A liberal dose of authority

Each new day brings news of growing discontent among particular subgroups in the right-wing coalition. From Paul Craig Roberts to old man history Fukuyama himself, conservatives have not just distanced themselves from the hideous pestilence that now rules over us, but also, in the case of some, offered stinging criticism. Despite this fissure, it is true that a large part of the party faithful on either side think and act if not in terms of power at least in terms of misplaced loyalty or hope. Under the title "Why Giuliani is Winning" we find on MyDD this exposition of the above point with regard to the Republicans:

Like a lot of us, he thinks that Republicans base their political judgment on issues, ie. gay rights, abortion, national defense, taxes, etc. He makes the same mistake that a lot of Democrats make, assuming that conservatives think the way that we do. They don't. They are authoritarians. Gay marriage, abortion, taxes, national security, none of it really matters to them. What they are looking for is an authoritarian to look like he's taking charge, and the way an authoritarian takes charge is to attack liberals and stomp on people who aren't like them.

Authoritarians! Take charge by attacking liberals! Stomp on people who aren't like them! Hold me back before I do something wild!

MyDD, with all its contempt for "single-issue" thinkers, and its unflinching focus on Iraq (as the mother of all issues? if you will forgive the pun), had this to write about Democratic candidate (the only "issues" candidate at this point) Dennis Kucinich:

Yea, he's mostly been right about Iraq

Their conclusion about Kucinich?

This is a trophy candidate who doesn't deserve a second chance

Ah yes, indeed! No stomping of liberals who aren't like us, here, folks! Keep it moving. It's all about the issues!