First, there was this ridiculously racist column about Powell’s support for Obama being motivated by race, aptly titled “Tribal Politics.” Then, came this whinefest about poor Sarah Palin and her harsh treatment at the hands of the media. Coz you know, she is totally undeserving of national ridicule. Buchanan also managed to slip in a reference about how if Michelle Obama was depicted on SNL, the show would be facing “hate crime charges.” So, I guess I shouldn’t really be surprised that his latest media appearance devolved into accusations that Obama’s popularity stemmed from “white guilt.” BTW, kudos to you if you can actually get through the posted video without gouging your eyes out…I know that this is the McLaughlin Report but can they at least let people finish a sentence?!
But, watching Buchanan’s rants really hit home the point that our political landscape is changing. I don’t remember a time when right wing punditry has become so marginalized and irrelevant to our political discourse. To be sure, we still see these people appear on TV or other media source and talk about Obama’s evil socialist plot to enslave the white race or whatever but notice how much more derisive the reaction to them is. Think about it- every recent right wing attack advanced by Buchanan-types has been sufficiently mocked, whether it be the claim that Obama is a Socialist or a Secret Muslim Terrorist. Reason and intellectual fervor have all but abandoned the party and we’re seeing prominent right wing columnists like David Brooks, Kathleen Parker and Chris Buckley criticize the movement from within.
With the likelihood of on Obama victory come November 4th, I wonder what kind of status Faux News and Rush Limbaugh will be reduced to. Say what you will about Obama but his campaign’s penchant for message control will make it that much harder for Buchanan and his friends to spew garbage. I know we hear this every election cycle but are we witnessing the death of right wing commentary as we know it?
-Indira
