Gail Collins thinks Massachusetts voters are....

"The 10 Percent Rules" NY Times January 14, 2010

As the liberal democrats see the potential for a loss in the special election for Massachusetts' "Ted Kennedy" seat, it is fascinating to watch their thinking process.

Here we have a state has the highest percentage of voters who identify themselves as Democrats, a seat that has been reverentially dubbed as the "Ted Kennedy" seat, and a sweeping victory for the Democrats in the previous election.

It is unthinkable that this seat is in "Code Orange" for the dems.

But what do they do? Do they ask themselves what the voters are concerned about to make such a shift in their political alignment? Do they want to understand the fears, pains or hopes of these voters? Do they want to address concerns about the health care bill?

No.

They blame Martha Coakley's style. They make snippy comments about Brown's daughter. They blame the fact that Obama isn't getting anything done (which isn't his fault). It isn't that the democratic voters are unhappy with what he IS doing they assert, they are unhappy because he isn't doing ENOUGH!

The power of the pen is greatest when it gives us a view of reality, when it exposes us to a view of reality that we have missed.

Ms. Collins could increase her power by giving us insights into what is really going on with the voters. But hey, they may not square with myth they need so badly.

Oh...and the 10% statistics is a manufactured percentage that doesn't exist in reality.

in reference to: Op-Ed Columnist - The 10 Percent Rules - NYTimes.com (view on Google Sidewiki)