Some folks have been asking where I am. On full time baby and visiting relative duty until Tuesday. Have been since Thursday.

It is way too much fun hanging with the kid full time (I could get used to it, too bad it doesn't pay)...So I'll be back, as some flabby-breasted post-steroidal California Governor has been known to say.

Unti then, here is another piece by our political consultant friend Brett, a little bit late...


In light of the NY Times article this morning, I have a bit of advice for Democrats in the guise of an old song;

You don't tug on Superman's Cape

You don't spit into the wind

You don't pull the mask off the old Lone Ranger

And you don't ever, under any circumstance, talk to Adam Nagourney.

I know that he works for the New York Times. And I know that you think he is your friend. But he isn't. Nagourney wants to get into print, and nothing seems to sell better than making Democrats look bad. Don't believe me? Okay, here are headlines from articles he has written in the past nine months. See a pattern?

Flush of Victory Past, Democrats Revert to Finger-Pointing

For Buoyant Democrats, Even a Big Gain May Feel Like a Failure

Bush Trumpets Verdict in Iraq As Some Polls Lift G.O.P. Spirit

Dean and Party Leaders in a Money Dispute

Some Democrats Are Sensing Missed Opportunities

Let's be even more specific. Today, he wrote about Dem "finger-pointing" and all the wrangling going on. It gives the appearance that Democrats are in disarray. But just the opposite is true.

In the U.S. Senate, the Democrats had no contested leadership elections. The Republicans had a knock-down fight for whip, with Trent Lott winning by one vote. In the House, the Dems had one contested leadership election, and Hoyer won convincingly. The Repubs have contested elections for their top two positions. Plus, the right-wing base is up-in-arms about Mel Martinez as the RNC chair. With all due respect to Will Rogers, the Democrats are the more organized, and unified, Party at this moment. But that doesnâ't help Nagourney.

So he turned to his old bag of tricks, and got Carville on record attacking Howard Dean. Now, James Carville is a whole lot smarter and more accomplished than I am (ed note: I don't agree, certainly with the former--fame does not brains make), but he ought to know better. And the rest of the Democrats should learn from his mistake. So the next time Adam Nagourney calls for a quote, just remember that old song, and put him through to voicemail.


Hat Tip to my old pal Alexis.