John Dean on Countdown
I thought this was a very interesting segment on Hardball last night with John Dean discussing the premise of his new book, that there is a certain segment of the right in America that is drawn into the Leader/Follower(Authoritarian) archetype.
This was presented as scientific in nature. Not having read the book or seen the methodology or data, I'm not going to go too far down the road, but it did resonate with me. (video - transcript)
This was presented as scientific in nature. Not having read the book or seen the methodology or data, I'm not going to go too far down the road, but it did resonate with me. (video - transcript)
posted by mikevotes at
2:19 PM
6 Comments:
I was talking with my buddy about the Dean segment today at work. My buddy noted that the GOP all vote in lockstep and the media calls that "disciplined" while Dems go their own ways (for the most part) and the media calls that "undisciplined".
I guess loving to take orders and regurgitate talking points written for you by the RNC is an admirable thing for members of the media these days.
By
Reality-Based Educator, at 4:22 PM
I saw that interview too, and thought it was quite interesting. There is a "cultish" quality to today's GOP that is kind of scary!
Dean's book just jumped to the top of my future reading list.
By
seenos, at 4:36 PM
I'm not too sure about this being a new phenomena. It seems to me that conservatives value the discipline associated with process as much or more than the content of policy. Thus the attitude of "don't do as I do, do as I say". I suspect that's endemic to those who affiliate with a more conservative pov. It's also why a Republican like Bush can get away with (for example) expanding the size of government enormously while proclaiming to be anti-government. And Bush is certainly not the first Republican to act that way.
By
Greyhair, at 5:04 PM
I've been fascinated over the last year at how the left can't do Rush Limbaugh, and the right can't do blogs. But I think this explains part of it. The right is looking for an authority, while the Dems desire to get away from authority shatters them into a million little fractious blogs. And when one of them starts to get big like Kos, everybody goes after it.
I also always the move towards "megachurches" reflected a desire for authority.
Reality based, it's more than repeting talking points because you're told to, that implies force from the top. What's interesting about this dynamic is that the "sub" participants want to subjugate themselves.
Seenos, I might actually read this one. I usually don't read the political books because the key points and revelations are released in the prepress. Look at Suskind's book, there were so many prepress revelations, that there was nothing left in the book but characterization and knitting it all together.
Greyhair, if I heard him right, he's not claiming that this is new, just that it's undergone a serious growth. Nixon was an authoritarian figure. Reagan had his cult.
Mike
By
mikevotes, at 5:52 PM
Picking up on what reality-based educator was saying about media bias, I've been frustrated that the media see the many proposals for addressing the US cock-up in Iraq. It's always reported as "Democrats divided on Iraq," rather than "Democrats offer multiple paths for addressing the crisis in Iraq."
My frustration is not that modern Republicans operate as an authoritarian block, but that the media see this as a virtue. Likewise, I think due to laziness on their part, the hear more than one idea coming form Dems and simply don't take the time the listen.
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-epm, at 8:20 PM
Right. It's like the bit I quoted last night from 2004.
"For this President, the essence of wisdom lies in knowing when not to change"
On the other hand, I think the media (at least the talking head set) is getting near the point of crying out for alternatives to the current Bush "stand and bleed" policy. If even a small consensus were to form around a plan that allowed victory and bring them home, it would get all the press.
Part of the problem the Dems are perceived as dithering is that their leaders are hedging for 2008 and not themselves taking a strong position, at least not strong enough to go on the talk shows and promote it.
If just one of the big names was willing to step forward and worry about the country rather than their futures.....
Although the complaint is that Democrats don't agree, I think a more precise description is that they don't have a clear plan. One of the recognized majors needs to stand up. And then, I think, the momentum would probably follow.
(And, no, Kerry no longer qualifies as a major.)
Just my opinion.
Mike
By
mikevotes, at 8:51 PM
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