It's NOT the Economy, Stupid

So now we begin to see the shape of the November election strategy, Bush. It's more of the same. It has worked in the past, why should it not work again this November? It's tar and feather the Democrats with taunting labels: "cut-and-run," "defeatist," and the good old tried and tested "unpatriotic." Make them look like a bunch of softies on Iraq and "homeland security." Rattle the sabers and beat the drums of war, talk up the "victory" angle. And justify the argument that "we have to fight them there so we don't have to fight them here" by stage-managing a terrorist round-up for the media...

Yesterday's loud message to the American people? Be afraid. Be very afraid. And of course: see how well we Bushies have been protecting you? Your Gonzales gets to go on national television with a press conference this morning... and the media show up in droves because it's "breaking news."

This is crap, Bush. But we can expect more of this sickening stuff in the coming weeks, if your Rove has anything to do with it. As he most certainly does. Fresh out from under the shadow of possible indictment for his suspected participation in the truly cowardly act of outing the CIA agent, Valerie Plame, and flush with vindication, he's on the loose again and more toxic than ever. Tighten your seat belts, Democrats. Be ready for a bumpy ride between now and November.

What would your Rove advise them, Bush, these Democrats? I think, were he on their side, he'd be inciting them to go for the jugular. There's nothing to lose, he'd say, but another election. And go for the gut. Forget about reason, rational argument... forget even about the truth. That's not what counts. What we now know for sure is that it's not about the debate of vital national issues. It's not about talking common sense or appealing to the self-interest of voters. It's not even particularly about those famous "moral values." No. So what is it about? It's about emotion. It's about appealing to the fear, the pain, the anger, the frustration... I'm ashamed to even have to suggest this, but it is also about hatred. It's about unvarnished, ill-considered judgment, the gut response.

At this point in our history, you won't win presidential elections on the basis of a thoughtful and enlightened vision for the future of the country. You'll never win by seeing both sides of an issue and addressing its complexity. The famous Bill Clinton adage no longer applies: it's NOT the economy, stupid.

Consider the amazing spectacle of suffering working and middle class Americans avidly supporting those who so obviously labor mightily against their economic interests--providing stupendous tax cuts for the very rich and vast debt for the rest of us and our children to pay off; short-changing the needy on medical care and health insurance, as well as educational opportunity; allowing the nation's infrastructure to fall apart as gasoline prices skyrocket; looking on as well-paid jobs are lost and young people fail to find a place in the working world; claiming to honor the free market even as they protect their privileged clientele with subsidies and tax benefits. And so on.

No, Bush, it's no longer the economy, stupid. It's the heart, the gut, the often irrational emotional core. That's what your Rove goes for. The Democrats don't have the proverbial snowball's chance in hell if they fail to grasp this elementary and by now self-evident truth. They need to figure the emotional angle and work it to the bone.