Former Republican attack dog and snarling defender of all things neocon Andrew Sullivan has finally endorsed John Kerry. It’s a long, tortured endorsement, reflecting all of Sullivan’s oft-repeated doubts about Kerry, compared to his far more serious doubts about his former hero, our president, who disappointed Sully in every way. His litany against shrub is long and bitter, from failing to plan for Iraq to Abu Ghraib to the bloated budgets and dismal economy. He’s critical, as always, of Kerry. But ultimately, he agrees that Kerry is right now our best hope.
Kerry? I cannot know for sure. But in a democracy, you sometimes have to have faith that a new leader will be able to absorb the achievements of his predecessor and help mend his failures. Kerry has actually been much more impressive in the latter stages of this campaign than I expected. He has exuded a calm and a steadiness that reassures. He is right about our need for more allies, more prudence, and more tactical discrimination in the war we are waging. I cannot say I have perfect confidence in him, or that I support him without reservations. But not to support anyone in this dangerous time is a cop-out. So give him a chance. In picking the lesser of two risks, we can also do something less dispiriting. We can decide to pick the greater of two hopes. And even in these dour days, it is only American to hope.
Is anyone noticing the seismic shift of the past few days in American politics? There’s suddenly a sense that we really may be finished with bush, he really may be on his way out. It’s gone from a vague possibility to an exciting and wonderful probability. We just can’t take anymore. Just look at America’s newspapers, and you’ll see it’s become the nation’s consensus.
Update: And you have to read these Slate endorsements — even Christopher Hitchens endorses kerry! Amazing. It just might be a landslide.
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By tangent SZ
Seismic shift my ass. Kerry may win. Bush may win. Those on the right and the left delude themselves on how big a margin their candidate will win by.
BTW, for those outside the US, its still not too late to go to your consulate and vote.
October 26, 2004 @ 9:39 pm | Comment
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By richard
There is a seismic shift, and here’s the solid proof. In just a few days, 36 major US papers have endorsed Kerry. Dozens of papers that endorsed shrub the last time are now flip-flopping and endorsing Kerry. I think only 2 flip-flopped the other way. If that isn’t a seismic shift what is? There is a massive groundswell of support among the media and that reflects a seismic shift in public opinion. Suddenly the tone of the news and the talking heads has done a 180-degree turn from what it was just a few weeks ago. It appears Kerry will win, except if you watch Fox News or read the NY Post.
October 27, 2004 @ 7:17 am | Comment
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By frank
There’s a mistake. Hitchens doesn’t endorse Kerry.
http://www.thenation.com/doc.mhtml?i=20041108&s=hitchens
Main newspapers = liberal, as usual.
But… wait a moment. Wasn’t Bush – also – “the great manipulator of public opinion”?
October 27, 2004 @ 7:59 am | Comment
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By richard
Frank, Hitch endorsed Kerry officially yesterday, proving as usual that you don’t keep pace with what’s going on in American politics (not that there was ever any doubt). Read this.
October 27, 2004 @ 9:16 am | Comment
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By frank
Richard, thank you for the nice words.
Andrew Sullivan is wrong. And you too.
Wait and see.
http://www.thenation.com/doc.mhtml?i=20041108&s=hitchens
Are you a bit nervous?
October 27, 2004 @ 9:43 am | Comment
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By richard
Frank, the title of that article is “Why I am (Slightly) for bush. Then, a couple days later he said on Slate he was officially endorsing Kerry. I gave you the link.
Nervous? You know, for the first time in months, I feel truly serene about the election. It is an amazing feeling, knowing that all the work paid off (everyone’s work, not just mine). The new polls out yesterday and today plus the incredible sweep of endorsements for Kerry is an amazingly good sign, and even the Fox News people seem resigned to shrub’s inevitable defeat. It’s morning again in America….
October 27, 2004 @ 9:50 am | Comment
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By frank
Ehm… calm down. It’s perfectly possible that Kerry win. But at least wait until the election day to celebrate…
October 27, 2004 @ 9:57 am | Comment
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By richard
Frank, this is my opinion blog, slanted, pure spin, all filtered through my prejudices. I have seen an incredible shift in the past few days. It may still shift the other way but I can’t see it. So allow me to celebrate in advance.
October 27, 2004 @ 10:07 am | Comment
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By frank
Have a good party.
October 27, 2004 @ 10:15 am | Comment