'I Hope She Drowns'- The implosion of the Democratic Party

Opinion Journal Wall Street Journal ^ | 2/2/06 | PEGGY NOONAN

[areafiftyone]

The president's State of the Union Address will be little noted and not long remembered. There was a sense that he was talking at, not to, the country. He asserted more than he persuaded, and he chose to redeclare his beliefs rather than argue for them in any depth. If you believe, as he does, that the No. 1 priority for the American government at this point in history is to lead an international movement for political democracy, and if you believe, as he truly seems to, that political democracy is in and of itself a certain bringer of world-wide peace, than this speech was for you. If not, not. It went through a reported 30 drafts, was touched by many hands, and seemed it. Not precisely a pudding without a theme, but a thin porridge.

It was the first State of the Union Mr. Bush has given in which Congress seemed utterly pre-9/11 in terms of battle lines drawn. Exactly half the chamber repeatedly leapt to its feet to applaud this banality or that. The other half remained resolutely glued to its widely cushioned seats. It seemed a metaphor for the Democratic Party: We don't know where to stand or what to stand for, and in fact we're not good at standing for anything anyway, but at least we know we can't stand Republicans.

There was only one unforgettable moment, and that was in a cutaway shot, of Hillary Clinton, who simply must do something about her face. When the president joked that two people his father loves are turning 60 this year, himself and Bill Clinton--why does he think constant references to that relationship work for him?--it was Mrs. Clinton's job to look mildly amused, or pleasant, or relatively friendly, or nonhostile.

[MNJohnnie]

Yeah, we really need to waste any time with has beens like Mrs "The Media is doing a superb job in covering Katrina" Noonan. She is still bent out of shape cause she did not get hired as a Bush Speech Writers. She has nothing to say anymore.

[Peach]

I started to highlight some of the better sentences on some of those responses, but there were so many, I simply stopped. Outstanding responses, for the most part.

[MNJohnnie]

wonder what's happened to Peggy that she has become so far removed from the people that she thinks this speech wouldn't connect with us?

She felt she was entitled to a Bush White House Job as Speech Writer and did not get it. Just whiny sour grapes from Ms "The Media is doing a superb job in it's Katerina Coverage" Noonan

[Texas Jack]

...that political democracy is in and of itself a certain bringer of world-wide peace, than this speech was for you. If not, not. It went through a reported 30 drafts, was touched by many hands, and seemed it. Not precisely a pudding without a theme, but a thin porridge.

Was this really printed in the WSJ?

I believe the correct word is then.

[anton]

Peggy Noonan is out of the loop and can't stand it. She thinks she is one of the main architects of Reagan Conservatism and she has been ignored. Too bad, she is a good writer and Bush's speechwriters need all the help they can get.

[MEG33]

Once you get past the speech hit...she does. I just do not understand her snide remarks about Bush's speeches.Her inauguration speech critique was WAY over the line and over the cliff..

[ohioWfan]

Oh........I think the line itself was seriously flawed.

And I think the man giving it meant it, but didn't have the strength to follow through.

His son does.

[Itzlzha]

Wow, did Peggy bring out the 'Bots or what?!

When the president joked that two people his father loves are turning 60 this year, himself and Bill Clinton--why does he think constant references to that relationship work for him?

This has the 'Bots in high dudgeon...how dare she not fall in line and worship the "Cult of Bush"! It's some vast "strategery" that has him and his Father sullying themselves with an Impeached Rapist P.O.S. that attacks them at any chance...yeah, That's the Ticket!

I love how they all gush when a Conservative writer write a pro GWB article...but if the writer criticizes the demi-G_d "Beloved Leader"...then it's..

The difference between a Bot and a Conservative is...Conservatives can criticize Reagan for his mistakes in policy and judgement, yet still know what a great Man, and President he was...

A 'Bot, or a Clintonista (same diffence, just the Golden Calf looks different) cannot even abide the slightest critique or observation that the "Second Coming" may be doing it wrong.

That is what is wrong, and that is why Conservatives are no longer willing to drink the fruity-flavored punch served by the RNC anymore!

And that is why having an (R) or a (D) after the name doesn't matter...both act the same way. Principles and Ideals have been replcaed by Political Calculations and expediency in a desire to "Wiiiiin", without realizing the win is useless if it means sacrificing who and what you are to actually win!

[ohioWfan]

and if you believe, as he truly seems to, that political democracy is in and of itself a certain bringer of world-wide peace, than this speech was for you.

Here it is, directly from the WSJ. THAN instead of THEN.

Bad editing? Bad spelling from the writer? Both??

Good catch, Jack. The WSJ should do better then this.

[ohioWfan]

Forget your meds today?

There was actually rational discussion going on here. But don't let that stop you from engaging in emotional outbursts of monumental proportions......

[MHT]

I think that she has read "Blink" and been working on her facial expressions. She knew this would be free airtime and, following the ideas of "Blink", she worked at manipulating her muscles to "speak without saying a word".

[MizSterious]

Yes, but I liked the friendly touch of adding the self-portrait. Kind of personalized the flame, doncha think? ;)

[MizSterious]

Make that proud BushBot, Itzlzha. I don't know who you voted for (Kerry?), but at least President Bush has some ideas, and is willing to put them forth. Buchanan, Kerry, Gore and the others--perhaps you?--only seem to know how to bash Bush.

[RightWingRadio]

Any criticism is met with personal attacks. Witness the threads on Pggey here. I read the same article and gleaned the same conclusion as you. Neocons abound here.

[ohioWfan]

LOL! Indeed. The self-portrait was a lovely touch.

(Obviously took it with a digital camera just before he typed the post. ;)

[ohioWfan]

How exactly can one be classified a 'neocon' when one has been a conservative for nearly a half century?

How exactly do you define the prefix, 'neo?'

[GSWarrior]

The old left is as hateful as ever. You don't see the same out of the old right.

I see a lot of what could be called hate on this thread for Peggy Noonan simply because she wrote an honest column. You all are as small as the Dems you rip apart.

[rahbert]

It wasn't Peggy's fault that GHWB left himself vulnerable
on the "Read my lips" issue.

He shouldn't have raised taxes, having said he wouldn't..

Peggy writes as an educated person, and that should not be
misinterpreted as elistism.

[Howlin]

It went through a reported 30 drafts, was touched by many hands

Just not hers.

[Old Professer]

Noonan's use of this phrase, "The president's State of the Union Address will be little noted and not long remembered," however Lincolnesque, was a tipoff that her heart still longs for the true Republican leader of our time and the many speeches she wrote for him; let's face it, George Bush is no Ronald Reagan.