Powerline's big on democracy and the will of the people now, eh? From their own link to the Rasmussen poll:

"Fifty-two percent (52%) of Likely U.S. Voters say their own views are closer to Sarah Palin's than they are to President Obama's, according to a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey."

Dick Cheney says, "So??... You cannot be blown off course by the fluctuations of the public opinion polls." (and note he said that in response to the interviewer's citing a survey indicating that something around 67% (15% more than Palin's 'mainstream' "Real America") of Americans being opposed to the war in Iraq.)

Should Obama take Cheney's sage advice?

What is worse, a Pharisee who recognizes that trait in himself ... or a Pharisee who does not?

Scanlon, you are so predictable. The post isn't about what "Obama should do." The post is about what is "mainstream." Given that people like you are so quick to slam the Tea Party (and conservatives in general) as extremists, it's odd that so many people (the majority, apparently) are so extreme.

Face it, Scanlon. You and your Leftist buddies are elitists and essentially unamerican. Yes, I said it. I'll question your patriotism as well if you'd like. Since you folks are so down on America, why don't you pack your bags and head for Eutopia -- oh, wait -- they are electing middle/right people as well. Hmm. Maybe Venezuela?

Again, liberalism is a mental illness.

Well, Redwald, I consider myself to be one of Craig Scanlon's "Leftist buddies" and, having fought for my country (have you?), I consider your remarks profoundly offensive. To be honest, I find the whole attempt to brand anyone who disagrees with a position you hold "un-American," a popular tactic on the right, to be revolting in the extreme. Stop it, ok? The fact that Craig or I don't think like you doesn't make us un-American or, as the ever ignorant Cowgirl would have it, mentally ill. It's hysterical at best, and fascist at worst.

So far as the poll goes, what percentage of that 52% do you think actually know what Mrs. Palin's positions are, or President Obama's for that matter? When the 'Political class' are asked, the percentages change. Why? Perhaps because they're better informed? Perhaps. I'm sure you'll say that it's a result of them being part of the Lamestream Media. Either way, such statistics aren't really indicative of too much.

Cowgirl? I'm the only person who ever replies to your posts; perhaps there's a good reason for that. Repeating ad infinitum that "liberalism is a mental illness" doesn't make it so, and as well as being insulting to a great many people who suffer from mental illness also reveals the vacuity of your own attempts at thinking. Ditto your often repeated mantra about liberals terrified of Palin running in 2012. Join a conversation only when you have something to say, ok?

Don't flatter yourself as being the only one who replies to my posts. I don't really care. Scanlon is a liberal who proves every time he posts something that Liberalism is a mental illness. It never makes any sense. Liberals are terrified of Palin running in 2012. That is a fact not a mantra. Furthermore you jsut proved my point that liberalism is a mental illness - your reply to me is basically telling me to shut up - typical liberal. Freedom of speech is only "your" freedom of speech. Just like AGore - do as I say not as I do.

"Another one" - After reading your comment - esp. the first paragraph of it, I have to recommend that you see this, from another blog run by an NLT blogger (which he previously revealed here at NLT, so I'm not exposing any personal secrets whatsoever):

https://mensretreat.blogspot.com/2009/05/official-t-shirt-of-2009-mens-retreat.html

and:
https://mensretreat.blogspot.com/2009/05/weve-struck-our-colors.html

And get this cowgirl...

- I'm actually more comfortable with being lumped into the political category "leftist" than I am with "liberal".

- I positively RELISH the idea of Palin running in 2012. I sincerely hope it happens!

Well, Redwald, I consider myself to be one of Craig Scanlon's "Leftist buddies" and, having fought for my country (have you?), I consider your remarks profoundly offensive.

Nidal Hasan served his country too. Maybe you knew him?

Leftist/Liberal/Progressivism - the party of ideaology that has been tried by many and failed every time. Just ask the Europeans, the Russians, the Chinese, California, Michigan, New York, and New Jersey - the list is long and distinguished. Soon the United States of America will go down in history as another failed experiment in progressive/liberal/leftist politics thanks to Obama.

With the rate that your man in the WH is going, my dog could be him on any day and twice on Sunday.

You and your Leftist buddies are elitists and essentially unamerican. Yes, I said it. I'll question your patriotism as well if you'd like.i

How is Craig the "elitist" when you're kicking him and all us "leftists" out of the "imagined community"? Redwald - you're an arrogant asshole who can't stop jerking off to the Constitution long enough to realize that your worldview doesn't just get to magically trump everyone else's because you label it more "american". Yes, I said it.

Leaving the specific case of 'Craig Scanlon' aside, I am curious about one thing. How would you describe someone who calls himself a 'citizen of the world'?

How would you describe someone who calls himself a 'citizen of the world'?

It would depend on the person. Which one are we talking about, Socrates or Thomas Paine?

Neither. A reporter for the Boston Globe.

Mr. Unamerican -- if I'm arrogant, it's arrogance born of experience and intelligence. And I don't think my "views" trump anyone -- I'm telling it like it is. Craig and his buddies (like you) either don't understand the American experiment or, more likely, are so focused on power and self-aggrandizement that you don't care that the course you advocate leads to tyranny and the dissolution of the Republic.

I pity you as well.

And I don't think my "views" trump anyone -- I'm telling it like it is.

Heh. Yeah, Redwald. You've got it all figured out.

I pity you as well.

Don't waste your time. It seems like you've got a lot of pity to pass around to people on this blog. You just keep focusing on transcending your subjectivity and telling us all the real truth, okay?

I think it was G.K. Chesterton who said that every sane man thinks he is right. (I believe his corrollary was that the bigot is the one who cannot figure how the other fellow came to be wrong).

I will, and in prose that even you can understand, Mr. UA.

You are all proving my point about liberalism..... Thank you.