Although the New York Times never complained when lefties called George W. Bush and other Republicans "fascist" for eight years running, reporter Mark Leibovich is suddenly concerned with rhetorical precision now that conservatives are using "socialist" as a "demonizing" epithet against President Obama's massive spending plans.
Leibovich used the news hook of the recent 2009 Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) in Washington to write a front-page Sunday Week in Review story portraying conservatives as mindless mockers of the concept of socialism: "'Socialism!' Boo, Hiss, Repeat."
Conservatives might be seeking a spiritual leader, organizing principle and fresh identity, but they at least seem to have settled on a favorite rhetorical ogre: socialism.
As in, Democrats are intent on forcing socialism on the "U.S.S.A" (as the bumper sticker says, under the words "Comrade Obama").
It seems that "socialist" has supplanted "liberal" as the go-to slur among much of a conservative world confronting a one-two-three punch of bank bailouts, budget blowouts and stimulus bills. Right-leaning bloggers and talk radio hosts are wearing out the brickbat. Senate and House Republicans have been tripping over their podiums to invoke it. The S-bomb has become as surefire a red-meat line at conservative gatherings as "Clinton" was in the 1990s and "Pelosi" is today.
....
Of course, there is nothing remotely new about "socialism," or the willingness of conservatives to hit the opposition over the head with the term, just as the name callers among the liberals have bludgeoned conservatives as "fascists," "fundamentalists" and "plutocrats" and whatnot for decades.
But the socialist bogey-mantra has made a full-scale return after a long stretch of relative dormancy.
The contemporary era of socialist demonizing dates to the general election campaign between Mr. Obama and John McCain. Mr. McCain and his running mate, Gov. Sarah Palin of Alaska, repeatedly accused Mr. Obama of wanting to "spread the wealth," an offshoot of Mr. Obama's caught-on-tape exchange with an Ohio plumber (i.e. "Joe the," last seen signing copies of his new book at CPAC).
"Socialism" became a star of subsequent McCain and Palin rallies in the same way that a dead bull is the star of a bullfight -- an object of slings, spears and overall bloodlust.
The early fiscal activism of President Obama has provided a heap of new fodder for anti-socialists, effectively turning a useful label meant to inspire fear into a we-told-you-so taunt.
Leibovich talked to the one admitted socialist in Congress, Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont, then lamented that those closed-minded conservatives at CPAC didn't debate the merits of European socialism.
Still, when Representative Mike Pence, Republican of Indiana, denounced "European-style socialism," in his speech at the conference on Thursday, the jeers from the crowd did not exactly signal an openness to debate it on the merits.
—Clay Waters is the director of Times Watch, an MRC project tracking the New York Times.



















Editor at Large
Comments Policy
Most folks go by the Duck test....
March 2, 2009 - 15:58 ET by Army BratIf it walks like a Duck.....
Happy Trails...
lol damn you beat me to
March 3, 2009 - 01:08 ET by Blackwaterlol damn you beat me to it =P
"Mass genocide is the most exhausting activity one can engage in, outside of
soccer." (Dogma)
If the truth fits, wear
March 2, 2009 - 16:02 ET by Clear thinkerIf the truth fits, wear it!
Why is the NYT's so afraid of the word Socialism? I thought they loved it?!
The Evil List
Making Fun of AGW http://giovanniworld.wordpress.com/
uh
March 2, 2009 - 17:51 ET by seesalrunThe early fiscal activism (robbery and or theft of furture generations livelihood and promise, or worse, servitude to Chinese debtors) of President Obama has provided a heap of new
fodder for anti-socialists (Americans) effectively turning a useful label (SOCIALISIAM? GOOD LABEL? LIKE HORMONE INJECTED GROWTH ENHANCED BEEF WTF? NOT WITH MY WHEATIES BROTHER) meant to
inspire fear into a we-told-you-so taunt. YUP WE TOLD YOU SO TAKE YOUR SOCIALISM WHERE THE SUN DOESN'T SHINE.
I call it like I see it. Socialism. Suck it. And on it goes.
uh Yes..!
March 2, 2009 - 19:39 ET by Dont_Like_TheBluesThis is a piece of journalistic issue avoidance and skirting the real substantive issues.
This garbage is full of euphasims about as much as the dignified death legislation in WA state. Call euthanasia, suicide, and "exit assistants or homicide helpers" by their real names.
Specifically:
The early fiscal activism [gee "fiscal activism" sounds less scary] of President Obama has provided a heap of new fodder [yes it is fodder. However I was thinking of it more as manure] for anti-socialists[ if it's fodder for "anti-socialists" doesn't that make it socialism and not "fiscal activism"], effectively turning a useful label ["usefull label", is it a good label or a bad one?..... please tell me more mister lefty / progressive activist] meant to inspire fear into a we-told-you-so taunt.
WHY THE HELL SHOULDN'T IT INSPIRE FEAR. It's seems like a wonderfull thing unless you have to live there.
These are the same kind of people who were calling Ayn Rand an idiot back in the 1920s and 30s. She escaped from Stalins hell hole. She told us of her personal struggle in that hell and Liberals & open comminists said that she didn't understand the greater good of the great expereiment in USSR.
Some people will NEVER LEARN.
Even Sting [the lead singer from "The Police] said "....history will teach us nothing". He was talking about Pinochet, but the same truth applies. Almost every lib looks at European Socialism (or any other kind) from a distance and with rose colored glasses.
Kind of like
March 2, 2009 - 22:04 ET by ahusserMichael Moore's adoration of the Cuban health care system. Talk about some rose colored glasses. But when many are dominated and obsessed by some weird utopic vision of a socialist society then reality never would dare intrude in the fantasy resulting in the real deaths of a hundred million and its attendant misery and horror.
"Somehow, I told you so, just doesn't quite say it." Will Smith in 'I, Robot.'
The NYT is afraid that
March 2, 2009 - 18:01 ET by Chaitealovereveryday people [as opposed to political junkies like us] will learn the truth and rebel.
Chai
“When all government...in little as in great things, shall be drawn to Washington as the center of all power, it will render powerless the checks provided...” Thomas Jefferson
not to sound too disparging but
March 2, 2009 - 18:31 ET by seesalrunnot too many people can be brought to action being fed by the MSM -hey have no clue. No fault of their own. Don't you just just love hi-def? I wouldn't have itin my home, kind of like Sweet and Low.
It's up to those who do know to rally the troops. I pledge to do my part. How is looking for opportunity, when is everyday.
It is what it is. Listen
March 2, 2009 - 19:12 ET by GregEIt is what it is. Listen to Reagan's opening statement in this audio....
http://www.youtube.c...
~What a wonderful link
March 2, 2009 - 20:14 ET by choselife3xThank you. I just spent 30 minutes wandering through Reagan clips. I feel better now.....sigh.
Hope and Change=
Despair and Socialism
Either narcissist or socialist--which ist is it?
March 2, 2009 - 16:03 ET by StarAZPick an ist...Wait, the US now owns a bank...fascist?
The 'S-bomb' - ha ha ha !
March 2, 2009 - 16:04 ET by SickofLibsWhatever issues Travis the chimp had, at least poo-flinging was not one of them.
Hey S L
March 2, 2009 - 19:50 ET by Dont_Like_TheBluesEEEEEWWWW
You said the word chimp. bigot bigot !
/sarc off
Yes "chimp" is one of the 77,125 (and counting) words that you can't say within 1 foot of The great ones name appearing in print. Therfore we're all Baaaaadddd people.
O'Dumbo a socialist....
March 2, 2009 - 16:05 ET by ScrapironSomeone name one thing he has done in his life to indicate he is not a full blown socialist, and the Peeloshi/Reid lapdogs support his move because they have the mistaken idea they will be totally in charge of 300 million people.
Old, Retired and glad of it.
Generalissimo Francisco Franco is still dead and the NYT . . .
March 2, 2009 - 16:14 ET by CKA in Red State USA. . . is still the collective twit that it is. So what else is news?
Hmmmm? Why is it that...
March 2, 2009 - 16:19 ET by c5thenConservatives are proud to be called conservative, yet liberals can't stand being called liberal and liberal socialists can't stand being labeled as socialists? Are they ashamed of their ideology?
Hey, I got the wrong "CHANGE"!
Alan Keyes / Sarah Palin - 2012
Yes they are, Because
March 2, 2009 - 16:53 ET by doug1950history is replete with the stacks and stacks of failed liberal and socialist experiments and experiences.
What? Is Socialist an insult to a Marxist?
March 2, 2009 - 16:19 ET by CTComrade Leibovich,
Please be advised that Conservatives do not refer to Chairman Zero as a Socialist to inspire fear, but rather in open contempt.
The difference between a liberal and a socialist
March 2, 2009 - 16:23 ET by metaphorsbwithuLiberals just feel guilty for their own possessions.
Socialists want to confiscate yours to give to whomever they wish.
metaphorsbwithu
Get used to the Socialist
March 2, 2009 - 16:44 ET by UtherpendGet used to the Socialist title. I throw it in the faces of all my Liberal friends and then I make them dispute it with facts. They can't and usually get mad, but like I have been telling them, the nice days of getting along are over, this is WAR. There is no second place in a War, McCain didn't seem to grasp that but the rest of us had better.
"If you love wealth more than liberty, the tranquillity of servitude better than the animating contest of freedom, depart from us in peace. We ask not your counsel nor your arms. Crouch down and lick the hand that feeds you."
oh ya
March 2, 2009 - 16:48 ET by boozytruth hurts real good....obamernation is nothing but a communist...through and through....thin skin and all....
Barak Obama, Public Enema #1
March 2, 2009 - 16:54 ET by Joe BlogsWhy doe the NYT fret? I thought they were proud that an unabashed socialist got elected POTUS. Now there's a heapin' helpin' of chicken MacNuggets in every POTUS.
CPAC whimps...he's a
March 2, 2009 - 17:02 ET by RR GOPCPAC whimps...he's a Marxist...get it right and quit beating around the bush.
One of the 24% who thinks George W. Bush was a great President. One of the 89% who wants to bring back the stock and pillory.
Oh give me a
March 2, 2009 - 17:06 ET by bigtimerOh give me a break...
They ought to quit whining...heck wasn't it one of the leftist mag rags like Time or Newsweek who had 'We are all Socialists Now' on the cover?
They had better count themselves lucky it hasn't been something more than a word like socialism as far as I am concerned.
Their lame efforts won't work now, bt...
March 2, 2009 - 17:44 ET by ThalpyTheir lame efforts won't work now bt because Obama's mentor, Saul Alinsky said that "Rules for Radical is written for the Have-Nots on how to take it away." Being a Socialist, as you suggest, may be the least of what Obama and his crowd is. More to come....
wait, I thought socialism was a good thing
March 2, 2009 - 17:10 ET by katainkentI'm so confused! Ya know.. woohoo we're socialist... we're all socialists now... socialism is cool.
yay... and stuff? No? Mr Emanuel you need to have a word with your minions and get your talking points straight.
They don't like that we keep changing their name but they keep moving their game.
kat
March 2, 2009 - 20:25 ET by Dont_Like_TheBluesYou should have seen Emanuel talking to Cavutom. Raam kept on talking about future unknown events as facts. They think their plan will work. Burinig political capital at this rate they're going to have to create some distraction soon. Maybe they'll do something Clintonesque like a short term bombing campaign (when Monica was in the news).
Speak the Truth!
March 2, 2009 - 17:34 ET by slickwillie2001The Liar-in-Chief was raised by socialists and indoctrinated by socialists from an early age. He IS a socialist, and we have to say it with conviction and never back down.
Sooooo
March 2, 2009 - 17:34 ET by NorthCoasterThe truth hurts!
does the "overuse" make it less true?
March 2, 2009 - 17:39 ET by UndercoverConservativenice to see they don't address the truthfulness of it at all. I could understand a defense of policy, saying it's not socialist and explaining why using methods other than some liberal talking head saying "no it's not!"..instead they complain the word is being used as a insult and is commonly thrown about....that has not a thing to do with the correctness or appropriateness of the word. but then if their only defense is the "label" is used too much, then they can't say it's being used wrong...
"to call an illegal immigrant an "undocumented alien" is like calling a streetcorner drug dealer an "unlicensed pharmacist".
"You spend your money anyway you want and respect other's rights to do the same&quo
I saw it on another post
March 2, 2009 - 17:58 ET by seesalrunObama vs Limbaugh a true PAY PER VIEW EVENT WORTH THE COUNTRY'S TIME AND MONEY
sign me up. Oh, except it will never happen, too busy rushing agendas through, y'know.
Re
March 2, 2009 - 18:08 ET by jacktheripperboo who dem mean ole CONSERVATIVES called us socialists! WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA
if the shoe fits then we should kick them in the ass with it every chance we get
and never mind
March 2, 2009 - 18:25 ET by seesalrunendless negotiations over use of teleprompters, wake up. Oh and no defense over rapid fire relinquishment of the Constitution? Pay no mind....move on.
"Liberals" are not socialist...
March 2, 2009 - 18:01 ET by DJEddle"Liberals" are not socialist. Lets stop calling them that. It's too nice.
The correct term for their agenda is "fascism." Everything Obama and the Democrats are striving for is fascist in nature. Many of us had it wrong over the last several years. We called them socialists and Marxists. Now, we can correct that error.
Want a good example of their fascist policies? Start with this one:
Fallacies of the Green Movement
The Times may not worry about socialism - they are probably socialists. But like the Nazi Party did to the communists, so too will the fascists in this country do to the weaker "liberals" who draw the line with socialism.
They need to choose: Either get on board with fascism, or stop apologizing for the fascists and report the real news.
*If you like the comments, check out the articles.
I think Herr Obamafuhrer is as much fascist as socialist
March 2, 2009 - 18:13 ET by R D HelmEither way, our freedoms and liberties are in serious, immediate jeaopardy, as is our economy, not to mention our very way of life.
-Dave
Our clueless political leaders are about to drive us all over a cliff. The time to HITM is now-before we go over.
Actually, he's more of a
March 2, 2009 - 18:14 ET by robert108Actually, he's more of a fascist; he doesn't want to buy businesses, he just wants to control them, while the private citizens pay for everything. So, "fascist" is more accurate than "socialist".
robert, Obama will remain a fascist up until...
March 2, 2009 - 18:34 ET by R D Helm...the nations largest employer, small business, is pretty much forced out of business.
Next, his hideous Cap-and-Trade plan will be going after what is left of private enterprise, and the government will be close taking over our healthcare system, at which point he will be a true socialist.
Once we arrive there, all hope for any form of economic revovery will be gone, and, should this fraud manage to get himself re-elected, Barack Hussein Obama will be a communist dictator by 2016.
-Dave
Our clueless political leaders are about to drive us all over a cliff. The time to HITM is now-before we go over.
Exactly right,
March 2, 2009 - 20:24 ET by UpNorthRobert. Back in the 30's, the German industrialists toasted the Fuehrer and couldn't get enough of his company, until he started throwing them in the camps. Today, the industrialists and business leaders in this country can't get enough of the Obamunist.
Actions have consequences, and they'll eventually re-learn this little bit of history.
Truth hurts, liberal puppet.
March 2, 2009 - 18:18 ET by dborschjr68Long live the Republic! Conservatives unite!
Can't please liberals
March 2, 2009 - 18:42 ET by RpeggioYou can't please these people....first they don't like the title Liberal, now they don't like Socialist and 'want' to be called Liberal....and now the even more ambiguous 'Progressive' is becoming popular.
What stinks is I love Progressive music (Rush/Styx/Kansas/Dream Theater) and they're hijacking the word Progressive!
In the words of Neil Peart...
March 3, 2009 - 15:17 ET by flyfisherAnd the trees are all kept equal
By hatchet, axe, and saw...
"The Trees" by Rush
Can't please liberals
March 2, 2009 - 18:42 ET by RpeggioYou can't please these people....first they don't like the title Liberal, now they don't like Socialist and 'want' to be called Liberal....and now the even more ambiguous 'Progressive' is becoming popular.
What stinks is I love Progressive music (Rush/Styx/Kansas/Dream Theater) and they're hijacking the word Progressive!
for christs sake fight.....
March 2, 2009 - 18:48 ET by tonemeistermichael steele has a spine made of rubber. we have one of the highest standards of living in the world due to capitalism. and because we have a correction in the system people are ready to throw out the whole thing for a system (socialism) that has never worked. fight, in the media , in the streets, on the blogs, fight!!! . dirty, whatever it takes to win. call, make noise. anyone who knows history knows this country is in greater danger than ever. because the danger comes from within.they're already scared of the backlash all these b.s. plans have caused. to quote a famous song. "when you've got nothing you've got nothing to loose". these gutless wonders will run for cover when real strenght arrives. can you imagine when a bunch of everyday people show up to protest not a bunch of dirty hippies. but, you know the people who keep the power grid up, deliver food, "we guard you while you sleep". "clinging to guns and religion since 1776"
They are Oligarchy!
March 2, 2009 - 19:55 ET by jackie3They aren't fascist, socialist, communist or democratic. They are all those things under one term: Oligarchy!!! A government controlled by a select group of people. Let's not confuse ourselves anymore. The USA is not a democratic country. It's a Republic. Rule by law and in a real republic the role of the government is limited, leaving the people alone. The republic is supposed to protect the rights of the citizens. Not walk all over them.
What we have right now is an Oligarchy government. We do not have what our Constitution demands. We have strayed from it. Let's stop making labels that are all the same things. Totalitarian government is an Oligarchy.
Those who label themselves are allowing the "democracy" theory to invade our politics. Labels such as: socialist, liberals, democrat are all under the Oligarchy type government. The nation is a "republic" as our founding fathers has repeatedly told us. They warned us about "democracies" and purposely didn't want such a government.
The republicans have gotten away from our roots. The true political parties are libertarian, republican and constitutionalist. Those who fall back on the core values of the founding father's intentions are the true political parties of the USA. All else is an enemy of the state.
We are under the greatest threat in the nations history. We are currently going even further down the slop to "communism" or totalitarian government. Our republic is in serious danger of being gone for good. We need to call them what they are...totalitarian or Oligarchy.
Alexander Hamilton: "We are a Republican government. Real liberty is
never found in the despotism or in the extremes of a Democracy."
Re Steele
March 2, 2009 - 20:05 ET by slickwillie2001Audio of the segment of Rush's show today where he addresses what Steele said, which includes a clip of Steele: http://townhall.com/...
I don't think Steele thought through what he said before he said it, which may be more inexperience than anything. He's now in a position where his every word will be jumped on, taken out of context, distorted, etc, and he has to be on his game every second of every interview. I'm sure he'd like to take back these words.
I've been busy in the
March 2, 2009 - 20:25 ET by bigtimerI've been busy in the kitchen, while doing so I heard on Levin's show that that is exactly what Steele is doing already, taking his words back, however he has done this, with whatever words he is using, I hope he is getting a clue to what we want out here...this latest info for me started when a guy called in to his show and said he wrote to the Steele and the RNC and said NO MORE $$$...evidently a whole bunch of people like him has done just that...or Steele wouldn't be taking back what he said...eh?
Heheheeee!!!!!!!
BOR seems jealous about all of this at the moment...gee, I wonder why?
§ Bt...Olby UPDATE...
March 2, 2009 - 20:47 ET by TheSterYes...I'm watching so you don't have to...
Ulberdink went on a RANT describing the Spending Bill on Story #4. It was a STEALTH "Special Komment". He justifies ALL the PORK in the Bill....and mocks ALL who oppose it!!
It's worth 4 minutes of your LIFE just for the sheer Laughter of it!!!
I wish I knew how to capture video...I would send you the 4 minutes only so your head wouldn't EXPLODE!
Ster.
My mind is a raging torrent, flooded with rivulets of thought cascading into a waterfall of creative alternatives.
→ Socialist slur?
March 2, 2009 - 20:31 ET by Cool ArrowObama is a Socialist. He said so himself, to Joe The Plumber, in an unguarded moment. (those are the moments he's most truthful . . clinging to guns etc.)
I haven't totally dismissed the "my Muslim Faith" at this point.
So don't be at all surprised that his efforts with the Stock Market are so successful. The Market is reacting exactly the way he wants it to.
We won the cold war! Why did we surrender?
So the times has a problem
March 2, 2009 - 21:54 ET by pitter43So the times has a problem with a socialist being called a socialist. Go figure. I'm sure they would have supported the socialist hilter too. The times has less credibility than Mad Magazine.
Hello? Hello? Is this thing on? Test Test Test.
March 2, 2009 - 23:08 ET by JWFGov. Sarah Palin of Alaska, repeatedly accused Mr. Obama of wanting to "spread the wealth," an offshoot of Mr. Obama's caught-on-tape exchange
1.
to charge with the fault, offense, or crime (usually fol. by of): He accused him of murder.
For the love of all the fish that fart in water. There is no need to ACCUSE him of anything. All you have to do is QUOTE him saying AND I QUOTE - Quote to follow - Obama >>>> "I think when you spread the wealth around, it's good for everybody"
Debate the merits of European socialism? In case anyone is paying attention to the news, Europe is burning! They are rioting in the streets. Europe has double digit employment in the GOOD YEARS. By the way, this year, not good.
Sincerely,
a Veteran of a 1000 psychic wars.
Last months cover of
March 2, 2009 - 23:32 ET by TN MomLast months cover of Newsweek: "We Are All Socialist Now" doesn't rate a mention in this NYT article.
"No no no, Not God Bless America, God Damn America"
March 3, 2009 - 00:47 ET by DelsaThis is SOBama's Religion!
And
Socialism/Marxism is his political objective!
It is what it is!
Socialist Slur?
March 3, 2009 - 07:34 ET by GeneralAlOf course the NYT is upset about the term Socialist. After all, Socialist is a step down! The preferred term is Communist! Hail to Comrade Mark!
"0'S" programs are definitely socialist
March 3, 2009 - 09:08 ET by larry on LIhowever his methods of achieving them are more like that of Karl Marxs.jmo
They are right.
March 3, 2009 - 11:30 ET by dukasSocialism is a slur.
Wait
March 3, 2009 - 13:00 ET by doug1950There are so many things for the NYT to fret over and yet they find the time and space to devote to a real or imagined slur. Imagine that, glad to hear it. Some might call this "karma". They won't be around much longer to fret over anything so this is just a passing footnote on the newsreel of life.
terminology
March 3, 2009 - 14:30 ET by OhioladThe only words that can describe the far left-wingers that have taken over the Democratic party and now the country are socialist/communist/collectivist and the various subtypes - leninist, stalinist, bolshevik, etc. The terms they prefer to use to describe themselves - liberal/progressive - are inaccurate in an Orwellian way because they are antonyms of what they really are, which is why the true liberals in Britain and elsewhere are so thoroughly confused. Why should we as conservatives continue to use their newspeak terms in lieu of terms like socialist that accurately define them. European socialists don't run away from the term, so why should the ones in this country.
The Times sucks, liberals suck, democrats suck, MSM sucks
March 7, 2009 - 00:47 ET by Lord ErondBrian Williams is still wiping Obama's man juice off his chin.
"To sin by silence when we should protest, makes cowards of men" -Ella Wheeler Wilcox
Socialism is one of those 'code' words.
March 7, 2009 - 00:49 ET by Lord ErondYou know, like community organizer, 'palling around' etc. etc.
"To sin by silence when we should protest, makes cowards of men" -Ella Wheeler Wilcox