Don’t look back in anger

“We’re mad as hell and we’re not going to take it anymore!” may become the Democrat’s battle cry for these last weeks before election, and quite possibly the worst strategic advice bandied about by political pundits. Yet it’s telling about the mindset of die-hard politicos who base their worldviews on personal sentiment rather than carefully thought out logic, particularly on economic issues. But more importantly, it may be the reason why McCain could cinch this election come November.

“There is no question Sarah has been like a Trojan moose” Arianna Huffington mentioned on Larry King. “It’s really up to Barack Obama to make sure it (McCain’s strategy) doesn’t work. And the way to do that is to release his righteous rage…” was her sage advice.

James Carville’s words of wisdom weren’t too far fetched on Andersen Cooper. “What I think Senator Obama needs to do, and I think he’s starting to do that some, but he needs to do it exclusively, is be angry about what happened to the United States of America and what happened to people under Bush and McCain and the policies that McCain has vowed to continue.”

The most obvious connection to this juvenile strategy has been pointed out by Glenn Beck, a conservative TV and radio personality and staunch opponent of Obama who is far enough removed to see the warning sings of implosion. Only he’s actually warning Obama to chill out. On Beck’s radio show he featured Obama’s interview with Keith Olbermann on Sept 8, where Olbermann suggested: “Have you thought of using on the campaign trail and in your speaking engagements more exclamation points? Have you thought of getting angrier?”

And it seems Obama has. “Enough!” he almost shouted, when addressing the “lipstick on a pig” remark that could’ve easily been avoided in the first place.

As a Libertarian casting his long shot vote on Bob Barr, I can’t help but roll my eyes and shake my head at the futile, predictable, and never ending battle between Republicans and Democrats come election time. But as a word of advice to Democrats who don’t want to see McCain grab hold of the American presidency any more than Libertarians do, please tell Obama to NOT follow the advice of hot headed, self-righteous minded talking heads. It’s hard to believe that same approach many have complained got us in the mess we are in the first place, is somehow going to get us out it now.

Manhattan Libertarian Party