As usual, Jon Rauch has a calm, sane analysis of this election’s difficult choice. But he won’t say whom to pick! Jon, we need you! But it’s well worth reading. Money quote:
There is nothing wrong with Kerry’s senatorial “flip-flops.” Maneuvering is what senators do. More disturbing has been his irresolution on Iraq since becoming a presidential candidate. Most disturbing of all is that, with only days to go before the election, I still don’t feel I have a handle on what he is really all about. Perhaps Kerry is the scion of Dukakism, the doctrine that the election is about competence, not ideology. But Kerry is running for president, not city manager.
I don’t believe he is an empty suit. I just wish I knew what was inside the suit. I can understand why my father fears that Kerry might be captured by the Left.
Bush is a dynamic leader, but he lacks what a president most needs: guardrails. Kerry has guardrails, but where is the road? A dispiriting choice.
What’s a Swimmer to do? It helps to remember that the presidency matters a lot, but not quite as much as most people think. And that muddling through usually works out passably well. And that it is always darkest before the dawn, and you’ll never walk alone, and tomorrow is another day.
Think on that. And have a Prozac.
Prozac? How about a couple of valiums and a xanax?
BLOGJAM DC: The unutterably cool Bob Mould has put together a live blogjam in DC tomorrow night. A bunch of us will be reading from our blogs live, followed by Bob’s now famous Blow-Off night. There’s me, Wonkette, Geekslut, Vividblurry, Dog Poet, and many more. It’s at DC9 at 1940 9th Street NW, starting at 7 pm. Come have fun. Meet sexy bloggers. Dance. Forget about this damn election for a couple hours. See you there.
HEADS UP: I’m giving a keynote speech on marriage tonight in Boston at the Human Rights Campaign New England dinner. It’s at the Boston Sheraton. I’m also on Chris Matthews’ show this weekend, with Andrea Mitchell, Howard Fineman, and Katty Kay.
The Dish 