“Right to rule”? Where does Krugman think he’s living, Tsarist Russia?
These people not only deny that there is any legitimacy to viewpoints other than their own, but that such opposing ideas are informed not by misunderstanding or ignorance, but by wicked - evil - intentions. As Conservatism is denied legitimacy and demonized, one begins to hear increasing calls for restrictions on political expression, beginning, but not ending with those of the Tea Party.
The Left is finally coming out of the closet, as I believe we will see in full force next year.