Bob Herbert (NYT): Head for the High Road

[The Blue Flower]

Just a reminder. I don't think I've seen this posted on DU yet. Apologies if I'm wrong.

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/09/02/opinion/02herbert.html?em

(snip)

Last week’s Democratic convention dramatically illustrated the most effective approach available to the party. The convention built in intensity night by night with featured speakers who focused powerfully on substantive matters.

Bill Clinton may be wildly unpredictable, but last Wednesday he was magnificent, laying out the challenges that will face the next administration.

Listen:

“Our nation is in trouble on two fronts. The American dream is under siege at home, and America’s leadership in the world has been weakened. Middle-class and low-income Americans are hurting — with incomes declining; job losses, poverty and inequality rising; mortgage foreclosures and credit card debt increasing; health care coverage disappearing; and a very big spike in the cost of food, utilities and gasoline.

“And our position in the world has been weakened by too much unilateralism and too little cooperation, by a perilous dependence on imported oil, by a refusal to lead on global warming, by a growing indebtedness and a dependence on foreign lenders, by a severely burdened military, by a backsliding on global nonproliferation and arms control agreements, and by a failure to consistently use the power of diplomacy, from the Middle East to Africa to Latin America to Central and Eastern Europe.”

Respectful criticism of Sarah Palin is fine. But the great issues of this campaign loom like giant redwoods over the pathetic weeds of politics as usual and the myriad distractions that have turned one presidential election after another into a national embarrassment.

[bemildred]

1. Well. OK. I'm all for the high road.

And I think "leave the kids out of it" is correct. I think a lot more tolerance all around would be a good thing, politically and otherwise. But I don't think we should just overlook the meaning of the fact that McCain selected Ms Palin as VP in such a clearly impulsive manner. This is political brain-deadness that equals or surpasses Bush and Cheney.

[XemaSab]

2. I think the question of leadership is THE defining question here

Obama has it. Biden has it.

McCain lacks it. Palin lacks it.

[insightclopedic]

3. good article

I love Frank Rich too.