A Reader's Reproof

A reader writes to criticize my Rush Limbaugh piece:

I'm broadly sympathetic to the Frum Forum's overall project. I agree that the worst course of action right now is to keep shouting the mantras of 1979; I agree that the worst posture right now is one of rank, unthinking oppositionism. And I agree that Limbaugh, while a valued senior member of the right-wing coalition, should not become the movement's flag-bearer.

All that said, I want to raise a respectful dissent.

I don't think Limbaugh is the source of the GOP's problems with college-educated voters. I'm sure Limbaugh doesn't help, but my guess is that my peer group--thirties, graduate education, upper middle class, kids on the way--just don't pay much attention to him. What strikes many of my friends is the cluelessness of the right's idea-machers. Our side--not the Limbaughs, mind you, but the AEIs, the Gingriches--has made a number of incredibly stupid arguments lately.

Not to belabor the obvious, but we spent years arguing that, despite Iraq not being in any meaningful way involved in 9/11, and despite the falsification of our repeated insistence that Iraq contained WsMD, the invasion would prove worthwhile, because it would create a new and shining democracy, which would, in turn, lead to a democratic revolution throughout the Middle East. I don't mean to belittle the argument. At the time, I accepted and articulated it. But what thoughtful and honest person can look at it today without cringing? This was not just a failure of execution, although it was that too. The underlying reasoning was itself deeply flawed.

Here's a more recent example: Jim Glassman in the Post yesterday. The "Dow 36,000" argument was always less-than-persuasive, but how preposterous does it seem right now? Worse, how many middle-of-the-road voters would read that piece and think, "You know, the right really has a handle on the economy." I could come up with other examples--and so could you--but my lunch break is coming to an end.

The point is this: Yes, the right needs housecleaning. But I would be more confident in Frum Forum if I were certain it was willing to go after the folks you (we) lunch with. Granted, Glassman isn't anywhere near as visible as Limbaugh. Nevertheless, I see you taking on the downscale GOP voter, without any similar such effort expended on the Glassmans and Gingriches and Hansons of the coalition.