First, I am saddened about the level of hostility on both sides of the so-called aisle. Christopher Buckley rightly bemoans the fact that Kathleen Parker and now he himself became the recipients of conservative ire by daring to speak their mind. But one musn't be so naive as to think that cretins exist only among the Republicans. If Obama's supporters think their side is immune to this, they might be surprised to discover there are bona fide jerks in their own ranks. For more on this, consider reading this article by Michelle Malkin (10/15) on NRO (link to the left, in Things to Avoid, etc...), or viewing the YouTube video (linked in her article) about the way McCain supporters were treated in NYC. And don't forget the hate-filled and violent rhetoric leveled at Sarah Palin. Hopefully Buckley isn't so naive as to think that those on the left, who have rallied to his defense today, won't turn on him in a heartbeat if and when he sings a different song about Obama tomorrow.
Second, though, I have to say I was more interested in the column Dave didn't send but which was linked in the one he did, the one in which Buckley tries to to explain his endorsement. Read it and tell me that you don't think he struggles to justify his decision. If he's jumping (McCain's) ship to hop on (Obama's) bandwagon because of what he perceives to be McCain's suddenly-revealed inauthenticity, one can't help but wonder what he sees in Obama. Certainly not authenticity? Even those who see potential in Obama do so hesitantly, acknowledging that there's not much to "know" about him yet. His resume is paper thin, he has no backbone to speak of when it comes to making tough decisions, he says one thing and does another (campaign $$ is one example). In short, he seems to be all things to all people. One person's vote for Obama in November will be for the Obama he believes him to be. But it remains to be seen who he really is. Buckley seems to be filled with ambivalence in the matter, as perhaps many are right now. On one hand, there was a time when he saw in McCain what I (personally) still see--"this guy should be president." He writes:
All this is genuinely saddening, and for the country is perhaps even tragic, for America ought, really, to be governed by men like John McCain—who have spent their entire lives in its service, even willing to give the last full measure of their devotion to it. If he goes out losing ugly, it will be beyond tragic, graffiti on a marble bust.
On the other, he looks at Obama and sees what he calls "a first class temperament" and a "first class intellect" (he's tickled that a politician actually writes his own books, as if this alone is enough to commend the man for the office of president). Surprisingly, he seems willing to buy into the Obama persona, that Obama is what the "historical moment seems to be calling for." Yet in the same breath he mocks Obama's "silly rhetoric," specifically, his embarrassing claim that "we are the people we have been waiting for." In short, Buckley seems to have abandoned not only McCain's ship but his own objectivity.
All of which (third) is probably part of the problem in this year's election. There doesn't seem to be any clear rationale for voting for either candidate, other than possibly for the following reasons:
- party loyalty (Buckley bucked this. Can Dave? Can Dad? Can I?)
- retaliation (a vote for Obama, in spite of his inexperience and questionable bona fides,is a repudiation of all things Bush...after all, Bush stole the election, now it's our turn)
- ideology (e.g., abortion)
- emotion (Obama the Messiah, McCain the War Hero, Obama comes across as presidential, Palin as daffy, etc.)
- race (good grief)
I have deliberately avoided sending Dave and dad literally dozens of articles and other items that I personally believe might be of interest to them (see Things to Avoid, etc), but did not send simply because of the chasm that exists between us, a gulf I am now convinced will never be bridged. Certainly not after this election, regardless of who is elected. I'm so glad there's at least one member of my extended family (yay Eric) who I feel comfortable enough talking with about things like this. Among my own family, sadly, there is no meeting of the minds, and nothing to talk about at Thanksgiving.
Here's my take for what it's worth: If Obama wins this election, I believe it will be a Pyrrhic victory which many will eventually come to regret, maybe even Christopher Buckley. If McCain wins, some predict race riots, including, absurdly, pundits in Europe who believe this would be "proof" that America is deeply racist. So there's no winning, no matter who wins. The divide will be deeper, greater, broader. There will be no unity. The hate will grow more intense. Families like mine will be divided even further.
John McCain is the better man, the more experienced candidate. He is not George Bush. He is knowledgeable, he will work hard for America, he has integrity, he is courageous, he has a track record, he has foreign policy experience. Barack Obama is none of these. What he is is a smooth talker, a novelty. Personally I think he's a puppet, but I'm not sure who the puppet master is. If he wins on his credentials alone, we have a lot of soul searching to do in America.
And so we march inexorably toward November.
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