For at least five or six years now I've been emailing with the same small group of conservatives, a diverse group that includes an erudite bookworm, a citizen of the Free Republic, and a professional conservative publicist.
As you can imagine, things have gotten awful strange over the years. But never quite as strange as this. All three seem to be convinced that the Democrats are headed for a historic rout by the Republicans this November.
One, under the subject heading, "When It Rains, It Pours," links to a "a photo of Obama 'bundler' and Code Pink operative Jodie Evans arm-in-arm with Hugo Chavez."
Goodness. How could John McCain lose?
Next up, the publicist sends an analysis from the Wall Street Journal on the return of Silvio Berlusconi entitled "The 'Waterloo' of Italian Communism." The left, you understand, is in retreat all over the world. And the Democrats are acting like they can still keep Congress?
Next, the same correspondant sends John Judis's New Republic analysis of Obama's apparent troubles among white working class voters under the heading, "I hear the fat lady...."
Next, however, comes my favorite. The Free Republican avers, "I hate to be Master of the Obvious here, but Obama was never a serious candidate. At most...at most he's supposed to appear so radical as to do Hillary the favor of making her look somewhat 'centrist' and normal."
He then makes the following prediction:
"Ditto for benefitting Gore or Kerry, should a Denver Dem Convention Coup be in the making."
I sure love me some wingnuts.
—Rick Perlstein
