Washington Democrats think their core voters are barking mad.

OpinionJournal ^ | June 22, 2006 | PEGGY NOONAN

[george76]

They feel an increasing intellectual estrangement from and impatience with the activists who people their base of support.

And this is something new.

On the Democratic side, it is not just as bad but worse. They don't only think they're more sophisticated than their base, more informed and aware of the complexities.

I believe they think their base is mad.

You can see their problem in their inability to get a slogan. Which, believe me, is how they think of it: a slogan. "Together for a Better Future." "A Future With Better Togetherness." Today for a better tomorrow, tomorrow for a better today.

A party has a hard time saying what it stands for only when it doesn't know what it stands for. It has trouble getting a compelling slogan only when it has no idea what compels its base. Or when it fears what compels it.

I saw Howard Dean say something intemperate on TV. I actually can't remember what it was, one intemperate Dean statement blending into another as they do.

"Why does he say things like that?"

A middle-aged woman--intelligent, professional--answered, "Because he thinks they're stupid." ...

"His party," she said. We both laughed because it sounded true.

But today I'm thinking that's not quite it. Howard Dean is actually the most in touch with his base of all D.C. Democrats because he speaks to them the secret language of Madman Boogabooga.

This is actually not ineffective.

It's a language that quells the base and would scare the center if they followed it more closely, but they can't because it's not heavily reported because "Dean Says Something Crazy" is no longer news.

[toddlintown]

Peggy's a loon.

[george76]

In their hearts...they don't really like their base.

[gcruse]

Peggy Noonan's writing is approaching marvelous since she dropped the treacle and began differentiating Republicans from conservatives. I like it.

[308MBR]

So what. The GOP leadership thinks their base is a bunch of idiots as well.

SEAL THE BORDER! DEPORT THE ILLEGALS! STOP THROWING AWAY MY GRANDKIDS' MONEY ON PORK AND JERKOFFS THAT WON'T WORK!

We aren't idiots, just angry.

[Mr. Jeeves]

Washington Republicans think their core voters are racist xenophobes. What's the difference? Both parties are acting like the French nobility before the Revolution. I wouldn't be surprised if Trent Lott started running down peasants in his limo for sport. ;)

[Torie]

"Democratic leaders in Washington are in a worse position than Republican leaders in Washington. Neither likes their base, really, and both think they are smarter. But the Democrats think, deep down, that their base is barking mad. The Republicans don't. They just think their base is a bore."

Quote of the day. It might not be accurate, but it is well crafted nonetheless as a proactive conversation starter.

[george76]

Peggy's points on the GOP...

---

In the past, Republican leaders in Washington bowed either symbolically or practically to the presumed moral leadership and cleanness of vision of the people back home.

They understood the base wanted tax cuts and spending cuts, and for serious reasons. The base had deep qualms about abortion.

The base intuitively recoiled from big government: They knew the best arrangement was maximum possible power to the individual and limited, policed, heavily checked power to the state.

Or, as some back home might have put it, Don't put your faith in governments, which are made by men; put your faith in individuals, who are made by God.

[msnimje]

In their hearts...they don't really like their base

It is hard to like people who you must keep down and beholding to the government in order for you to succeed.

[Big Guy and Rusty 99]

I think the democrats should be called for what they really are: "terrorist sympathizers"

[george76]

That is a good conversation starter.

[Savage Beast]

"Washington Democrats think their core voters are barking mad."

In fact, they are stark raving mad.

[george76]

They can not even select a slogan.

[SunkenCiv]

Howard Dean is actually the most in touch with his base of all D.C. Democrats because he speaks to them the secret language of Madman Boogabooga.

:'D I think Madman Boogabooga would object to being lumped together with Howard "Eeeyah!" Dean.

[dk/coro]

"So what. The GOP leadership thinks their base is a bunch of idiots as well"

I fully agree -- and what is equally despicable is that Rove and Company think they have us in their hip-pocket, because we "don't have anywhere else to go."

I despise these gutless, career pols on both sides of the aisle. Easy call, however; for the Dems are certified loonies -- as well; and, in many cases, aiding and abetting the enemy by their anti-Bush posturing.

Where is Senator Ev Dirksen when we need him? Six feet under, and laughing like hell at our collective incompetence. That's where!!!

Shame on us!

[justshutupandtakeit]

There are plenty of angry idiots out there raving at Bush.

[Incorrigible]

[KoRn]

You basically have a party that's dead in the water as far as ideas are concerned. Their base are the people who will come to realize this last, and think they are still relevant. The people who represent them in DC already know this, but don't yet know what to do so they just go out into the media with whatever red meat they think will make their base happy to keep their jobs.

[308MBR]

I like GWB just fine, but somebody needs to be heard over Rove on a few matters.

Ever think about how much cheaper gas would be if there were 12 million fewer people buying it? How about car insurance for uninsured motorists? Maybe some native born bricklayers could make some money again....laying bricks.

People yell at me when I do bad. George may be the President and all, but he's still going to get it from me. If that makes me an idiot, that's fine. At least I'm not a blindfolded sheep tied off at the ankle.

[Incorrigible]

treacle - something (as a tone of voice) heavily sweet and cloying

Thanks for the new word!