I wish there were more Democrats like Zell Miller. This Op-Ed in OpinionJournal is brilliant. He compares the Democrats who nominated George McGovern in 1972 to those of today and finds eerie parallels, then concludes:
So, what, if anything, does this tale of 30 years ago teach us today? First, I think it serves as a reminder just how difficult it is for any senator, no matter how well qualified, to go directly to the presidency. Only two, Warren Harding and John F. Kennedy, have done it since the beginning of this republic. More importantly, though, I believe this tale demonstrates that no matter how it is articulated, no matter how laudable or well intended, the antiwar, peace-at-almost-any price position is a loser for Democrats.
Oh, it will stimulate the extreme left, no doubt about that. And they are the key to the primaries. They will put their money, their emotions, their make-believe president Martin Sheen and even Ms. Streisand’s vocal cords behind it.
But before we suffer, as Yogi Berra said, d?j? vu all over again, let’s rewrite the ending of this movie. Let’s send the message that our party realizes the country faces a threat far different and far more deadly than it did in 1972. Today’s war is on our own soil with terrorist cells lurking perhaps even in our own states and neighborhoods. Let’s respond with strength and boldness, not with the same old failed script that doomed us 30 years ago.
Living in California, a one-party state, I have to root for sanity in that party on a national level, in hopes that some of it might trickle down, but it’s a long journey.
Link courtesy Ben Domenech, who also has some good stuff about the conservative values of today’s young people. No, I’m not kidding.