The New Conservative Normal

It's interesting that the same critique made by the so-called establishment press against bloggers is now being employed by conservatives against liberals, namely that y'all are just too angry:

Particular issues can arouse passions here and there for anyone with any political views. But, for many on the left, indignation is not a sometime thing. It is a way of life.

How often have you seen conservatives or libertarians take to the streets, shouting angry slogans?

This was written by Thomas Sowell, the guy who called for a military coup a couple weeks ago. And just yesterday we learned that abortion clinic bomber Eric Rudolph is taunting his victims and their families from prison. So I don't think there's a monopoly on anger in any political party.

But why I highlight this sorry excuse for a column is because it's clearly becoming a new conservative meme. Two years ago it was that liberals didn't have any ideas. Considering that the Bush Administration is following Democratic advice on issues like talking to Iran and Syria, increasing the size of the military, using the Agreed Framework as a base for negotiations with North Korea, etc., that line won't work anymore. Now it's that liberals are too angry. When Frank Luntz says it (and he did several times on Bill Maher last weekend) you know that's what they're going with. Of course, now they have to argue that liberals are too angry AND wusses who won't protect the country. Leading to a new class of angry wusses.

In fact, they are mistaking anger for passion. Whenever Democrats get passionate about issues and actually excite the public, they tend to win elections. When Republicans get passionate, it's about protecting their little fiefdom, which comes off as... angry:

An angry and bitter Paul Wolfowitz poured abuse and threatened retaliations on senior World Bank staff if his orders for pay rises and promotions for his partner were revealed, according to new details published last night.

Sounding more like a cast member of the Sopranos than an international leader, in testimony by one key witness Mr Wolfowitz declares: "If they fuck with me or Shaha, I have enough on them to fuck them too."

(Incidentally, the World Bank report says Wolfowitz violated rules and he should go.)

"You're just angry" is a fine way to shut down debate and disengage on ideas, but it's not likely to get very far. Especially when those tut-tutting about anger are some of the orneriest sould who've ever walked the earth.