I never liked Kos's campaign "to have fun" and vote for Mitt Romney in the Michigan primary. In my opinion, it just wasn't befitting a progressive movement (ideally) founded on ideals and principles instead of political gamesmanship.
But now, hours before a critical election day for Democrats, Rush Limbaugh and the conservative radiosphere are appealing to Republican voters in Texas to vote for Clinton and "sustain the soap opera." Which is typical, of course. Problem is, we cannot claim the high road in response. We cannot condemn these shenanigans because some of us swooned over Kos's suggestion and apparently voted for Romney in Michigan according to the same logic. News outlets are making this abundantly clear:
"We need Barack Obama bloodied up politically. It's obvious that the Republicans are not going to do it, they don't have the stomach for it," Limbaugh continued. "As you probably know we're getting all kinds of memos from the RNC saying we're not going to be critical. Mark McKinnon of McCain's campaign said he'll quit if they get critical over Obama. This is the presidency of the United States we're talking about. I want our party to win I want the Democrats to lose.”
In January, liberal Daily Kos blogger Markos Moulitsas urged readers in Michigan to vote for Mitt Romney in the GOP primary for similar reasons. Romney went on to win Michigan, though exit polling showed Democrats who voted in that primary favored McCain.
On his Monday show, several listeners appeared dismayed that Limbaugh was urging them to support the New York senator.
The ultimate irony is, of course, that the Kos-conceived subterfuge didn't make much difference. Exit polls showed most Democrats breaking for McCain.
Limbaugh, however, has a greater reach than this site and millions of dittoheads out there who outnumber us politigeeks. Will there be mischief tomorrow? Probably. Will it be of some consequence in a hotly contested race in Texas -- where every vote will count? Likely.
But now who among us can cry foul?
And for all those apologists out there, if you think Limbaugh's appeal is going to disgust undecideds and cause them to break for Obama, you haven't been out canvassing or phonebanking lately.
So what's the remedy? Give, give, give.
Ultimately, the moral is: keep the high road. Don't stoop to their level. It's just sh@tty down there.