[Lancey Howard]

I try to keep in the habit of asking myself why someone has written any article that I have just read. What point was the author trying to make, and why did the author think it was important to make that point?

In the case of this screed by Keillor, I read it and could conclude only that Keillor is a bitter little man. He had no point to make - - he just wanted to slime somebody.

[nathanbedford]

I think you are right, he needed to slime Coleman. This is nothing but liberal neo-McCarthism. The interesting question is what process of rationalization permits a man who is obviously intelligent and very savvy in public relations sense to indulge in this sort of slime? What are his assumptions about us? About liberals? About independents of whom there are a lot in Minn?