No More Mister Nice Guy

Hunter over at the Daily Kos, channeling the Rude Pundit, has a few words for Republicans who are "shocked, shocked" that Democrats are making hay out of Tom DeLay's indictment:

But here's some advice. You'd better start hating me more. This is the world you forged and, unfortunately for you, I'm beginning to take a fancy for it. Welcome to the politics of your own party, finally sprouting from the ground on which you planted the seeds and shat upon them. [ ] Get used to the world you have created, and the stench your worshipped heroes have unleashed.

I'll admit to that a certain frisson of glee when I read this. It's nice to see such ferocity out of my side. And I think it's fascinating that the Thecons just don't seem to care about corruption- sexual fidelity is much more important to them than integrity. It's weird but there it is.

As emotionally satisfying as it may be, I have a couple of reservations about a no-holds-barred approach of personal political combat.

First, I think that it is probably miscast. Personal politics will ultimately avail us nothing. I've said this over and over again, but once more won't hurt - you can destroy all the Republican leaders you want, but until you break up their infrastructure and their political coalition, they will just throw up another one. Gingrich was replaced by Bush and DeLay, who will be replaced by somebody else. They have a conveyor belt of evil over there. I'm encouraged that a lot of Democrats (props to Bull Moose in particular) need to use these scandals to make a broader political point about Republican corporate cronyism and corruption. We need to build a narrative, not just send a few crooks to jail.

Second, I'm worried that we will become what we hate. If we start targetting them as ruthlessly as they target us, where do we draw the line? I'm already upset at the deliberate "outing" of gay Republicans and the comments made about Bush's family. I have no interest in becoming as bad as they are.

Third, the whole thing might just escalate. They got involved in this kind of politics because they couldn't win any other way. If we respond in kind, it might level the playing field. The question then becomes how the Theocons react. Do they pull back from the brink? Do our actions shock them into retreat? Or do they just up it another notch? Because if they do, we really are headed for a civil war. They are already this close to wanting us rounded up in camps and tried for treason.

So let us consider very carefully before we step over the brink. We might not like where we end up.

Or we could just say screw it and go get the bastards who are destroying our country.