Conservatives Back Away From Anti-Hillary Book

There’s a new book out about Hillary Clinton. I haven’t read it and I wouldn’t ever read it because, by all accounts, it’s a complete load of you-know-what. Muckraking to the nth degree.

I wouldn’t even mention its existence if it weren’t for an interesting phenomenon. A good portion of those on the right are strongly criticizing the book. The latest is rightwing blogger Michelle Malkin who advises her readers to avoid the book. While I trust Malkin truly does find the book abhorrent, I’m also willing to bet that the opinion leaders on the right don’t want their side to fall into the same trap as have many on the left—namely, advancing such hate of their political opponent as to discredit themselves.

In the last 12 years we’ve seen unadulterated hate cast at Bill Clinton and saw him elected twice. Then we saw (and are seeing) unadulterated hate cast at George Bush and saw him elected twice. Maybe some people are finally getting the message.

Of course, if Hillary does get the 2008 nomination, I wouldn’t expect a pleasant campaign from the right. But one that shuns unadulterated hate would be nice.