July 31, 2006
Some strong words for the Democratic Party:
"Making Do With Table Scraps" by John McWhorter.
Many will object that while that was the best they could do a century ago, today, we have the option of voting for the party that "isn't racist." But in doing that decade after decade, what do we get? In 2006, the "racist" Republicans are the party behind programs saving children from failing schools, assisting religious organizations (e.g. black churches) in turning around their neighborhoods (e.g. black inner cities), and maintaining welfare programs as focused on job training. A funny kind of racism, this, regardless of whatever Trent Lott once said after dinner one night. Naturally there have been snags in carrying these programs out, and none are magic bullets. But the Democrats did not create them. Often they have even opposed them.
And for what? Under Mr. Clinton, there was, we recall, the Conversation on Race. This would appear to have led to precisely nothing, especially given the conviction so regularly expressed by black commentators today that there still needs to be some kind of "conversation" on race in America.
"Pander and Run" by Peter Beinart.
After years of struggling to define their own approach to post-Sept. 11 foreign policy, Democrats seem finally to have hit on one. It's called pandering. In those rare cases when George W. Bush shows genuine sensitivity to America's allies and propounds a broader, more enlightened view of the national interest, Democrats will make him pay. It's jingoism with a liberal face.
Some strong words for one particular Democrat:
"Hillary Can't Hide" by Joan Vennochi.
Bill Clinton searches for redemption. Hillary Clinton searches for cover.
Is this any way to run a presidential campaign?
(Ms. Vennochi is apparently unaware of Ms. Clinton's gutsy campaign against implanting microchips in children's brains and bold initiative against candy cigarettes.)