Charles and Bob

To Charles Blow:

You're worried too much about the polls, Mr. Blow. Have faith, for the Democrats hold the levers of power and they will use power for the most part wisely. The political strategy has not been optimal for the healthcare rollout, but there is no reason to panic. Obama's team will find their feet, and I am certain that this ridiculous fisaco will make them stronger even as right-wingers invite more and more well-deserved reproach upon themselves. Purely on historical grounds, one cannot believe that the newly empowered left will self-destruct so severely and so soon--no, that sort of humiliation will take at least another decade to unfold, and maybe more. However, Afghanistan IS cause for worry, without a doubt. But most of Obama's domestic reforms will be accomplished to high approval.

To Bob Herbert:

Obama and the liberals are doing with healthcare essentially what Bush's clan did with the Iraq war--taking advantage of a momentous and unusually rare circumstance to realize a huge political agenda that has long been on their radar. It was terrifying to witness the success right-wingers enjoyed in hoodwinking people through mind-numbing repetition of outrageously simplistic lies. It will be satisfying to witness--after all the wrinkles are smoothed out: guaranteed, I believe--the ultimate victory of reform realized by people who seem for the most part incapable of advocating enthusiastically against the democratic process under cover of false, stupid patriotism, who are fundamentally against employing brazenly immoral toxic knavery and cunning to enact what is a straightforward and simple agenda: improving average citizens' quality of life.