John Kerry and the Wisdom of the Crowd
It is generally said that there is wisdom is crowds. And this is often the case. However in election season those crowds turn into mobs and the wisdom disappears.
This latest Kerry flap is just the latest example of this. The majority of the conservative blogosphere is roiling with righteous indignation about Kerry, hoping that this is their "October surprise". (Fortunately, a few of my favorites including James Lileks, Rod Dreher, and La Shawn Barber are not drinking the Kool-Aid). After hearing many conservatives scream for years about wanting to campaign on the issue, it is disheartening to see so many jumping on the bandwagon of a non-issue.
I suppose what keeps me from being a cynic is being willing to assume the best of people, not the worst. Some might think that this goes against my Christian theology (original sin and all that) but it doesn't. While we are all certainly flawed and make mistakes on a daily basis, we are also made in the image of God (memo to my conservative friends: yes, that means liberals too).
If Kerry says that his intention was to malign President Bush then I take him at his word. It is still a ridiculous blunder, especially for a man who aspired to the presidency. But why is it necessary to pile on and assume the absolute worst of Kerry and hang him like an albatross around the necks of the Democrats?
Of course Democrats have done no different during this campaign season. They are still trying to hang the loathsome Mark Foley on every Republican incumbent. And Jack Abramoff.
I don't even really mind negative campaigning so long as it is true and relevant. But there are fewer things less attractive that overplaying one's hand.
This latest Kerry flap is just the latest example of this. The majority of the conservative blogosphere is roiling with righteous indignation about Kerry, hoping that this is their "October surprise". (Fortunately, a few of my favorites including James Lileks, Rod Dreher, and La Shawn Barber are not drinking the Kool-Aid). After hearing many conservatives scream for years about wanting to campaign on the issue, it is disheartening to see so many jumping on the bandwagon of a non-issue.
I suppose what keeps me from being a cynic is being willing to assume the best of people, not the worst. Some might think that this goes against my Christian theology (original sin and all that) but it doesn't. While we are all certainly flawed and make mistakes on a daily basis, we are also made in the image of God (memo to my conservative friends: yes, that means liberals too).
If Kerry says that his intention was to malign President Bush then I take him at his word. It is still a ridiculous blunder, especially for a man who aspired to the presidency. But why is it necessary to pile on and assume the absolute worst of Kerry and hang him like an albatross around the necks of the Democrats?
Of course Democrats have done no different during this campaign season. They are still trying to hang the loathsome Mark Foley on every Republican incumbent. And Jack Abramoff.
I don't even really mind negative campaigning so long as it is true and relevant. But there are fewer things less attractive that overplaying one's hand.
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