The "Angry Left" Is About to Become The "Enraged Left"

Viewpointjournal.com ^ | October 7, 2003 | David Flanagan

[dpflanagan]

DEMOCRATS PEAK, THEN BEGIN A LONG SLIDE
In 1992, shortly after Bill Clinton's stunning victory over incumbent George Bush gave Democrats control of the House, Senate, and White House, it seemed as if the Democratic Party had entered a new golden age of power and influence. As golden ages go, theirs was relatively short-lived. Just two years later, Democrats were tossed out of the House and Senate in record numbers, and Republicans took control. Shortly after, Republicans also won a majority of governorships in the US. Then, in 2000, George W. Bush defeated then V.P. Al Gore to become the 42nd President of The United States.

So, in just eight years, Democrats in Washington went from monopoly to minority; from feast to famine. In November 2002, just a year after Senators Daschle and Jeffords managed to disenfranchise Vermont voters and shift the balance of power in the Senate, Democrats again lost the Senate to Republicans. Not only that, they also lost seats in the House they had expected to gain and failed to win the number of governorships they had expected.

For Democrats, the worst part was the fact that President Bush, who took an enormous political risk in supporting his fellow party members during the midterms, was the key to success in several strategically close races. Somehow, certain victory had been turned into stunning defeat, and hard-line Democrats have grown increasingly frustrated with each defeat suffered over the past decade.

Thus has heralded the rise of what conservatives now call, the “Angry Left.” They cannot fathom why it is they have been consistently rejected at the polls by mainstream America. What they do know is that their party is on a consistent losing streak and SOMETHING has to be done about it. They just do not know what can be done other than supporting Howard Dean, the man with their same leftist vision but no future in politics.

NOW WHAT?
Now it is 2003, the thirteenth year marking both the beginning and the end of the golden age of the Democratic Party. Will year thirteen prove better for Democrats? Well, if we look to California, THE liberal bastion in America, which at this very moment is undergoing a recall election of the Democratic Governor, Grey Davis, because of his monumental incompetence, its not looking good.

But the story behind the recall and all of the factors leading to this moment are not really as important as the question we must now ask: If Grey Davis loses today, how will the Angry Left react to yet ANOTHER stunning defeat?

In truth, the possible answers worry me. My personal opinion? I think the Angry Left is going to morph faster than the “Mighty Morphing Power Rangers” into something more like the “Engraged Left,” or the “Berserk Left.” In other words a group that loses control entirely.

The fact that Davis and the LA Times have thrown every bit of dirt possible at Schwarzenegger in the last days of the race says nothing of the desperation the left will experience should these typical Davis tactics NOT work. So, what have Democrats done in recent years to turn things their way when they don’t like what voters have given them?

Its more than obvious that, should Davis lose, they will immediately appeal the results of the election, hoping that a court like the radical 9th Circuit will again play accessory to the crime of voter disenfranchisement. What other tactics might we see? I shudder to think, but I am convinced that it will make the pre-election sleaze tactics from the left look like a pleasant stroll in the park. Expect that they’ll pull out all the stops and go for broke. They’ll do whatever it takes to retain power, and the law or the will of the people will not stand in their way if they can help it.

DUCK AND COVER
Another Florida recount scenario? No, expect FAR worse. First of all, Davis will not give up the office without an intense fight, secondly, Democrats on the local and national level will use delay tactics and stonewall any moves to transition power to a Schwarzenegger administration. Meanwhile, expect reports of bullying at the polls, manipulation of votes, demands for multiple recounts, and multiple third party lawsuits from groups like the ACLU to stall or overturn the election results.

In the end, if they STILL lose, then expect a plunge by the Angry Left into some new level of denial and an increased effort to lash out at conservatives in general and the President in particular. Liberals will posture and condemn the whole process; they will demean the Governor-elect, and plot ways to scare Americans into thinking that Republicans are actively subverting the democratic process in America. It will be a sad and disturbing sight, no doubt.

I hope I’m wrong, but I’m afraid that I’ll be wrong only in that things will be worse than even I imagined. One way or another, we’ll know how bad, or good, things are in the next few days. Lets hope for the best… and prepare for the worst.

David Flanagan
Viewpointjournal.com

[moodyskeptic]

thank you for catching that. Libs have repeated the Nazi=Right lie for fifty years.

[wayoverontheright]

Marginalizing the Left will be difficult because they currently control the elite media, public education, American universities, the Arts and Entertainment.

Your statement is totally correct, I would add, however, that progress is being made by our side on all fronts, and small inroads into the left's domination of these institutions will prove to be disproportianately detrimental to the Left's cause.

Due to Fox News, Limbaugh, the Washington Times, etc., there is an awareness which, though not there ten years ago, now causes the Left's tactics and mantras to be less effective, people consider the source now, and that's a good thing.

[Publius6961]

Bring it on losers.
Violence is the last refuge of the mindless. And the losers.

"Palestinians" anyone?

[moodyskeptic]

I like your civility in response to criticisms.

[randog]

I would not be surprised if we see a lot more violence / assassination attempts in the next year aimed at conservatives.

Hmmmmm....I hadn't thought of that, but it could happen. The recent spats of anti-war protests did have a violent edge to them, or at the very least were law-breaking ventures (blocking streets off, vandalism, etc.). It would just take a spark to turn a mob like that into a very violent entity.

The recent losses by the leftists have all been above board, i.e. the rule of law has not been broken, but it disturbs me that leftists ignore that fact. Rule of Law means very little to them, and it's just a short jump to anarchy when you have that attitude.

One piece of advice for lurking anarchists--conservatives are fiercely protective of family and property. It is said that the most dangerous soldier is the one that has something worth fighting for.

[Poohbah]

"Palestinians" anyone?

I can see it now...a demented loner, frustrated at his party's failures, straps on a suicide belt, goes to a crowded venue, and cries "HILLARY AKHBAR!" before hitting the pickle switch.

[moodyskeptic]

I agree. The progress is delicious. Patience is our virtue. I fully expect the next thirty years to be a golden age of American conservative ascendency. The Left has controlled the dialog since 1968.

We are due.

[sauropod]

That's my sense of it too. Expect Bob Mulholland to be up to no good. He "helped out" in the 2000 debacle on rules for counting chads, etc.

[cardinal4]

Sounds like you nailed it. Voter initimidation is the reason Im going to be a judge next year in Saint Louis County. If you reacll, STL had its share of the abovementioned tactics in 2000. I will be there to make sure bus loads of migrant farm workers dont pull up with shiny new voter registration cards, twenty dollar bills, and new drivers lisence's in their pockets. Another favorite ploy of STL democrats is getting homeless people to vote by bribing them with booze..

[sauropod]

Note to Kinsley. I am an enraged conservative and YOU LIE!!!

[slimer]

They’ll do whatever it takes to retain power, and the law or the will of the people will not stand in their way if they can help it.

They can't help it. The are Sore Losers!

[uncbob]

I agree. The progress is delicious. Patience is our virtue. I fully expect the next thirty years to be a golden age of American conservative ascendency. The Left has controlled the dialog since 1968.

I don't think so
I think we are headed the way of Britain

Just look at what happened to Rush because of some inane comment
No public out cry gainst what happended to him
You would have thought that he wanted an amendment to re-introduce slavery

[dpflanagan]

Jack: I appreciate your generous comments. Thanks for taking the time to respond.

Regards,

David Flanagan
Viewpointjournal.com

[Southack]

It does actually get interesting in California. Right now Democrats are fighting to **keep** their lowest-rated, most universally disliked politician in their multi-century history **in office**!

Say what you will, the Democrats did **not** expect to be spending money defending their worst politician on their own home turf in 2003. Truth be told, the Democrats need all the money that they can muster just to stem their predicted Senate losses nationally in 2004, much less to fight their House fights and run a competitive Presidential campaign.

And the more that they spend contesting the 2003 recall, the better. California law says that any citizen may request a recount, but that citizen has to pay for it out of her pocket. So let Bing spend his money on a recount that will still put Arnold in the governor's mansion; that's just so much less money that he'll be inclined to donate to national Democratic Party candidates in '04.

And what's their upside? Remaining stuck with their lowest rated, least popular governor Davis still in office even if they "win" today?!

Moreover, the Democrats are going to have to fight the referendum against SB60 that is coming up in California. They could concievably lose two major battles on their home turf in a matter of only a few months apart. And winning that battle to give licenses to illegals is going to cost the Democrats dearly in more Conservative parts of the country, so again, even **winning** their SB60 fight will have grave repercussions for their Party.

Strategically, the Democrats are repeating their 1998 mistake of supporting Bill Clinton at all costs. The costs are dear. Fighting every battle is seldom wise. Most success stories come from those who pick and choose their battles rather than from those who fight everyone everywhere everytime. The Democrats should have stabbed Gray Davis in the heart with a political stake. They should have run him out of Sacramento, never letting the recall get far enough to gather enough signatures to qualify. Bustamante would have been a national hero if the Democrats had done that one thing, and in one fell swoop the Democrats would have replaced their least popular governor with their new Hispanic hero.

Thankfully, the Democrats in power inside the Party itself are all amatuers now, so such strategy remains beyond their grasp.

So should the Democrats suffer grievously in today's recall election, and should the Democrats get crushed backing SB60 against the Republican referendum, then it will come time to increase our own funding for the Greens, such that Camejo and Nader draw in 1/3 or more of the newly demoralized Leftists in California; a move that would slice up the Democratic Party into bites small enough for our Elephant to tastily munch upon for a few decades.

[mushroom]

If one felon getting beaten on TV started riots, what's the odds that losing the governorship will do the same? If Ahnuld is on the ball, he'll already have the order calling out the National Guard drafted and ready to go.

[dpflanagan]

Excellent points!

Thanks.

David Flanagan
Viewpointjournal.com

[justshutupandtakeit]

Any such attempts would be aimed at Leftists with the intent to blame them on the Right and create sympathy. No doubt the RATmedia would cover the truth and go along with the lie to assist them.

[Teacher317]

Yet Gore came within 500 votes of winning the election. Remember that the left is not choosy in who they support.

No kidding. At my Law School, the Dem Law Scoiety has a bulletin board, and it prominently features a sign saying "Anyone but W, 2004". My, what a platform to stand on. It's good to know that they have articulated such a great idea that can rally the nation behind them. Truly, it is a slogan for the ages.

[concerned about politics]

Just look at what happened to Rush because of some inane comment

People looked the other way. Those who listened to him still do. Those who don't - still don't.
The left lost that one. It was a silent "ignore the left wing losers."

No public out cry gainst what happended to him

Nothing happened to him. He's still on air.
The Sports channel will lose the 10% they gained by hiring him. That's their punishment for even acknowledging the facist PC police.