WILL ROGERS DIED IN A PLANE CRASH more than 70 years ago, but the cowboy-humorist is still one of Santa Monica’s most beloved citizens. Our beaches bear his name, as does a scenic state park off Sunset Boulevard. After these endless Democratic presidential debates, I’m reminded of Rogers’ quote: “I’m not a member of any organized political party. I’m a Democrat.”
Rogers also said, “I never met a man I didn’t like.” Of course, he never met George W. Bush.
For Democrats (and even some conservatives), the Bush years have been a never-ending nightmare. Here’s a partial list of disasters and scandals: Katrina, “heckuva job,” Mark Foley, Sen. David Vitters, Ted Haggard, Jeff Gannon (male prostitute turned right-wing reporter), Harriet Miers and Alberto Gonzales, who wrote the torture memo, described the
Take a deep breath; there’s more: Guantanamo (Bay), Walter Reed, Abu- Ghraib, water boarding, Sen. Larry Craig, Scooter Libby, secret prisons, Dubai ports, illegal spying and “mission accomplished.” (“Quagmire accomplished,” is more like it.) Currently in prison are Abramoff, Cunningham, Ney and Savavian, with others likely to follow.
Last week, Bush compared the war in Iraq to Vietnam, after previously saying there was no comparison. Flip-flop anyone? (Tony Snow compared Iraq to Korea, where we’ve been 55 years.) When Bush referred to the “lessons of Vietnam,” I thought he was going to say, “Make sure your father gets you into a reserve unit that stays in the States.” But enough Bush bashing. Yes, he’s basically broken us: The budget with record deficits, the military with an unwinnable war and the good will of our allies, but it’s the Democrats who are breaking my heart.
When the Democrats swept the House and Senate in 2006, it was a clear message from the people to stand up to Bush. But they have done very little standing and a lot of rolling over, most notably on the war. Why? Some say they don’t want to appear weak on terrorism. Others say it’s playing prevent defense until the 2008 elections. There’s an old football joke about the prevent defense — it prevents you from winning.
“I can’t recall” — Alberto gonzales, who wrote the torture memo, described the geneva convention as and, in testifying before the senate said, 64 times
“Quaint”
It appears Hillary is the favorite to win the nomination, which is probably the first time Karl Rove and Bill Clinton have ever agreed on anything. Rove wants Hillary to be the candidate so badly that he’s attacking her so the Democratic base will rally around her. Personally, I favor John Edwards. If he, or even Joe Biden, were the nominee, the Dems would probably win easily. But with Hillary and her 47 percent negative ratings, it’ll be a struggle.
In anticipation of a Hillary candidacy, the Swift Boaters must be licking their chops or, more accurately, getting the mud ready to sling. Don’t get me wrong. Hillary is smart, capable and strong. I just don’t think she’s electable. I fear if she’s the Democratic nominee, it’ll wind up snatching defeat from the jaws of victory. That will leave me with one thought: It’s my party and I’ll cry if I want to.
Actually, I’m naively holding out hope that Gore will run. (Al, not Leslie.) Gore was right on the war, right on the environment and he won in 2000. (Before you call me a whiner, imagine Gore’s brother was the governor, and Gore’s campaign manager was the secretary of state who counted the votes in the very state that swung the election!) Bush’s alleged victory was a perfect storm, including the butterfly ballot. Even Pat Buchanan admitted those votes in Miami were never intended for him. One more vote on the Supreme Court and what a different world it would be!
There’s even a precedent for Gore “coming back.” In 1960, many felt Richard Nixon was cheated out of the presidency at the hands of Mayor Daley, Joe Kennedy and the Mafia. Nixon waited two terms and eventually won the prize. Of course, that didn’t work out too well, what with seven more years of Vietnam and a little thing called Watergate.
My frustration with the Dems is best exemplified by my ordering an “Impeach Cheney” baseball cap from a progressive Web site. I was excited when I took it out of the package. It looked great with big blue and white letters: “Impeach Cheney.” Then, to my dismay, I noticed after the words there was a small question mark! It was as if the hat were saying to the world,“Sorry, I didn’t really mean it.” I e-mailed the Web site, but naturally, they didn’t agree.
When Will Rogers died, the outpouring of national grief was said to be the great-est since the death of Lincoln. But Rogers’ wit remains: “Democrats never agree on anything, that’s why they’re Democrats. If they agreed with each other, they’d be Republicans.”
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on August 31, 2007. Read the original PDF.