Snappy newsletters. Simple Facebook sharing. Spirited comments. Sweet features are waiting… GET THEM NOW!

NY 23rd: GOP's Lose-Lose War

Righties are now a 'wacky, paranoid cult eager to eat' their own

By Polly Davis Doig,  Newser Staff

Posted Nov 1, 2009 11:35 AM CST
Email

(Newser) – Sarah Palin and Glenn Beck are the undisputed standard-bearers for true conservatives, and they've just led a suicidal attack in upstate New York in what's become "a riotous and bloody national GOP civil war." For Frank Rich, there's only one sure outcome: 'Republicans are the sure losers" in a battle that proves "how swiftly the right has devolved into a wacky, paranoid cult that is as eager to eat its own as it is to destroy Obama.

"The more rightists who win GOP primaries, the greater the Democrats’ prospects next year," writes Rich. "But the electoral math is less interesting than the pathology of this movement. Its antecedent can be found in the early 1960s, when radical-right hysteria carried some of the same traits we’re seeing now: seething rage, fear of minorities, maniacal contempt for government, and a Freudian tendency to mimic the excesses of political foes."

Congressional candidates in New York's 23rd district, from left, Democrat Bill Owens, Conservative Party Doug Hoffman, and Republican Dede Scozzafava.
Congressional candidates in New York's 23rd district, from left, Democrat Bill Owens, Conservative Party Doug Hoffman, and Republican Dede Scozzafava.   (AP Photo/FILES)
In this March 12, 2003 file photo, conservative radio and television personality Glenn Beck is shown doing his radio show in Bala Cynwyd, Pa.
In this March 12, 2003 file photo, conservative radio and television personality Glenn Beck is shown doing his radio show in Bala Cynwyd, Pa.   (AP Photo/Mike Mergen, file)
« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow

The battle for upstate New York confirms just how swiftly the right has devolved into a wacky, paranoid cult that is as eager to eat its own as it is to destroy Obama. - Frank Rich

Its antecedent can be found in the 1960s, when radical- right hysteria carried the same traits: seething rage, fear of minorities, maniacal contempt for government, and a Freudian tendency to mimic the excesses of political foes. - Frank Rich

« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow
To report an error on this story, notify our editors.
A snapshot of the day's best news stories.
 
COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 19 comments
Doctor-Zaius
Nov 2, 2009 12:55 PM CST
This will not be pretty. Carol's assessment would be correct if it weren't for one thing. The pendulum has been swinging Republican since 1980. It is already swinging back and sorry, it will be a long time before people swing back to the Borrow and Spend Republicans who warn us about incompetent government while providing us incompetent government.
lindamae
Nov 2, 2009 7:19 AM CST
No Republican, Conservative - or even Democrat - should support Card Check. It steals the right for a secret ballot away from a voter. How can anyone support this or someone who does? That is my bottom line. Of course, we now know DeeDee's hubby is a big union muckamuck so it all falls into place. I'm sure her ties to the Obama administration were already in place prior to her nomination. She was a Trojan Horse. Glad she quit. I want to know who vetted her? The same team who vetted Obama or his czars?
DontLikeYou___
Nov 2, 2009 4:46 AM CST
Oh, Liberals are wishing this is a loss, but it is clearly a conservative win. Conservatism is resurgent and it will spell a major electoral defeat Tomorrow as well as in 2010 and 2012. Of course libs are afraid.

 
Frank Rich • Glenn Beck • right wingers • Sarah Palin • Doug Hoffman • Dede Scozzafava • 23rd District

More Newser Stories

Roger Ailes: Beck, Palin Were 'Branding Issue'

GOP Candidates Steering Clear of Glenn Beck Israel Rally

Roger Ailes Now Says Palin Is 'So Smart'

A Goodbye to Olbermann Is a Goodbye to Wingnuts

Dear GOP: If You Can't Be Moral, at Least Be Smart
NEWS FROM OUR PARTNERS
Other Sites We Like:   24/7 Wall St.   |   Betty Confidential   |   BuzzFeed   |   Cracked   |   Fark   |   Timelines   |   The Frisky   |   Geek Sugar   |   NewsOne