Yeah. The other funny part is that Republicans claim “class warfare” whenever any democrat talks about social class in a populist manner– Like John Edwards. And what you are doin is…?
I dunno Red, I’d like them to be able to comprehend what they read too. I think his reference to Palin as smart is tied in to his critique of her performance in the debate. In this case, smart means knowing you need to hide your lack of knowledge on issues behind scripted talking points and openly admitting to a refusal to answer questions because you have no interest in (or understanding of) the issues. Of course, Brooks also said conservatives are rare in elite universities. Funny, I don’t think the uber rich who send their children to University are sending them to state schools – they’re still going for Ivy league after their high falutin’ prep schools and touting that status.
It’s fascinating to watch a whole political movement splinter. I mean, this has been a long time coming, but what with the National Review canceling Christopher Buckley’s column after a deluge of hate mail over his endorsement of Obama, and the earlier Kathleen Parker column in that article calling for Sarah Palin to drop out. They’ve finally started eating each other. I think Brooks meant conservatives on the faculties of elite universities — uber-rich conservatives may still send their kids to Ivy League schools, but they don’t end up teaching at them, except maybe in business school. Just doesn’t pay enough. Brooks is right — the conservative movement has alienated so many people now that the only ones left are the oligarchs who rely on lack of oversight and corporate welfare to keep filling their obscene coffers, and the people in middle and lower classes who are deluded about the Republican Dream being able to get them a piece of the pie too (all while stepping on people further down the ladder, of course). You know what I think the ugly risk is? The Democratic party being pulled further and further to the right as conservatives bail out of the Republican party like they’re trying to get off of the Titanic, away from all the nutjobs.
I think his reference to Palin as smart is tied in to his critique of her performance in the debate. In this case, smart means knowing you need to hide your lack of knowledge on issues behind scripted talking points and openly admitting to a refusal to answer questions because you have no interest in (or understanding of) the issues. I think you’re right — I would have chosen the word “shrewd” or “canny” rather than smart, though.