Zellotry - A Must Read at TNR

[jefferson_dem]

"As one of our outstanding historical figures once said, 'When a great democracy is destroyed, it will not be because of enemies from without, but rather because of enemies from within.'"
--Joseph McCarthy, speech to Ohio County Women's Republican Club, February 9, 1950

"Our nation is being torn apart and made weaker because of the Democrats' manic obsession to bring down our commander-in-chief."
--Zell Miller, speech to Republican National Convention, September 1, 2004

Zellotry
by Jonathan Cohn

A critic could credibly describe Senator Zell Miller's speech to the Republican Convention as angry, misleading, or both. But to dwell on either the tone or veracity of Miller's text somehow misses the point given the scene that unfolded at Madison Square Garden last night. In an address originally billed as a critique of John Kerry's national security credentials, Miller essentially branded the Democrats as traitors because they haven't fallen in line with President Bush on all matters of national security. It was one of the most vile political speeches in recent American history, every bit as offensive as Pat Buchanan's infamous call in 1992 for "religious war" and, perhaps, a little more disturbing. Buchanan's speech, after all, was an assault on decency. Last night Miller declared war on democracy.

<snip>

http://www.tnr.com/doc.mhtml?i=express&s=cohn090204

[Bernardo de La Paz]

1. "Last night Miller declared war on democracy."

After the last shred of Republican decency evaporated, that was all that was left to attack.

The Zellephant couldn't declare war on bin Laden. That would expose the fact that the war in Iraq has detracted from the war on terrorism, which is supposed to be Arbusto's strong suit. It would have exposed the fact that Bush has abandoned Afghanistan.

[Warpy]

2. Yipes!! Et tu, New Republic?

That they've managed to break from the Bush lovefest is remarkable, even though they've posted a few very mildly critical articles in the past. This is an amazing takedown of their showpiece, an old DINO willing to sell out his party and his country to spew enough hate and hyperbole to try to get Bush elected. Wow.

I'm amazed the old fool is being called on this stuff.

[quinnox]

3. ouch! all the GOP spin in the world isn't gonna help this one

Sounds like Zell's speech is going to be one to regret for the GOP bumbling strategists.