Who is the worst Op-Ed columnist in any major newspaper? Well now that the LA Times has signed up Jonah Goldberg, I suppose he gets the mantle. John Tierney of the New York Times deserves serious consideration.
But there is no worse lineup of columnists than those of the Washington Post, E.J. Dionne being the very noteworthy exception. And the worst of them is, by far, David Ignatius. Look at his latest tripe:
Here's a prediction: The important political battles of the next several years will be over which party commands this high ground of the center -- and offers solutions to the problems that worry the country.
That's a prediction? Holy catfish! No kidding, Ignatius. Who woulda thought that? Here's a prediction, David Ignatius will never ever write a worthwhile column. So far I am on the money.
More:
Right now neither Republicans nor Democrats can lay coherent claim to being that party of performance. They are both still captives of the old conventional wisdom that the route to victory passes through the base -- the true believers on the right and left wings who are the activists in both parties. That logic works until the big majority in the middle finally says: Enough!
What in blazes is that supposed to mean? Is he predicting Perot as the next President or something?
Here's his kicker:
If my imaginary party of performance held a convention this week, its most likely nominee for president would be Arizona Republican Sen. John McCain. Over the past few years, he has been the most visible example of a politician who has tried to swim against the tide of partisanship.
Ahhh. So a conservative Right Wing Republican who wholeheartedly supported and supports the very unpopular Iraq Debacle is Ignatius' swing to the middle? And Lieberman will be his running mate no doubt.
Meanwhile, back on Planet Earth, Ignatius might want to take the time to read his newspaper:
ABC News/Washington Post Poll. Oct. 30-Nov. 2, 2005. N=1,202 adults nationwide. MoE ± 3 (for all adults). Fieldwork by TNS.
"If the election for the U.S. House of Representatives in November 2006 were being held today, would you vote for the Democratic candidate or the Republican candidate in your congressional district?" If other/unsure: "Would you lean toward the Democratic candidate or toward the Republican candidate?" Options rotated
GOP Dem. Neither/Other
% % %
ALL adults 36 53 4
Reg. voters 37 52 5
Even Broder has given up writing this kind of crap.