NP: Chevelle, Wonder What's Next (MP3)

I have to be honest, I can't tell if David Brooks is trying to make a case for President Bush here or not.

To be fair, I agree with Brooks to a point. I was talking to somebody yesterday who has the traditional exasperated Democratic point of view, wondering how anyone could possibly support the president given the current state of things. What Brooks gets across is that there are some fundamental differences in character that will resonate differently with different people. Despite the fact that I disagree strongly, I can't really argue with somebody who believes you should avoid changing leadership during a war, at all costs. It's a valid argument.

I keep coming back to the pragmatist versus the idealogue breakdown, and some people are going to want the idealogue, especially if his ideals mirror closely their own. I'm not one who thinks my ideals are necessarily for everybody, to the point where I'm still surprised to find someone who thinks like I do, so I'm much more process-oriented. Which is why, given the stunningly crappy choice presented here, and even independent of my feelings toward the last four years, I've got to lean toward the more pragmatic approach. With full knowledge that it can be spun as an entirely opportunistic mindset.

Also, Dick Cheney is just too creepy.