Michael Moore -- leading intellectual of the progressive movement

That, anyway, is David Brooks opinion.

When Brooksie writes a column like that, an argument based on a false premise and supported by the full force of non-relevant points (Michael Moore provides incendiary anti-American quotes to European audiences, ergo, he is the intellectual and moral leader of the left) and delivered with his trademarked voice of amiably concerned hatred to anything left of "compassionate conservatism," I am reminded of the Bard's immortal words:

Idiot wind, blowing every time you move your mouth,
Blowing down the backroads headin' south.
Idiot wind, blowing every time you move your teeth,
You're an idiot, babe.
It's a wonder that you still know how to breathe.

Um, David, Moore is a movie maker cum comedian -- he's an entertainer. He knows his audience.

A successful one it seems.

He is not a leader -- either intellectually or morally -- of anyone.

He is, however, an admitted and unrepentant propagandist. But his propaganda is entertaining and has a pretty good sense of humor.

Unlike some other more shocking and disturbing propaganda we're seeing in this race.

These guys know no bounds in their desperate clinging to power.

But where is Karl Rove? Surely he understands that simply throwing red meat to the carnivores in his base will not be enough to get Bush elected president for the first time.

Especially now with today's happy news that the Greens have abandoned Nadar.