The difference between birthers and truthers

In today’s Washington Examiner, David Freddoso responds to outrage against the birthers by noting that Democrats have their own conspiracy wackos:

But before liberals begin to smirk, here’s a poll from 2007, in which 35 percent of Democrats said that President Bush knew in advance about the 9/11 attacks, and 26 percent were not sure.

So if 58 percent of Republicans are living in a delusional fantasy world because they are out of power, then 61 percent of Democrats were doing the same thing until just recently (perhaps they still are). It’s a clean, apples-to-apples comparison with a clear lesson: People get a bit kooky when they’re out of power, Democrats about 3 points kookier — which is probably within the margin of error.

He’s almost right. Let me state right here that I think that 9-11 Truthers are full of crap, and for much the same reason that birthers are full of crap, and for much the same reason that most conspiracy theorists are full of crap. First, they’re wrong. Second, they wear criticisms of their wrongness as a badge of martyrdom. And third – this is most critical – whenever evidence appears that contradicts their theory, the conspiracy theorists see the evidence as proof of just how far the conspiracy reaches. They’re unpersuadable. And they’re stupid.

And yes, being a good liberal, there are truthers in my friends and family. And I can’t state strongly enough how wrongheaded they are.

That said, there’s a difference between the birthers and the truthers, and that difference is in their ability to get their ideas into mainstream discourse and politics.

After all, who is the truther, liberal equivalent of Lou Dobbs, whose “there are still questions” approach to covering the story on CNN lends a mainstream media credence to the conspiracy-mongering? I know Dobbs has said his coverage of the story doesn’t endorse the birther movement – but his inability to acknowledge that the rumors have been debunked have been a disservice to truth in this matter.

And for that matter, where’s the truther, liberal equivalent of Republican Congressman Bill Posey, who offered up a “birther” bill that lends aid and comfort to the conspiracy theorists?

And correct me if I’m wrong, but did mainstream reporters ask George W. Bush’s spokesman about the truth rumors? I don’t think so.

Freddoso is right: People get a little crazy and paranoid when their party is out of power. But he’s wrong that the birthers and truthers are entirely equivalent. The birthers have been much more successful.