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Among the Intellectualoids

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The logic of that statement doesn't quite hold together -- what Republican would deny a woman the ability to bear children, as Drescher's hysterectomy did? -- but it was nonetheless applauded heartily by the Women's Caucus.

HEARTY APPLAUSE seems to be the entire point of these caucus meetings, which are one part group self-affirmation -- celebrating the experience of being a woman, gay, Hispanic, etc. -- and one part partisan rally. The caucus members are told how wonderful it is to belong to their identity group, and then told how important Obama's election is to their group.

Being organized as a coalition of identity groups results in a certain amount of political irrationality by the Democrats. Yet these caucus pep rallies serve a necessary function for a party that lives or dies by its ability to promise benefits to its constituents.

Democratic promises are only as valuable, however, as the party's ability to win elections. This is why, despite whatever disgruntlement Hillary's supporters may harbor, they still cheered when the speakers at the Women's Caucus praised Obama and slammed the Republicans.

Even the most illogical or banal statements were cheered, so long as they were embedded in the hope of victory. This is the hope -- or, as Obama's sloganeers have it, the Hope -- that ultimately unites the disparate elements of the Democratic coalition.

topics:
Education, John McCain, Barack Obama, Hillary Clinton, Abortion