Posted on 9/7/2004, 1:28:59 PM by SmithPatterson
The Terrible Wrath of Zell The cry of the Disgruntled Democrat.
By Hans Moleman
The commentators seemed universally baffled by Zell Miller's speech at the Republican Convention. "He looked angry," they couldn't help noticing. "What was that about?" Red-faced and scowling, Zell delivered what several talking heads called a "jeremiad." Wasn't this a miscalculation? Wasn't it too hot for a national TV audience? How could it possibly play in Peoria? Why did he do it?
They all missed the obvious explanation. Zell looked angry because he really was angry. And only a disgruntled Democrat could understand why.
Disgruntled Democrats have over time become an evergreen brand. Every few years, when the national party leadership takes another embarrassing lurch towards partisan pacifism, a new generation of Disgruntled Democrats is born. And they always come out angry.
As a card-carrying DD, let me explain this state of mind.
We are angry because the party we believed in has once again proven itself to be what its enemies had accused it of being: left-wing isolationists with an aversion to national defense or a robust military. A party that tends to "blame America first" (in the words of Jeane Kirkpatrick, herself a former DD) for every international problem. A party that believes all Americans must rally 'round the wartime flag, except when a Republican president is carrying that flag.
Once that dawns on you, your anger comes from two sources. You feel betrayed, let down by the party that always claimed to stand foursquare for national defense. You realize that your party is willing to sacrifice election after election, and with it your hopes for a progressive domestic agenda, to the pursuit of partisan cheap shots against a wartime Republican president.
But there is something else. You also feel like a sucker for being taken in by such a transparent con. It's embarrassing. You were the one who told your friends after 9/11 (and after Desert Storm and Kosovo and...) that we Democrats had now put the Vietnam Syndrome behind us. Then it all happens again, when party leaders begin muttering "quagmire" after the third day in Afghanistan. Or screaming "fascism" over the Patriot Act. Or when they start playing politics with the homeland-security bill (Zell's moment of truth).
And then you feel very much alone, like a Philip Nolan, man without a party. Or like a Joe Lieberman, a voice crying in the Democratic wilderness.
From time to time, that voice reaches a truly national audience, as it did on Zell's big night. Those who haven't felt what we feel have trouble hearing the message. But we get it. And there may be more of us than you'd think. (Or so I pray.)
As for the panning of his "jeremiad," Zell doesn't seem worried. He must know that Jeremiah got similar reviews in his time.
— "Hans Moleman" is a lifelong Democrat who prefers to remain anonymous. He has no relation to the Simpsons character by the same name. Any similarities are purely coincidental.
I hope Zell's message resonates with many, many "DDs".
I thought that Arnolds calling McGovern a socialist was pretty good too.
How naive.
Most of us in Flyover Country have at least been to church occasionally.
We have seen Righteous Anger in the pulpit and know what it is.
So9
Quite Balrogish, is he not? Zell shall smite Kerry and his band of stinking elftrash with fiery sword and stinging whip.
That's because he told the unvarnished truth about where the Democrats are going and how badly they're dragging down America and her troops. The commentators were stumped because they couldn't dismiss it as "hateful Republican talk" since the speaker was a leading Democrat.
I loved Zell's speech. It was like he was America's drill sergeant and he was giving the limp-wristed pantywaist Frenchman who was "reporting for duty" the dressing-down he deserved.
"How could it possibly play in Peoria?"
Peoria? Full of Reagan Democrats who were all nodding their heads along with Zell Miller. They understood. Funny how the "elites" still don't get it...
Thank goodness for that! That 'progressive domestic agenda' is less frightening than a weak defense, but it's frightening enough.
This was very well put. I have a good friend, a Berkeley-bred, union-family, life-long Democrat who doesn't yet realize he's closet conservative. We all know it because his opinions and ideals are more conservative in nature. I'm sending this to him in hopes it lights a candle in that dark, little closet :)
THE TERRIBLE TRUTH ZELL SPOKE
Zell Miller's had seen Mathews' treatment of Michelle Malkin the day before, and he was mad as hell about it.
He reacted like a true old-school Southern Gentleman, calling Mathews out for the way he treated "that young woman", and expressing a desire to challenge Chris to a duel. After all, a gentleman does NOT treat a lady that way!
I miss guys like that. Call me old-fashioned, but I miss guys like that.
I was like watching a good old time Baptist revival wasn't it. The sad part for the rats is that if they would have chosen Lieberman they would have had a good chance.
Not that McGovern isn't a Socialist, I believe ha called Hubert Humphrey a Socialist.
Disgruntled Democrats become Republicans. That is why the Dems have been losing middle America. That is also why middle class Black folk have been signing up with the GOP.
'Twas the democrats who gave us Vietnam. By the time poor Nixon got in office it was way too late. Truman gave us Korea (where we remain to this day). Most of us watched clinton's exploits (Bosnia, Haiti, Iraq, etc.)
Alas, it appears FDR became enamoured with Stalin and the modern democrat party was born. In my more cynical moments, I tend to believe that there's no difference between our two major parties in terms of complete disregard for original intent; however, having observed our political process for a some years now, no democrat will ever receive my vote. At least W seems to be a moral and upright man and he'll surely receive my vote this November.
And Zell was very effective, too. He made Chrissy back down. By the end of the interview, Chris wasn't doing his typical 'in your face' but was sitting back in his chair -- very chastised.
The video is a MUST see.
http://webpages.charter.net/gline/zellmiller-hardballthis-090204.wmv
"I thought that Arnolds calling McGovern a socialist was pretty good too."
This can't be overlooked. I loved that! I'm glad some R had the muscle to do it.
I am a hard core social conservative and I am troubled that AS is not. But at least he has the guts to speak the truth on our economic agenda. I admire that a lot.
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