http://blogcritics.org/ A sinister cabal of superior bloggers on music, books, film, popular culture, politics, and technology - updated continuously. en Copyright 2005 by the authors Sun, 9 Nov 2003 13:25:01 EST http://backend.userland.com/rss Blogcritics.org custom software http://blogcritics.org/archives/2003/11/08/163848.php#comment-27848 I and many other Californians did not see the recall issues as choices of gay or Gray or Jesus. The major issues were the fiscal crisis and the pay-for-play state Democrats. Gray was recallable so he was recalled. In the next election, we'll work on the equally-culpable Democratic legislature (which will be tougher because of the 2001 redistricting pact between the Dems and the Reps). Arnold was the second-best outcome for us, but a step in the direction of the fiscal conservatism McClintock represented, with no ties to special interests (yet). Although Arnie's decision to investigate himself on the groping charges is making me start to wonder: "Mirror, mirror, on the wall, did I grope anyone at all?" :-) 27848@blogcritics.org Sun, 9 Nov 2003 13:25:01 EST http://blogcritics.org/archives/2003/11/08/163848.php#comment-27838 It's always seemed to me that Democrats are hell bent on having the biggest tent, and less concerned with stuff like principle, integrity, or Constitutional adherance. Naturally they would have more uneasy alliances than the Repubs. I do love those log cabiners. (in a strictly generalized way of course) They seem principled just for resisting the shameless divisive pandering of the left. Same goes for conservative minorities. In my fantasy Country, the Republicans win the pandering battle, the Democratic Party dries up. All the ultra-lefties move to France. Then a rainbow coalition of Constitutionally enlightened constituents challenges the Republicans for the allegiance of all the folks who have had to hold their nose while they voted Republican. Now that would be progressive! Or in a sense, regressive. 27838@blogcritics.org Sun, 9 Nov 2003 07:15:51 EST http://blogcritics.org/archives/2003/11/08/163848.php#comment-27836 Actually, the religious right probably isn't nearly so troublesome to the Republicans as black groups are to the Democrats. The religious right generally are not necessarily more moderate than the black groups, but considerably more pragmatic. Black interest groups, having gotten pretty much every possible reasonable concession, have gone to demanding reparations, and other such utter nonsense. Religious conservatives on the other hand are content to get half a loaf. They will be well satisfied with the widely popular partial birth abortion ban, and not push at this point for an overall legislative or constitutional ban on all abortions, for example. 27836@blogcritics.org Sun, 9 Nov 2003 05:20:43 EST