One of the well known commentators here TocqueDeville goes off the deep end in comments on this diary by slangist.
Over at My.barackobama.com the group Senator Obama - Please Vote NO on Telecom Immunity - Get FISA Right asking Obama to block FISA now has 19,300 members, some of whom are sending vitriolic emails saying they will no longer contribute or support Obama.
Meanwhile over at the NYT, the lead editorial yesterday criticized Obama's changing positions, and the AP regurgitated unedited republican talking points causing Josh Marshall's eyes to bleed.
What's going on - more after the jump-
This is classic Rovian tactics - even if he is not directly responsible. But Republicans are chortling in glee to see Obama supporters in such disarray.
Are we really so weak that we cannot debate issues - like telecom immunity which we oppose - without going vitriolic and throwing the most promising democratic campaign in two generations under the bus?
Have we been so conditioned in the modes of panic; factionalism; and mistrust that at the first breeze from our opponents we collapse into a seething mass of recriminations.
We must not confuse our hunger for change - to remake the democratic party and our country - with the ups and downs of the daily spin of a presidential campaign.
Suddenly the press is questioning whether Obama will even withdraw from Iraq. What bullshit. And we have some fearful activists believing them.
This is a classic Rove maneuver: Take the greatest strength of your opponent and turn it on its head - disorienting supporters, and emboldening enemies.
What are the Republicans totally afraid of: McCain being indentified with the 100 years in Iraq strategy of George Bush.
What have the Rove tactics done: They have made the activist base for Obama suddenly seem in disarray - all questioning whether this candidate is the one who deserves unwaivering support.
Get a grip. This is not something we should be falling for