And what if the Karl Rove virus does cross the GOP/DEM barrier?

From Lawrence Lessig —

http://lessig.org/blog/2008/01/and_what_if_the_karl_rove_viru.html

Watching the debate last night, I wondered what happens when we become as bad as they. (WE=Dems; THEY=Karl Rove GOP). For there was a cheapness and dishonesty in the exchange last night that I haven't quite recognized before. Why I hadn't registered this before is an obvious question -- for of course, cheapness and dishonesty in presidential politics has been with us for a long time. But I recognized something about it last night I hadn't recognized before.

Let's start with the disappointment: Debates are not Obama's forte. If he were running for Prime Minister, I'd have second thoughts. I can't understand why he isn't better prepared for the obvious exchange that was going to happen. It took way too long to get to (w/r/t the Reagan absurdity): "I obviously don't agree with his ideas and never said I did, and indeed, I worked against them." It took way too long to get to (w/r/t the "present vote" issue): "In the US Senate, voting present would be bad Senatoring. In the Illinois Senate, it is how the system works. My 180 votes out of 4000 is just the same as ...." And w/r/t health care, he never got to "my plan IS universal because it is made available, in an affordable way, to everyone. I just don't believe in fining poor people. I believe in helping them." Again and again, the echo of Obama's message was "it's legitimate for us to disagree about ..." What good is that line doing -- especially given the completely illegitimate charges raised against him by HRC? Someone has go sit him down and force him to spit back 10 second responses to these questions. It isn't rocket science. It is practice and training.

But disappointment is one thing; (this word sounds too harsh, I know, but) disgust is something else. For there was a basic lack of integrity in the Clinton show last night. As a former friend of Clinton put it to me last night, "I now understand just why people hated the Clintons so."

-snipped-

Obama's reply (the Wal-Mart comment) must have been fun. It certainly got attention. It was in my view unnecessary. But even if unnecessary, it was certainly not unethical. His point was about his commitment to values that Clinton said he didn't have. Showing his "experience" in contrast to hers was fair, and it was true. It created an impression that accorded with the facts, unlike the Reagan comment, or the "slum lord" slander. Thus ethical, in my view, but unwise.

We've heard this about the Clintons from the start: they would do anything. But watching her utter words she knows are false, or words which even if technically true, create a plainly false impression, was, again, disgusting. Just how small is this person now apparently leading the Democrats? Just how small have we become?


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Edited to clarify in the fourth para re: the Wal-Mart comment

Hillary and Bill are carriers spreading it across the country.

We may have to amputate.

n/t

Sad to say, he spread the disease across the barrier back in the 90s when he worked for Bill Clinton.

it has never worked for me. I hate that politics is this way BUT maybe it is a reflection of the body politic in this country. If it is, small wonder we're in the deep shit we're in.

party they claim to love so much; and destroying its very center and core of humanitarian principles. We've been able, up to now, to hold onto the high road, to stake claim to it and line its path. Even now, if people would stand up to the Clintons and TELL them they will not tolerate these shameful and harmful tactics, we could repair the damage done. But with her legion of supporters marching in lockstep with their disgusting machinations, I see no hope for the future of the democratic party. Ironic that in getting what she wants at any cost, she destroys the very thing she pretends to cherish. Like the true mother in King Solomon's court, she would step away if her intentions were pure. They are not and I'd just as soon be left with Bush or a republican. At least we know where THEY are coming from and will not be deceived into complacence.

and Rove came to work for Clinton (most likely of all the candidates). Given how vitriolic and irrational some of her supporters are, they'd be happy with it.

Her brand of meanness is hers and hers alone. She wants to get rid of an interloper to her Democratic coronation. She won't get rid of the guy on the other side, though.