Krugman: Clark the real radical. Only Clark/Dean dare to take hard line.

[kerry-is-my-prez]

Bush's motives and unterior motives and to really call him on it. They are willing to risk everything on it.

http://www.kansascity.com/mld/kansascity/business/7780356.htm
Identifying the radical in the race
By PAUL KRUGMAN

Last week, Wesley Clark had some strong words about the state of the nation.

“I think we're at risk with our democracy,” he said. “I think we're dealing with the most closed, imperialistic, nastiest administration in living memory. They even put Richard Nixon to shame.” In other words, the general gets it. He understands that America is facing what Kevin Phillips, in his remarkable new book, American Dynasty, calls a “Machiavellian moment.” Among other things, this tells us that Clark and Howard Dean, whatever they may say in the heat of the nomination fight, are on the same side of the great Democratic divide.

-snip-

One reads that it's about the left wing of the Democratic party versus the centrists. But Dean was a very centrist governor, and his policy proposals are not obviously more liberal than those of his rivals. The real division in the race for the Democratic nomination is between those who are willing to question not just the policies but also the honesty and the motives of the people running our country, and those who aren't.

What makes Dean seem radical aren't his policy positions but his willingness — shared, we now know, by Clark — to take a hard line against the Bush administration.

-snip-

Another is that the Bush people really are Nixonian. The bogus security investigation over Ron Suskind's The Price of Loyalty, like the outing of Valerie Plame, shows the lengths they're willing to go to in intimidating their critics. (In the case of Paul O'Neill, alas, the intimidation seems to be working.) A mild-mannered, upbeat candidate would get eaten alive.

[bicentennial_baby]

1. Krugman knows what's up!

I'm glad someone is listening to General Clark!

Clark/Dean, Dean/Clark - either way it's good for America!

[Nazgul35]

24. ahmen....

these are the only two men who "get it!"

After the omnibus bill fiasco in the Seante without any effort from the number one and two candidates in Iowa, it just sickens me that everyone is circling around Kerry....

If he is the nominee, I greatly fear for our chances in Nov.!

[Loren645]

2. Do you have a link? I don't see it at the NYTimes site.

Thx.

[VolcanoJen]

3. Linky?

When did Krugman print this article? Curious...

[kerry-is-my-prez]

9. Edited the post and posted the link. This was published yesterday.

n/t

[krkaufman]

11. Links to Krugman editorial from Jan 16, 2004

EDITORIAL DESK | January 16, 2004, Friday
Who Gets It?

By PAUL KRUGMAN (NYT) 752 words
Late Edition - Final , Section A , Page 21 , Column 1

archived on NYT online

elsewhere

[Jack_Dawson]

4. Kroooooooooogz!!!

Calls it like it is. I LOVE this guy. Oh and Krooogz too. :-)

[MoonRiver]

5. Krugman is the absolute best!

His would be a million dollar endorsement!

[grytpype]

6. This is old.

[kerry-is-my-prez]

10. Yesterday is old? It hasn't been posted on here yet either. Sour grapes?

n/t

[AnnitaR]

7. Too bad soo many people can't see

things this clearly!

I refuse to accept that our nominee will be someone besides the two candidates who have consistently taken the "hard line against the Bush administration".

Will this party really nominate a guy who goes on TV to say that the AWOL story is "over the top"??? Are people this swayed by the media bandwagons????

[Avalux]

8. It takes courage and conviction

to speak out about the administration. Thank you Clark and Dean. Thank you Krugman.

[SlavesandBulldozers]

12. amen to that

seems as though the press has had its way with Dean. Where will it go from here?

[Loren645]

13. Thank you gore...!

Clark hasn't played it safe from day one.
No guts no glory eh general?

[Tatiana]

14. So are we the only ones who get it?

It saddens me that more don't see through the obvious Republican strategy to take out the "radical" candidates. The ones who will actually change shit in the country.

[susanna]

16. Sometimes, I think so...

and I'll think of that creepy "We fear change" quote from Wayne's World (Garth? I think?)

It is an uphill battle. But you can only take one step at a time. Luckily, there are two fighters out there challenging the very real status quo, and I salute both candidates. They've re-energized my political instincts, which were in critical condition after selection 2000. I'm trying hard to get back into the fight, and am doing my part with friends, family and co-workers. I have gotten all of them to at least take a look at what is happening in the Democratic primary.

No small feat, considering I'm surrounded by super-conservatives (not neo-cons, thankfully). All of them have asked me who's who in the Democratic race. I tell them. (I'm not super shy about my political affiliation, and for some bizarre reason I have yet to figure out, even the most committed right-wingers I know like me. I use this to my advantage.) :-)

[kentuck]

15. It's true. Clark and Dean are the only two.

Krugman is correct. And they are punished by the voters when they shold be rewarded. It is not enough to say it's no big deal. It is a big deal.

[TacticalPeek]

17. Kick.

I like Clark's radical patriotism.

:kick:

[in_cog_ni_to]

18. Well whatta ya know?

Someone is actually listening and absorbing what Wes is saying! It's about damn time! Thank You, Thank You, Thank You...Krugman!

Go Wes!

[The Magistrate]

19. Mr. Krugman Is A Treasure

And Gen. Clark is the clear-sighted fighting man we need to smack these Mayberry Machievellis back to the night that spawned them....

"LET'S GO GET THOSE BUSH BASTARDS!"

[Kat45]

20. Thanks for posting this. I missed this one.

I love Krugman's columns and I'm glad to see him giving Clark his props. I missed that Clark quote--and I love it! Does anyone know when/where he said it?

[DeepModem Mom]

21. kick

[mmonk]

22. Yes

and the word needs to continually get out there until it sticks.

[blm]

23. Krugman missed Kerry saying Bush lied last July?

Or that Kerry called for an investigation into Iraq intelligence last July?

Or that Kerry has Joe Wilson on his team? Wilson didn't come out alone. Kerry's been right along with him in the background.

[Guaranteed]

25. Listen to the man

He knows what he's talking about.

THINK about what the Democratic Party has done for us over the last three years. WE NEED NEW LEADERSHIP. NOW!!!!

[gulliver]

26. Amen.

I'll vote for Kerry if he gets the nom, but where has he been the last three years? Clark and Dean have been the ones taking on Bush in the primaries. Kerry is part of the same Dem establishment that has been locked in political paralysis the last three years.

[John_H]

27. Kick. Betcha nobody will ask him about this on the Sunday Shows!!

[TacticalPeek]

28. "the most closed, imperialistic, nastiest administration in living memory"

And today on c-span,

" And I think the country is at risk also because this Bush administration is the most closed, and the most arrogant, and the most secretive administration in at least thirty years, and they're a threat to democracy."


Radical.


edit, smirkingchimp link - http://www.smirkingchimp.com/article.php?sid=14556

[MidwestMomma]

29. I like that Clark backs up his words with actions

He criticizes this admin for being closed and secretive and the same week opens his online reading room with full disclosure of his military, financial and voting records. He doesn't just talk the talk....

Go Wes!