Safire on "Purveyors of Panic"

As if anticipating last night's post, William Safire has a column this morning entitled "The Year of Fear." But his indictment focuses on the Fear Room of the Democrats, not the Republicans. He charges that the Kerry camp is intentionally arousing fears on various fronts - from social security, to that "internets" rumour of a draft, to the flu vaccine shortage. I would respond to this simply by saying that these attacks are legitimate, as they all flow directly from the consequences of the inept Bush administration. Worried about the government's continued ability to fund social security? Maybe, thanks to colossal budget deficits with no end in sight. Worried about a draft? Maybe, since you agree with Tim Ryan and his October 5th speech on the House floor that the Bush administration's colossal mishandling of the war combined with their various misleading statements makes it difficult to be certain what will happen. Worried about the flu vaccine? Maybe, since Bush has bungled it so badly even he admits that he won't be getting one. And on... Contrast this with the Republicans. Unable to defend any policy of the past four years (except maybe "Leave No Child Left Behind" as the panacea that will save jobs), they are the ones squarely on the attack. Look no further than Drudge's frontpage and Cheney's latest comments on a Nuke Threat:

"Vice President Dick Cheney on Tuesday raised the possibility of terrorists bombing U.S. cities with nuclear weapons and questioned whether Sen. John Kerry could combat such an "ultimate threat ... "

Forget that the Bush record on preventing this very type of "ultimate threat" is rather terrible. But again, it is to provoke the basest fear - "you are not safe with John Kerry in the White House." As bad as Bush is on every issue, you better vote for him or the terrorists win. Argh. Safire concludes:

"My advice to voters in this political Year of Fear, as well as to journalists and our sources, is from Joshua 1:9: "Be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed." Courage and freedom will win, and the purveyors of panic will lose."

I hope so.