Dispatches from ‘cuckoo land’
Go Deeper.
Create an account or log in to save stories.
Like this?
Thanks for liking this story! We have added it to a list of your favorite stories.
David Brooks, the Republican columnist of the New York Times, pens a particularly strident -- and to a degree, compelling -- dispatch today with more lessons for Democrats on how to win the White House. Building on a theme long held in the dusty and graying (not to mention, empty) newsrooms of mainstream media everywhere, Brooks advises ignoring the bloggers and netizens.
The fact is, many Democratic politicians privately detest the netroots' self-righteousness and bullying. They also know their party has a historic opportunity to pick up disaffected Republicans and moderates, so long as they don't blow it by drifting into cuckoo land. They also know that a Democratic president is going to face challenges from Iran and elsewhere that are going to require hard-line , hawkish responses.
... Both liberals and Republicans have an interest in exaggerating the netroots' influence, but in reality that influence is surprisingly marginal, even among candidates for whom you'd think it would be strong.
Ouch.
Turn Up Your Support
MPR News helps you turn down the noise and build shared understanding. Turn up your support for this public resource and keep trusted journalism accessible to all.
