Seriously.....
Sarah Palin and Michelle Bachmann are the co-keynotes for the "tea party" convention.
As a serious question, what does it say about that movement, this political moment, and the state of the Republican party that these are their heroes? That absolute certainty in ignorance seems to be a cherished value?
I mean, there are far more capable folks who are "right" on tea party issues, but I don't think there are many who are more "certain," belligerent, and willfully ignorant.
Is it a seeking of reassurance or reinforcement of a party rocked and in the wilderness that all those thinkers must be wrong? Is it looking for validation that "my ideas" are right and mainstream? Is it some weird "reality show" type dynamic?
So, seriously, put on your sociologist's/political scientist's hat, and tell me what's going on. What is the dynamic that's valuing certainty over everything else? What is the dynamic (that Bush tapped into) that says that knowledge is bad?
As a serious question, what does it say about that movement, this political moment, and the state of the Republican party that these are their heroes? That absolute certainty in ignorance seems to be a cherished value?
I mean, there are far more capable folks who are "right" on tea party issues, but I don't think there are many who are more "certain," belligerent, and willfully ignorant.
Is it a seeking of reassurance or reinforcement of a party rocked and in the wilderness that all those thinkers must be wrong? Is it looking for validation that "my ideas" are right and mainstream? Is it some weird "reality show" type dynamic?
So, seriously, put on your sociologist's/political scientist's hat, and tell me what's going on. What is the dynamic that's valuing certainty over everything else? What is the dynamic (that Bush tapped into) that says that knowledge is bad?
posted by mikevotes at
6:38 AM
5 Comments:
These are people want things to be right or wrong. They can't deal with grey areas.
By
Anonymous, at 7:58 AM
Stephen Colbert expresses it all the time. It's not what you know; it's what you feel.
MC
By
Anonymous, at 11:05 AM
I certainly get that element,but if you want to feel "right" wouldn't it make more sense to crave someone who can make the arguments cogently?
I mean, there are "intelligent" wingers out there who use argument, so why fixate on these two (Joe the Plumber) women who somewhat revel in their own lack of argument?
Is it identity politics with those who can't defend their positions, but who "feel" gays are bad (for example)?
By
mikevotes, at 11:48 AM
When the GOP centrists decapitate the power of these "rising stars". The damage to women seeking higher office will be damaged by association for decades i.e. Hillary Clinton.
By
Anonymous, at 6:30 PM
Interesting point.
On the other hand, I would say Clinton's run in 2008 also stepped the possibility forward (although I don't know who, beides Hillary Clinton, is in the frame.)
By
mikevotes, at 9:20 PM
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