Bernstein Speaks To An Empty Room

Carl BernsteinDrudge pointed me to this Carl Bernstein piece, "Senate Hearings on Bush, Now". The blogosphere seems to be roundly ignoring it. Frankly, Bernstein was before my time and I haven't come across any of his work in years. That may be my own ignorance, but he is hardly a "present" voice on a par with the Mark Steyns and Christopher Hitchens of the world.

What is interesting, and widely noted, is our mainstream press' fascination with the 70's, and its refusal to deal in the present or future. Of course there are many exceptions, but they are unfortunately outnumbered by journalists who are more interested in "speaking truth to power", rather than reporting. Like most of the American left, the MSM is ultimately all about the self.

Anyway, since there is nary an echo on what might otherwise be a controversial piece, allow me to try to find meaning in Bernstein's words.

If the Republicans lose in November, it will be because they have disappointed their base, not because they failed to "take the high road". Bush's problems can certainly reflect poorly on Republicans, just as he can reflect well on them when he is popular.

But this is marginal compared to the fact that too many 'Pubs have abandoned their first principles. Their base might stay home, and that is their electoral problem. The same polls put Democratic and general Congressional support even lower than the Republicans and Bush, by the way.