As usual, impenetrable. But civilized. And, at times, quietly contemptuous of the views of someone like Gary Bauer. Compare it to Bill Kristol’s hysterical notion that mentioning someone’s publicly acknowledged homosexuality amounts to “McCarthyism.” Yes, he’s lost it – but for a good reason. The reason is that Kristol can see when he’s been check-mated. It is indeed difficult to base part of an election campaign on the inferiority of a whole group of citizens if the family of the vice-president includes two (Mary and her partner). Kristol is incensed that the old gay-baiting tactics won’t work – because you actually have to bait your own offspring – and that Kerry has finally had the balls to call this bluff. Still, let the record show: this is the first time in history that Bill Kristol has ever written a defense of gay people. Again: better late then never.
CONSERVATIVES AGAINST BUSH: Another email:
I completely understand your frustration with the current administration and President. I too, am a classical conservative who feels completely abandoned in this campaign by the Republican platform, and am surprised how far right the dems have moved in recent months adopting so much of the opinions I find important. Although I still am hesitant to cast a vote for Kerry – I’m at this point abstaining out of protest – I find myself leaning much more towards Kerry than Bush.
Have you ever thought a Kerry election might actually save the party from the Fundamentalist Idealism that plagues the current administration? I think a witty slogan on your site might be: Save the Republicans, Vote for Kerry. Maybe a Kerry election will force the Republican brass to see they can no longer win national elections catering to their bigoted and close minded base, and thereby force them to adopt a more Reaganite approach to economic policy as well as finally dismissing its attacks on certain groups to enrage and engage this base.
If Bush wins this election, on the other hand, all bets are off.
The Dish 