Quote of the Day

Digby:

I recognise that saying all this means that I couldn't get elected. And for that reason there are almost no elected Democrats who do say what I'm saying. They all wave flags and shriek like old ladies every time something happens --- and they back ridiculous wars, because if they don't the chattering classes will go nuts and label them unpatriotic. But saying it doesn't make it true. That's inside the beltway Republican kabuki which nobody who calls himself a Democrat should ever allow himself to perform. There are legitimate reasons why we might disagree on this stuff and still take national security seriously.

Being lectured all the time by effete DC Democrats on "patriotism" because I don't back their reflexively hawkish foreign policy is not only insulting it's dumb. It plays into stereotypes that only serve the Republicans by turning this into a dick measuring contest when we should be turning the conversation into who can get the job done. I would submit that if anyone's been traumatized by the Vietnam experience it's the tired Democratic national security hawks who are always rushing to support military action, no matter how insanely counterproductive, because some Republican somewhere might call him a pussy. They've been around since the 60's too. Hell, they've been around forever.

There is a movement within the Democratic party that is trying to change the old patterns of behavior. I like to consider myself part of it.

This movement is not about playing to the masses. It's about reason, and sound political judgement. I still understand why "beltway dems" have to appease the chattering classes, but we're hoping to effectively end the "me too" wing of the party.

I feel absolutely no compulsion to toe the line if the line doesn't make any sense. You can have a consersation with me, but don't expect me just to adopt the knee jerk reactions of the masses. I think a little deeper than that.

I wonder where I get that from..