Suspending Sanity
2011-09-29 - by
The logical reaction to Governor Perdue’s statement about suspending elections is “what was she thinking?” Fair enough.
But the really nutty statements came from what one reporter called “the black helicopter crowd.” Like:
Fox News: “NC Governor Recommends Suspending Democracy to Focus on Jobs.”
Think Progress: “North Carolina Governor Proposes Ignoring Constitution.”
Powerline: “Democrats Emerge From Closet, Oppose Democracy.” Then the lead: “How many Democrats are National Socialists at heart? Quite a few, I suspect, and every now and then the Democrats’ totalitarian urges break through to the surface.”
Of course, Fox and the right-wing websites are in the business of inflaming people. Politicians, on the other hand, need a scalpel rather than a meat cleaver in situations like this. To switch metaphors, when your opponent is shooting herself in the foot, you should stay out of the line of fire.
Pat McCrory demonstrated a certain clunkiness:
“Not only does this bizarre commentary suggest ignoring the Constitution, but does Governor Perdue forget her own inability to work with the Legislature, regardless if controlled by Democrats or Republicans? Governor, those in glass houses should not throw stones. We look forward to all of the upcoming elections in North Carolina in 2012.”
Senator Phil Berger got the tone right with what seemed to be tongue-in-cheek statement: ““In light of Gov. Perdue’s support for suspending Congressional elections, I want to state clearly, on the record, that I do NOT support suspending our next gubernatorial election.”
Suspending Sanity
2011-09-29/
The logical reaction to Governor Perdue’s statement about suspending elections is “what was she thinking?” Fair enough.
But the really nutty statements came from what one reporter called “the black helicopter crowd.” Like:
Fox News: “NC Governor Recommends Suspending Democracy to Focus on Jobs.”
Think Progress: “North Carolina Governor Proposes Ignoring Constitution.”
Powerline: “Democrats Emerge From Closet, Oppose Democracy.” Then the lead: “How many Democrats are National Socialists at heart? Quite a few, I suspect, and every now and then the Democrats’ totalitarian urges break through to the surface.”
Of course, Fox and the right-wing websites are in the business of inflaming people. Politicians, on the other hand, need a scalpel rather than a meat cleaver in situations like this. To switch metaphors, when your opponent is shooting herself in the foot, you should stay out of the line of fire.
Pat McCrory demonstrated a certain clunkiness:
“Not only does this bizarre commentary suggest ignoring the Constitution, but does Governor Perdue forget her own inability to work with the Legislature, regardless if controlled by Democrats or Republicans? Governor, those in glass houses should not throw stones. We look forward to all of the upcoming elections in North Carolina in 2012.”
Senator Phil Berger got the tone right with what seemed to be tongue-in-cheek statement: ““In light of Gov. Perdue’s support for suspending Congressional elections, I want to state clearly, on the record, that I do NOT support suspending our next gubernatorial election.”