The Democrats have a hard case to make in 2004. They need to make the case that we have to pull together...but not behind Bush. That's a message, of course, that sounds somewhat contradictory, both divisive and unifying. But it's the right message. We DO need to pull together--rabid partisanship is tearing us up. But there's no doubt that the Republicans are by far the more partisan and ruthless of the two parties right now. Rovengegate is only the most prominent current manifestation of this fact. It's also hard to make the case for unification when we are all so damn mad about this Administration. As you may or may not have noticed, I keep trying to plead for dispassionate analysis of the issues and an end to tribalistic partisan crap... But, as witnessed by e.g. my last post, I can't even seem to pull it off myself. Which, of course, doesn't mean that it isn't sound advice... The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.