Great Moments In Political Strategizing

Matt Yglesias, unlike me, may be smart enough to be a progressive poitical strategist.  And here he is on the China-bashing that has become a part of this fall's campaign (I emboldened the boldest bit):

At any rate, what I find most striking about the Conway-related outrage is the lack of outrage over the torrent of xenophobic China-bashing ads we’ve seen from candidates of both parties throughout this campaign season. Accusing one’s opponent of transferring economic opportunities from the United States to China (sometimes India) is a major feature of a huge number of 2010 campaigns. These attacks tend to be factually misleading, and also promote the widespread by definitely wrong misconception that the US and China are engaged in a zero-sum contest for prosperity. What’s more, even granting the factual and analytic premises of these ads their ethics is clearly mistaken. If it was the case that the US and China face zero-sum competition for economic resources, transferring resources from rich America to poor China would be morally praiseworthy.

I grasp that argument (and the false hypothetical - trade is not zero sum), but I don't think many politicians would be elected on that "morally praiseworthy" message.  Not until "citizen of the world" becomes an elective office, anyway.  As to the morality, dare we wonder whether transferring resources from richer but freer America to poorer but more dictatorial China is morally unambiguous?  Or is it as simple as, they're poorer so they are the good guys, one child and the rest notwithstanding?

It's interesting (OK, and terrifying!) to wonder just how mainstream a view this is in the progressive circles traveled by Yglesias (and of course, at a higher altitude, Obama).  It is certainly of a piece with the progressive immigration view that we ought to wave in a bunch of unskilled future Democrtic voters from abroad regardless of the impact on the American working class. 

Oh, well - the racist xenophobes of the right in alliance with the racist xenophobes of organized labor will probably block any progressive policy initiatives based on this verse of Kumbaya.  As to  China specifically, Krugmam, the Dean of the Left, has become a hate-filed xenophobe, too, so progressives are not monolithic in their brain-lock on this.

Comments

[Clarice]

I'm waiting to hear from Friedman before weighing in.

[Captain Hate]

"The Dean of the Left" sounds like a nickname Marv Albert would give to Paulie Peanuts.

[JM Hanes]

So, would Yglesias agree that it is also factually misleading to promote the misconception that rich America and poor America are also engaged in a zero-sum contest for prosperity?

Given his trademark superficiality, I doubt that he contemplated the domestic ramifications of the argument he is making -- in terms of both attack ads and ethical obligations -- before holding forth.

[Danube of Thought]

I never hear a peep from or about Yglesias until he pops up here.

[JM Hanes]

DoT:

Yglesias is an artifact from the early days of the blogosphere, when there weren't nearly as many voices to choose from, and even fewer on the left who seemed relatively sane. He's been resting on those pedestrian laurels ever since.

[hit and run]

On to more important things . . . first pitch is less than an hour away.

Could Yglesias throw a baseball with any more prowesslessness than Obama?

[Janet...off the couch & sportin Tea Party chic]

So, would Yglesias agree that it is also factually misleading to promote the misconception that rich America and poor America are also engaged in a zero-sum contest for prosperity?

Exactly JM Hanes. The left is incomprehensible. Humans are nothing more than animals....unborn humans can be killed but eagle & wild duck & turtle eggs are protected. Christianity mantra - separation of church & state. Islam mantra - freedom of religion. Green,green, green - don't put those windmills where Kennedy can see them. On and on and on.....they don't believe their own crap...& you can tell by how they live.

[caro]

For those of you who don't like Rich Lowry,you must read this open letter.

Dear Chairman Redfern,

I hesitate to take your time with a missive like this because I know you are busy losing a governorship, a Senate seat, and conceivably as many as six House seats in the great state of Ohio. Managing such a massive political failure can’t be easy, so I don’t want to do anything to distract you from it.

The rest of you will like it,too.

[Strawman Cometh]

Flipping between Bones and MNF, caught this analysis from Elliot Spitzonher: "[Obama] hasn't explained how he has planted the seeds for a broader economic recovery"
I kid you not.
Yeah, that's the problem.

[OldTimer]

Is anyone making a fuss about Leeza's ties to the Rent-an-Eskimo-Racket up north? Another great Carney piece in the Washington Examiner..LUN (The story was out yesterday. Hello,...Mr. Miller?)

[bgates]

You know what Spitzer should not give advice about? Economic recovery.

You thought I was going to say "planting seed", didn't you? But I took the high road.

How can Kathleen Parker appear on the air with that guy? She must really swallow her pride.

[MaryD]

Whores and johns are a natural fit, bgates.

[larry]

You are so bad, bgates. Go to your room.

[Danube of Thought]

I think they're a match made in heaven.

[Janet...off the couch & sportin Tea Party chic]

Over 300 million people in the US, & they hire him. I don't know what they were thinking. Blackmail has to be involved.

[Sue]

Come on Tommy, give me a thread to gloat.

Go Rangers Go!

[Captain Hate]

Dear Chairman Redfern

What a complete garbage campaign this POS has run. Ohio is basically a fairly conservative state with lots of commies and rimmers in the urban areas. When things are going well, they'll stick with the party running things; when things are in the toilet, they flush hard. So it was gonna be an uphill climb for any donkeycrat this year, starting at the top. Twitch Strickland seemed like the affable uncle that you try to avoid at reunions, not because he's creepy but just that he's too goddamn boring and does things like ask you if you like Lady Gagoo as you roll your eyes and try to excuse yourself. He'd make a good backbencher down in Adams county or some picturesque economic deadend hole like that but he's in wayyyyy over his head as governor. Because he's been such a miserable high-exposure failure, geniuses like Redfern think the only way he can win is by tying Kasich to Wall Street greed and NAFTA; completely ignoring that your urban voters probably have their retirement investments in some Wall Street instruments and that one of Clinton's sole political accomplishments in terms of bending elbows was passing NAFTA. So these were horribly stupid ads in the first place and took Twitch's polls into the crapper. So what does he do: MORE ATTACK ADS!!! In doing so Twitch has looked increasingly deranged, like the creepy uncle who the family tries to keep away from the elementary school. He's done so badly that the DNC thinks they can send Ear Leader and Toned Arms and they won't do any damage that wasn't happening anyway. It's really funny when you consider what jerks guys like Redfern are and always have been. Sucks to be them.

[jimmyk]

dare we wonder whether transferring resources from richer but freer America to poorer but more dictatorial China is morally unambiguous?

Should resources be transferred from the ant to the grasshopper?

[Janet...off the couch & sportin Tea Party chic]

Here is another guy that maybe CNN would be interested in hiring. He could pair up with Betty White or Maureen Dowd.

[Gmax]

Josh Hamilton is not to be trifled with! Vlad needs to wake up and we might be looking at a barnburner series.

[maryrose]

Redfern is the idiot who swore on camera because his dems are in the toilet.Buh Bye Strickland-not sorry to see you go...Next we have to get rid of Sherrod Brown.

[Sue]

What is it with these broken bats?

[Captain Hate]

How can Kathleen Parker appear on the air with that guy? She must really swallow her pride.

I don't think there's any left from when she first saw Sarah Palin and realized how she could never measure up; at least in any positive categories.

[Captain Hate]

Next we have to get rid of Sherrod Brown.

Target identified.

[Janet...off the couch & sportin Tea Party chic]

pervert - check
well read - check
criminal record - check
thinning hair - check

CNN material for sure.

[narciso]

In that case, this will make her feel real welcome, in the LUN

[MarkO]

Gardner safe at first. Another blown call. [make of that what you will, bgates]

[Gmax]

well read
RED - check

[Gmax]

FIXED THAT FOR YA GO VLAD

[Sue]

Mark,

He didn't tag the base. Watch the replay.

[Captain Hate]

narc, Teh Sarah has those idiots completely bent over and there's nothing they can do. ::throatslash::

[Sue]

Derek Jeter is very handsome. And gets prettier every time he strikes out. ::grin::

[Sue]

Wow. It's true. They do get prettier when they strike out. Go Cliff Go!!!!!!!

[PD]

How can Kathleen Parker appear on the air with that guy? She must really swallow her pride.

One could substitute "some seed" into that sentence, too.

[PD]

Debating Nancy Pelosi, sort of.

[maryrose]

Sue:
Cleveland wants Cliff Lee back to give us a fighting chance.He's cute too!

[Sue]

Yes he is and no you can't. ::grin::

[PD]

Another GWB "troops" story.

Today I finished "What Difference Do It Make?" (sequel to "Same Kind of Different as Me"). It has a story about how the authors were invited to the White House, along with some other people. One of them was Marcus Luttrell, who fought in Afghanistan and was a recipient of a Navy Cross. Here's the account in the book of GWB's meeting with Luttrell:

Next thing Mr. Bush did was walk over to that war hero fella, Marcus, and I remember exactly what he said. He said, "Marcus, when I gave you your medal, I gave you my phone number and told you you could call me anytime, day or night. You put your life on the line for our country, and I want to do whatever I can for you. You haven't called me. I want you to call me.

Marcus smiled and was mighty humble. "Yes sir, I've got your number, and I kow I can call if I need to."

Thought some of you might enjoy that as much as I did.

[MarkO]

Sue, I know what I want to see. I don't need no stinking replay.

[Sue]

Mark,

LOL.

[Sue]

PD,

Thanks, I did enjoy it.

[Sue]

This looks like a repeat of the 1st inning. Come on Josh. Repeat!

[Sue]

OMG. I thought it was gone.

[Sue]

Where's Gmax? Now would be a good time for Vladdy to come alive!

[Pat Tillmam]

Next thing Mr. Bush did was walk over to that war hero fella, Marcus, and I remember exactly what he said. He said, "Marcus, when I gave you your medal, I gave you my phone number and told you you could call me anytime, day or night. You put your life on the line for our country, and I want to do whatever I can for you. You haven't called me. I want you to call me.

Marcus smiled and was mighty humble. "Yes sir, I've got your number, and I kow I can call if I need to."

I sure would like his number. Can someone get it for me?

[Stephanie]

1 800 FU-PROGS

Have a good day! ;)

[Kill 'em all. Let God sort 'em out]

The Alaska Senate race erupted Sunday night after security guards hired by Republican nominee Joe Miller put handcuffs on a reporter who had tried to ask Miller a question.

Tony Hopfinger, the founder of Alaska Dispatch, was detained by guards from the firm Drop Zone after trying to talk with Miller at the Central Middle School in Anchorage,the Anchorage Daily News.

Drop Zone's owner told the paper that Hopfinger was trespassing at a private event and accused him of assaulting a person there. "After Miller walked away, Hopfinger said, he was surrounded by Miller supporters and security guards and felt threatened, so he pushed one of them away," the paper reported.

The newspaper said that Anchorage Police took statements for more than an hour after the incident but that H be opfinger has not been charged with any crime.

"Drop Zone" has it's thuggery from former Blackwater criminals kicked out of Afghanistan .

Rent-a-Cop will never the same.

[That crazy Bitch from Nevada]

Comments made by Republican U.S. Senate candidate Sharron Angle to a group of Hispanic high school students is gaining national attention.

Sharron Angle spoke to the Hispanic Student Union at Rancho High School Friday afternoon after students expressed anger with her campaign's anti-illegal immigrant message.

"I don't know that all of you are Latino. Some of you look a little more Asian to me." She also added, "I've been called the first Asian legislator in our Nevada State Assembly."

[Clarice]

Many Hispanics do look Asian, as a matter of fact.

[Clarice]

Some not only look Asian (probably because their Indian ancestors were from Asia) but others have more recent Asian ancestors..From Wiki:

"Asian Latin Americans have a centuries-long history in the region, starting with Filipinos in the 16th century. The heyday of Asian immigration occurred in the 19th and 20th centuries, however.

There are currently more than four million Asian Latin Americans, nearly 1% of Latin America's population. Chinese and Japanese are the group's largest ancestries; other major ones include Filipinos and Koreans. Brazil is home to the largest population of Asian Latin Americans, at some 1.5 million.[8][9] The highest ratio of any country in the region is 5%,[3] in Peru.

There has been notable emigration from these communities in recent decades, so that there are now hundreds of thousands of people of Asian Latin American origin in both Japan and the United States."

[Kool-Aid Addiction]

Today's conservative movement is more than just a bit cult-like.

The modern, tea party-inflected conservative movement is based on a few core principles. Global warming is a hoax. Income inequality hasn't been growing. Tax cuts don't increase the deficit. America has the best healthcare in the world. Evolution is a myth. The economy is weak because of regulatory uncertainty. Barack Obama is a socialist.

How can you tell something is a cult? The existence of an impermeable barrier which blocks true believers from acknowledging reality. This worrisome trend in the conservative movement has been evident for a while. In Aug 2005, I wrote:

So what we have is a Republican Party that has decided science and facts have no place in informing policy. They are the true believers who Eric Hoffer warned of in his definitive book from 1951, The True Believer: Thoughts on the Nature of Mass Movements. Hoffer wrote that one defining characteristic of true believers is the willing suspension of reality because the doctrine they cling to is what defines the ultimate truth.

All active mass movements strive, therefore, to interpose a fact-proof screen between the faithful and the realities of the world. They do this by claiming that the ultimate and absolute truth is already embodied in their doctrine and that there is no truth nor certitude outside it. The facts on which the true believer bases his conclusions must not be derived from his experience or observation but from holy writ. “So tenaciously should we cling to the world revealed by the Gospel, that were I to see all the Angels of Heaven coming down to me to tell me something different, not only would I not be tempted to doubt a single syllable, but I would shut my eyes and stop my ears, for they would not deserve to be either seen or heard.” To rely on the evidence of the senses and of reason is heresy and treason. It is startling to realize how much unbelief is necessary to make belief possible.

Welcome to the reality of the true believer.

[Stephanie]

Just found out the number one question asked at counseling sessions for HS seniors at my daughter's HS...

How do I register to vote?

Go figure...we aren't the only ones wanting to throw the bums out.

My daughter is bummed that she can register to vote on October 28, but can't vote until next year. Her friends that can vote are excited to "vote the idiots out" and are bragging that they get to do so.

Not a small part of this anger is the moment when they find out that their school of choice comes with a hefty price tag. Even with loans and other aid, they are looking at the numbers and seeing red. Obama's promise of free school doesn't look so free to them...

[That crazy Bitch from Nevada]

Thanks for compounding that fracture, Clarice

[Clarice]

Asshole troll--keep cutting and pasting nonsense here if you will--but in two weeks you will come face to face with reality. Not truthiness reality, but real reality.

[bgates]

Why do some Hispanics look Asian?

So everyone in my mom's side of the family my aunts & mom always gets mistaken for an Asian.
My Eye doctor thought I was Japanese because of my eyes and he used to work in Japan. I get random asian ladies talking to me in some random language lol I graduated last year in high school and I remember the Asian people in High school would always ask me if I was Japanese or Filipino things like that and they even asked me if I wanted to be in the Asian Club. Every time I go cut my hair they tell me my hair is like the asians,wtf?! Same with my family lol I noticed there are some Hispanics who look asian too like my bf's cousin.

From Yahoo Answers, 4 weeks ago.

I wonder what Cleo's dead imaginary son would think about the collapse of the progressives. Would he blame Cleo for being so repellent? That wouldn't be fair. It's not Cleo's fault that the party leadership is equally stupid.

[that crazy lady? from California]

well have to pass it so you know what's in it

[Danube of Thought]

Dick Morris is saying 60-80 seats.

"Today's conservative movement is more than just a bit cult-like."
A cult with which 40% of Americans profess agreement. Quite a cult.

[Threadkiller]

Comments made by Democratic Gubernatorial candidate Jerry Brown:

“We have enough wealth to continue to have a great university and get every kid into this school that can qualify. Now when I say every young man and young woman, I mean everyone – whether they are documented or not. If they went to school, they ought to be here.”

I think Jerry will include Asians in his stupidity.
">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jmKVPxnfHag"> Crazy!

[That crazy Bitch from Nevada]

Clarice;

I would call you a cunt if your prolapsed vagina
had the capacity for womanhood. Go to the Senior Center and get some free Advil for your
miserable decaying carcass, then gargle with razor blades.

[narciso]

I see TPM is linking to Kos, the folks who cheered the butchery on that bridge over Fallujah, for their info on Drop Zone. Why
wouldn't be surprising that the left would
not take kindly to the people they thought
'terrorized civilians' and 'air raided villages indiscriminately' not that many years ago

[bgates]

In Aug 2005, I wrote:

That was all from a blog called "The Left Coaster", posted by somebody named "Mary".

You're being a mean girl, Cleo, stealing somebody else's drivel.

Leaving the autobiographical note in the middle of text you plagiarized is the exact same stupid thing Joe Biden did to make it clear even to Democrats that he wasn't fit for high office.

Barack Obama said naming Biden Vice President was the best decision he'd made.

[Ignatz Ratzkywatzky]

--Posted by: Kool-Aid Addiction--

What a euphonious appellation cleo. Might as well stick with that one cause you'll never find a more apt one.

[Melinda Romanoff]

Wow.

That's some deep, deep projection by Cleo. I don't know about everybody else, but the only individuals I've encountered who accuse others of "ignoring science" are those who have never studied it, let alone argue in the language of science.

Unless there's money involved, of course.

I have an idea how that works too.

Unlike Cleo, who obviously survives stepping on the heads of others.

[Ignatz Ratzkywatzky]

--I would call you a blah, blah, blah......--

Goodness Kool Aid you're just a bundle of raw nerves the closer election day comes, aren't you?

[That crazy Bitch from Nevada]

Don't count yer marbles too early.

[Sue]

A total copy and paste without attribution? Seriously, Leo, you need to remember google is not your friend.

[Melinda Romanoff]

bgates-

No.

I think Cleo has just exposed herself. It absolutely fits. Think of the deep thinking of Garofalo. Absolute mimicry! I love it!

Excellent find!

[Melinda Romanoff]

Oh, you still play marbles?

You ARE stuck in the early sixties.

[bgates]

get some free Advil

She doesn't need free stuff. She can buy all the medicines she'll ever need. Surely you've read the comments about her beautiful house, or her visits to Florida or the south of France. Surely you've noticed how everyone on here, no matter what our disagreements with each other, speak well of Clarice. Do you want to know what made all that possible, Cleo? All the material success and warm feeling?

She's nothing like you.

[Melinda Romanoff]

Oh, and change your name tag for the next response, so I can be impressed.

[Danube of Thought]

"Don't count yer marbles too early."

Keep hope alive, dopes. And stand by for the Rove indictment...

[bgates]

[C]leo, you need to remember google is not your friend

Hey, small world, Sue - neither is anybody else!

[bgates]

Preview would be my friend, though....

[Jim Ryan]

Cleo's edgy. Case-worker had you knock off the percocet, didn't she, Cleo? Vodka just doesn't have the same kick now, eh?

At least you'll wake up in a puddle of rancid urine a little less often. Listen to your case worker. She knows best.

[Sue]

3 outs away...

[Retro-Humans United in Avarice]

"Surely you've read the comments about her beautiful house, or her visits to Florida or the south of France. Surely you've noticed how everyone on here, no matter what our disagreements with each other, speak well of Clarice. Do you want to know what made all that possible, Cleo? All the material success and warm feeling?|

All her material things are her identity?

Your values lay naked for all to see.

It is the foundation of Tea-Bag, conservative,
Republican, John Bircher philosophy.

Property first, people second.

[Danube of Thought]

Cliff Lee is nasty in the extreme. We're talking very, very extreme.

[Clarice]

Obamacare is nailing the coffin on the Dems at midterm--Here's the tale,in Ct.
http://directorblue.blogspot.com/2010/10/this-week-in-obamacare-connecticut.html>Nail the lid shit

(Thanks for that lovely post, bgates.)

[Clarice]

Lid shUt...Oh, my, what a typo!!

[Sue]

LOL. That's funny Clarice. I didn't even notice the typo until you pointed it out.

[PD]

off

[Clarice]

I never see them until it's a second too late,Sue.

[abad man]

I would say Clarice's identity is the intelligence, generosity, and humor that her posts display. The material things are what come when intelligence and character are applied with hard work.

I think the tea party is based on the belief my life and my efforts are my own.
You can believe what you like, but when I stop working, you start starving.

[Sue]

Clarice,

I read them the way they are supposed to be.

[MarkO]

I herewith break my rule about responding at all to a troll. I'm proud of Clarice that she has so infected this blight of anonymity that besides hiding behind silly names, it has nothing left but the sort of hate that springs eternal from fascist leftist progressive spawn.

Of such is the Obama base.

Yes, the times, they are a changin'.

[Melinda Romanoff]

PD-

I've got to learn how to do that.

I keep trying to end the text thread, so obviously that's not accurate. Can you point me to a source for interjecting html into a code stream to end that?

Thanks, and I'll tip off tomorrow on it.

G'night all.

[PD]

Clarice, you could attribute it to the cat walking on the keyboard.

[bgates]

Which bothers you more, Cleo, it your professional failure or lack of human contact? I bet it's the fact that nobody likes you. Do you ever try to make friends with other hate-filled leftists? Your thoughtlessness and vulgarity wouldn't present the same kind of obstacles to being taken seriously among that sort that they do here.

You should really try to reach out to people like that. I can't promise they'll like you; politics aside, you're really pretty useless. But if there's nothing for you but watching the progressive coalition crumble, seeing how happy we all are, and knowing there's nothing you can that will bother us - because we know the country's taking a giant step back towards sanity, and because you're just not a clever or effective debater - that's a pretty grim future, isn't it?

[Clarice]

You are all kind and generous and witty friends who make each visit here a joy.

[MarkO]

I am consoled that the incomparable Cliff Lee will be a Yankee next year. Not soon enough.

[Porchlight]

Hi Cleo! How's it going? Are you excited for two weeks from tomorrow? Are you going to hang out with us on Election Night! We will miss you if you don't! j/k

Stay sweet & see you in November!

Love,
Your friends,
JOMers

[Sue]

Mark,

Evil Yankee fan.

[MarkO]

Yes, Sue. I am the Prince of Yankee Darkness. I can't help myself. I wanted to be Mickey Mantle's replacement in center. Didn't work out. Some little matter about talent.

[Sue]

Mark,

In the meantime, bwahahahaha!!!!!!

[Dave (in MA)]

Yankee fans streaming out into the Bronx before the game is over - what a beautiful sight.

[Sue]

Dave,

Ain't it though?

[PD]

Mel, <i> turns italic on and </i> turns it off. To turn it off, I type in a few end-italic tags:

</i></i></i>off

[MarkO]

OT. Just some random thought about Muhammadans. How do we know which of them is “radical?” If Muhammadans are not dangerous, why is the Washington Post pulling cartoons and another cartoonist has disappeared? Finally, let’s test the left’s theory and ask Rosy, and Whoopi and Bill Maher to say, out loud, on their programs, that Muhammad never existed, that the Koran was made up, that all of the theory of the religion is just so much fairy dust.

I am willing to wager that not one of them would do so. They would claim that, unlike their similar criticism of Christianity, such statements would be “hateful” and so they would not make the statements based on their wonderful principles. In reality, they would fear for their lives.

I hope someone will do this when faced with crazy Muhammadan apologists.

[abad man]

off topic, I was passing through the Atlanta airport today and could not avoid CNN. WTF it was like a democratic attack ad labeled as news.

[MarkO]

Sue, you win. Check under your car before you start it.