E-mail:

Rich:
And you’re right, anger correctly directed is both useful and appropriate. Anger at terrorists who want to murder Americans and inflict an alien system of governance on the whole world. But not against those from the other political party or who hold opinions that differ from yours. In this context it is interesting to compare Obama’s apparently genuine and heartfelt anger at the banks and insurance companies visible with his cool, district-attorney-in-traffic-court demeanor when he finally got around to discussing the Undi-Bomber three days after the event. . . .
“Conservative candidates should get angry about genuine outrages of course, but otherwise, be cheerful, optimistic, and civil.”
In short, the Reagan model — which Brown is wisely following. Even his reponses to outrageous attacks have been “more in sorrow than in anger”, much like Reagan’s in similar circumstances. This makes a nice contrast to the truly nasty stuff coming from the other side, including the “uniter-in-chief.” I have to laugh when I see the headlines on the local Mass. websites talking how negative “the campaign” has become, as it both sides have gotten down in the gutter.