Stupidity In The Beltway: A Shrug Is Not Dismay

By Big Tent Democrat, Section Media
Posted on Sat Mar 03, 2012 at 01:32:45 PM EST
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Displaying the usual lack of acumen, the Beltway mistakes activist shrugs regarding Bob Kerrey's announced run for Senator from Nebraska for dismay. Starting with a silly Politico article and ending where stupidity generally goes to live, Joe Klein, the Beltway mistakes progressive disinterest in Kerrey's candidacy with disappointment.

Here's the point - Bob Kerrey, by his own admission, is no progressive. He is the candidate of the Third Way. Mind you, Kerrey will no doubt be better than the Republican, as was Ben Nelson before him. I hope he wins. But on the list of campaigns that progressives need to prioritize, Kerrey is pretty far down the list. Unlike Beltway idiots like Joe Klein, progressive activists are focused on races with candidates who actually agree with their views. Klein wrote:

I like him a lot, especially when we disagree.

I like my politicians when they agree with me and that's when I am moved to support them. Enthusiastic Kerrey supporter Dean Esmay is enthusiastic about Kerrey for a good reason, Kerrey agrees with him on most of the big issues. No doubt the Third Way is enthusiastic about him for the same reason. Joe Klein is enthusiastic about Kerrey because he likes to support pols who disagree with him. And he calls us stupid. What an idiot.

Speaking for me only

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Stupidity In The Beltway: A Shrug Is Not Dismay | 10 comments (10 topical)

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"Where stupidity generally goes to live" (5.00 / 2) (#5)
by Anne on Sat Mar 03, 2012 at 04:48:05 PM EST

I love that expression, and fully intend to steal it.

The Blue Dog/Third Way members of Congress, and any of that ilk looking to be elected to it, are attractive to the pundit class because they just love it whenever one of the Democratic Party's conservative own sticks it to the liberal/progressives in the party; they love to be able to label Dems as being in disarray and off-message, and people like Kerrey give them unlimited opportunities to do so.

Look no further than the thrill that runs through the media whenever Obama delivers a rebuke to the liberals - it's the same thing.

Please clarify title and first sentence. (none / 0) (#1)
by oculus on Sat Mar 03, 2012 at 01:53:11 PM EST

Links speak of leftists trashing Kerrey, not shrugging.

Thanks. Yes, I am jet lagged.

: Julie to her mother in "Carousel," (5.00 / 2) (#7)
by oculus on Sat Mar 03, 2012 at 10:05:47 PM EST

can a slap feel like a kiss?

Does that mean you also like (none / 0) (#2)
by MKS on Sat Mar 03, 2012 at 02:07:15 PM EST

commentators who agree with you?

: Heh (5.00 / 3) (#3)
by Big Tent Democrat on Sat Mar 03, 2012 at 02:10:13 PM EST

Would have to see one first.

Yes, pundits like Joe Klein (none / 0) (#4)
by KeysDan on Sat Mar 03, 2012 at 02:54:13 PM EST

get consumed if not confused by their egos, thinking these people of power are engaging them when they are just entertaining them. Based on Klein's criterion, he should have been a faculty member at the New School, he would have really, really liked Kerrey.

It does still amaze me when guys like Tweety express admiration for a politician with whom they disagree but is frank about his (terrible ) views--he tells you what he thinks. While candor may be a noble trait, it is of limited value if it involves that politician wanting to load me onto a boxcar.

Redundant and Kerrey (none / 0) (#6)
by koshembos on Sat Mar 03, 2012 at 05:34:32 PM EST

Any argument with our pundits sort is redundant. Even they if are smart, e.g. David Brooks, they don't always make sense.

Now to Kerrey: he was centrist when he was a senator before and from time to time he got on our nerves. Yet, Kerrey is a straight talker, will support quite a few progressive ideas and as stated above, he is a Democrat.

Now to "progressive activists are focused on races with candidates who actually agree with their views." The number of progressive senators can be count with the fingers of one hand. The Democratic party is, at best, a centrist party. Progressive candidates is almost an oxymoron.

What to say? (none / 0) (#8)
by Militarytracy on Sun Mar 04, 2012 at 09:34:10 AM EST

I am not excited about having a Senator Bob Kerrey because the guy is so unethical. I know this on a very personal level. I don't how in this economic crisis and ripping off of the little people someone like Bob Kerrey gets into office after what he and Bill Wright did to Nebraskans. Nebraska often surprises me though in ability to forgive and have a kind of respect for all sorts of heinous conduct. Sort of like Wyoming in that department.

klein likes politicians who disagree with him, (none / 0) (#9)
by cpinva on Sun Mar 04, 2012 at 09:35:32 AM EST

because that's how he makes his cash. geez, if they all agreed with him, what would he have to write about?: "rep. joe blow agreed today with my position on ICBM's."

those would be short columns and books.

i, like BTD, like politicians who actually represent my position on the various issues, and i tend to vote for those who most closely hew to them. unlike mr. klein, i don't get paid to clash with politicians, they simply affect my life directly.

Do people like Klein (none / 0) (#10)
by cal1942 on Mon Mar 05, 2012 at 01:11:40 PM EST

have a bit of the masochist in them or are they gullible?

I believe people like Matthews/Klein mistake deception for candor.

If Conservative politicians were REALLY candid NOBODY(with a very few exceptions)would vote for them.