9.22.2004
Thank you, Polipundit.
I agree with everything here:
Liberals weren’t always pessimistic. FDR, Truman, Kennedy and LBJ were optimists who had big ideas. In his inaugural speech, FDR said, “the only thing we have to fear is fear itself.” Other Democrat presidents similarly exuded hope and optimism. Meanwhile, conservatives were reduced to darkly muttering about the ballooning budget deficit.
Then came Vietnam. Post-Vietnam Democrats are negativist cynics. In their eyes, America can do no good and the world is a depressing place. The ’70s solidified these liberal beliefs. The liberals of today refer constantly to Vietnam and Watergate because those moments define today’s liberalism.
Meanwhile, conservatives became the Morning in America party. Reagan won the Cold War and defeated recession. Bush 41 prevailed effortlessly in Iraq. Newt Gingrich and the Contract with America implemented much-needed reforms. Conservatives today have big ideas and are confident they can implement them.
I agree with everything here:
Liberals weren’t always pessimistic. FDR, Truman, Kennedy and LBJ were optimists who had big ideas. In his inaugural speech, FDR said, “the only thing we have to fear is fear itself.” Other Democrat presidents similarly exuded hope and optimism. Meanwhile, conservatives were reduced to darkly muttering about the ballooning budget deficit.
Then came Vietnam. Post-Vietnam Democrats are negativist cynics. In their eyes, America can do no good and the world is a depressing place. The ’70s solidified these liberal beliefs. The liberals of today refer constantly to Vietnam and Watergate because those moments define today’s liberalism.
Meanwhile, conservatives became the Morning in America party. Reagan won the Cold War and defeated recession. Bush 41 prevailed effortlessly in Iraq. Newt Gingrich and the Contract with America implemented much-needed reforms. Conservatives today have big ideas and are confident they can implement them.
// posted by HunterByrd @ 8:20 PM 
