Prozac for Republicans?--WaPo Howard Kurtz

[Demeter]

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/blog/2006/05/12/BL2006051200517.html?referrer=email



By Howard Kurtz
Washington Post Staff Writer
Friday, May 12, 2006; 8:03 AM

Some conservative bloggers like to accuse liberals and mainstream media types of suffering from Bush Derangement Syndrome.

I'm starting to wonder whether those on the right aren't struggling with Bush Depression Syndrome.

Every day I read a new article, column or blog by a conservative who doesn't just fear that the Republicans might lose the House this fall, but feels the GOP--the president and Congress--have brought it on themselves. That they have abandoned conservatism, stand for nothing, gotten too enamored of the perks of power, become part of the problem.

There is, in short, a sense of betrayal in much of what I read by those who, not all that long ago, were strongly defending the president.

....

Is there an antidote for Bush Depression Syndrome? Some sort of magical pill? If Karl Rove and the gang manage to make the Democrats and national security the issue and the GOP holds onto Congress, will that work like a heavy dose of Prozac, lifting the gloom in conservative hearts?

In the Wall Street Journal, Peggy Noonan , who worked for Bush's reelection, is the latest to accuse her party of letting its supporters down:

"Republicans inside and outside Washington are right when they say Republican leaders take a daily pounding in the press. They do. They're right when they say this causes attrition. It does. They're right when they say history handed the Republicans a unique challenge in 9/11 and after.

"But it's also true that the administration and the Congress are losing their base, and it isn't because of the media . . .

"If you are a normal person with the normal amount of political awareness, you might see it this way:

"The Republicans talk about cutting spending, but they increase it--a lot. They stand for making government smaller, but they keep making it bigger. They say they're concerned about our borders, but they're not securing them. And they seem to think we're slobs for worrying. Republicans used to be sober and tough about foreign policy, but now they're sort of romantic and full of emotionalism. They talk about cutting taxes, and they have, but the cuts are provisional, temporary. Beyond that, there's something creepy about increasing spending so much and not paying the price right away but instead rolling it over and on to our kids, and their kids.

"So, the normal voter might think, maybe the Democrats. But Democrats are big spenders, Democrats are big government, Democrats will roll the cost onto our kids, and on foreign affairs they're--what? Cynical? Confused? In a constant daily cringe about how their own base will portray them? All of the above.



JUST A BUNCH OF WHISTLING PAST THE GRAVEYARD HERE....IT IS AMUSING, THOUGH.

[BrklynLiberal]

1. Prefrontal lobotomies seems to be a much more efficient choice.

[ShortnFiery]

2. When Kurtz jumps ship, it's hand-writing on the wall. :-) n/t

[katty]

3. Prozac? they're already on it-'don't worry-be happy'&shut up