A reader writes:
As a long-time reader and big fan, I have to admit I’m disappointed by the turn your blog has taken recently. At your best, as in the Conservative Soul, you really do represent a conservatism of doubt, retaining a healthy dose of skepticism, willing to reconsider your opinions, always remembering that you might be wrong and admitting it when you are However, recently you have thrown all of that aside and become gushing, almost fanatic in your praise of Obama and in your contempt of the Clintons. Right now, I don’t see the difference between you and Hugh Hewitt, and that saddens me. Whatever Hillary does, you consistently show bad faith, interpreting her actions the way the Devil reads the Bible. Similarly, Obama apparently can do no wrong.
Moreover, if Obama ever does get elected, you’re setting yourself up for disappointment, just like you did with Bush. No man can possibly do everything you seem to expect of him. A healthy injection of skepticism would do wonders. Please take a deep breath and calm down. Useful mental exercise: Surely there must be something you like about the Clintons and something you dislike about Obama? Please, make your blog interesting again.
Here goes. I admire Hillary Clinton’s stamina, diligence and, at her best, pragmatism. Her political professionalism and discipline are amazing. At times, Obama seems to believe a little too much in his own messiah-ness, which is not the source of his strength. I don’t care for his proximity to organized labor. On the role of government, I’m far to his right. But after the GOP in the Bush years, I don’t feel like punishing the Democrats for being big government. I feel like punishing the Republicans. They’re the ones who’ve committed treason against conservatism, not the Democrats.
Substantively, I don’t have a massive policy case against Clinton if I don’t have one against Obama. They really do represent a very small difference. Clinton is also very able. Her work as a Senator for New York has been admirable. She’s straddled on the war but I don’t feel angry at her the way some of the netroots types do. God knows I have no leg to stand on. My case amounts to concerns that she would entrench a cynicism in politics that’s wrong for the times, that her polarization and trust issues are insurmountable, and that eight years in a White House should be enough for any power couple.
Does that help?
The Dish 