Twas interesting to watch the CNN approval meter when Obama took a few swipes at rich bankers last night. Democrats liked it, but the Republican approval measure just fell of a cliff. Ooh, they were saying do not attack the rich!
Well, I can think of possible reasons for not attacking the rich (instrumental prudence; primitive Aynrandianism, whatever). I'm really not sure which might have been driving this crowd.
But I'm struck by the irony that among those note voting for the rich are--the rich themselves. Specifically, the Upper East Side of Manhattan--the Silk Stocking District, banker central, is red-hot liberal company with a liberal Democratic congresswoman and I bet lots of Obama votes.
It's part of a pattern that gives thoughtful Republicans the heebie jeebies. The brightest, the best positioned, the most cosseted--okay, the richest--Manhattan, Alexandria, Palo Alto are all Obama country. If the mass of Republicans are standing firm in defense of the rich, they are protecting a crowd that doesn't seem interested in offering this kind of protection to themselves.
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