Froma Harrop / Syndicated columnist
Moore is less for Kerry

E-mail this article Print this article Search archive Most read articles Most e-mailed articles

Michael Moore opens "Fahrenheit 9/11" with a replay of the contested 2000 election. The segment ends with the Congressional Black Caucus trying to stop the formal Electoral College tally — its motion denied for lack of a Senate sponsor. "Not a single senator came to the aid of the African Americans," Moore's voice says bitterly in the background, to weeping violins.

Funny, but hadn't Moore worked tirelessly for Ralph Nader, whose candidacy threw the election to George W. Bush? While these same black reps were begging Nader to drop out, Moore was doing the warm-up act at the Spoiler's rallies. He'd bounce on stage and tell audiences that they'd be better off voting for "that potted plant" (he used one as a prop) than for Al Gore or George Bush.

Everyone back then knew what was at stake. Polls showed Nader siphoning votes away from Gore in a neck-and-neck race. Republicans were sending checks to the Nader campaign. And the Spoiler was concentrating his last appearances in battleground states like Florida, where he could most easily hurt Gore's chances.

Moore never cared about the opinions of African Americans when it counted. Blacks are useful to him only now — when they can be objects of pity in his movie.

As Moore and other Nader Traitors try to lead the John Kerry parade, Democrats face a quandary. The next election appears headed for another photo finish, and they need every vote. But the ex-Naderites can be embarrassing political allies. Their thinking skills are not the best, and their hunger for attention makes them unpleasant company.

Consider the ditzy Barbara Ehrenreich, now a temporary columnist for The New York Times. Four years ago, the self-described liberal called voting for Nader "a statement of affirmation and hope."

Here is a sample of Ehrenreich's powers of analysis: "What I fear most about a Gore victory — yes, I said victory — is its almost certainly debilitating effect on progressives and their organizations."

Aha. The thousands of union members furiously campaigning for Gore in the last days had erred. They were selfishly backing the candidate they felt would best defend their wages and benefits. They should have been worrying about progressives and their organizations. Serves 'em right.

In 2001, Ehrenreich published a book titled "Nickel and Dimed." It was purportedly about unskilled American workers toiling for low wages and scant benefits. Ehrenreich had taken jobs as a waitress, a maid and other kinds of low-paid laborer, and reported her findings.

"Nickel and Dimed" was later turned into a stage play about a heroic female journalist who worked in the trenches with the oppressed laborers. In proposing the idea to a skeptical editor, the character valiantly declares, "God forbid somebody should commit old-fashioned journalism." What a line. What a woman.

Nader is again running, but these former disciples are supporting John Kerry. Nader doesn't like that. He has called Moore fat. Rushing to Moore's defense, Ehrenreich has called Nader "anorexic." Such is the level of the discussion.

Despite its good box-office numbers, "Fahrenheit 9/11" is a mixed blessing for Democrats. The movie's manipulation of truth and emotion is so childishly executed that even many liberals leave the theater troubled.

Swing voters are again key to electoral victory. And "Fahrenheit 9/11" risks reminding them why they don't want certain liberals running things. The Kerry campaign has wisely distanced itself from the movie.

A clever Kerry move would be to turn Michael Moore into his Sister Souljah. In his 1992 campaign, Bill Clinton criticized black rapper Sister Souljah for talk about killing white people. Repudiating an extremist who would normally back one's candidacy was a brilliant tactic. Likewise, Kerry could give Moore a light spanking for his simple-minded sermons on the evils of war.

But he shouldn't leave any marks on Moore's rear. The filmmaker does have followers, and their votes will be helpful. The Democrats have little choice but to let the Nader Traitors join their parade — but preferably in the back, and with bags over their heads.

Providence Journal columnist Froma Harrop's column appears regularly on editorial pages of The Times. Her e-mail address is fharrop@projo.com