[Timesink]

Yes, the left is rising. But for the left to truly challenge the right for dominance of the intellectual debate, its leaders and thinkers will need to be able to offer a picture of a better, safe and wealthier United State ... Their failed philosophy has blinded them, left them incapable of conceiving of a positive future or offering even a road map out of their own misery.

I think a better way to put it is this: When Ann Coulter's book came out, when Bernie Goldberg's book came out, everyone was talking about the ideas expressed in them for weeks afterwards. Yet for all the sales of Franken's and Conason's books, how many times have you seen anyone discussing their books' contents at all, except to note the occasional piece of gossip about some right-winger they don't like?

(I also disagree that the left is rising. It is getting somewhat louder, but it remains the same tiny group of malcontents it's always been. And they're losing power and influence by the day, not gaining it.)

[weegee]

Whether the left is really "rising" or not doesn't matter to those in the press. They want there to be a perception that the left is rising. Some people sit on the fence and see which way the wind is blowing.

Why else would media organizations like to push polls so that they get to broadcast the results they want? The only true "voter" poll is at the ballot box.

[swilhelm73]

(I also disagree that the left is rising. It is getting somewhat louder, but it remains the same tiny group of malcontents it's always been. And they're losing power and influence by the day, not gaining it.)

The Left and the Right had essentially a public debate on the current course of America after 9/11. The right won, and handily, as you can see in the election results from 2002.

So, the Left has decided the American populace is stupid, and is now proceeding to restate the same arguments that have failed them already, only LOUDER and sloooooower.

Let's encourage them to follow this route and see how much better it works in 2004, then it did in 2002...better for us that is.

[The Wizard]

I agree with you

[MortMan]

No the left is rising, all right - just like salmonella tainted meat patties over pickled milk.

[sauropod]

Unfortunately, its not a tiny group. Just go to a Hitlery book signing.