“It is a good thing Bush has an idealistic streak that informs his vision of the world. That idealism leads him to a belief that ‘freedom is not America’s gift to the world; freedom is the Almighty God’s gift to each man and woman in this world.’ But, without demanding accountability from his administration, that messianic zeal is being corrupted, and his policies are lurching out of control. Without a defined, limited overall vision of the war on terrorism and a corresponding commitment to government accountability, Bush can hardly claim to be the champion of ‘conservative values.'”– Robert A. George, explaining why he, as a conservative, cannot vote for George Bush. I understand entirely.
EMAIL OF THE DAY: “One of the most refreshing things on the campaign trail last year was seeing stodgy old Dick Gephardt talk about how he loved his lesbian daughter Chrissy. He did it at almost every campaign stop. He did it so much it got boring, like everything Gephardt does. But it was from the heart.
Can you imagine Gephardt’s reaction if he were a candidate and Bush had said something like Kerry said last night? Simple: Warmth and gratitude. Gephardt never implied there was anything unseemly about his daughter or her partner – they were both on his family’s Christmas card! Bush wouldn’t have had to mention her. Gephardt surely would have beaten him to it.
The only damn difference is that Bush & Cheney’s base is anti-gay. That’s why Mary Cheney’s off-limits, not privacy or anything else. If their base were pro-gay, she would have had a prime-time convention speaking slot. But because they’re homophobes, Kerry is supposed to shut up and act accordingly.
Andrew, I hope to God we’re just 18 days away from having leadership that doesn’t feel it has to whisper about a loved one’s existence.” Don’t miss a huge dollop of feedback on the Letters Page – huge because of 150,000 visits yesterday.
The Dish 