It has long been my view, expressed often, that political “independence” in American politics has been absurdly fetishized. People say they are independents out of vanity or fear far more than actual intellectual uniqueness. Some like to pretend they can approach politics like it’s a Chinese menu, even in a two party system. Others just don’t like being called Republican or Democrat. This fetish is fed by journalists who think being very liberal while calling yourself neither a Democrat nor a Republican means you approach politics “objectively.” Anyway, here’s a nice example of what some of our elder statesmen really mean when they laud and honor the “independence” of politicians. From David Broder’s column today:

The Terminator has rescued himself from political ruin by reinventing his approach to government, thus demonstrating in the most dramatic way possible the value of political independence. Just 10 months after California voters rejected all four of the ballot initiatives he put before them and sent his personal approval ratings crashing to dangerous depths, Republican Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger is riding high, poised to win a full term come November. Instead of the partisan assault on public employee unions and Democratic legislators (a.k.a. “girlie men”) that marked his rhetoric in 2005, Schwarzenegger has negotiated agreements this year on a minimum-wage increase, higher school spending, curbing air pollution and a mega-bond sale designed to meet overdue highway, flood-control and school-construction needs. Democratic leaders of the legislature, who a year ago were ready to cut Schwarzenegger’s throat politically, now sing his praises and join him on the platform at bill-signing ceremonies, while the unions debate whether it is worthwhile to put money into the rival campaign of the struggling Democratic nominee, state Treasurer Phil Angelides.

Me: Broder goes on and on. The translation: Stand for nothing. Get rolled by liberal interest groups. Call yourself a Republican while you do what liberals want. And you will be a guiding light for your party and your country.