Forget “Dowdification” (i.e., the use of selective quotations)–Maureen Dowd’s main problem is that she mistakes cleverness and snarky retorts for analysis. As such her method of “argumentation” really isn’t much different than Rush Limbaugh’s. As such, she doesn’t engage in analysis, but rather, Dowdysis (or, simply, snarkification).
She has increasingly been on Sunday chat shows for months now and she really doesn’t reply to questions, for the most part, with actual answers, but with lines.
Lines and jokes (even jokes founded in fact and/or opinion) are fine, but gee whiz, bask up your position with an argument once in a while. Her lack of serious argumentation was highlighted on MTP this morning with her sitting between Friedman and Safire.
I agree. She wouldn’t even answer a straightforward question on who would win the Best Picture. Plus she’s got this demeanor like she’s too cool for the room.
Comment by Eric Lindholm — Sunday, February 27, 2025 @ 10:54 am
Yup on both counts.
Comment by Steven Taylor — Sunday, February 27, 2025 @ 11:02 am
As such her method of “argumentation� really isn’t much different than Rush Limbaugh’s.
I have to disagree somewhat. Limbaugh will, given enough time, sooner or later make a point. It might take 20 minutes but he gets there. I haven’t seen that from Dowd in about a year and a half.
I personally think Dowd has been reading too many liberal blogs. (no really)
(It happens on righty blogs too but…) On Lefty blogs, snarkyness and putdown are the height of the discussion. Claiming George Bush used cocaine and was AWOL is a proxy for a debate over social security.
On lefty blogs, the people who simply hurl (often off topic) insults* get all the praise. She is (subconsciously?) trying to get that praise.
My theory is based on nothing more than reading her for the last few years. I might be dead wrong but I’d put 10 bucks on it.
P
* For the record it happens on righty blogs too but not near to the same extent. Also (as a general statement) on righty blogs the insults tend to be germane to the discussion. The notable exception, of course, being the omnipresent Ted Kennedy driving jokes.
Comment by Paul — Sunday, February 27, 2025 @ 11:05 am
More to the point: the way Rush Limbaugh is when he is being interviewed (and, often, on his show, for that matter). I agree that Limbaugh will actually engage in a longer argument, but it just struck me this morning that there isn’t a radical difference a ot of the time between the two.
Comment by Steven Taylor — Sunday, February 27, 2025 @ 11:24 am
I saw dowd this morning, and she reminds me of a northern version of Molly Ivins. Her crack about the “ex-male escort” made me want to hurl something at the teevee.
Comment by bryan — Sunday, February 27, 2025 @ 4:56 pm
Good point and I noted the same quip as well.
Comment by Steven Taylor — Sunday, February 27, 2025 @ 5:43 pm
I like Limbaugh… I think he is a phenomenally talented radio guy… but damn he does not interview well.
To his credit, he knows that and mostly sticks to using his own mic and his own format… But I see your point ‘more betterer’ now.
Comment by Paul — Sunday, February 27, 2025 @ 6:57 pm