Peggy Noonan has gravitas
because, unlike me, she doesn't dismiss all Democrats as lying.
scheming, traitorous assholes. Nope, she's circumspect when evaluating the Iowa primary candidates. Because of that, her observations re Her Filthiness
are not only correct, but may change some minds that, and don't ask me
how this is possible, are undecided over this sinister entity. I
also think she's dead-on re the Republicans, although anyone but Duncan
Hunter and Fred would be another sellout to establishment
Republicans everyone hates.
| “ | Hillary
Clinton? No, not reasonable. I concede her sturdy mind, deep
sophistication, and seriousness of intent. I see her as a triangulator
like her husband, not a radical but a maneuverer in the direction of a
vague, half-forgotten but always remembered, leftism. It is also true
that she has a command-and-control mentality, an urgent, insistent and
grating sense of destiny, and she appears to believe that any act that
benefits Clintons is a virtuous act, because Clintons are good and
deserve to be benefited.
But this is not, actually, my central problem with her candidacy. My
central problem is that the next American president will very likely
face another big bad thing, a terrible day, or days, and in that time
it will be crucial--crucial--that our nation be led by a man or woman
who can be, at least for the moment and at least in general, trusted.
Mrs. Clinton is the most dramatically polarizing, the most
instinctively distrusted, political figure of my lifetime. Yes, I
include Nixon. Would she be able to speak the nation through the
trauma? I do not think so. And if I am right, that simple fact would do
as much damage to America as the terrible thing itself.
Duncan Hunter, Fred Thompson, and Bill Richardson are all
reasonable--mature, accomplished, nonradical. Mike Huckabee gets enough
demerits to fall into my not-reasonable column. John Edwards is not
reasonable. All the Democrats would raise taxes as president, but Mr.
Edwards's populism is the worst of both worlds, both intemperate and
insincere. Also we can't have a president who spent two minutes on
YouTube staring in a mirror and poofing his hair. Really, we just can't.
I forgot Rudy Giuliani. That must say something. He is reasonable but not desirable. If he wins somewhere, I'll explain. [Complete]
| ”
|
One more thing. I cede grammar to Noonan, but why does she use "Edwards's populism," instead of "Edwards' populism?" It smacks of smarmy affectation. Professionals only, please.
|
