Passion of the Right

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Passion of the Right
The uses of persecution
October 5, 2004
By Dave Mulcahey

The pitchforks are out in the swing states. Direct-mail pieces are showing up in West Virginia warning the faithful that dark things are in store if the hated “liberal agenda” prevails in November. “Vote Republican to protect our families,” the letter admonishes. A photo of the Bible appears, stamped with the word “BANNED.” Another photo pictures a homosexual on his knees placing a ring on the finger of his man-spouse. This scene bears the legend “ALLOWED.”

A bit surprisingly—but, then again, not—the letter’s return address is given as the Republican National Committee.

Certainly, the piece falls short of the best work Republicans are capable of. Jesse Helms’ creative team set the bar pretty high years ago when it warned North Carolina voters, “Your tax dollars are being used to pay for grade school education teaches our children CANNIBALISM, WIFE-SWAPPING and the MURDER of infants and the elderly are acceptable behavior.”

With a month to go before the election, the West Virginia letter is bound to be surpassed by even grosser appeals to fear and loathing. It happens every election cycle, a torrent of ads and direct-mail appeals explaining to the white voter of small-town and suburban America the ways he is victimized by liberal treachery. The way the liberal elite mocks his piety and his patriotism. The way liberal government taxes him and uses the proceeds to poison “the culture.” The way liberal doves shrink before America’s enemies, because they too are the enemies of Americans.

When such pandering makes its inevitable appearance in campaigns, liberals just as inevitably register their shock and incredulity. Do people really buy this crap? Can it be that, in 2004, the center-left is still paying a political price for supporting civil rights and protesting against the Vietnam War? How much longer can the Republicans possibly ride the wave of white lumpen resentment?

The answers, respectively, are yes, yes and forever. The conservative backlash that began 40 years ago with the candidacy of Barry Goldwater has never been healthier or more productive. Its prospects for growth and expansion into hitherto unexploited markets are excellent—even, perhaps especially, if John Kerry is elected president. I only wish I could buy stock in it.

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