"...they always take the left's icons and use them for their own ends. "

[babylonsister]

Something to keep in mind.

http://digbysblog.blogspot.com/2009/08/rolling-redux-by-digby-i-think-its-time.html

Rolling Redux

by digby

I think it's time for a repeat of what Rick Perlstein wrote to me just before Senator Kennedy died this week:

The Republican old bulls will say they're honoring EMK's memory by voting against cloture for what they'll say is a failed bill that he would never have happened had he been alive and kicking... It's how they roll.

What Perlstein understands about the right wing, that nobody else ever seems to get, is that they always take the left's icons and use them for their own ends. Reagan used to famously quote Roosevelt as a great example of conservative values. And just as John Kennedy and Martin Luther King have been recently appropriated by conservatives, we can expect Ted Kennedy to be transitioned from history's most hated liberal into the Great Compromiser, who knew how to "make the right concessions." They're really good at this stuff.

There is another part to this, however, as we are seeing right now. The media villagers, who automatically assume that anyone who is beloved by the people is someone who reflects their own values (it's all about them) are saying that Kennedy always compromised because he was committed to bipartisanship as a governing principle.

He wasn't, of course. That's completely absurd. He was committed to liberal goals, which he advanced at every opportunity. Under conservative reign he got his foot in the door, eked out whatever advances were possible get and stopped the Republicans from their worst if he could. But in a moment of liberal opportunity he would never have compromised simply out of silly beltway convention, particularly on a signature issue like health care. He would have used every lever of power at his disposal to get it done.

As far as Kennedy being a great example of their beloved village consensus, everyone loving each other even as they played out some sort of ideological kabuki, maybe they need to take a step back from the unctuous paeans of the conservative marketers and remind themselves of what the conservatives really thought of him. That's the most intellectually honest piece about Kennedy I've read from a conservative since he died.

The piece digby refers to is here (**Warning!*** WorldNutDaily):

http://www.wnd.com/index.php?fa=PAGE.view&pageId=108048

[david13]

1. Oh so true. He himself said he was the what, the definition, the

embodiment or something of liberal or liberalism.
He worked as far and as hard as he good for his ideals.
dc

[formercia]

2. Just like a wolverine...

Take a couple of bites and stink the rest up so nobody else will touch it.

[burning rain]

3. It always pays to remember that "the liberal media" are not liberal.

They are fiscally conservative, and only socially liberal--and then only mildly. They are basically pro-choice Republicans.

[malaise]

4. The absolute truth

Thanks

[Hydra]

5. Ya, I've been getting sick on all of the Repubs on TV

Talking about how important it is to keep them "relevant" and how Ted embodied that concept.

BS.

[SoCalDem]

6. republicans always play offense

they peek at our playbook, co-opt our ideas, load them up with garish clown make-up and claim them as their own..before we even present them..

when you always play offense, you are bound to score more points than the perpetually tired defense

[unblock]

7. "their beloved village consensus" was of course borne out of their recent severe minority status

when they had razor thin margins of alleged victory for the white house, or the senate, or narrow margins in the house, they were all about ignoring democrats and shoving their agenda down up our collective butts because their beloved governing principal THEN was "elections have consequences".

how that they're in the minority, it's all about bipartisanship and equal seats at the table.

they are self-serving hypocrites and need to be flushed down history's toilet.

[jimlup]

8. The repubs are a selfish lot

They use every trick dirty or not. They always accuse the other side of playing politics but that is all they ever actually do.

The republicans are liars and cheaters to the end. They will use any tool they can to advance their devolution.

[gristy]

9. Here's an idea - somebody call them on it. Someone with the stature and the podium to be heard

I have a dream that Obama will dedicate a speech to this very theme and call those RW hags on this. That he will take no prisoners. That he will be disgusted at what he has heard.

I can dream, can't I?