One of the few remaining reasons to read National Review is Kevin Williamson. He is smart, shrewd, gutsy and a good writer. The rest of the mag is full of dullards and dimwits. Rich Lowry, a mediocrity of the first order, is afraid to hire anyone talented. Instead he gives space to guys like his personal toady Ramesh Ponnuru. The rest are just kids hoping to make a living off of people who make a living off of the tax payer. Williamson, on the other hand, is a talented guy. He does, however, produce a rotten column on occasion. This one is a prime example.

Politics is about rhetoric. Since the Greeks, the clever politician is the one who knows how to appeal to the hearts of his fellow citizens. That’s not always a good thing, of course. Alcibiades appealed to the patriotism of his fellow citizens over the sober judgements of Nicias. The result was the disastrous Sicilian Expedition, which lead to the fall of Athens. Still, it has been and always will be a central element of political debates. For one party to eschew these tactics is not honorable. It is stupid. Very stupid. It is an example of why the Right in general and the GOP in particular has lost every fight with the Left since Woodrow Wilson.

If the Right in America is to ever become a a real political force instead of merely a break on the Left, they have to master the tools of politics. You do that which is necessary to win. Obama lied every day of the 2008 primary so he could portray Hillary Clinton as an old bag. He lies all the time now trying to stay relevant. That’s what they do. The Left will lie, cheat, steal, break rules, break laws in order to win. The Obama campaign used the IRS to undermine the opposition in the last election. Until the Right smartens up and starts dealing with the Left as it is, they will remain the Stupid Party, a freak show of losers.

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