on, you have a Party that is truly in looney-tunes area! They have no problem lying about what Obama's done and painting him to their looney-tune voters as a "socialist," whatever the hell that means to them.....most have no clue what it truly means, they just impose their own inane meanings.
They're up there saying what they think the right-wing voters want to hear. And who they're listening to are the ones who are shouting the loudest......and those are the cult of Beck & Limbaugh. The GOP has been feeding into these assholes and now they're paying the piper -- they've created a monster and they have no fucking clue how to appease them while going for sane people votes!
getdown
(525 posts)the fact that any of these cartoon characters are taken seriously at all shows just how insane the show has gotten
Pholus
(4,062 posts)The exact reference escapes me since it was a gift "book on tape" that I listened
to on a cross country drive but I remember the part where the GOP came to Bill
and said in effect that they liked him and could work with him but they wanted
the presidency in 1992 so if he would delay running they'd help him in later.
When he said he was running anyway they said "Nothing personal but we will
destroy you."
Another theme of that book was that many of the "clowns" in the opposition had
a different, more reasonable personality when the doors are closed. That doesn't
mean the positions change, but they are more logically presented. We the people
get the WWF version of each personality because they need to ham it up for the voters.
None of these guys are as stupid as we think they are. Period. Well, except Bachmann
but even Jon Stewart has caught her making sense on things where she works on
a relevant subcommittee.
Anyway, my takeaway for this election is that the GOP is willing to let their crazies eat
themselves. Why not? First, it shows the crazies that they cannot win by themselves
and puts them back in their place as reliable voters and contributors who don't get
what they want. Second, if they find the President someone they can work with
(and face it, he has been a VERY generous negotiator) it is a waste of money
to fight him (which is GG's point). Third, they might look at the hard choices that need to be
made in the near future and realize that the person who makes them will be incredibly
unpopular and easier to unseat with an establishment Republican later. Fourth, they have
a big reputation mess to clean up after GWB and it takes time for those memories to fade
or to be easily argued as "in the past."
You may not like hearing it, but I think they elite old-boys-club guys in the GOP think they can
get what they want with President Obama and so they have no great desire to try and
take him out of office. So we get the clown car.
freshwest
(53,661 posts)'Adopting GOP beliefs' is not the same as being forced to compromise with a radical, hate-filled GOP Congressional majority and lock-step GOP Senate, to save the lives Obama knows will be lost.
The GOP threatens to shut down the government at every turn, knowing it will cause violent rebellion, which they want to use to step into power with and go full fascist. They've bred discontent and paranoia to both sides, since they own all of the media and cater to the left, too.
For their faithful, their pundits have called for the death of Obama OPENLY since Day One. They paid for movies saying Obama intends to slaughter most of mankind. For the left, they slant every single thing that Obama did, not to save lives, but to make his actions hateful to the left, so they will bow to them, too.
When Obama said he was humbled to be president for over 300 million people, he said it was an awesome responsibility. It is a fearful thing. Humility and compromise, no matter how distasteful, is required. As an advocate, I know about being forced to be humble enough to make compromise with powerful people I consider villains, because lives are at stake, not my pride, or my own morality. We don't get to give all we want to those we protect.
The way some 'left' pundits pile on Obama, it's like accusing a carjacking victim of 'believing' that the carjacker was right. That with a gun to their head, threatening to shoot the driver, his family, even his dog in the back seat, he believes it is okay.
Obama has been dealing with these extortionists since he arrived in office. As far as his sin of appointing 'evil people' in his cabinet and elsewhere, the pundits may have forgotten the objections to his liberal appointments by the regressive representatives. These pundits don't dirty their hands by going to the grassroots level, when criticizing a president is so much easier and attention getting.
By not voting, which gave Obama the Tea Party, Americans have voted for the regressives, the status quo. So Obama is reacting to the reality we gave him, which doesn't mean he wants it. But by not supporting his progressive agenda by electing representatives to vote with him, the man has to be wondering if anyone believes in what he ran on anymore. It's still not the man, it's the ideas and Greenwald's focus on the man diverts our energy from them.
Obama's promoting and signing progressive legislation in 2009, which no one seems to remember, drove the GOP absolutely NUTS and they brought in the baggers. They had conspiracy media promoting an alternative reality about things that have never come true, mandatory forced vaccinations, the Obama youth squads set to drag Constitution-loving Americans out of their homes, race riots of suddenly empowered AA's rising up to kill whitey, a flood of illegals and Muslims to create Greater Aztlan, the worldwide calipate, Sharia law, gun confiscation and people being rounded up into FEMA camps.
It never stops and now the 'left' has gone into the same conspiracy mindset, just as intended, as if there is no middle ground between Prison Planet and the Left now. At some point one has to look at where the left meets these rightwing nutjobs and call it like it is.
They are NOT now and have not been, looking out for the millions that the GOP wanted off the rolls, not looking out for the millions on Social Security, Medicare or any of that. No, they will bite your head off if you mention the big picture.
Greenwald has great arguments, but he's into personal attack mode, questioning the motives of Obama since it inflames and it sells. The reason it sells is because of the GOP owned media that has made this environment. He's just contributing to their victory.
getdown
(525 posts)have the gun put to both parties?
Better Believe It
(18,630 posts)And when people didn't vote in 2008 did that also count as a vote for Republican regressives?
That would mean that in every election no matter who wins, Democrats or Republicans, non-voters are in fact voting for right-wing Republican congressional regressives and therefore a Democratic president never has enough Democrats in Congress to get stuff done!
A Democratic President must be a "great compromiser" in order to achieve a grand bi-partisan coalition with Republicans.
So it's the non-voting people's fault, not the politicians!
Sorry. I just don't get the logic behind that argument unless it's yet another talking point such as "It's the voters fault" or "Not enough Democrats are elected to Congress" that should be added to: