And that is the great American fear right now. It has been the underlying theme of almost every interview I've conducted during this monthlong road trip. Republicans are more confident in their answers — less government, lower taxes. Those are perennial positions with great appeal. But most people I've talked with are convinced that this is an unprecedented crisis, a slow slide from dominance and prosperity, that demands a new and dramatic approach. Neither Brown nor Whitman offered any striking solutions, but they're not alone; I haven't met a single candidate along the way who has broken through the miasma with something that sounds fresh and plausible. The best, like Brown, convey a restless energy, a love of the game and fearlessness in the face of a monumental challenge. But this year, for this crisis, that clearly isn't enough.My guess is that Whitman will win, as the outsider newbee, though it will likely be a close race. I say, Whitman 52%, Brown 48%. Who has the better ideas for this California crisis, I really don't know. I think they would both bring some assets to the position. Brown would bring his personal asceticism and independence to the job, Whitman would bring probably more youthful energy and innovation from the world of business, as well as the fact that she's a self-made woman, an real political asset in a state like California.
On the other hand, what Klein is hearing is absolutely correct: this is an unprecedented national crisis, something we haven't experienced before. There is a new economic 'normal' setting in, with very high unemployment, a loss of confidence and therefore hope, public governments at every level coping with massive deficits and therefore the need to cut back spending (or raise taxes, if that's even possible). This kind of economic environment is a perfect growth culture for radicalism and anti-establishmentarianism of all kinds (of which the Tea Party is a perfect example). It's impossible to predict where this is going to go.
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