The Right Choice? The conservative case for Barack Obama

[rndmprsn]

http://amconmag.com/2008/2008_03_24/article.html

“Barack Obama is no conservative. Yet if he wins the Democratic nomination, come November principled conservatives may well find themselves voting for the senator from Illinois. Given the alternatives—and the state of the conservative movement—they could do worse.

Conservatives who think that a McCain presidency would restore a sense of realism and prudence to U.S. foreign policy are setting themselves up for disappointment. On this score, we should take the senator at his word: his commitment to continuing the most disastrous of President Bush’s misadventures is irrevocable. McCain is determined to remain in Iraq as long as it takes. He is the candidate of the War Party. The election of John McCain would provide a new lease on life to American militarism, while perpetuating the U.S. penchant for global interventionism marketed under the guise of liberation.

Why consider Obama? For one reason only: because this liberal Democrat has promised to end the U.S. combat role in Iraq. Contained within that promise, if fulfilled, lies some modest prospect of a conservative revival.

For conservatives, Obama represents a sliver of hope. McCain represents none at all. The choice turns out to be an easy one.”

[Cant trust em]

1. There are some interesting points made in this article

I don't have time to read the whole thing right now, but thanks for posting.

[rndmprsn]

2. basically they have lost faith in bush, mccain and the GOP...

and now see a "different" liberal democrat as their...and OUR only hope.

[Cant trust em]

4. I read enough to get the gist. I'm interested in the whole thing.

It sounds like a few republicans I know.

[anigbrowl]

6. Their whole website is worth a read

The American conservative is largely a thoughtful magazine - while I disagree with much of what they believe in, they're mostly motivated by considerations of the long-term welfare of the USA. I feel I could sit down with most of their writers and enjoy a spirited and civil discussion of politics even though we would hold almost opposite views on most topics.

[Maine-i-acs]

3. I am a conservative who supports Obama.

A rare case - Democratic, social liberal, fiscal conservative.

McCain cannot restore fiscal responsibility. Cutting taxes and continuing the war will destroy us. Conservatives secretly know that.

One Repub in my town re-planted his Romney sign after the melting snowbanks exposed it. They are having trouble getting on board the lame-talk express.

[anigbrowl]

7. You're not as rare as you think

I believe in capitalism and free markets, unlike a lot of Democrats - I've lived in socialist countries, visited communist ones, and I just don't think that Marxist economic theory works well in practice. Rather than advocating mandated redistribution, I think the appropriate way to bring about greater equality is to equalize opportunity and have a *gently* progressive tax system that encourages entrepreneurs while still allowing large businesses to be competitive. Countries with lower Gini coefficients tend to do better over the long run, it's that simple.

[Mz Pip]

5. Oddly enough

as liberal as I consider myself, I actully agree with a couple of those conservative priciples listed, mainly the commitment to personal liberty and a belief in fiscal responsibility. And I do have a "deep suspicion of utopian promises" though it is not rooted in some apprication of the sinfullness or man. :eyes:

Some of the other stuff has too much of a religious implication for me since I am an agnostic a best.

I have relative who don't like Bush, McCain or where the neocons have taken the Republican Party. They seem to be most interested in effective government. THere may be differences on what that looks like or how it is to be achieved but I think that's probably what we all want.