How is characterizing certain aspects of a world view as “xxx” values somehow running it down? I’m always honored when a leftist denigrates my state’s “Texas values” as something detestable, because I know who’s uttering it. In fact, we have a conservative political organization named “Texas Values,” to which I give regularly.
Could it be that the leftist New Yorkers secretly know that their values suck, and are alarmed when someone points it out?
"A leftist," sure, but you usually don't hear that kind of talk from politicians running for the top of the ticket, because they know that it alienates lukewarm voters.
You can be Rosie O'Donnell or Sean Penn or Margaret Cho or Rob Reiner, or some other comedian or air-headed celebrity, or you can be president.
Ted didn't understand that that goes for conservatives too. You can take the cheap shot and be on that level or you can show yourself to be above it.