[Let me begin by begging forgiveness: I know this set-up is too long, but what the heck.]
Boston radio talk-show god Jay Severin often says that "liberals always lie to get elected, while conservatives can only tell the truth, which often costs them elections." Well, he may not say exactly that, but my paraphrase is quite close to the pure Severin doctrine. Liberals conceal their true intent; to be transparent is to doom themselves to unelectability. Conservatives, on the other hand, do NOT conceal: they tell you what they will do, and what they believe, and this openness often proves politically fatal.
Note, then, how Severin's words seem to ring true in this general election cycle. Barack Obama, the apparent Democratic front runner, is chided for not being specific; he's accused of being all form and no substance. Of course, if Severin is right, then Mr. Obama, a true liberal, MUST be evasive; he must be veneer and can never be solid redwood.
John McCain, the presumptive Republican nominee, at least gives the appearance of substance, despite how much his more conservative peers disagree that he is one whit candid. But one can hardly think of a less appearance-oriented candidate: image CAN NEVER be John McCain's campaign strength. Moreover, McCain has told America what he thinks -- substantively -- on many issues, and his opinions (and actions) have hurt him. But few would say that McCain is from east to west all veneer. I may be wrong, but I don't think either Mitt Romney or Mike Huckabee has accused Mr. McCain of being all "hope" and no ideas, or all seduction but no commitment.
All this to say that perhaps Severin is right. Perhaps. But what this is really about is something James Taranto notes in yesterday's "Best of the Web": the media cannot tell the truth about Fidel Castro. At least here the Severin doctrine is found to be infallible and inerrant (nihil obstat!).
Check out item #4,"Who Was Fidel Castro?", at this link.
Rarely is something this sad so funny.
Peace.
†This first appeared at RedState.com on 2.20.08
