David Brooks: "Democrats are the Palestinians of American politics."

[WilliamPitt]

I paid to read this shit. Be thankful you didn't.

Scenes From a Meltdown
By DAVID BROOKS

Published: October 20, 2005

In the past few days I've been speaking with Republicans and Democrats on Capitol Hill (mostly Republicans) about the mood back home. I've learned that it's one thing to read in the paper that two-thirds of Americans think the country is headed in the wrong direction. It's an altogether more bracing experience to go to town meetings and church and the supermarket and find this sentiment blasting you in the face.

The most interesting tales came from Republicans elected from districts President Bush carried by fewer than 10 points. Those districts were once moderately supportive of the president, but now, as one member of Congress said, the anger at Bush is so deep it's almost indescribable.

It's a generalized feeling of betrayal. At town meetings, big subjects like Iraq and the deficits barely come up. But there is a sense that this guy Bush promised to make us feel safe, and it's clear from the Katrina fiasco and everything else that we are not safe.

For Republicans from vulnerable districts in the Northeast and Midwest, the president has become, as another member put it, radioactive. These Republicans return from districts where they are being called upon to give back the money Tom DeLay raised for them, and go back to a Washington where G.O.P. indictments, and hence trials, promise to stretch on for years.

And yet Republicans are not panicked. They know that if the election were held today, their base would stay home, but they look over at the Democrats and say: Thank God for Nancy Pelosi. Thank God for Howard Dean. They see that Dean refers to his base as "merlot Democrats," and it confirms their suspicion that the opposition party is really run by imbeciles.

The odd thing is that the Democrats, who have the self-assurance of a beaten dog, feel this way about themselves. Most sense, in their heart of hearts, that they are the Palestinians of American politics: they'll never miss an opportunity to miss an opportunity. The most common word I hear from Democratic partisans to describe their own party is "pathetic."

http://select.nytimes.com/2005/10/20/opinion/20brooks.html?hp

...more, but don't bother...the rest is amusingly sad...

[niallmac]

1. Wow. David Brooks sounds pretty full of himself.n/t

[JohnLocke]

2. Pathetic (nt).

[mhr]

5. After Watching Voting Machines Flip Votes In 2004

I would have to agree with the sentiment regarding the Democratic Party leadership.

This is what you get when the DLC types take over.

[kurth]

7. Not much different from Rush

Standard diversionary tactic that Rush Limbaugh has been telling the GOP faithful: "Our leaders may be corrupt and stink to high heavens, but we're still INSIDE the castle.... And look at those Dem peasants - they're still OUTSIDE!"

Well, they may be outside and wandering, but they're gathering what they need...

[babylonsister]

3. He's grasping at straws that are unravelling. Typical

repug reaction, divert!

[bluestateguy]

4. "the anger at Bush is so deep it's almost indescribable"

Come to Austin buddy.

[babylonsister]

9. Or Houston in my house. There's a lot of anger from those

who are paying attention.

[rockymountaindem]

6. So, that's *not* the attitude we have as a party?

Funny, that's about all I see on DU.

[democracyindanger]

10. Gotta agree

Didn't read the whole article, but he's right about one thing: There's always plenty of people around here that take every opportunity to call one Dem or another "pathetic" or "spineless."

[Carolab]

22. Yes. The DIVISIVENESS has got to stop!

It's not only coming from US, it's coming from the "Greens" and now from the Republicans!

My God, can we stop the bickering and get something done as a team?

[EFerrari]

8. David, what color is the sky in your world? n/t

[mohinoaklawnillinois]

11. David Brooks is an imbecile. n/t

[LittleClarkie]

17. Gee, I dunno, he was kinda fun for a minute there

when he was calling Meirs' writings "vapid." I had to check to make sure I was reading Brooks.

[longship]

12. I agree with one thing.

The Congressional Democrats are, as a whole, pretty damned pathetic. They are an ennervated, totally spineless group. There are notable exceptions like the CBC, Waxman, Pelosi, and some others in the House, and a few gems in the Senate. But mostly our Democratic representatives do not have the stomach to fight these asshat Repugs.

[LittleClarkie]

13. The Republicans are in trouble so lets pick on the Dems

and hope it's enough of a distraction.

I dunno. I kinda like Pelosi and Dean. And most of the Dem partisans I know don't call the party pathetic. They're too busy trying to build the bloody thing.

That's okay Davie. We'll toil on, and you can tell yourself the Dem Party is still pathetic. We work better in stealth mode anyway.

Thanks for sacrificing your coin, Mr. Pitt.

[Old and In the Way]

14. Yeah, well, I consider Brooks to be the guy who follows the elephants

in the parade....shoveling up the dung. He needs to starting wearing the white coat and hat and get one of those trashcans on wheels.

[aquart]

15. And Republicans never miss an opportunity for treason

Or to betray a hard-working American.

BTW, if we're the Palestinians, does that make the Republicans the Jews?

Speaking as a Jew, that's just nasty.

[MissMarple]

16. In some cultures they drown children like that.

Or, so I've heard. :eyes:

[Lexingtonian]

18. a freakin' idiot

Let's have that election, Davey.

[Duncan Grant]

19. He's used that metaphor before (06/30/2003):

<snip>
The Democrats, indeed, look like they're turning into a domestic version of the Palestinians--a group so enraged at their perceived oppressors, and so caught up in their own victimization, that they behave in ways that are patently not in their self-interest, and that are almost guaranteed to perpetuate their suffering.
<snip>

http://www.weeklystandard.com/Content/Public/Articles/000/000/002/820yqhap.asp

How derivative can you get David? Jeez.

[VolcanoJen]

21. Excellent catch, 94114!

:thumbsup:

[Tiggeroshii]

20. David Brooks is on a higher plain than most conservative pundits

...but this certainly doesn't do him justice. It's just... weird.

[oasis]

23. Brooks stated in an editorial that "neocon" was a code word for "Jew".

Higher plane? I don't think so.:nopity:

[Tiggeroshii]

24. LMAO

Guess not. :rofl: