Alas, all of the alleged crimes these conservative “intellectuals” attributed to Obama and the MSM were imaginary. The ineptitude of the Romney campaign—as well as their own commitment to the ignorance (and ideological obsessions) of their respective constituencies—has led them to make themselves appear ridiculous before the world. Television and radio bookers, university lecture agents, and pretty much everyone who pays anyone to explain politics, beware: the intellectual high priests of the conservative movement have, as the saying goes, “jumped the shark.” None of these clowns ever deserve to be booked again to give an honest, informed view of the state of American politics or culture, save perhaps on comedy shows or late-night chiller-thriller theater. That may sound harsh, but as Michael Corleone might say, this is the life they have chosen.
What was perhaps most ironic—as well as appropriate to this farcical episode—was the fact that, apparently unnoticed by all, Romney later pulled the rug out from under his ardent defenders. Asked about the film that seemingly inspired the riots and attacks, he echoed exactly the same sentiments contained in the Cairo embassy statement that he and his putative champions had previously found so contemptible. “I think the whole film is a terrible idea. I think [that] making it, promoting it, showing it is disrespectful to people of other faiths…. I think people should have the common courtesy and judgment—the good judgment—not to be, not to offend other peoples’ faiths.”
There you have it: Mitt Romney, terrorist apologist.
MORE: The Problem of Conservative Intellectuals | The Nation.