What is Joe Klein thinking? Why did he write this Time article?

[win_in_06]

Is this part of a Hillary-push or just plain dem-bashing?









http://www.time.com/time/columnist/klein/article/0,9565,1147137,00.html

[EST]

1. He's engaging in his own bit of spurious obfuscation.

Probably actually believes what he's saying; the pity is that he's in a position to influence others in his inability to focus.

[Canuckistanian]

2. Rush is quoting copiously from the article

That's when you know it's bad.

[AtomicKitten]

3. Klein has become a cynical curmudgeon.

Every time I see him on the tee-vee, he comes across as a sarcastic little (indeed) man.

The Dems haven't figured out what solidarity means, at least in public.

[wyldwolf]

4. I disagree with you opinion of Klein but agree 100% with you on..

..this:

The Dems haven't figured out what solidarity means, at least in public.

[AtomicKitten]

5. What is your opinion of Klein?

You didn't elaborate and I am interested.

My opinion is based on the appearances I've seen in the last few years. It probably is more accurately an impression rather than an opinion.

[wyldwolf]

8. I think he wants to be unbiased - even though he is biased

Notice he was careful to say "liberal democrats" and not "democrats." When the rightwing says that, they're including ALL Democrats. When someone like Klein does, he drawing a distinction between differing ideologies in the party. But I'm against airing dirty laundry in public - the main reason I dislike Rachel Maddow on AAR.

[AtomicKitten]

10. unfortunately that distinction is too nuanced for Republicans.

And that's the problem with attempts to be fair/unbiased. It's not like the opposition is capable of carrying on an intellectual conversation about politics. Their rhetoric is caustic. I can see in comparison finding Klein not praticularly supportive of Dems, however, the reality is just as you have said.

[karynnj]

6. What a biased article!

Look at this one paragraph:
"The latest version of the absolutely necessary Patriot Act, which updates the laws regulating the war on terrorism and contains civil-liberties improvements over the first edition, was nearly killed by a stampede of Senate Democrats. Most polls indicate that a strong majority of Americans favor the act, and I suspect that a strong majority would favor the NSA program as well, if its details were declassified and made known."

- The stampede of the Senate Democrats - who wanted some of the changes they passed unanimously. This is not killing, it's Bush refusing anything that's not 100%
- Majority approve patriot act, but if they explained and asked if you want the Senate version or the conference report - I'ld bet the conference report would win
- the majority favor it if it's phrased not to mention that all the act requires is judical approval.

[AntiCoup2K4]

7. Klein sounds like he's been attending the same neocon Kool Aid parties....

...as Ron Silver and Ed Koch. :puke:

[lillilbigone]

9. He's a Repub tool

[Aaaargh]

11. Just one more corporate-media Bush ho shaking his ass

[nickshepDEM]

12. I disagree with a lot in the article, BUT...

I think he makes a good point regarding 'perception'.

I believe we are right for standing up to illegal wiretaps on American Citizens. I also believe we are right for standing up to an unchecked abuse of power by the executive.

However, 'perception' is everything, and I believe the road we are taking will again makes us look weak on security and defense issues. While we stand up for what is right, the Republicans are slamming us for not being aggressive enough in the fight to protect the American people from Al-qaeda. Taking the high road may hurt us in the voting booth.

Just my 2 cents...

[Aaaargh]

13. The American public isn't as dumb as some would have us believe

[Doctor_J]

14. Because he's a GOP whore?

Just guessing :shrug:

[fujiyama]

15. Klein is the premier example of a media whore

He's from the Joe Lieberman wing of the party, that basically believes that if Dems don't agree with Bush in his world view, then Dems are soft and weak on terror.

He's scum. I've heard enough over the years from him to know, he's not on our side in any way.