Andrew Sullivan - what a voice, what a guy!

[QuestionAll...]

I used to not like this guy too much a time ago, but am absolutely in awe of him right now. He is so articulate, so angry and so right on the mark with his comments.

He had an interview with Jack on CNN and it was just jaw dropping beautiful (in a sad way).
He is angry and he is scared. He calls himself a refugee because he's not a Dem or Lib, but he certainly is not what is in the whitehouse today.

I totally forgive him for his past performances and him being a bit slow on the uptake.

There are a lot more 'andrews' out there. Open your arms, forgive and forget - we're all in the same leaky boat.

Of course there are some that should never ever ever be forgiven. the upper crusts like rumsfeld and * and the rest - they will never ever ever get my forgiveness.

[grasswire]

1. He was on PBS NOW last night

...and extremely powerful in advocating that Republicans vote for Democrats this year. He gets it. They're crazy.

[mondo joe]

2. He has a LONG WAY to go to get my forgiveness. He's just going with

the wind - as usual.

[w13rd0]

6. His "transformation" began...

...with Abu Graib <sp>. And yes, he does have a long ways to go, but with both Arianna Huffington and David Brooks, their transformation took more than two years. I don't even expect a 180 from him. I don't care for most of the DLC, but the voices of those who have been on the other side, and turned from it, help us. And we're liberals (or at least I am), but we believe in rehabilitation and education. We have to believe people can change for the better, and we have to believe that sometimes it even happens for the right reasons. As someone who reads Andy's blog regularly, it has been interesting to watch his transformation. I for one applaud him on being outspoken, and being willing to change his mind. I have people close to me (my brother for instance) who have undergone a similiar transformation, and it's a great thing to witness...

[mondo joe]

9. He hasn't transformed. He's always just looing for a new way to be

perverse, or provocative. It makes him feel intellectual to do so.

IMO.

[bbgrunt]

12. uhhhh, don't you mean David BROCK, not Brooks?

[w13rd0]

17. yes...

...author of Blinded by the Right. I keep getting their names switched, please don't tell David (the good david, not the bad one, him I don't give a shit about)...

[bigtree]

3. tune in tomorrow

he'll be crying about Democrats

He's a manic-repressive crybaby

[QuestionAll...]

4. we need those andrews

and should not spurn them.
I suppose it's possible that this is all a show, but personally, I think he had an awakening and his anger and frustration resonates with many other republicans.

It's just so damn good to hear the raw truth like that and I am grateful for that crumb even at this late stage in the game.

[bigtree]

8. I hate these in-and-out talking heads like Sullivan and Maher

One day they're complaining about Bush, but when it comes to getting behind the alternative they always hedge, acting like they represent some majority that folks should identify with and emulate. They are nothing but republicans who can't stand their own party. I'm not willing to play their back and forth game just to pander to their vote. Americans have to decide if they are going to let Bush continue to act as if he owns them and the world. They don't need patronizing, they need a kick in the ass.

[DURHAM D]

5. He has a lot of work to do before I will welcome him.

He is a total snake in the grass.

Remember the Clinton years and the run up to 2000. His constant theme was that liberals have no ideas and the conservatives are engaged in real dialog/real thinking. Remember the Dems are stupid and Repubs are brilliant crap that came out of his mouth.

Speaking for myself, the gay community will have a much tougher time forgiving the SOB than the rest of the party.

[w13rd0]

7. Arianna Huffington and David Brooks...

...were singing the same song (denigrating Clinton and championing Republicans), and they are now not only an accepted part of the "vast left wing conspiracy", some might even say they are invaluable (Huffingtonpost and MediaMatters)...

[bigtree]

10. I like what they say but I still don't trust them. If they advocate for the truth, fine

but I don't see why we should pay any more attention to them just because they've come (late) to realize their precious republican party is corrupt and bankrupt.

[Garbo 2004]

16. David Brock (MediaMaters), not David Brooks (NYT). n/t

[Chomp]

11. His appearance

with Hitchens on CNN is well worth a look:

http://www.hitchensweb.com/


Here's the point: Sullivan is a REAL conservative. Someone who believes in family, defence, fiscal responsibility, individual freedoms/responsibilities, law and order etc. etc. These are all perfectly respectable and fine issues to believe. And Sullivan is reasonable and straigtforward in expressng his opinion.

I've always thought that, broadly, the "conservative" ideology springs from a belief in fair mindedness and decency, whereas "liberal/lefty" ideology springs from a belief in compassion. Different approaches to how society should be, but both equally reasonable. Sullivan is the best of the former.

It's easy to forget that decent right-wingers exist. Here in Europe, many of our conservative politicians are not the people I'd vote for, but they are not the disgusting right wing ogres Americans have.*






*Ok, Italy a notable exception!

[WinkyDink]

13. I don't totally---how many dead now?---forgive him, and never will.

[xchrom]

14. nope -- tapeworms occupy greater esteem if you ask me.

[Beelzebud]

15. He is a reed in the wind.

People like him got us in this mess, and now he is trying to pretend he was right all along.

[SoCalDem]

18. We're just impressed when someone speaks articulately

:)

CNN-I is fun too.. You hear words you NEVER hear on "regular-down-homeCNN..

Tonight I heard the word "retinue".. You could almost imagine the freepers reaching for their dictionaries..

On regular CNN they would have said "his folks"