CNN is promoting Anderson Cooper's first show in Aaron Brown's old timeslot pretty heavily. Here's the topical teaser for tonight:
Why Democrats can't seem to capitalize on the GOP'S crisis. Plus, why the queen of the occult, Anne Rice is embracing Christianity. Tune in at 10 p.m. ET.
Um...no comment on the trauma experienced by seeing the words "Anne Rice" and "Christianity" in the same sentence.
But maybe we can give Anderson some material for the other topic.
Why can't Democrats take advantage of the Republican crises? My reasons on the flip.
Disclaimer: I don't necessarily agree with the starting point here -- that we're unable to capitalize. I think Harry Reid, Howard Dean, Bill Clinton and Jimmy Carter have all had really good weeks and represented us well. But I'll play along anyway.
Reason #1: Because it's not a major fucking election year, that's why. If it were, every poll has shown that Republicans nationwide would be kicked to the curb. So, we're not capitalizing to the extent that we can because we don't want to blow our proverbial wad prematurely.
Reason #2: Because capitalizing creates the appearance that we're politically opportunistic, and that's exactly what Americans hate about the Republicans. They expect us to play a cleaner game, and it's impolite to kick the idiots when they're down.
Reason #3: Because we don't have to. Slowly, the American people are getting it all on their own. In only one year, public opinion has changed dramatically about the Iraq war, about Bush's "character," about the ethics of the White House, and about the Republican party in general.
Reason #4: Because we have no power, anywhere. All three branches of government are controlled by the right, making it virtually impossible for us to take any substantive action at all. We are politically paralyzed, except for the occasional, obscure Rule 21 or judicial filibuster.
Reason #5: Because we truly do suck at PR. We're too trusting. We think that as long as people know the truth, they can be counted on to make their own decisions without us manipulating their brains. Clearly, we're overestimating the "middle" electorate.
Reason #6: Because (and I mean this sincerely) we can't keep up with the "Republican crises." There are too many and they're constantly morphing from bad to worse. Targets abound; Bush, Cheney, Rove, Libby, Frist, DeLay -- where to start? The same could be said for the issues themselves.
If you were Anderson Cooper, what would you focus on? And more importantly, when would you be calling me for a date?
