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DEL.ICIO.USWhat to do with Florida, Michigan delegates: ‘Profiles in Truthiness’
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Democrats are in Washington at this very moment, seeking a compromise to the disputed convention delegates from Florida and Michigan.
Drew Westen, the Emory University professor of psychiatry turned Democratic political consultant, has been watching the drama on C-Span.
Westen sends this note:
Watching the Democrats try to sell their various positions on television today is like watching exactly what we saw in the brain scans of committed partisan Democrats and Republicans in the 2004 election: The facts are completely irrelevant.
Virtually all those who have spoken seem earnestly to have convinced themselves, and are trying to convince the committee (who themselves generally have strong feelings on who they want to be the nominee and are thus uninfluenced by data) that the constellation of facts that best fits their desired outcomes is the “correct” one.
It’s like arguing to the Supreme Court in 2000 whether we should count or not count ballots:
Partisan minds (whether committed to a party or candidate) simply find the arguments that lead them to feel good and reject those that would lead to emotionally inconvenient truths, and then find the rationalizations for their feelings. They should rename these proceedings, “Profiles in Truthiness.”
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Comments
By Green Snapple
May 31, 2008 5:05 PM | Link to this
How ‘bout a lottery
By Gwinnett Educator
May 31, 2008 8:19 PM | Link to this
I can not, for the life of me, understand the issue. The rules are in place. The states violated the rules, therefore, they should suffer the penalty. Why are they changing the rules so that people may “feel good”? What about the people who decided NOT to vote since they understood that their votes wouldn’t count?
I am quite disappointed with the entire process. This weekend has shown me that it doesn’t matter what the rules may be, for we can always get together and spend a hours yapping back and forth, vote a few times, so everyone can go to bed with a smile. (rolls eyes)
By Agnes Cowan
June 1, 2008 3:16 AM | Link to this
For those committee members so impassioned about “keeping the rules” (which were decided by these same members), did it cross any of your minds that had not rules been changed that needed changing neither Obama or Hillary would now be allowed to VOTE, much less run for President?!!!
By Agnes Cowan
June 1, 2008 3:21 AM | Link to this
If rules had not been changed, neither Obama or Hillary would now be allowed to VOTE, much less run for President!
By Bitter EX democrackkk
June 1, 2008 7:17 AM | Link to this
Dont ya’ll realize that the democrackkks will change the rules to fit their needs anytime they need it? Can you imagine the hatespew that would ensue if this were the ‘evil’ republicans?
STRIVE to be SMARTER than a democrackkk!
By e-polls
June 1, 2008 9:16 AM | Link to this
The Florida Legislature passed a bill with a paper trail ballot rider on it. The Democrats voted unanimously 4 it! The bill was to allow early primaries, which would sink the nationa DNC into chaos. The GOP consequence of FLorida’s early primary, it was calculated, was a slap on the wrist by comparison. Also, FLorida Democrats told themselves that their state is a microcosm of diverse America and that their early polls would be like a stamp of approval on the nominee and the poll results would weild proportional influence which would reflect the true national conscience.
Democrats will still win. Why? Because look what’s happening. Democrats are facing themselves and each other and working it out, compromising, politicking, sweating, yelling, shaking hands, getting to common ground and equilibrium. The democrats are going to be a very powerful force in November and beyond.
We shall achieve national justice.
Obama 08: Vote your voice. Voice your vote.
By rlp -politcal
June 1, 2008 11:06 AM | Link to this
http://www.jimcrowhistory.org/resources/lessonplans/hsesetiquette.htm
Your parents and grand parents mitreated an entire race of people - and thought it was cool.
So, what is really in your hearts !
All catholic folks sat around while thier priest raped thier kids
By Douche Mgilacutty
June 1, 2008 8:04 PM | Link to this
rip,
nice try on blaming catholics, I don’t disagree in your premise however u should condemn all religion ‘tis a farce that has created war, famine, and hypocrisy.
By TW
June 1, 2008 10:57 PM | Link to this
When is the Republican primary?
By Churchill
June 2, 2008 12:57 AM | Link to this
I think that the Democrat Party should count the FL/Mi delegates as 3/5 of a vote. That was the formula the Democrat party used a while back. I love to see all the peace, diversity and tolerance on the left.
What the heck is wrong with you people? You cannot even pick a nominee fairly, but you want to run the country?? The impotence of the Democrat party never ceases to amaze me. Peace.
By Man
June 2, 2008 9:36 AM | Link to this
This is the mess you get when you put a whaco-nut case like Dean head of the DNC, you get what you paid for. Go ahead and discount the forth most poulated state in the country, do it! I hope the Hillary supporters take all their well deserved anger to the polls with them and hold their noses and vote for McCain and show the snobby elitist factor of the democratic party a thing or two.
By Greg Nixon
June 19, 2008 8:00 AM | Link to this
What happened to just following the rules? It seems simple enough. You wait at traffic lights, stand in line at the water cooler, get your bills in on time, punch in/out when you should, right?
Why not just see what you’re supposed to do and do it? If there’s an infraction, there’s a penalty. If it’s this big a deal, someone should be fired; however, firing seems to be an uncommon thing for those who deserve it in government positions.
By gin davis
June 26, 2008 3:37 AM | Link to this
i think once Obama is in white house he should address the drug issue ……………………… gin davis floridadrugrehab.com
By John
July 12, 2008 2:44 AM | Link to this
The Democrats voted unanimously for it! The bill was to allow early primaries, which would sink the national DNC into chaos… I love to see all the peace, diversity and tolerance… Thanks for publishing this…
John
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