In Glenn Greenwald's post today, he continues thwacking Republican owned and operated Politico.com. He also takes a paddle to a chummy group of star-gazing, star-grazing pundits who dined together after the Republican debate in California. Oh-ho, life can't get any better for this bunch; Tom Selleck bought them a bottle of wine.
But that's not what this diary is about. No. I decided to do my own sleuthing over at Politico to find out how partisan they really are by counting the abundant GOP articles (a wide majority) and noting the dearth of those on the DOJ scandal (2)and Iraq (2).
That's not what this is about, either. The gusty winds today in Los Angeles blew this diary in another direction to this article, Perfect storm brews in California.
John J. Pitney Jr., a Roy P. Crocker professor of government at Claremont McKenna College in Claremont, California wrote what I originally thought was an article on the drought plaguing California, but it too quickly segues into the upcoming primary and becomes downright sinister.
The final months of the primary campaign, in fall and winter 2007-2008, may unfold amid frequent disasters and universal anxiety. In the event of wildfires, Democrats will link the charred landscape to global warming. Whatever form the state's misfortune takes, they will blame the Bush administration for skimpy preparation and shoddy response.
The issue could be even more intense in the other party. Just as the New Orleans flood disproportionately affected Democrats, a California season of woe could hit Republicans hardest. Obviously, voters in both parties will suffer, but the wildfire danger tends to be greater in GOP-leaning suburbs, exurbs and rural areas. And by unhappy coincidence, much of this territory lies atop the southern segment of the San Andreas fault. I don't claim to know God's mind, but if he were planning to wreak havoc on my fellow California Republicans, he has set it up perfectly.
In a post-disaster California primary, Republican candidates will face an electorate demanding federal action. It is not too early for them to develop and discuss ideas for emergency management.
More than policy proposals, Californians will be looking for candidates who have shown leadership and compassion. Obviously, former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani has a built-in advantage because of his performance in the face of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. But any candidate could make a favorable impression by doing something dramatic and concrete. Picture one of the contenders temporarily suspending campaign fundraising in order to gather money for a relief fund -- and challenging the others to do likewise.
Campaigns need to focus on the basics. And nothing could be more basic than fire, water and earth.
Professor Pitney Jr. is encouraging emergency preparations, not for those that risk a loss of life or property, but for political posturing and potential gains. The lessons of Katrina and every disaster over the last 6 years has not been lost on the professor nor Politico, but viewed as missed political opportunities to be improved upon. The article is a snapshot of a party that has little regard for life, only of power.
I, too, fear the drought that promises a season of hellish firestorms and I fear a California equivalent of floating bodies and washed away homes. I also fear a 2008 Republican White House. Now that would be a national disaster.