It's a left turn back to the wilderness for Democrats (Krauthammer explores the not-so-rosy future

The Houston Chronicle ^ | August 11, 2006 | Charles Krauthammer

[Stoat]

With the defeat of Joe Lieberman in the Democratic primary in Connecticut, anti-war forces are poised for a takeover of the Democratic Party. Tuesday's exhilarating victory, and the elan and electoral legitimacy gained, may carry the newly energized Democratic left to considerable success in November.

[Stoat]

Biography
 

Winner of the 1987 Pulitzer Prize for distinguished commentary, Charles Krauthammer writes a syndicated column for the Washington Post that appears in over 150 newspapers worldwide. He is also a monthly essayist for TIME magazine, a contributing editor to The Weekly Standard and The New Republic, a political analyst for FOX News and a weekly panelist on Inside Washington.

For two decades, his influential writings have helped frame the very shape of American foreign policy. He coined and developed "The Reagan Doctrine" (TIME, April 1985), defined the structure of the post-Cold War world in "The Unipolar Moment" (Foreign Affairs, 1990/1991), and outlined the principles of post-9/11 American foreign policy in his much-debated Irving Kristol Lecture, "Democratic Realism" (AEI Press, March 2004).

Born in New York City and raised in Montreal, Krauthammer was educated at McGill University (B.A. 1970), Oxford University (Commonwealth Scholar in Politics) and Harvard (M.D. 1975). While serving as a resident and then chief resident in psychiatry at the Massachusetts General Hospital, he published scientific papers, including his co-discovery of a form of bipolar disease, that continue to be cited in the psychiatric literature.

In 1978, he quit medical practice, came to Washington to direct planning in psychiatric research in the Carter administration, and began contributing articles to The New Republic. During the Presidential campaign of 1980, he served as a speechwriter to Vice President Walter Mondale. He joined The New Republic as a writer and editor in 1981. His New Republic writings won the 1984 National Magazine Award for Essays and Criticism, the highest award in magazine journalism.

In 2001, he was appointed to the President's Council on Bioethics. He has been honored by many organizations, from the Center for Security Policy (Mighty Pen Award) to People for the American Way (First Amendment Award). In 2003, he was a recipient of the first annual Bradley Prize. In 2004, he received the American Enterprise Institute's Irving Kristol Award.

Krauthammer lives in suburban Washington with Robyn, an artist. Their son, Daniel, is a student at Harvard University.

TIME.com Print Page -- Biography

[Stoat]

Please pull this article...I posted it with the wrong title! Sorry :-(

[Anti-Bubba182]

I think he overlooked the "Class of 74" Democrats in his analysis.

[Terabitten]

While serving as a resident and then chief resident in psychiatry at the Massachusetts General Hospital, he published scientific papers, including his co-discovery of a form of bipolar disease, that continue to be cited in the psychiatric literature.

I had no idea that Krauthammer was a psychiatrist - hell, I didn't even know he was a doctor. Maybe that's why he undersstands the Dems so well - he's dealt with crazy people before.

[Terabitten]

I'm not familiar with the "Class of '74." Would you mind enlightening me?

[garyhope]

Charles Krauthammer, a well thought voice of reason.

Great writer and thinker. And dignified.

[knews_hound]

The Class of 74 is in reference to the large numbers of Dems who were brought into the House and Senate as a result of the Watergate fiasco.

In true "baby with the bathwater" fashion, many anti-war, anti-US pols were put into power.

And they have yet to leave.

Cheers,

knewshound

Latest article; Flooding the Zone; The coming war against Israel

[Anti-Bubba182]

These are the Democrats who came to the House of Representatives in the wake of the Watergate scandal. They were also largely a peace protester faction.

[prion]

I had no idea that Krauthammer was a psychiatrist - hell, I didn't even know he was a doctor.

Then I bet you didn't know he was a paraplegic, either. He never lets that run in biographies because he doesn't believe it's relevant.

If he were a lefty, it would be the first thing mentioned in his biography.

[jazusamo]

Charles Krauthammer is a voice of reason but giving the Dems one or two more good years may be giving them too much credit.

[brownsfan]

"This recalls Sen. William Borah's immortal reaction in September 1939 upon hearing that Hitler had invaded Poland to start World War II: "Lord, if only I could have talked with Hitler, all this might have been avoided." "

I love that quote. It's very reminiscent of John Kerry's comment about how the Middle East crisis wouldn't be as bad if he were president.

The hard left is scary. I have no respect for them, and I once did. They are violently pro peace. Honor, loyalty, duty mean nothing to them.

Fortunately, most Americans aren't hard leftists. I think Krauthammer is on the money with this one.

[ncountylee]

Looking back to the 60's and 70's, I was a luke warm supporter of the Vietnam war because I didn't fully accept the proffered reasons for the war (ie domino theory) and felt that we were carrying France's bags yet again.

Today we are fighting an enemy that has declared war on us and has killed thousands already. To compare the WOT to Vietnam is irresponsible at the very least.

[TNCMAXQ]

The '74 election was indeed a disaster from which the nation will probably never recover. I have to wonder if President Ford waited until after election day to pardon Nixon if things would have been better for the GOP.

[SF Republican]

Always enjoy listening and reading Charles thoughts. I was not aware is was such an active DEMOCRAT - always thought he was Republican. He is in that group as President Reagan said, I did not leave the Democratic party, they left me.

[RoseofTexas]

"Then I bet you didn't know he was a paraplegic,"

I always wondered about that. How did it happen? I think he is one of the most brilliant political annalist around. I love the way he hammers the lefties on the panel...SIMPLY LOVE IT. Though, at times he is very straight forward with the pubs and let's them know when they fudged up! Brilliant man!

[Dutchgirl]

I kinda like your "Die Hippie, Scum" flavored title. CK is spot on in his analysis...This naivete in the service of endless accommodationism recalls also the flaccid foreign policy of the post-Vietnam Democratic left.

[aft_lizard]

He said once that he is part of the leadership of the neo-con conspiracy, mocking the left of course.

[Thombo2]

Thanx for the bio.I didn't know he's an MD.I'm a CK fan and look forward to seeing him on Fox.Anyways,the big problem(as i see it)for the dims is all they do is criticize.They don't have a viable or realistic alternative(s) to any of the problems we face in the REAL WORLD.In other words-they're irrelevant.

[billhilly]

"I had no idea that Krauthammer was a psychiatrist - hell, I didn't even know he was a doctor. Maybe that's why he undersstands the Dems so well - he's dealt with crazy people before."

You may also be unaware that he has been wheelchair bound for years. His brain, however, over compensates.

[uncbob]

Fortunately, most Americans aren't hard leftists. I think Krauthammer is on the money with this one.


I think he is out of touch with America

Reminds me of Bob Grant on NY Radio
Grant was very pessimistic about America's future but despite his pessimisum he made the statement "AMERICANS WILL NEVER ELECT AL GORE AS PRESIDENT "

Al damn near won and that shocked even pessimistic Grant