Friedman: The Apparent Heir (Weird way of endorsing Kerry)

[RamboLiberal]

http://www.nytimes.com/2004/10/31/opinion/31friedman.ht...

Columnists for this newspaper are not allowed to endorse presidential candidates. But I think this election is so important, I am going to break the rules. I hope I don't get fired. But here goes: I am endorsing George Bush for president. No, no - not George W. Bush. I am endorsing his father - George Herbert Walker Bush.

The more I look back on the elder Bush - Bush 41 - the more I find things to admire and the more I see attributes we need in our next president.

<snip>

So as we approach this critical election of 2004, my advice, dear readers, is this: Vote for the candidate who embodies the ethos of George H. W. Bush - the old guy. Vote for the man who you think would have the same gut feel for nurturing allies and restoring bipartisanship to foreign policy as him. Vote for the man you think understands the importance of facing up to our fiscal responsibilities for the sake of our children. And vote for the man who has the best instincts for balancing realism and idealism and the man who understands the necessity of using energetic U.S. diplomacy to make Israel more secure - by helping to bring it peace with its Arab neighbors, not just more tours from American Christian fundamentalists.

Yes, next Tuesday, vote for the real political heir to George H. W. Bush. I'm sure you know who that is.

[NJCher]

1. nauseating

Hey, Friedman, you mean the old guy who started the assault on the Iraqis because he lacked "the vision thing" and couldn't figure out how to lead this nation to energy independence?




Cher

[Medium Baby Jesus]

2. Friedman is an ass

He supported the war from the beginning and now he is having misgivings. He was on Real Time last night and it was clear that he is trying out his mea culpas.

[BootinUp]

3. Its not a bad article

It clearly slams W. and he says right at the start he is not supposed to "endorse" a candidate. And Papa Bush did know foreign policy even though I didn't agree with all of it.

[Catt03]

5. Sounded like he was describing Kerry

" Vote for the man who you think would have the same gut feel for nurturing allies and restoring bipartisanship to foreign policy as him. Vote for the man you think understands the importance of facing up to our fiscal responsibilities for the sake of our children. And vote for the man who has the best instincts for balancing realism and idealism and the man who understands the necessity of using energetic U.S. diplomacy to make Israel more secure - by helping to bring it peace with its Arab neighbors, not just more tours from American Christian fundamentalists".

[unblock]

4. actually this is a good argument, and potentially influential

it's an argument that's likely to sway a few republicans.

this is not your father's iraq war....

[RamboLiberal]

6. Non-koolaid Non-Fundie Republicans - Reagan/41 Admirers

And I think Friedman is respected in those circles - this one could have them thinking about voting for Kerry.

[madaboutharry]

7. Friedman has a strange

world view. I don't think there is any thing to admire about George Herbert Walker Bush. He is the current head of a crime family and as corrupt as the day is long. Friedman knows this. I don't know why he would use this as a handle to his column. I would think a lot of people won't get it.

[grytpype]

8. Any endorsement of Kerry is welcome.

The "opinion leaders" are turning on Bush.

But is it too late?