Thanks to Newt

Of course, political trash rhetoric has been with us as long as there have been contests for the power of public office.  But Newt Gingrich is probably responsible, more than anyone else, for instituting systematic, calculated tactics that focus on how you say things, what words you use to make your demonizing your opponent more effective.

Remember back when he was revolutionizing the House with his Contract with America and advising fellow Republicans how to trash their opponents by putting out a list of certain words and phrases to use?  Karl Rove apparently has no love for Newt, but he learned that lesson well, adding to it the tactic of turning your opponent's strengths into liabilities.

Rick Santorum has learned both lessons well.   Although, more than most politicians, he seems to be motivated by genuinely held, passionate moral beliefs.  In this day of poll-driven positions on any issue, that's a bit refreshing -- if his particular beliefs were not so repugnant on so many counts and if he weren't trying to force his beliefs on the rest of us.

Here's the latest from Rick:   branding those who support marriage equality as "anti-marriage."    I suppose the idea is that same-sex couples getting married "destroys the institution of marriage."   

Which is not true, of course.   They like to cite the Netherlands, where gay marriage has been legal for a few years, and its declining rate of marriage.    The problem with that is that the rate of marriage is down all over Europe.

Look at the U.S.    Massachusetts has had gay marriage the longest (6 years, I believe).  And Massachusetts has the lowest divorce rate of any state.    Oklahoma, one of the most reliably red, conservative states, has the highest divorce rate.    Doesn't prove anything -- except that their claim that it destroys marriage must be false.

Ralph