The Election—II

The Election—II: Frank Rich, David Cole, Ronald Dworkin, and Russell Baker

Pablo Martinez Monsivais/AP Images
Mitt Romney and Barack Obama at the beginning of the first presidential debate, Denver, October 3, 2012

Frank Rich

For all the liberal nail-biting about the presidential campaign of 2012, and for all the entertaining journalistic updates on the daily horse race, the fundamental story has remained unchanged (and not terribly suspenseful) all year. The Republican Party’s angry and highly motivated conservative base—possessed by loathing of Barack Obama and his devious schemes to turn America into Sweden—could not find a plausible candidate to lead ...