Those Cracking Noises
Krugman suspects that the juggernaut may be more not than previously suspected.
At its core, the political axis that currently controls Congress and the White House is an alliance between the preachers and the plutocrats — between the religious right, which hates gays, abortion and the theory of evolution, and the economic right, which hates Social Security, Medicare and taxes on rich people. Surrounding this core is a large periphery of politicians and lobbyists who joined the movement not out of conviction, but to share in the spoils.
[…]
So the right-wing coalition is showing signs of coming apart. It seems that we’re not in Kansas anymore. In fact, Kansas itself doesn’t seem to be in Kansas anymore. Kathleen Sebelius, the state’s Democratic governor, has achieved a sky-high favorability rating by focusing on good governance rather than culture wars, and her party believes it will win big this year.And nine former Kansas Republicans, including Mark Parkinson, the former state G.O.P. chairman, are now running for state office as Democrats. Why did Mr. Parkinson change parties? Because he “got tired of the theological debate over whether Charles Darwin was right.”
[excerpts from Paul Krugman, "Things Fall Apart", 2 October 2006.]
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on Tuesday, 3 October 2006 at 21.35
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"And nine former Kansas Republicans, including Mark Parkinson, the former state G.O.P. chairman, are now running for state office as Democrats."
As Paul Harvey would sigh, "My oh my!"
Cracking noise? Nah, it's music, sweet music.
on Saturday, 7 October 2006 at 07.43
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S.W., your joy here makes me think the Democrats are a cult, trollig for members, for warm bodies, anybody, to get into the fold, where the brains will be washed and made pure.