A GENUINE SURPRISE

George W. Bush for president (Chicago Tribune, 10/17/04)

One by one, Americans typically settle on a presidential candidate after weighing his, and his rival's, views on the mosaic of issues that each of us finds important.

Some years, though, force vectors we didn't anticipate turn some of our usual priorities--our pet causes, our own economic interest--into narcissistic luxuries. As Election Day nears, the new force vectors drive our decision-making.

This is one of those years--distinct in ways best framed by Sen. John McCain, perhaps this country's most broadly respected politician. Seven weeks ago, McCain looked with chilling calm into TV cameras and told Americans, with our rich diversity of clashing worldviews, what is at stake for every one of us in the first presidential election since Sept. 11 of 2001:

"So it is, whether we wished it or not, that we have come to the test of our generation, to our rendezvous with destiny. ... All of us, despite the differences that enliven our politics, are united in the one big idea that freedom is our birthright and its defense is always our first responsibility. All other responsibilities come second." If we waver, McCain said, "we will fail the one mission no American generation has ever failed--to provide to our children a stronger, better country than the one we were blessed to inherit."

I would have predicted that the Tribune would go for Kerry, but instead it went for McCain. The endorsement editorial, read next to the Times endorsement of ABB, is the work of adults who wish to do what is best for the country, and not just for their own ideology. I don't think endorsements matter, but the Tribune provides a good guide for how the center-left can vote, in good conscience, to reelect the President.

Posted by David Cohen at October 17, 2004 1:01 PM