Courtesy of Americablog, I was directed to a pretty thoughtful article by Jonathan Martin that appears at Politico. I’d characterize it as an exploration of where a failed, panicking presidential campaign and a subset of the population dominated by the ancient, reptilian parts of their brain intersect. It’s a dynamic that we’ve seen play out in full view over the past very few days (and I have found it to be a very ugly and disconcerting series of displays).
Anyhow, here’s the money quote (emphasis mine):
John Weaver, McCain’s former top strategist, said top Republicans have a responsibility to temper this behavior.
“People need to understand, for moral reasons and the protection of our civil society, the differences with Sen. Obama are ideological, based on clear differences on policy and a lack of experience compared to Sen. McCain,” Weaver said. “And from a purely practical political vantage point, please find me a swing voter, an undecided independent, or a torn female voter that finds an angry mob mentality attractive.”
Can’t really add much to that, apart from a sense of sadness that there are so many so gripped by fear that they’re ripe picking for cynical assholes who’ll play them like chumps as they’re worked into frothy, lathery fits.
And also that I am really looking forward to adults being back in charge.
