Today, New York Times columnist Maureen Dowd asks, of people who write nasty things anonymously online, “Who are these people prepared to tell you what they think, but not who they are?”

I don’t know. Who are they?

January 27, 2008, “It’s Not Guiliani Time In Florida,” Maureen Dowd:

One top Democrat, shocked that Rudy had run a race so minimalist that it would make a front-porch campaign look expansive, wondered if it was really some ploy to pump up his business. And perhaps his low-energy windup was meant to maintain dignity for Giuliani Partners.

March 24, 2008, “Haunting Obama’s Dreams,” Maureen Dowd:

It’s impossible to imagine The Terminator, as a former aide calls [Hillary Clinton], giving up….


“It’s like one of those movies where you think you know the end, but then you watch with your fingers over your eyes,” said one leading Democrat…

“There’s no love between [Al Gore] and Hillary,” said one former Clintonista. “It was like Mitterrand with his wife and girlfriend. They were always competing for the affection of the big guy.”

April 30, 2008, “Praying and Preying,” Maureen Dowd:

For some, Obama didn’t offer enough outrage. ”He talks about Reverend Wright violating his core beliefs as if he is detailing why he doesn’t like cheesecake or cream cheese,” said one Hillary Democrat. ”He’s more passionate about basketball.”

June 4, 2008, “She’s Still Here!” Maureen Dowd:

”It’s never going to end,” sighed one Democrat who has been advising Hillary. ”We’re just moving to a new phase.’..’


“[Having Clinton on the ticket] would be,” said one influential Democrat, ”like finding out there’s no tooth fairy.”

August 27, 2008, “High Anxiety in Mile High City,” Maureen Dowd:

“I’m telling you, man,” said one top Democrat, “it’s something about our party, the shtetl mentality.”

But, yes, I know. Today’s Dowd column isn’t about these people, the ones who appear in New York Times columns (or news articles) “prepared” — and, permitted— “to tell you what they think but not who they are.”