I know this is a stupid question,
but that is precisely why I am asking it. Why does the right believe that attacking and demeaning Kerry's and Edwards's masculinity over and over again will work? (see current Drudge front page picture for example). Breck Girl. Shiny Pony. etc. etc. Why do these tactics appeal to people? Or do they?
I'm putting this in a diary form because I've been puzzling about it all weekend--in fact for months--and I'd like to hear what people have to say about it. I am a straight guy. I am married with kids. It is absolutely true that my very best friends are gay (well except for my wife). Oh and I'm much femmier than most of my gay friends. I work out at a mostly gay gym. I have never been moved by appeals to my supposed hyper-masculinity. In fact I find testosterone-laden environments (yes, even gay ones) mostly poisonous and uninteresting. I know that the homophobic appeal must be visceral, or threatening, or something, but I find it puzzling precisely because I do not share it. Does it make the right feel beter to turn big handsome John into a wimp? How can women find these tactics appealing when the message is masculinity is good, femininity bad?
This is a Maureen Dowd cliche, but the more I look at 43's administration, the more I realize he is running his play as the exact reverse of his father's plays, and he is weak enough to let a small cabal of people appeal to his narcissism in order to exploit their own agendas. Anyway, sorry to ramble, but you Kossacks are a smart bunch. I'd like to hear what you think.