The Nappy Cat Chronicles

Sullivan asks:

Leave aside the usual huffing and puffing. Can you answer this question for me:

Is there any other significant issue in American political life, besides Israel, where (a) citizens split almost evenly in their views, yet (b) the leaders of both parties adopt identical lockstep positions which leave half of the citizenry with no real voice?  More notably still, is there any other position, besides Israel, where (a) a party’s voters overwhelmingly embrace one position (Israel should not have attacked Gaza) but (b) that party’s leadership unanimously embraces the exact opposite position (Israel was absolutely right to attack Gaza and the U.S. must support Israel unequivocally)? Does that happen with any other issue?

Not that I can think of, off the top of my head.

One issue that comes to mind is drug war, though I’m not sure if the debate is equally split between the 3 or 4 positions (criminalization, decriminalization, legalization, and a medicinal exception). Either way, the adults believe that they know what is best for the family. In case of the Israel issue to which Glenn refers, it’s the American-Israeli union. The opinions of the children do not matter.

But, you know, perhaps they do know what’s best. What would happen to Israel if it did not have such a complete backing?