Posted on 05/04/2007 8:15:32 AM PDT by IrishMike
Veteran political columnist David Broder set off a firestorm recently when he called Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid an "embarrassment'' for declaring the Iraq War "lost.''
From the assault subsequently directed at Broder — from other journalists, political operatives, left-wing bloggers and even the entire 50-member Senate Democratic Caucus — you'd have thought Broder had had an intimate encounter with an intern.
Or, in the spirit of bipartisanship, had broken into Democratic National Committee headquarters.
Broder committed no such dastardly deed, but merely did what he has done for the past 35 years. He called it as he saw it — just as Reid claims to have done, and that his defenders seem to find so refreshing.
Nevertheless, the 50 Democratic senators felt compelled to respond. Doesn't the U.S. Senate have more important matters to attend to than David Broder?
In a letter to The Washington Post that had the unmistakable whiff of a powder room manifesto, otherwise known as a hissy fit — as opposed to a "bed-wetting tantrum,'' as Paul Begala described Broder's column — the senators asserted that their leader is a "good listener,'' who has an "amazing ability to synthesize views and bring people together,'' and who also demonstrates a "mastery of procedure.''
It is perhaps admirable, and certainly reassuring to Reid, that his fellow senators came to his defense. But this kind of overreaction to a columnist is rare, if not unprecedented, and betrays a disturbing hostility to legitimate criticism.
Though Broder is a great political writer, he is not the president of the United States. He doesn't command an army or meet routinely with heads of state to negotiate planetary alignment or even global heating and cooling. He's a commentator.
(Excerpt) Read more at jewishworldreview.com ...
.....'In fact, what Broder said was not remotely outrageous. It's hardly crazy to think it inappropriate when the leader of the most powerful governing body in the world declares in the midst of a war that the war is lost'........
The Stalinist or Fascist Left will always turn on their own when those few go outside of the ranch. Intolerance is the key word for the Left. People are intolerant when people do not follow the Left’s line on every conceivable issue. How the poor voters in this nation continue to buy their brainwashing could fill a library of diagnosis!
Precisely.
The only explanation for this kind of over-the-top response is that they're scared sh*tless because Broder nailed Reid.
April 27, 2007
Sen. Reid’s Fine Leadership
The Senate Democratic Caucus sent a letter to the Washington Post to contest the attack on Senator Harry Reid’s Leadership by David S. Broder in his April 26 column, “The Democrat’s Gonzalez.”
The letter was signed by Sen. Reid’s 50 colleagues in the caucus:
Sen. Reid’s Fine Leadership
Washington Post
Letter to the Editor
Friday, April 27, 2007; A22
We, the members of the Senate Democratic Caucus, contest the attack on Sen. Harry Reid’s leadership by David S. Broder in his April 26 column, “The Democrats’ Gonzales.”
In contrast to Mr. Broder’s insinuations, we believe Mr. Reid is an extraordinary leader who has effectively guided the new Democratic majority through these first few months with skill and aplomb.
The Democratic caucus is diverse, and Mr. Reid has worked tirelessly to make sure that the views of each member are heard and represented. No one ideology dominates the caucus, so that a consensus can be reached and unity achieved. It is hard to imagine a better model for leadership.
Because Mr. Reid has the support of members of the caucus, is a good listener and has an amazing ability to synthesize views and bring people together, the Senate has accomplished a great deal during his time as majority leader. Armed with his years of service in the Senate and with a mastery of procedure, Mr. Reid has led the chamber with a slim majority and a minority that is, at times, determined to stop legislation with which it disagrees.
In the first 100 days alone, we made great strides under his leadership on long-neglected legislation concerning stem cell research, the Sept. 11 commission’s recommendations and the minimum wage, to name three. In addition, under Mr. Reid’s leadership, we have fulfilled our obligation, left uncompleted by last year’s Republican-led Senate, to fund the federal government. He has accomplished all of this in the face of stiff opposition and with a commitment to giving ideas full opportunity for debate.
Finally, in this age of scripted politicians speaking only to their base or claiming that they “don’t recall” anything, the fact that Mr. Reid speaks his mind should be applauded, not derided. His brand of straight talk is honest, comes from the heart and speaks directly to the people.
THE MEMBERS
OF THE SENATE
DEMOCRATIC CAUCUS
Washington
This is how the democrats rule the media with an iron fist: Absolute solidarity and politically correct thought police.
In contrast, the Republicans are independent, free thinkers. Working for Republican solidarity is like herding cats.
This is how the democrats rule the media with an iron fist: Absolute solidarity and politically correct thought police.
In contrast, the Republicans are independent, free thinkers. Working for Republican solidarity is like herding cats.
Such pathetic losers!
Imagine if Broder had called him a fag or a nappy-headed ho.
This is also what his wife said.
Bwa-ha-ha That’s awesome!
I'd say Harry has been damned by faint praise.
“The chill for fascisim in the air”
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.