[Language, Politics]

Bipartisanship.

I just watched a clip of Al Gore on the Today show this morning. It's getting some attention because Gore called the Iraq debacle “the worst strategic mistake in the entire history of the United States.” I suspect righties will scream like a mashed cat that this represents further escalation in the polarization of politics. Recall, now that they're out of power, they're all for bipartisanship and power-sharing. But in fact, Gore was remarkably measured, offering his opinion without maligning Bush. If there's one man on the planet with the right to malign Bush, it's Gore. I think we all expect this from Dems--measured, tempered responses. This is alternately admirable or infuriating.

But the GOP? They're still fighting with knives. Bush, for example, can't make it through a public statement without maligning the Democrats:

And I understand how difficult that is, but this report will give us all an opportunity to find common ground for the good of the country -- not for the good of the Republican Party or the Democrat Party but for the good of the country.

So far as I'm aware, there is no Democrat Party in the US. That would be both silly (since there's a Democratic Party) and grammatically wrong. But Bush can't help but take a shot--even at the same moment he's nominally making a bipartisan comment. The GOP has always trusted that the fights would be unfair--for the good of the country, Dems would behave like adults; for the good of their wallets, the GOP would fight dirty and malign the adults. Bush is, as always, the silver-spoon frat kid who never grew up.

If I were Nancy Pelosi, I'd be kneecapping these jerks behind the scenes. "Since you can't have it both ways--share power and constantly slag the Dems--pick one. You can't grow up and treat the other party with adult respect, fine. But don't whine when we do what you did and prevent you from introducing legislation and joining in serious deliberation. You behave like children, you get the kiddie table with round butter knives and spoons."

It would be immensely satisfying to know that a little hardball was happening behind the scenes--I am so tired of the GOP schtick.