Outrage. It's what drives the Right. Feigned outrage, real outrage, outrageous outrage. Outrage by email, outrage on the radio, outrage in books, outrage on TV.
They're very practiced at it. Look at the response to the MoveOn.org "Betray-us" ad. A well-oiled machine sprang into action - the bloggers, the Talk Radio hosts, Fox News talking heads, and prominent Republicans, all speaking with one voice - no matter how silly.
And how did Dems respond?
Well, some of us stood firm, some of us hid, and some of us groveled to the Republicans, hoping to prevent a backlash that might or might not ever have come. Turns out most of America hadn't been paying attention, and most of America figured Petraeus was going to shade the truth anyway.
We won decisively in 2006, by OPPOSING Bush and his policies, but we still spook when Republicans say "Boo!"
So, what did we recently do? Well, Rush Limbaugh shot off his big fat mouth, obviously implying that REAL soldiers FAVOR the Iraq war, and only phoney soldiers oppose it. Then he told three different versions of what he meant, AND cut 1:35 out of a tape to artificially create context where none existed.
We tried to play the Outrage Card. 41 Senators sent a letter, rather gently asking for an apology. And Rush turned it around and scored a Public Relations home run with it. (Not that most Americans even give a shit, but the BASE loved it).
So, why does it work for them, and not for us?
SHAME
They have none. We do. If we do something wrong, we want to set it right. If THEY do something wrong, they double down. They do it in everything.
Iraq war not going well? Blame those who point it out!
War becoming unpopular? Start calling the opponents traitors!
Iraqi Government falling apart and our troops caught in a civil war? Send in more troops!
Tax cuts causing higher deficits? Cut taxes some more!
Military worn out after 4 1/2 years in Iraq? Start ANOTHER war!
So it shouldn't be surprising that they'd have the same shameless reaction when Rush steps in it - deny the obvious, and - incredibly - accuse Media Matters of editing the transcript, USING AN EDITED TRANSCRIPT AS PROOF! And it worked, because the Righties want SO MUCH to believe, that it doesn't occur to them to question the sheer volume of bullshit they're swallowing.
Which brings me to my point - Outrage. They can pull it off, and we can't. You can't shame the shameless. So why try?
I don't think we can use the same tools they do, and I don't think we should. Outrage, like fear, is losing its power with Americans. The GOP Presidential candidates apparently think the next President will be the guy who makes Americans most afraid, and most outraged. True, that WILL probably win the GOP nomination. But Americans are tired of being afraid, and tired of watching hypocritical buffoons beat their chests at each other.
Let's leave the fear and outrage to the fearful and outrageous.