What the Clintons used to call the "Politics of Personal Destruction" has become a mantel they have draped over their own shoulders. In a blog on the Huffington Post on February 18th, 2008, Taylor Marsh, apparently a strong Hillary Clinton supporter, in referring to the "plagiarism" accusations the Clinton camp has been making against Barack Obama, says:
Barack Obama isn't an original. He's the first 21st century L. Ron Hubbard of politics, Elmer Gantry, name your huckster.
"I have a dream" just became "I have a con."
This blog by Taylor Marsh is a perfect example of the Clinton/Bush politics of tearing down your opponent. It has nothing to do with issues. And, as I read the comments made here and on other blogs by Clinton supporters, it saddens me.
This is a perfect example of why Clintons and Bushes are and have been so divisive, in case you have ever wondered why so many people say that Clintons or Bushes are divisive. We have seen this kind of thing for 20 years now! It basically started with George H. W. Bush's "Willie Horton" ad against Michael Dukakis in, oh, I think it was 1988. This kind of politics, these negative attacks, this style of "tearing down" or "smearing" one's opponent, is just the thing that most Americans, especially young Americans, have grown weary of.
This is why so many young Americans are excited by the Obama campaign. This is why Barack Obama has just won 11 states in a row. He does not try to tear down his opponents. He will answer their charges, but he will not try to smear them. That is a breath of fresh air on the political stage! That is just one of the reasons why Barack Obama will not only win the Democratic nomination, but will also soundly defeat John McCain in November.
Get a clue, Hillary supporters: you are upholding, promoting, and supporting a style of politics that most Americans, especially young Americans who have seen it their whole adult life, are fed up with...it not only hurts Hillary, it not only hurts the Democractic party, it hurts America. It is something best left to the Republicans. Over the past seven years, under the tutelage of Karl Rove, they have made this kind of sleaze descend into a a kind of political art form...and I am talking about the dark arts here. Let the Democratic party rise above it, and Democrats everywhere will win seats this November.
The swiftboats are sinking in their own morass, and our nation will be the better for it. It is the spark that will enable Barack Obama to make the sweeping, positive changes our country so desperately needs.