Thomas Frank, best known for his book "What's Wrong with Kansas?" about the tendency of some economically disadvantaged voters to vote against their own interests, has this to say about this year's edition of the culture wars, GOP-style:
"Now comes the fall culture-war offensive, catching the Democrats by surprise as it always does and spreading panic and desperation among their ranks. As the depth of the Republican breakthrough becomes apparent to Democrats, they launch the same feeble counterattacks that failed them last time, prudishly correcting misleading GOP advertisements and crying for the recess monitor when the other side plays dirty.
And none of this works.
Things would go better for Democrats if they recognized the culture war for what it is: a debased form of class war, a false populism in which an "authentic" America rises up against its would-be masters, an effete bunch of arugula-eaters who say "Happy Holidays" instead of "Merry Christmas." But a visceral feeling of class conflict is what lies at the core of the whole thing: a righteous grievance against wrongful, pedantic rulers. It is so attractive emotionally that I often wish I could sign up for it myself."
The Palin nomination is the most obvious evidence that the Rovian crew running the McCain campaign intends to do this all over again in the hope of eking out a win. Add in the race issue, discussed elsewhere, today's edition, and you know where we're headed until the merciful ending on November 4.
You can call me partisan for raising these issues; they are, in my judgment, the last gasp tactics of the Republican leadership that must be replaced to get our politics back to a healthy two-party debate over real issues and ideas.
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