ANGRY LEFT: The Insanity of Bush Hatred

The Wall Street Journal ^ | November 14, 2007 | PETER BERKOWITZ

[Aristotelian]

Hating the president is almost as old as the republic itself. The people, or various factions among them, have indulged in Clinton hatred, Reagan hatred, Nixon hatred, LBJ hatred, FDR hatred, Lincoln hatred, and John Adams hatred, to mention only the more extravagant hatreds that we Americans have conceived for our presidents.

But Bush hatred is different. It's not that this time members of the intellectual class have been swept away by passion and become votaries of anger and loathing. Alas, intellectuals have always been prone to employ their learning and fine words to whip up resentment and demonize the competition. Bush hatred, however, is distinguished by the pride intellectuals have taken in their hatred, openly endorsing it as a virtue and enthusiastically proclaiming that their hatred is not only a rational response to the president and his administration but a mark of good moral hygiene. . . .

Bush hatred is not a rational response to actual Bush perfidy. Rather, Bush hatred compels its progressive victims--who pride themselves on their sophistication and sensitivity to nuance--to reduce complicated events and multilayered issues to simple matters of good and evil. Like all hatred in politics, Bush hatred blinds to the other sides of the argument, and constrains the hater to see a monster instead of a political opponent. . . .

[petercooper]

Plenty of Bush-haters right here on this thread. Aren’t there any cop-bash threads they could move on to?

[Non-Sequitur]

Yep, it was Texas that put him over. See: LBJ “Landslide Lyndon” and how he perfected the cemetary vote as a congressman.

Johnson got his nickname when he won his Senate seat. He didn't need the cemetary vote when he was a congressman.

[cva66snipe]

what do you think of Paul Weyrich now?

I still like the man even though I do not agree with his choice. But Conservatives owe him a huge thanks. He helped make the Reagan terms a reality. In early 1996 it was Weyrich who was sounding the alarm and rightfully so that the GOP was selling us out. He specifically went after Lott I remember that well.

I think Weyrich is tired really. I don't see how he's kept it up. He was having notable health issues in the mid 1990's and it's far worse now if I understand right. I also agree a lot with two letters he wrote to Conservatives that raised quite a stir. I know we can't save the nation at this point but we must look out for our own. When a chance comes for change say another party which is conservative based I think we should support it as well. It is not a majority that changed American or even Biblical history for the better. It was minorities willing to do what is right despite the cost.

[Redleg Duke]

We’re seeing it already, and she hasn’t even done anything yet.

There, I fixed your statement.

[Guenevere]

But cva66snipe, from your posts, you don't sound like you're comfortable with compromise...(neither am I)

..I can understand your respect & appreciation for Weyrich' history...

..but if Dobson or Schlafly took this path, I would find it deeply disappointing.

My personal opinion is...if God doesn't intervene & show mercy in this election, our nation will be gravely wounded.

Duncan Hunter is the only one who seems to have the courage of his convictions....& I give kudos to Tancredo too.

[Arrowhead1952]

Bush hatred is alive and well in Austin. I've come close to writing a letter to the editor of the Statesman and tell every other letter writer they may as well start every letter with:

"I hate GW Bush and I hate all Republicans."

Believe me, my subscription will never be renewed again.

[sportutegrl]

Yes, I think we need a Conservative candidate, too. I also agree that a true Conservative would win, big in the general election. The problem is the primary. We have some Conservative Republican candidates running in the primary, we just need to get one nominated. When you shut out half the country and declare the race over after only the most leftward leaning states have voted, you are going to get the RINO.

[Freedom4US]

I mean congressman in the generic sense, but I should try to be more precise..

[cva66snipe]

My personal opinion is...if God doesn't intervene & show mercy in this election, our nation will be gravely wounded.

I agree. But a lot of people forget leaders are also judgments upon nations. As a nation we have fallen and we must face that reality in a Biblical sense. In the late 1970's it was a group called The Moral Majority which united Conservatives from all parties. Today even the GOP is plotting in how to control or silence the Pulpit for political gain. In that regard all churches should denounce Caesar's Tax Exempt Status as well as government funded faith based programs. If they don't they too will be serving two masters. Indeed the court battles have begun.

[pbear8]

Liberals hate GWB because he goes to church.

[cva66snipe]

Yes, I think we need a Conservative candidate, too. I also agree that a true Conservative would win, big in the general election. The problem is the primary. We have some Conservative Republican candidates running in the primary, we just need to get one nominated. When you shut out half the country and declare the race over after only the most leftward leaning states have voted, you are going to get the RINO.

I think we should go back to electing POTUS as originally laid out in the Constitution. This would eliminate the two party choke hold.

[Arrowhead1952]

If you ask me, it’s Bush’s faith that creates the hatred. Telling a liberal ‘I love Jesus’ will do it everytime.

You are correct about the liberal aspect, but there are so many church goers who vote for the leftist candidates. The last time I voted for any (D), was during the jimmah carter era. Not for him, but for some of the local candidates. His pitiful record was enough to turn me into a straight (R) voter.

There was a pastor who once told us - at a non Church event - "I don't know how anyone can go to Church on Sunday and vote for a democrat the following Tuesday."

[HoosierHawk]

Perhaps the hatred is a reflection of frustration — frustration by the libs that their message isn’t very attractive to voters.

But also because the libs don't have the opportunity to implement what they know is best for the voters.

[Guenevere]

But a lot of people forget leaders are also judgments upon nations....

I know....God is sovereign.
His Will be done.

[Red Boots]

Perhaps the hatred is a reflection of frustration — frustration by the libs that their message isn’t very attractive to voters.

Yep - and they feel abandoned. Abandonment reactions can be really dangerous.

[goldstategop]

The Left is supposed to be sophisticated and rational and its lost that because it has seen a President with a lower IQ and reasoning powers make fools of it time and time again. In short, our brightest and smartest people got taken in by a guy they consider dumb. Now we know where so of the Bush hatred is coming from; its pure spite.

"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." - Manuel II Palelologus

[yoe]

You make a great point - isn't this same thing happening now with the Clintons? Both have been campaigning for a Third Term since they left town - remember the exit, the pomp, the crowds at each leaving and landing?

I like the freshness, integrity, and qualification of a Mike Huckabee, not the sordid, scandal ridden crop of politicians on both sides.

[MrB]

Jesus did say that the world will hate you because of Him,

but I don’t think that’s the biggest driver of BDS.

The main driver for BDS is the left’s arrogant sense of superiority and how much it galls them to have someone they see as an intellectual inferior elected to their rightful place of power.

[the gillman@blacklagoon.com]

Its not crazy to hate Bush. Its crazy to hate him if you’re a lefty like he is.

[Tarpon]

It’s rooted in how Bush talks, his speaking style infers he is dumb, ergo the foundation of BDS. Happens to a lot of southerners. Nothing could be farther from the truth, he beats the donks like a drum — WHICH JUST DRIVES THEM TOTALLY NUTS.