This argument for Barack Obama, from conservative writer and publisher Wick Allison, is more effective than some of the endorsements I've read from liberals (Katerine vanden Heuvel comes to mind). Allison makes his case for why Obama would be better for the country than John McCain without resorting to any of the tired and frustrated attacks on the Republican ticket, criticizing the neo-conservative philosophy instead. I don't think he does a good job describing what about Obama's ... More »

This editorial comes from Wick Allison, former publisher of the conservative publication "National Review." It provides insight into the mind of a conservative who has weighed the pros and cons and made a decision on the merits. This is a rare cross over from what I've seen, and provides some hope that we can end the era of politics where one's team (party) must be supported blindly regardless of the cost to our nation. (Note: See information on "D Magazine" using the link below.)

My problem with this opinion is that while it does a decent job of laying out why McCain doesn't fit the author's idea of conservative, There isn't much concrete evidence of Obama's "Conservative view of the world." We're told to read his book, and that he's a pragmatist, but the reader isn't presented with solid evidence.

As much as anything, this is a personal realization about the shallowness of labels. What does conservative really mean? The dictionary says it means preserving established tradition. Allison gives it another meaning here: a person who takes thoughtful, measured actions. Close, if not exactly the dictionary definition. By his definition, however, he makes a good case for why GOP leaders should no longer be called conservatives, and why he would support the more thoughtful, less bellicose Obama.

This is an excellent commentary from a true conservative. I totally agree with the third to last paragraph.

I like Mr. Allison's quote form Eric Hoffer about how every great cause “'begins as a movement, becomes a business, and eventually degenerates into a racket'", as well as hoping for Mr. McCain to come to his senses (his rationale for endorsing him in the primaries), and his contentions today's conservatism "is not conservative at all".

This is an extremely well reasoned and well presented opinion piece. It cuts through the partisan political noise and clearly sates its premiss and its logical conclusions.

These are scary times. John McCain wants to continue George Bush's policies.

Concise and well reasoned op-ed piece.