Post by justjohn on Feb 7, 2008 10:12:48 GMT -7
BBC News
Justin Webb's America
Justin Webb picture
* Justin Webb
* 7 Feb 08, 04:55 GMT
WASHINGTON DC: While all the fuss on the Republican side is focused on the crazies in the world of talk radio, there are other Republicans sharpening their knives. People like Dick Armey - the former leader of the party in the House of Representatives - who tells me the anti-McCain forces are small and have nowhere to go.
Armey - an affable Texan - really does see the McCain ascendency as a chance to see off the people he thinks have damaged the party: the Bill Frists, the Tom DeLays, in fact all the forces of social conservatism who hijacked the party in the early part of the century. I wonder whether the "civil war" might be rather short and easily won by Armey and those of his opinion - there is something rather unserious about people who want to prosecute the war in Iraq but will vote for Mrs Clinton in a hissy fit brought on by dislike of the senator from Arizona.
By the way, thanks to Alex for the (long) thought-provoking post on Obama. I am thinking about it: I must say, the news that Mrs Clinton is reaching in her own pocket does make you wonder whether she is as in control of events as Mark Penn et al would have us believe. I am interested too in what Tyson P says about votes counting this time - a fair point that democracy is actually about arguments as well as the coming together to get things done stuff. Carol Felton seems to think I don’t like Hillary (I thought we were in her pay or something) which just goes to show that it is possible to upset Democrats of all stripes without trying to...
I like this view of the hypocrisy of some of McCain's critics. And this timely thinking on the ability of political parties and individuals within them to kiss and make-up when necessary.
Armey told me a great story about two Republican ladies who had a fist-fight over Bush senior and Reagan when they were battling it out in the late seventies. Then, when the fuss was settled and Reagan picked Bush as his VP, all was smiles and the two ladies were best of friends.
It is only politics.
