These arresting days of late 2008 may be some of America’s best.
Unless we learn, in the next 18 days, that in fact John McCain spearheaded a white slavery operation in Southeast Asia during the six years he was supposed to have been a prisoner of the North Vietnamese, I will vote for McCain to be my next president. My vote will be cast with many reservations and, for the first time in my life, for a Republican presidential candidate.
Try not to demonize me–or any one else who is trying hard to get it right this election year. Barack Obama, as talented as he is, struck me again and again as the new Jimmy Carter: smart, good and yes a great man–and likely an ineffective leader once in office. Carter, at least, was not untested. In Obama’s case, I listened but couldn’t buy the Kennedy-lite “change now” noises from a gifted young guy who has never managed anything except for his brilliant and historical campaign.
Sure, other nations, particularly EU countries, will like Obama. His U.S. Supreme Court appointments would be more to my liking. But I’d prefer Obama’s tough but soulful wife, Michelle, as my next president. I seek leaders who are a bit more engaged, and can get angry. Obama is currently not one of them. In six years, Obama will be well shy of 60, and he can start running for president again then. By then, he can get his mojo working, if he has one. Or his wife can run.
Sarah Palin is a Ditz, you say? How can I do this? Answer: we’ve had at least 3 ditz presidents in my lifetime. Ronald Reagan was the first, and on brains he makes Palin look like Alan Dershowitz in a really cute dress. Look, Palin’s not my cup of tea, but she’s one of the most talented politicians you’ll ever see anywhere. Don’t oversimplify or underestimate her. She’s going to be around a long time. Make room for her, don’t demonize her. Palin’s no cartoon. Besides, if you really think she’s not “smart enough”, she’s lots of fun to just watch.
Chris Buckley: Vote pairing with Dan Hull?
More interestingly and importantly, however, a major conservative has crossed over to the “dark side”, albeit a different one than I just did. Christopher Buckley is William F. Buckley’s son, a small government conservative and fine, established novelist and journalist in his own right. Two days ago he announced his support for Barack Obama. He offered his resignation from his position on his dad’s The National Review–which accepted it. See WSJ. Buckley the Younger’s offending piece and reasons for supporting Obama are found in The Daily Beast, in “Sorry, Dad, I’m Voting for Obama“.
If you are a Republican, or a libertarian, please don’t demonize Buckley, either.