Tempered Idealism & A Dime's Worth Of Difference

Let me say this again: Politics is about winning.

I have no patience for political idealists who live and die by their candidates, especially if they supposedly are "pure" and their cause is "just". Especially lefty third party nuts who espouse Ralph Nader. They blindly think that a protest vote for Nader will affect anything in their favor. It is infuriating that we on the left are so splintered, while the right is so disciplined and on-message. If Bush wins, it won't be because the right is publicly airing its infighting.

Most of this idealogue blather is endorsed by Counterpunch, Alexander Cockburn's left wing paper. This rag is definitely a good place to take the pulse of those much leftward of my own views. Not only do they give Bush a good smackdown, they do so with even more glee and venom to moderate Democrats like Clinton, and this time around, Kerry.

So it was to my surprise that I found this. Albeit this is a "on the one hand" and grudging appeal for votes for Kerry, it is refreshing to see that there is a voice of reason at Counterpunch. Perhaps it's a tiny indication that they're starting to see things "real world". Yes, people, a vote for Nader is a vote for Bush. And don't you forget it.

UPDATE: If you didn't think Counterpunch would actually let Lindorff's view go unchallenged, here's the reply. Idiots. The thing about the political spectrum is that it's not a straight line. It's a circle. Idealogues and radicals from both sides are closer to each other than they realize. Counterpunch and its following sees itself as so left, they've gone around the bend and crossed over, doing a lot of the dirty work for the right. Kudos, fuckers...