Posted by
Andrews on Sunday, September 06, 2009 4:07:18 PM
After writing my last post, "
Our Donatists", I have to mention something else the very pro-left media never mentions. And that is the incredible maturity most of the right showed in 2008, as opposed to the behavior of the left in 2000 and 2004. Now, granted, 2000 was exceptionally close, and there were some vaguely plausible questions about Florida. But in 2004, the race wasn't close, and Kerry clearly lost, but that did not stop the left from crying about voter intimidation, Diebold and the rest.
Yet, faced with very real evidence of voter fraud in many districts in 2008, the right has been remarkably mature. Except for a few fringe segments, like the birthers, the right has accepted the loss without constantly whining the way the left did about "the president select" and similar slanders.
Though the media will never mention this, there is one group who does notice, and that is the public at large. And, thanks to our behavior, when not being harmed by association with noisy birthers, the public has once again started to see the right as the adult wing of the political spectrum, the wing which does not whine and protest when things don't go their way, who accepts defeat with a tiny hint of grace and maturity. If we can only maintain the same degree of decorum, and keep the more fringe groups quiet, it may do us a world of good in 2010 and 2012.
POSTSCRIPT
By the way, what happened to all the conspiracy theories about Diebold? Did they just forget to reprogram the machines for the 2008 elections? And the 2006 ones? Or did they not like McCain? Seems that recent elections proved all those paranoid fantasies to be just that, fantasy. But I have yet to hear one apology from all those slandering Diebold.
POSTSCRIPT II
The bit above is intended, in a way, to argue against those who think we should fight dirty just like the left. Now, I agree we have been far too quick to concede defeat, but I think fighting as dirty as the left is the wrong approach, as it alienates those who would otherwise side with us. The public does not appreciate two whining, fighting parties. We should stand firm, and fight for our beliefs, but we should do so with dignity and maturity and not engaging in the childish and opportunistic methods of the left. It is a fine line, being a strong competitor who does not simultaneously seem to be lowering himself to the level of his opponent, but then again, being the adult party is hard. And sometimes it may mean we lose because we adhere to our principles, but that is the price we pay. In the end, it will bring more benefit than harm.