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Please, No More Tom Frank

by praktike at 04:02PM (EST) on February 25, 2005 | Permanent Link

Am I the only one mystified as to how someone can write an entire treatise about how the Republican party has successfully used the culture war to advance its economic agenda, and then advocate that the culture war somehow does not actually trump the class war?

Sorry, Yuval (and Paul Krugman by extension), but I think that the Moose has the big picture right here, as does, sadly, Ramesh Ponnuru.

I'm not sure what to do about this--Hillary Clinton's reframing of the abortion issue as one of preventing unwanted pregnancies seems like a smart move--but I'm pretty damned sure that "more cultural liberalism" is not the answer.

... on the other hand, there is definitely something amiss in Kansas.

UPDATE: See also Ed Kilgore's reply to Armando of DailyKos, which in my view shows a more productive way of interacting with the "netroots" than the Moose approach (though I agree with his overall "culture trumps class" argument), which in addition to being problematic in some of its details, raises more hackles than awareness.

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Re: Please, No More Tom Frank

by JC on Sat 26 Feb 2005 12:30 AM EST | Profile | Permanent Link

I think that Krugman, Frank have a good case for cynicism, at least for this administration.

But, as always, there is the perception, and there is the reality. Gore, as an example, is a southerner - but the right wing megaphone pushed him into the "not our culture" box. They tried to do this with Clinton too.

Here's my kooky theory of winning elections at the national level - the most tv friendly candidate, the candidate who would be the best head cheerleader, wins 90% of the time

This has been true arguably since Carter, at least.

Carter - Ford - who makes the best head cheerleader? Probably Carter, by a smidge.

Reagan - Carter - definitely Reagan

Reagan - Mondale - definitely Reagan.

Bush - Dukakis - only because it is THESE TWO, I would say Bush. Dukakis as a head cheerleader is too short.

Clinton - Bush - Clinton, clearly

Clinton - Dole - need you ask?

Bush - Gore - they would probably both do a decent job, but I would say Bush.

Buhs - Kerry - gee, now THAT's a toss-up - NOT!

Re: Please, No More Tom Frank

by JC on Sat 26 Feb 2005 12:33 AM EST | Profile | Permanent Link

This is why, if there isn't a better cheerleader type in 2008 than Edwards, we need him to be the democratic candidate - not only does he have the southern thing going on, but like Clinton, he's got the southern charm in spades.

Plus he has the added benefit of being very competent and bright.

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