There is a marked difference between the spirit permeating the Obama and Hillary camps. One side has taken on the trappings of a religious frenzy: full-throated passion; a blindness to one’s own flaws; zero tolerance for the other side; eagerness to believe the best of one’s own and the worst of the other; zealous, cottage-industry fabrication of unreasonable standards and accusations (to the detriment of one’s own party brand); discomfort with critical-thinking exercises — and when faced with such an exercise, petulant withdrawal or ad hominem attack. It is difficult to watch, feeling passionate, as I do, about no living politician. Being in the company of this particular politician’s followers is like being in a roomful of evangelical proselytizers — stifling, harrowing, a house of mirrors.
I have observed all of the listed pathologies in both camps. But I observe them with most depressing (and increasing) consistency in the Obama camp — all of the worst and most exasperating civic and intellectual weaknesses that we progressives have railed against our whole lives. It actually advantages Obama in a primary run, but it can cost us dearly in the general.
Today the Obama fainters have a corner on political passion. This leaves the Hillary camp appearing cold-blooded, calculating, and dispassionate. WHICH WE ARE. Evangelical fervor makes us uncomfortable wherever we see it. I for one do not like being in the same room with any form of mental illness. We Hillary supporters share none of you Obama people’s enthusiasm. We just want decent, professional, progressive government once again.
I don’t long to have a beer with either of them, but come November I’ll vote for either with a song in my heart. (On *that* day, I just may permit myself a moment of passion.) I shall vote for the Democratic nominee in the general election — period.
If any Obama supporter will say as much, unequivocally, and even repeat it a time or two for dramatic, reassuring effect, I’ll comfortably stand once again in the same room with you. Is this too much to ask, simply for you to pledge your Democratic vote in November?
I am a Democrat, and proud of it. I like both of my candidates bloody well enough.
March 10, 2008
Democratic Primary: smells religious
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Rhetor, what an excellent post.
You have accidentally swerved into one of the things wrong with religion in all forms – too much belief and too little knowledge.
It also seems to be the case that when God is removed as a belief, rock stars and Obama substitute. It’s sick and I heartily agree with the concept you evoke.
I won’t vote with a light heart at all in Nov, unless Mac chooses a real conservative.
Can we hear more from you? You’re a reasonably good writer.
Grimmy
Comment by grimgold — March 10, 2008 @ 7:31 pm
> I won’t vote with a light heart at
> all in Nov, unless Mac chooses a
> real conservative.
There are no Republican “real conservatives,” Grimmy. (Seditious, yeah.)
I’m a mainstream, New Deal Democrat, and I figure, these days, that pretty much makes *me* a “conservative.” I don’t know any Republicans who’d care if the U.S. disbanded, as long as they got to keep their loot.
What they need is a year in a re-education camp, dressed in burlap, forced to take civics courses, never let near a ballot booth again, their entire legacy dismantled.
> Can we hear more from you?
I don’t know. Got a lot o’ fish fryin’. And in 15 years on the Internet, I think I’ve only ever changed one mind. That’s a scant return on the investment.
Comment by rhetor — March 10, 2008 @ 8:31 pm