Thursday, October 9, 2008

How Could This Be?: The Sequel

"I can't stand to look at him, I don't trust him. I don't like the circle of friends he keeps, I don't like his policies," said an angry political rally attendee. "I'm pissed off by it. I'm beyond mad. How is he climbing up in the polls?"

The great thing about this quote is that it could have been said by a fervent Democrat in 2004, or a fervent Republican in 2008. In this case, it's a Republican at a McCain rally talking about Obama. This is an opportunity for Democrats to have some sympathy for their Republican countrymen and women, for Democrats have a fresh appreciation for this type of political exasperation (and isolation). Conversely, Republicans who are beside themselves as they watch Obama ramp up to victory, they should recognize that this is how their fellow Democratic countrymen and women have felt for most of the last eight years.

Eight years is a long time to feel politically isolated. Given the trajectory of the 2008 race, it sure looks like almost all fervent Americans will now be able to share in the common experience in wondering what the heck those other people are thinking.

[The full WaPo story with the above quote is here:]