Would anyone like to discuss Joe Klein's writing?

[mdmc]

I recently heard Joe Klein on a few NPR programs pitching his new book. It sounded like it might be helpful in regards to shaping a message for the dems in 2006 and 2008. I haven't read it, but I thought Primary Colors was well written.

[bryant69]

1. Klein recently commented on Democratic chances in 2006

Here's what he said --> "Well they won't if their message is that they hate America -- which is what has been the message of the liberal wing of the party for the past twenty years."

Fuck Joe Klein.

on edit: - here's the link http://mediamatters.org/items/200604110008

Bryant
Check it out --> http://politicalcomment.blogspot.com

[mdmc]

3. That is kinda an awful way of making Ted Kennedy's point

Kennedy put out a new book that is a proactive Plan for the party. I think that we need to be proactive and not reactionary to the neo con agenda.
But the last thing anyone on the left is spouting is hate. That is not true at all.
Thanks for the link. I'll check it out.
peace!

[Cha]

16. Yeah, when I read the OP..

I thought they don't know the joe klein I've come to intensely DISLIKE!

What's his agenda that he has fucking lie so much?

[OldLeftieLawyer]

2. One word for Joe Klein

Suckass.

[librechik]

4. he hates democrats

read the recent review of Klein's book at dailyhowler.com for excellent analysis of Klein's serial lying. He is a disgrace.

[exlrrp]

5. Agreed!!

Joe Klein, thoroughly accomplished liar, should not be given the credibility of a sick piss ant

[karynnj]

6. Primary Colors was a novel that was obviously based on the Clintons

It showed them in a pretty unflattering light. Being the author of this has no bearing what so ever on defining a Democratic message.

He has said that 911, when people in his town died, made him support Bush in his foreign policy. He was a liberal, but I'm not sure he is now.

Even before that he was not supportive when Gore ran. In his book, he has a very outrageous comment that criticizes Kerry's character for not highlighting Abu Ghraib in his acceptance speech and debates - ignoring that Kerry, even then, spoke of US breaking international law was wrong and hurt our image in the world. (As he called for Rumsfeld's resignation over Abu Ghraib and criticized the fact that only the lowest level people were charged, most people knew one "international law we violated" and thanks to the RW everyone knew Kerry spoke of Geneva Convention violations in 1971.)

Given his own opinion that "liberals hate America", this is suspect. Did he want a situation like when the Republicans forced Durbin to appologize for telling the truth?

[mdmc]

9. I did actually read Primary Colors

I thought that it portrayed the Clintons as "the real deal", but human. While this message didn't come across in the movie, in the book the Clintons (Statons) were passionate liberals that were tempted by their lust. They were the real deal, not "in it for the money or power or whatever".

I had heard that Clinton's presidential portrait had him posing with a stack of books, and that primary colors was one of them. I don't know if this is true.

[karynnj]

14. I read it a very very long time ago - didn't think it a work of art

The main thing is that given that he seems to have a love/hate relationship with the party, I don't see him as a candidate to suggest anything for Democrats. (especially as the "hate" side has seemed to dominate lately.

[Vinnie From Indy]

7. Joe Klein is a lying SOB

The only message of Joe's that I would ever listen to would be the one where he apologizes profusely for peddling lies and smear.

[DTinAZ]

8. If Joe Klein is your cup of tea...

...then what the Hell are you doing here? But perhaps you're only referring to his actual writing skills, and not the sliminess of his weekly hatchet jobs on Bill Clinton back when he was a Newsweek columnist? He's the reason I cancelled my subsciption in disgust.

Here's a link to one of the Media Matters articles on Klein's recent work (which I see someone else also edited into their response above):

http://mediamatters.org/items/200604110008

DT

[mdmc]

10. Bryan provided that link above, but thanks

I did read Primary Colors, but that is my only tie to Klein. I heard him on NPR talking about his new book. It sounded like his new book was a guide for dems to regain power.

I didn't know about his sliminess. I DO know that liberals don't hate America.
peace.

[charlie]

11. All you need to know about Klein

is Klein's longing to be a Republican housepet. He's obsequious with wingers like Hannity, indulgent with Bush, and vituperative toward any Democrat to his left. Most Democrats embarass him, he desperately wants to be regarded as one of the "non-crazy", "decent" ones. Yet, his biggest moment in the sun was a skewering of one of his own centrist DLC cohorts, a work he was too yellow to sign his name to. The man's a bag of fractured, cross-purposed impulses.

[mdmc]

18. interesting take charlie

thanks for posting

[DTinAZ]

12. a little web searching...

...will provide you with ample examples of Klein's flaws, and of what liberals think of him. Here's the start of a series at FireDogLake (where he's often referred to as "Joke Line"):

http://firedoglake.blogspot.com/2006/02/late-nite-fdl-our-new-contest-on.html

here is an index from Media Matters about some of his other recent sins:

http://mediamatters.org/issues_topics/people/joeklein

But it was the constant Clinton-trashing in his Newsweek work that did it for me. Glad to hear that you weren't aware of his "dark side" and I hope you go and do your own research on this jerk.

Peace,
DT

[mdmc]

13. thanks for the links DT

peace

[marions ghost]

15. Joe Klein

:thumbsdown: :thumbsdown: :thumbsdown:

The problem is at times, he CAN be thoughtful and persuasive...but not to be trusted. He skunk.

[mdmc]

17. thanks for the clarification marions ghost

peace