“I am a conservative ideologue. This Romney hatred is something else.”
I agree. I’m sort of fascinated and appalled by it simultaneously. It’s a true force of nature, terrible in its magnitude and intensity. There is a component of the uber-rigid ideologue to it, and something of the Terrible Twos mixed with the narcissism of perpetual adolescence, but that still doesn’t quite capture its self-righteous, self-destructive ferociousness in all its awe-inspiring glory.
I’m curious to know what you make of it, what you think that “something else” is. Let me know, because I share your wonderment.
I’ve used the metaphor before of some young guy wanting to go out in a blaze of glory, thinking he’s making a heroic, game changing last stand at the Alamo, when the better analogy would be Pickett’s Charge.
I’m also thinking of doing one of my weekend vanities tomorrow, quoting a few salient paragraphs from The Business of May Next, William Lee Miller’s wonderful political biography of James Madison’s role in our nation’s founding. That way these folks can flame Madison rather than me. :)
I think it is religious.
Here's what I said upthread:
My current best guess is that the Mitt-haters are motivated by their belief that Mormonism is demonic and that this trumps all other considerations.
They believe that the GOP, by nominating Mitt, has literally made a pact with Satan and must therefore be opposed to the utmost.
Now check out the reply to this at #133. I really think I'm onto something here.
Re: 134
Loved your response! I have two toddler tantrum throwers in my home as well as a tween and a very self-righteous 14 year old, and you have nailed the temperament exactly, and very eloquently!