Joan Vennochi, a liberal columnist at the Boston Globe, writes:
IT IS TIME for Democrats to stop moaning about John Roberts and John Bolton and start doing something productive — such as figuring out how to win elections. Even though Democrats continue to resist the outcome, George W. Bush won the 2004 presidential contest. His reelection triggered a time-honored cliche: To the victor, go the spoils. Bush selected a Supreme Court nominee and an ambassador to the United Nations who reflect his philosophy. Any Democratic president would do the same….Democrats continue to fight the last campaign, while Republicans are planning for the next two. While the Democrats are busy bashing Bush — a second-term president who is not running for anything — the Republicans are working on their strategy for victory in 2006 and 2008. Ken Mehlman, the Republican National Committee chairman, continues the GOP outreach to Latino and African-American voters. Dividing up the Democratic base and conquering even a small piece of it helps Republicans in future elections and hurts Democrats….Sniping about Bush’s vacations and workout schedule is not a long-range strategy for Democratic success. Winning on election day is what it takes to derail nominees like Bolton and Roberts. [Emphasis added] (Source)
My reaction to such articles is mixed. While I enjoy public in-fighting among Democrats, sometimes the results yield practical and good advice. I suspect if politicians actually listened to and followed the advice of people like Vennochi, they’ll really start winning elections.
And we can’t have that. 
Semi-related Update: Cool
