Ariana Huffington:

The latest analysis by Democracy Corps, a Democratic polling firm, couldn't be clearer: Democrats need to draw sharp distinctions between themselves and the GOP — especially by stressing their opposition to the war in Iraq.... Instead of giving the president breathing room, Democrats need to keep pounding him where he's most vulnerable — Iraq — and do it 24/7. And the only way to do this is by providing a clear alternative stand on the war.

So, let me get this right, Ariana: you advocate "pounding" the President NOT primarily because you think it's good for the country, or because he's necessarily unpopular (indeed, you admit his popularity is rising currently) -- but because it would "draw sharp distinctions" and thus help Democrats to win office?

This is what I find so endlessly amusing: In so many statements, Democrats accuse Republicans -- as though it were some kind of crime -- of exploiting this or that event for political purposes. For example, here's Tim Russert again, talking about the response to the NY Times leak:

There is no doubt this was an orchestrated campaign to try to frame this issue of national security versus the media, particularly the New York Times. It resonates with the organized Republican conservative base.... This is not a new message, in terms of going after the messenger.

Oh, how despicable! An "organized campaign"!!!

Of course, the campaign wasn't orchestrated. The only one who triggered it was the Times -- by publishing the story. Conservatives just did what they would inevitably do when such a leak occurs -- complain people might get killed. You don't need to resort to imagining a conspiracy to explain that kind of response.

And yet, here's Ariana Huffington, telling her peers to "pound" the Administration -- even though Bush is apparently doing things right and his numbers are rising -- because stirring people up and making them think things are bad will give them an electorial advantage (they feel).

Again, I can understand either stance -- that nobody should ever engage in cynical policial manipulation, or that it's and good.

It's just the blatant hypocrisy which gets me.

That, and the fact it sometimes seems effective: people really DO parrot whatever they are told by the press. They really apparenlty DO forget that the press should be scrutinized just as much as the administration, and that reporters, who by in large support only one brand of politician, can have motives and schemes too.

No, really!